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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think retail staff should have PPE

130 replies

fourpeasinapod · 15/04/2020 15:48

Was at my local Tesco today and it just made me wonder why on Earth they and other retail workers aren’t being provided with PPE.

If NHS staff can be given it then surely shop workers are entitled to it as well.

OP posts:
Samcro · 15/04/2020 15:49

even care home workers don't have it,

punnetofgrapes · 15/04/2020 15:50

first ever Biscuit

P1nkHeartLovesCake · 15/04/2020 15:51

Well the trouble is even nhs frontline staff don’t have enough!

If you can magic some up though once frontline health care workers have it, feel free to give it to Susan on checkout 5

Ginfilledcats · 15/04/2020 15:53

Firstly if they can't give all NHS front line staff PPE, they won't be giving it to retail staff

Secondly full PPE is only needed when performing aerosol generating procedures. Ie intubation and extubation.

Good hand hygiene should be enough in supermarkets, gloves and surgical masks a bonus

TopBitchoftheWitches · 15/04/2020 15:55

Good hand hygiene should be enough in supermarkets, gloves and surgical masks a bonus

Nice idea but no, not allowed.

Original poster
fourpeasinapod · 15/04/2020 15:59

The virus can spread if you’re in close proximity to other people.

It’s not going to say “oh well I’m not going to infect Barbara because she’s a retail worker”

They deserve the same protection. Washing your hands is great but it spreads in different ways as well.

Personally I think all shops should close and make it deliveries only

OP posts:
SpiritEssence · 15/04/2020 16:02

In my store were issued gloves but not masks. Have hand sanitiser as well but there my own

ssd · 15/04/2020 16:02

I agree op. If course the NHS should have it first but it shouldn't be a race to the bottom. Anyone working with the public in whatever capacity should have it.

alltripe · 15/04/2020 16:03

God only knows how you are going to get through the next few months.

Original poster
fourpeasinapod · 15/04/2020 16:04

@alltripe eh I’m not exactly sure what you mean?

OP posts:
wowfudge · 15/04/2020 16:04

We are trying to slow the spread, not eliminate it. Staff in Waitrose have PPE. No idea whether they provide it themselves or the company does.

lazyarse123 · 15/04/2020 16:38

My shop have been provided with gloves and masks. The masks are no good because once you have touched them if they are covered in bacteria then so are you. We have screens which are helpful and practising social distancing. Some of our customers have complained that we are not forcing people to stay apart but we are trying and I am so sick of adults having to be told what to do. Sorry can you tell i've been working today.

RogueV · 15/04/2020 16:41

What kind of PPE are you thinking of?

You do realise NHS workers actually work with sick patients? Biscuit

Original poster
fourpeasinapod · 15/04/2020 16:42

@lazyarse123 I feel so bad for you. God love you all, surrounded by the the general public all day at times like this not knowing what you’re picking up from others.

Thank you for your work though x

OP posts:
Original poster
fourpeasinapod · 15/04/2020 16:43

@RogueV I’m talking gloves, masks, aprons etc.

Yeah they may well do, but how do you know retail workers aren’t serving sick customers? No symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean no infection

OP posts:
Original poster
fourpeasinapod · 15/04/2020 16:46

I’m shocked that my poll has received more votes for YABU than YANBU.

To those who voted for the latter, please explain why retail staff should not be protected?

OP posts:
Original poster
fourpeasinapod · 15/04/2020 16:49

Oh wait sorry. Just realised YANBU was not the latter on my last post.

I should say, to those who voted YABU, please explain why retail staff should not be protected?

OP posts:
lazyarse123 · 15/04/2020 16:52

Thank you forpeas most days it's fine, but there's an odd customer you just wonder what planet they live on.

Theonewiththecandles · 15/04/2020 16:53

It's not the case that the shouldnt be protective it's just not feasible, they would have to change their gloves, aprons etc after dealing with every single customer, otherwise it's just the same as wearing their normal gear.

DontStandSoCloseToMe · 15/04/2020 16:54

You realise that carers, social workers, police officers, prison and probation officers, drug agency and mental health workers are all working without PPE? It's much more frequent that they get spat at or potted

Sennetti · 15/04/2020 16:55

retail worker here ...we have gloves and masks should we want to wear them

masks are not proved to be of benefit i believe....they aren't even surgical masks

we touch the ones we have a thousand times over per shift, then just drop them in the normal bin when going home. wrong wrong wrong i believe! gloves just go in the bin too, but they are useless and snag against our products and break every time. so whats the point in them?

cardibach · 15/04/2020 16:57

It’s not that they shouldn’t be, fourpeas. It’s that they can’t be just now. There’s not enough for NHS and care homes who really need it. Teachers working with key workers’ children who are often too young to understand social distancing don’t have it. Retail workers are at risk and I’d hate to have to do it. I’m as sure as I can be that I’ve had it and the only place I’d been for a week before was the supermarket so I get that it’s risky, but not as risky as some other jobs.

ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 15/04/2020 16:57

Retail workers can be protected through social distancing, handwashing and screens in places where distancing is hard, such as checkouts.

There is not enough ppe for healthcare workers who cannot be protected in these ways.

Troels · 15/04/2020 16:59

I don't think you are being unresonable.
I think they should all have a decent mask.
I'm a nurse, in a care home, I have gloves and aprons and a few paper masks that will be all gone by the time I'm back in work this week. Last week we were low on gloves.
We've been having to source our own masks. We were given a load of home made, and then a local school gave us face sheilds to use for patients who might spit.

PickAChew · 15/04/2020 16:59

The guy manning the door in our town centre tesco was wearing a perspex face guard when I went in, at the weekend - presumably because there are a few unpleasant characters around who may spit at him. None for other staff, though, but not really needed, as others have explained.

Our big markses food hall has perspex sneeze guards at the checkouts, now. At least one of our local bus companies has sealed up holes in the drivers' assault screens to offer them more protection.