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AIBU?

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Original poster

Go to the supermarket or take an online slot?

52 replies

coffeeforone · 04/04/2020 08:48

Which is better for those who are not vulnerable, assuming online slots are (sparingly) available?

a) Take the slot you can get as per the 'stay at home' / 'get delivered' gov advice?

b) leave the slot for those that absolutely shouldn't / cannot go out and and queue at the supermarket, adding to the people in one place at once. My supermarket is limiting numbers but still there are a fair amount of people inside with queues etc, and it's not always possible to keep the 2m distance in every isle.

I keep thinking about this and can't work out what to do for the best. We are a household of 4 including a 3.5 year old and a baby. But of course only me or DH would go to supermarket alone maybe once or twice a week.

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 04/04/2020 08:50

Not sure where you're finding an online slot.

Rarer than when's teeth here, for anyone

Original poster
coffeeforone · 04/04/2020 08:50

Just to add, since lockdown we've had one online delivery and been to supermarket 3 times

OP posts:
Palmtree76 · 04/04/2020 08:52

I’m able bodied and not vulnerable and feel wrong taking a rare supermarket delivery slot when I can jump in the car and get the stuff I need. Tricky but morally feels right given what’s happening right now

DrierThanANunsNasty · 04/04/2020 08:52

It’s quite simple: the online slots should be for vulnerable people who can’t go out. Don’t take one if you don’t need it...

n00bMaster69 · 04/04/2020 08:53

If you can go to the shops then you should.

The shielded group can't go to the shops at all, they're not even supposed to step outside. They are very likely to die if they get the virus.

rosie39forever · 04/04/2020 08:58

Absolutely go to the supermarket if you are healthy and leave the slot for a vulnerable person, my DH and DD are on the extremely vulnerable list and cannot leave the house at all. It's been impossible to get a delivery slot anywhere so I have no choice but to go out for food, every time I do this I risk their lives. So please if you are able to do the right thing and give up your slots for people who are likely to die if they come into contact with Covid-19.

Thank you to anyone who is already doing this, you are saving lives just by shopping in store💐

Daftodil · 04/04/2020 08:59

Either is acceptable. You might not be on the vulnerable list, but you have young kids so if you got sick they would suffer enormously. If you don't want to go to the supermarket because of increasing the number of people in one place, you could try topping up from smaller corner shops or petrol stations instead.

Jeezoh · 04/04/2020 09:03

I’m doing in store shops and leaving the slots for those that really need them, I could have got one this morning but didn’t take it. So many elderly people local to me are distressed at struggling to get one. Not meant to sound like I’m preaching but it’s a small way I can help.

User202004 · 04/04/2020 09:14

I wouldn't dream of using an online slot right now considering I'm not vulnerable, I used to only shop online. Plus with low stock I'd like to see what's there, and tbh I'm enjoying it as an opportunity to get out!!

TeacupDrama · 04/04/2020 09:19

The shielded group are specifically recommended to go out into their own gardens if possible to get fresh air and sunlight they are not meant to go to shops etc or for exercise the only reason for a shielded person to leave home is for medical appointments

Many shielded people don't have own garden as in sheltered accommodation already they are encouraged to stand in doorways open windows etc to get air while being 2metres away, nowhere is it saying they have to stay inside the house. Please quote government advice accurately

Carrie7469 · 04/04/2020 09:25

I must be more selfish than most of the people on here. If you don’t take the slot there is no way of determining whether or not it will go to an elderly or vulnerable person. If I was you I’d take it

Dartsplayer · 04/04/2020 09:27

My friend who works for a large supermarket said that anyone vulnerable can complete a government form and the supermarket offer slots to those people first. The slots that appear as available are for Joe Public to use as they wish

Greendin · 04/04/2020 09:28

I got two delivery slots at Iceland yesterday, one for us and one for MIL who is isolating. I got to the checkout and decided I couldn't go through with our order. It would be shameful to have the delivery van pull up outside our house and start unloading bags when DP is going out running everyday. Clearly DP is capable of going to the supermarket.

Save the slots for people like my MIL, who can't go out and have no family nearby to do their shopping.

BMW6 · 04/04/2020 09:28

Supermarket in your case OP, 100%

bellinisurge · 04/04/2020 09:32

Check on Facebook to see if local small businesses are delivering . I have had milk delivered for ages but added eggs to my order. Also found a local greengrocers doing a delivery.

anotherexclusion · 04/04/2020 09:33

Def don't take the slot and take your thinking up a notch - is there someone vulnerable you could also shop for thereby freeing up another delivery slot for someone who has no local support. I did one massive shop this week for 3 households, tried to persuade another one (v close family) but they were having none of it which made me so angry.

FudgeBrownie2019 · 04/04/2020 09:33

Greengrocers, butcher and milkman all delivering here so we're using those. It means supermarket slots remain free for vulnerable people.

megletthesecond · 04/04/2020 09:36

I'm doing collection this week and have a delivery at the end of the month. I'm a lone parent. I only have one relative near me, they've already done one shop for me and I don't want to push my luck.

LangClegsInSpace · 04/04/2020 09:39

My friend who works for a large supermarket said that anyone vulnerable can complete a government form and the supermarket offer slots to those people first. The slots that appear as available are for Joe Public to use as they wish

The trouble is the government list is not working perfectly yet. There are some who are supposed to be shielding who are not yet on the list. Also it doesn't cover the full range of people who really need a slot - e.g. those who may be fit and well themself but who live with someone who is supposed to shield, disabled people who always rely on home delivery anyway, lone parents who cannot take their children ...

If the website says you can book a slot then you are within your rights to do so but if you are able to go yourself then I think you should.

TwistinMyMelon · 04/04/2020 09:41

I have been isolating this week and can not get food and cannot go out for it. I would go out to a supermarket if I could. Save the online slots for those who genuinely can't go out.

bridgetreilly · 04/04/2020 09:42

Go to the supermarket.

nerozero · 04/04/2020 09:48

Take the slot.

If they're available as general public ones you're entitled to it. Except on MN where people think you're a morally wrong person for doing so.

If you don't take it someone else will and doubt they'll be a vulnerable one!

nerozero · 04/04/2020 09:50

In fact I'd take it to piss these holier than thou MNetters off.

Have you seriously nothing else to worry about?

Slots are not just for the vulnerable. The less people going to the supermarket the better.

mrscampbellblackagain · 04/04/2020 09:54

I have a weekly Ocado slot and am not going out at all unless to shop for neighbours if I can't add their stuff to my delivery.

I have a child with type one diabetes so although not highly vulnerable he would be probably be more poorly than average if he got the virus.

I don't feel guilty about it and as others have said if I gave up my slot what is there to guarantee someone on the shielded list would get it?

Glittercandle · 04/04/2020 10:01

Supermarkets are releasing slots for vulnerable people (DS is vulnerable and Sainsbury’s have offered us a wide choice of slots.

If you can find yourself one then take it, the less people out the better.

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