Reporting a shop and its customers...

[ripples101]

It is about Covid-19, so I was unsure whether to post here or on the Health/Coronavirus board. But I do want to know if I'm being unreasonable or not.

For the record, I live in Greater Manchester, which is now on local lockdown. This is especially relevant to this thread, especially so as the village I live in has been identified as the place/source which has caused a rise in Covid cases throughout the entire borough.

So today I was going to my local supermarket, walking through the village, and a new shop was having it's "grand opening". The shop itself is tiny - typical of a small village/town high street. Not a chain. Just an independent shop. Outside the shop were two tables with complimentary drinks and nibbles.

As i walked past, there were only a couple of people outside the shop, but I looked inside the shop and it was packed (for a shop of its size) - around 10-15 people inside. Not one person inside the shop was wearing a face mask.

On my way back from the supermarket (about 20 minutes later), outside the shop was now packed. Blocking the entire footpath, so I walked into the road to get past. Looked in the shop and it was also full of people. Not one person, outside or inside the shop were wearing face masks.

When I got home I decided to phone 101, to report this. That is my first AIBU. Was I unreasonable to do this?

The person I spoke to from 101 told me that the Police will do nothing. He said that I (me) should go to into the shop itself and confront the management and the shops customers. He said if I'm not happy with the response I get from the management and customers, I can then contact my local council to see if they will deal with it.

He did put me through to another Police officer, and they also confirmed that the Police wouldn't do anything, and that it was my responsibility to talk to the management/customers.

This is my second AIBU. AIBU to think this is unacceptable for the Police to ask me to do this - to confront the shop and its customers myself?

Like I said at the start of this post, this happened in a town that has been identified as being the source of a Covid spread throughout an entire borough, which is one of the causes that has resulted in Greater Manchester (and other areas in the North) now being on lockdown.

The window to the shop covers the entire facade. Incredibly easy to look in and see (as a estimate) how many people are inside. 10-15 is an estimate.

Why should I name it BakedCam? For who's benefit will that be? I named it to the Police, you know how they responded. I don't want to name it because that would be unreasonable (for a myriad of reasons).

I think you're just being obtuse. Picking at semantics in order to try and prove a point (and missing the ball completely in that respect). Face masks (no it's face coverings act-u-ally), honestly, discuss like an adult and stop nit-picking.

I take your overall point on board. Maybe I am unreasonable. That's why I asked the question.

But let's then take this to a logical conclusion. I have a valid concern regarding a shop/store - say a bigger chain like Tesco's - whereby no one is adhering to social distancing, no one is wearing masks, etc etc, then given what the Police said to me - I should be the one to confront the shop owners and customers - well I hope you know where I'm going with this...

You ask - am I reporting all the people who enter these shops?

No, clearly I'm not. But according to what the Police said to me today, should I be confronting all the people who enter these shops? It that my responsibility? Is it an all or nothing scenario that you suggest? Are you suggesting that because I was concerned about a small shop, then I'm a hypocrite for not being concerned about Tescos?

Just grateful that I don't live in Manchester where viral vectors seem to be easily disregarded. Please don't leave to go on holiday.

Busybodies like you must be having a field day with this pandemic.

If you are that worried about the virus, then you ought to stay at home yourself.

Perhaps take up a hobby?

@uniglowooljumper or some people get frustrated when people can't just wear a bit of fabric over their faces for a short while in time during a pandemic.

That’s awful OP. I guess all you can do now is report it to the council.

They were (inside and outside the shop) drinking, eating, socialising.

Eating and drinking is a specific exemption to wearing a mask, whether they’re in a shop or not.

If you’re serious about continuing to report the business, I posted the link on the first page. It’s specially to report breaches of COVID-19 restrictions for greater Manchester police

OP,.

Why don't you place a formal complaint to GMP if the response from the police has upset you so?

As for the rest of your post, I'll answer you.

I also live in one of areas that has been placed on restrictions. I get on with my life, stick to what is required of me and mind my own business.

I don't report anything unless someone was at risk of serious harm. It is not my responsibility to police other people, or businesses. Public health is each person's business. As a PP has said, police have openly stated they won't be enforcing face coverings in shops. They can't. It is not tenable. Because of the exemptions - they know there is an appeal process.

If it is not your responsibility to report in larger shops, why did you feel it was your responsibility at this particular outlet?

@NikeDeLaSwoosh

Yeah I’m loving it.

I’ve not seen one member of my family since March. The only times I’ve been out since March is to go to the supermarket. My relationship with my boyfriend has ended. I’ve lost 40% of my work income.

I live in a town that has caused increase in cases across an entire borough.

Yeah I’m loving this.

How many people who are loving this have asked whether they are being unreasonable for asking whether a shop and people ignoring guidelines are themselves being unreasonable?

Get a grip.

Can see why it would concern you, but you've reported it and that's not really gone anywhere, so do you really need to waste any more energy? If you don't want to 'confront' anyone in the shop (which I wouldn't), then just leave it. You don't need to go in the shop yourself, and it's unlikely it'll be that busy in there again.

What I think is folly however is to just assume that anyone / everyone who doesn't wear a face mask is exempt.

