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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask (lightheartedly) what’s the most bizarre or confusing “because of Covid” you’ve heard?

282 replies

Rainbowb · 19/09/2020 22:36

My next door neighbour has had someone else walk her dog for her since lockdown “because of covid”. Never goes further than her garden. Such a shame because daily walks have never been banned and I’m sure the change of scene would benefit her and her dog would love her to take him!

Just wondered if anyone else has come across bizarre things being done or not done “because of covid?”.

Disclaimer - this is a light hearted thread just to help see the funny side a bit for my own sanity. It’s not meant to be dismissive of people’s genuine experiences or fears.

OP posts:
Goldensunnydays81 · 20/09/2020 18:22

Our tourist village has got rid of lots of on street parking to make the pavements wider so that people can queue for shops easier, the only problem is the bollards are now used as seating for everyone and it is even more congested plus they sit with their legs sticking out into the middle of the road. Also people seem to now assume that it is all pedestrianised and seem to just walk out in front of you and then glare at you for driving on the road.
We also have Covid wardens! That seem to have replaced the traffic warden they don’t seem to be telling anyone anything (groups of people hanging around ) but just seem to tell delivery and taxi drivers off! Even saw them walk along the pavement the other day next to each other making an old couple step out into the middle of the road.

KitKatastrophe · 20/09/2020 18:36

Our asda has implemented a one way system. The customer service desk is just inside the door but it's on the "way out" side, so I had to walk all the way round the shop (passing multiple other customers) to get to the customer service.

I pointed this out and the lady said I could have just moved some shelving to get through, but who is going to do that!?

twoshedsjackson · 20/09/2020 18:45

I am still waiting for a much-needed haircut as the salon I usually visit is closed, notice on the door explains this is because of Covid. Friends tell me that the where they live, salons are open, but with limitations in place. Understandable.
But immediately next door to the salon is a barber's shop, open and doing a roaring trade. Both places offer to cut hair, with other services thrown in, but does female head hair harbour contagion, while male hair does not?

KitKatastrophe · 20/09/2020 18:49

@LouiseNW

RiftGibbon

“Not being able to try on shoes in shops.“

Do you really not understand why?

Well it's to stop people touching the shoes in the shop. But what's the difference if you take them home, try them on and they dont fit? If anything it increases risk of transmission because you would then have to make a second trip to the shop, come into contact with a second group of customers and staff, possible a second bus journey putting you into contact with yet another group of people.

Or are we expected just to buy shoes which dont fit and wear them anyway because of covid?

BikeRunSki · 20/09/2020 18:52

Maybe your hairdresser is vulnerable or lives with someone who is @twoshedsjackson? Maybe they have dependants that normally have some kind of daycare that is not open?

KitKatastrophe · 20/09/2020 19:06

@Spidey66

I was in the park with the dog one day. A couple were playing with a frisbee, but wouldn't let a nearby child pick the frisbee up "because of coronavirus."
I would be more worried about dog mouth germs. No way would I let my child touch something which had been in a dogs mouth.
KitKatastrophe · 20/09/2020 19:06

I think alot of it is psychological need to feel / be seen that "something is being done"
This is exactly what it is, and its bonkers.

CurlyStrawsRock · 20/09/2020 21:44

The one I don’t get is larger shops closing various exits and entrances thereby forcing more people to use a reduced space and thus making social distancing harder. I’m looking at you John Lewis Solihull

Haha this made me giggle! But sooo true!

National Trusts are the most annoying ones. Shutting off walks to big open spaces and making everyone walk round a one way route. Scotney Castle.....I'm talking about you.

CurlyStrawsRock · 20/09/2020 21:51

@KitKatastrophe

Our asda has implemented a one way system. The customer service desk is just inside the door but it's on the "way out" side, so I had to walk all the way round the shop (passing multiple other customers) to get to the customer service.

I pointed this out and the lady said I could have just moved some shelving to get through, but who is going to do that!?

Me 😂😂

I would do that haha. One way systems make me rage if they've been set up for the sake of it rather than useful and workable!

