Shopping for a vulnerable person - how to do it?

[2020canfuckrightoff]

So am shopping for the first time today for someone on the shielded list and therefore particularly vulnerable.

Stupid question really but am wondering how to make it as safe as possible.

I don’t have gloves - but did manage to pick up hand sanitizer. Im almost considering some freezer bags to maybe cover my hands when handling the trolley. Hand sanitiser before getting in car, hand sanitiser again before dropping off. My fear is really about the bags and food packaging I suppose.

I don’t know the person who I’m dropping the shopping off to, so have asked them to please be really careful on their side, but of course they haven’t had shopping ina while so a lot of products like “antibacterial wipes” are part of the shopping list itself, so am assuming they’re probably out of this sort of stuff.

Any tips?

@Tigeerqueen great username btw

@TabbyMumz I found some last night!! Was so surprised - it was at a Bp garage (Not one of the M&S ones) - I think they’re franchised though so probably not a nationwide thing sadly.

There is absolutely no point in sanitising your trolley handle, or sanitising your hands as you go around the shop. Every item you pick up will have been handled by the staff and probably other customers so you’d have to re-clean the trolley handle and your hands after picking up every single item.

Do your shop, then load your bags into your car and then sanitise your hands before driving off, by all means. But your car keys may still be contaminated, and the handle of the boot and the handles of the bags....

All you can do is to do your shop and let him/her take what precautions they think necessary on unpacking. Try not to stress, you’re doing a lovely thing.

Another thought if they haven't registered (as vulnerable) they can online and get online shops, some of the shops are only contacting people this week, which might take the pressure off you perhaps.

@Orangeblossom78 hopefully! I know she’s looked at all the main supermarkets but I did suggest Iceland as well as my parents have got a few slots there on a couple of occasions.

Obviously no one wants to have someone else doing their shop for them, it’s a strangely personal thing isn’t it (which I had never really given any though to until now).

Try not to worry too much OP, you're being kind in getting the shopping and asking the receipient to be careful the other end. Please don't think if she does get ill it's your fault, that's just putting a lot of unecessary pressure on yourself.

If anyone's looking for hand sanitiser, I got an e-mail from this company saying they now have it in stock: mothernaturesgoodies.co.uk/hand-sanitiser-gel-alcohol-based-3-bottles-15-minimum-60-alcohol-pump-spray/

Tabbymumz OP had already said she owned hand sanitizer. I also have a few bottles bought last year when my daughter was tiny and I needed a way to sanitize my hands after every nappy change even if no sink. Plus whoever the panic buyers are probably have plenty.

I'm being shielded. My neighbours and things are helping me

They leave the stuff on the doorstep. Ring the bell. I got down and collect it. Leave it for 2 days on the side. Then use it.

Right am off to the shops - at the least the queues will be sunny! Thanks for such lovely responses and ideas.