The thing is, you can think this and you could have challenged each and everyone of them and all they had to say was that they were exempt and that's it. Based on what the government has written in law, they can make up a "valid" reason and job done. Highly unlikely that they all were exempt, but there you go.

In a way I'm surprised you phoned the Police, as many forces have said they will not get involved unless there is a public order offence (or whatever they call it).

The police came in our store today to see me (non covid matter, shoplifter issue)

people were clutching at their masks but not one person complained to the officers that so and so didnt have a mask on.....I really wanted them to have to have the mask convo so I could see their response

Well I would report to the council because the shop also owe a duty of care to their employees

Bakedcam

Yeah it’s a valid point. The police can’t enforce this.

The police however effectively asked me to deal with it.

The attitudes of some on this thread show exactly why spikes are occurring in some places.

I seriously don't believe anyone who knew their village was a source of an outbreak that caused wider lockdowns would just think "meh" to people who break the restrictions and continue to provide risk.

There was no need for shared food. No need to have drinks in a table to be touched by various people. No need for the entire population to be exempt from masks and no need for 10/15 people to be in a small space.

There is every reason for shops to follow covid secure guidelines and that's why they are written and HSE can get involved if they aren't adhered to.

[quote ripples101]@NikeDeLaSwoosh

Yeah I’m loving it.

I’ve not seen one member of my family since March. The only times I’ve been out since March is to go to the supermarket. My relationship with my boyfriend has ended. I’ve lost 40% of my work income.

I live in a town that has caused increase in cases across an entire borough.

Yeah I’m loving this.

How many people who are loving this have asked whether they are being unreasonable for asking whether a shop and people ignoring guidelines are themselves being unreasonable?[/quote]
You aren't the only one not enjoying what Covid brings, though?

Lockdown was relaxed weeks ago- you could have easily gone and seen some family members from a distance, surely? Many relationships have ended due to Covid, and plenty of women are stuck with abusers. Some people have absolutely no jobs at all. Your job, even with a reduced income, might still be thousands more than others earn.

Look, I don't usually like the whole one-up-manship comparison thing. I think everyone's gripes should be listened to. But you have absolutely no idea of what any of those people have been through when you went out, today. I'd be willing to bet at least one person is working on the front line, has lost someone to CV, or has been made redundant. Ultimately, everyone is entitled to make their own decisions on what they want to do. Just as you are.

So do your weekly shop via click and collect/delivery, and stick to open air, outdoor spaces for anything else. Let everyone else crack on.

You aren't, to put it blunty, anymore important than anyone else. Your story isn't special. The police don't care, the people today don't care. You can't control what others do- only what you do. So focus on that rather than telling tales.

@NikeDeLaSwoosh

Busybodies like you must be having a field day with this pandemic.

If you are that worried about the virus, then you ought to stay at home yourself.

Perhaps take up a hobby?

What a ridiculous thing to say. It's precisely people doing whatever the hell they want & sod the guidelines & sod the consequences for everyone else. Like most folk I'm bloody sick & tired of this virus & would like to throw a hand grenade, fire a rocket propelled missile at Covid & then stamp on it a bit more to make sure it's dead & long gone. But I know the only way to deal with Covid (until we get a vaccine) is to be careful in what we do & follow the government guidelines as best as we can (though I know sometimes the odd thing has to give occasionally)

But to blatantly stick two fingers up & do what you ever want is extremely selfish & irresponsible as the more people who do stupid things like the OP has written about it make it horrible & also dangerous for everyone else & then those selfish fuckers start moaning about lockdown going on longer.
Probably the same selfish fuckers who are moaning about the possibility of pubs being shut again (to keep the R rate below 1) in order for our children to get their education.
I'd like to shove a hand grenade up where the sun don't shine of these silly thick people & then stamp on them too, might knock a bit of sense into their heads.

[quote ripples101]@NikeDeLaSwoosh

Yeah I’m loving it.

I’ve not seen one member of my family since March. The only times I’ve been out since March is to go to the supermarket. My relationship with my boyfriend has ended. I’ve lost 40% of my work income.

I live in a town that has caused increase in cases across an entire borough.

Yeah I’m loving this.

How many people who are loving this have asked whether they are being unreasonable for asking whether a shop and people ignoring guidelines are themselves being unreasonable?[/quote]
As there is a poster upthread that has also mentioned she is unable to see her daughter in a care home. Did you consider her point of view?

Had you come on and posted about the difficulties you've faced as a result of living under this pandemic, you might not have had some of the responses you've had. Instead, you've posted about a shop that had customers you know nothing about and you decide they're all breaking the law when you don't know this.

FWIW, it is difficult for many people and I've yet to meet a person that hasn't had a difficult time throughout this. People have lost their lives and some have lost their livelihoods.

What @stretchedmarks said.

I think it's grossly irresponsible of two police personnel to expect a member of the public to "confront" a shop full of people and their management. It's their job to do that. What happens of you did this at their suggestion and got smacked by someone as a result? Personally, before contacting the council I would contact the independent police standards agency, or whatever it's called these days (used to be IPCC).
You can however report a non-covid secure establishments online anonymously. I would do that but frankly the behaviour of the police is even more concerning and shows how truly inept the police are on this whole situation.