Veterinari · 20/09/2020 21:57

@Valleydad99

My boy was banned from using armbands in the pool "because of covid". I assumed I misunderstood at first so asked for a repeat from the centre staff but apparently he could have carried the virus in on the plastic armbands. They didn't answer whether I should shave the children before swimming in future as they could carry it in on their hair. Was a bizarre interaction all told
Did they explain how the COVID would survive in the chlorinated water? Confused
pinkpetal2 · 20/09/2020 22:02

Greggs not selling iced ring doughnuts but selling other doughnuts Confused

CurlyStrawsRock · 20/09/2020 22:09

But this actually makes sense? One cooking oil bottle shared by every child touching it passing it around, or the teacher has to walk within 2m of all of them to give it out? Rather than staying at the front?

@AutumnSuns or the teacher measures out the oil for each cooking station prior to the lesson in non disposable containers and reduce waste. Wash up after....ta da!

renallychallenged · 20/09/2020 22:10

We went to a farm park and were told we couldn't go back to our car for the picnic. Cos of Covid Hmm

wanderings · 20/09/2020 22:15

When someone gave a box of chocolates to our (strictly limited to 6) church choir, it was impossible for anyone to eat them, cos Covid. Putting them on a plate, handing them round, everyone helping themselves from the packet: all verboten.

I said "how do you suppose food gets on the supermarket shelves?"

Cue the replies of "we have to be seen to be doing the right thing", "we are being watched", etc.

The church is also the only place I have been told I can't wear a visor: oh no, God insists on the face nappy. Wink

Toddlerteaplease · 20/09/2020 22:27

My trust wasn't ding MRSA screens etc because of Covid. That's very helpful.

Fuckingfuckssake · 20/09/2020 22:34

Went to a bowling alley, ordered food, couldn't have onions on our hot dogs " because of the Coronavirus"

powershowerforanhour · 20/09/2020 22:36

ordered a dominos last night and couldn’t order a half and half because of Covid - as though the mixing of my Hawaiian left half and Texas bbq right half might spontaneously generate coronavirus

The best so far- it wasn't bats and pangolins, it was Hawaiian and Texas bbq wot done it!

The most Shock one is socially distancing whilst fleeing a burning building.

Rose789 · 20/09/2020 22:44

Me and dh went for a cuppa at a local coffee shop.
Me- “Hi, can I get a tea and a latte. A cheese scone and a slice of cake please”
Waitress- “No”
“Umm pardon?”
Waitress “You both have to have the same”
Me “what... why”
Waitress “cos of Covid”
Me- Looking at the full display cabinet of cakes and pastries “so you only have one type of cake and one type of drink?”
Waitress “no we serve everything. You can have 2 teas, or 2 coffees but you can’t have both. You can both have something savory or you both can have something sweet but you can’t have both”
Me “oh ok I’ll have a coffee and a slice of cake please”
Dh “I’ll have a cup of tea and a cheese scone please”
2 separate trays and my card tapped twice but we both finally got to sit at the same same table.

Stinkyguineapig · 20/09/2020 22:47

We went to a farm park and were told we couldn't go back to our car for the picnic. Cos of Covid

Oh yeah, we had that at a zoo I think.
Maybe its knowing which people are actually in the park/zoo for t and t purposes although you could (in the case of the zoo)feasibly be about half a mile away from the covid spreader.

Candyflosscookie · 20/09/2020 22:50

@Rose789 ok that cafe order one is so so weird - I just can't figure the point of that one out at all! Surely that waitress has got the wrong end of the stick somehow? They won't be in business long if they keep that malarkey up.

RuggerHug · 20/09/2020 22:51

Not quite the point of the thread but for the cooking oil in school issue. I've had it enough times where I'm cooking somewhere else and I've weighed out/prepped as much as I can before. If you've medicine bottles(obviously emptied and through the dishwasher) they're perfect for oil since the lid is extremely secure and small size. You more than likely have an expired Calpol or cough bottle in a cupboard that would work.

goose1964 · 20/09/2020 22:51

I bet the Wetherspoons round the corner from Cardiff Central is pretty busy with people using their toilets.

Krook · 20/09/2020 22:52

We have new cycle lanes with fancy bollard things and big red sign saying 'COVID 19 pop-up cycle lane'

I'm not sure what the connection is, can anyone enlighten me?

AldiAisleofCrap · 21/09/2020 00:35

@renallychallenged
We went to a farm park and were told we couldn't go back to our car for the picnic. Cos of Covid
Was that Walby Farm park? We could go back for baby milk!

AldiAisleofCrap · 21/09/2020 00:37

@Krook
I'm not sure what the connection is, can anyone enlighten me?
To encourage people to cycle rather than take the bus or train.