Customers in supermarket queues buying 2 items

[justasking111]

After a week of emptying cupboards reluctantly went out this morning. Standing in Tesco queue, two over 70s ladies behind me. one had given the other a lift. What do you need the driver said, oh just some cheese and a newspaper. They were not switched on by social distancing either despite the clear marks on the pavement.

Now I do think if you are over 70 and determined to get out well on your head be it. But for two items, for christs sake.

AIBU I being unreasonable to think that if you go to a supermarket it is to seriously stock up not for 2 items?

I can batter on for a few more weeks and afterwards have a clear conscience that I did my bit when it was needed. I can tell you that people in my area are sucking it up by and large and we have a low infection rate as a result. Plenty of people shopping here and we have the lowest rate in the UK as far as I know, South West. We obviously don't deserve it but then we won't get a medal like you, I mean not buying cheese is going to save us all.

My brother was recently in a ship buying... Lemonade and lettuce.

Well at least he won't get scurvy.

You can shop when you like. There are no rules about being down to your last pack of noodles before venturing out.

We aren't under martial law and you are free to leave the house if you wish to do so.

Their age is clearly relevant as over 70s have been advised to shield as they are a higher risk category, for those who seem to have failed to notice that!

No they haven’t

I've gone to the shop for two things. They were what I needed that I couldn't get with my "big shop". What do you propose OP?

Well at least he won't get scurvy. Good point, what with all the rickets were going to get from no sunlight we don't need scurvy as well.

Ahhhh, MN never disappoints in its ability to deliver on that last bastion of prejudice: ageism.

Thanks OP

Maybe like me they're actually in the Tesco queue because of collecting a prescribed medication.
Yes, I think it's ridiculous that we have to do that and I may pick up a few things before leaving the shop.

I see after the goady follow up comment the OP lobbed in she hasn't been back.

Aren't we DONE with these threads now?

I'm only interested if there is a video of people fighting or getting arrested.

Although more vulnerable than younger people, over 70s, unless 'clinically vulnerable', have not been advised to shield.

They have been advised to observe social distancing the same as everyone else.

Unless, the OP, as well as being adepts at judging people's ages, is able to tell if people have underlying conditions that make them vulnerable, then the age of these people is irrelevant.

Personally, I couldn't be bothered to queue for a couple of items but it's their time they're wasting if that's what they want to do.

Why anyone could be bothered about what other people in the supermarket queue get up to or what they are buying though, is beyond me.

Interesting that in normal circumstances most people think nothing of popping to the shop for the odd item. I live in a village with no shop and it concentrates the mind. I am used to buying in bulk, in advance, always keep spare of everything and always shop online. So nothing different here

1forsorrow we are still shopping here. No one is starving. But people are doing one big shop a week in general and using a good network of local shops and community groups who do home deliveries. I imagine the south west will be hit by more illness when you get an influx of holiday makers. They tend to be the same people whose 'neeeeeed' for prosecco is matched only by their 'neeeeeed' for a holiday at the seaside. I suppose my point is a lot of people mix up the meaning of the words want and need.

Oh do jog on OP. This has been done to death. You buy what you need, let others do the same.

Our local pet store/farm shop opened this week. An old lady came in to buy a packet of biscuits. She hadn't seen anyone for 10 weeks, and needed to get out and speak to someone. She felt the store, which is big and spacious, old barn, and is driven to, was the best option for her. I wouldn't judge her for a moment.

@1forsorrow thank you. It wasnt clear at first. I think they make it up on the fly. Its bloody confusing

I think it's true that it will be relaxed before a vaccine so I guess it's in a way irrelevant. I used to feel bad for people who appear of retirement age going out to the shops. Queuing up etc but I'm going to be less concerned after reading this thread. If they are well enough to get out and want to, let them crack on. We will all be mingling soon enough anyway.

Then the moaning about my minging kids in shops and school killing people off can start.

I am glad I am in Scotland where the First Minister recognises that the lockdown requirements need to be applied with some common sense and pragmatism

That is also recognised in England. Guidance issued states that buying a small number of an essential item (eg a newspaper or a pint of milk) is absolutely fine.
I just went to the supermarket to buy 4 ice lollies and some milk.

Sorry, but all those claiming 'mind your own business'... If OP catches coronavirus from them it is her business isn't it?

You're more likely to catch coronavirus if you mix with a greater number of people.

People who shop little and often will be in contact with more people than those who go out infrequently.

Ergo those who shop frequently are a greater risk to others.

The age is a red herring in this case.

GrumpiestOldWoman I just went in for 4 ice lollies and 4 pints of milk but it’s the first time I’ve been in a shop for 3 weeks, so I’m at no greater risk than someone who does a weekly big shop (we have meat, fruit and veg delivered from a local farm shop weekly, contactless delivery).

Shoot me now. Shop trip done the other day as my lighter broke. Clearly I'm a completely selfish bastard and should have decided it wasn't essential.

What are the shopping, exercise and everything else Police going to do when restrictions start to be relaxed.

Today I went to the supermarket and bought a pair of gym leggings and matching tshirt 50% off F&F sale, then went to the back of the car park to pick up my click n collect order.

Shoot me now.

Maybe cheese and newspapers are all that lady eats, 70 blocks of cheese a week and a newspaper for garnish. Tbh I thought shopping was supposed to be little and often - due to stockpiling.

Hilarious that one thread earlier had a poster likening easing the lockdown to literal murder of the old, and here an OP is concerned about an elderly person putting themselves at risk to buy a newspaper being called ageist shite.

What are the shopping, exercise and everything else Police going to do when restrictions start to be relaxed

They’ll post memes like this one I imagine