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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:
Noti23 · 21/09/2020 00:45

Closing all the children’s pool/splash pools in the local area but keeping the main pools open.

MadameBlobby · 21/09/2020 00:59

The post office that wouldn’t take my parcels that had a few spots of rain on them because of the Covid

Original poster
Rainbowb · 21/09/2020 07:19

Another one - our school photos are due this month but they’re not allowing siblings to be photographed together. I genuinely can’t think why not! Do they think siblings live in separate houses?!

OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 21/09/2020 09:35

@Rainbowb we've got same with school photos... The classes don't mix at any time in school, so it's logical in a way. It's children moving around the school not in their group. The school has said it will do siblings when they do classes later in the school year.

Mmmmdanone · 21/09/2020 09:57

My Ds isn't allowed a lunch bag/box in school. School bags are fine but somehow covid only affects lunch boxes. I send him with his lunch in a paper bag that he can throw away immediately.

Mmmmdanone · 21/09/2020 10:03

And, I said this on another thread about the same thing, but my Ds had a small float at a swimming pool, as he can't swim. I was whistled at and told to put it at the side. I said my ds couldn't swim so they said get him some armbands. I was in the sodding pool by this point! Float was surely more "dangerous" sitting beside the pool rather than in the chlorinated water with us!

MulticolourMophead · 21/09/2020 12:00

I've heard a few of these batshit reasons being spouted locally. I decided to have fun, and anytime now that someone is "because Covid" I start asking for a copy of the relevant risk assessment. The "deer in headlights" look that comes over people's faces makes me smirk.

Krook · 21/09/2020 14:53

@AldiAisleofCrap

Thank you! Grin

Astrabees · 21/09/2020 14:57

No vegetarian or vegan menu in a restaurant i used t go to very often. I was offered a burger instead - "because of covid" apparently it has made buying vegetables very difficult (????).

middleager · 21/09/2020 15:06

@Astrabees

No vegetarian or vegan menu in a restaurant i used t go to very often. I was offered a burger instead - "because of covid" apparently it has made buying vegetables very difficult (????).
This one's a winner Sad As a vegetarian of 30 years, it's a piss poor excuse.
edgeware · 21/09/2020 15:07

National trust toilets locally only open Thurs-Mon. If you need a wee on a Tuesday you can go in the bushes I guess.

Local post office delivery office only open 7-10 AM. Makes complete sense to concentrate all people that need to collect parcels in a very short window 4 days a week, yes.

CoconutsHaveWaterInThem · 21/09/2020 15:19

We went to a steakhouse that was known for their loaded hot dogs so when we noticed they changed the menu and asked them why they don't do hot dogs the waitress said "because of covid" don't know what hot dogs have to do with covid but okay...

MellowMelly · 21/09/2020 15:22

My hairdresser asking me to brush my wet hair before he cut it because of Covid. I was too baffled to ask why.

unmarkedbythat · 21/09/2020 15:23

Children have to go to school in their PE kit on days where they have PE. Because they won't catch covid sitting in the same classroom for hours, but they will catch it if they enter a changing room together.

BikeRunSki · 21/09/2020 16:44

All the reduced hours for shops/toilets/post offices etc is surely due to staff availability, rather than any kind of virus control measure.

MrsBadcrumble123 · 21/09/2020 17:29

@Freetodowhatiwant inflatables in the sea is a common sense thing not a COVID thing - perhaps the lifeguards didn't want to have to keep rescuing kids that had been blown out to sea? See that video of the baby girl on her inflatable unicorn a mile out to sea and her parents had no idea!!

LadyofTheManners · 21/09/2020 17:47

NatWest. Bloody joke.
DH could pay our rent via app, but last time he did it glitched and we thought it had been sorted and then it wasn't. So now we prefer to pay at the bank and have an actual receipt
Honestly, you'd have more luck with the bouncers at a wanky nightclub.
There is always always a huge queue. They open late and they shut early. Not open on Saturday at all.
You will have an employee come down the queue, interrogating why you are there, telling people they should use the app (including one older lady who said she didn't have a phone so couldn't use an app, and she pays handsome fees to have her account so least they could do was actually serve in a bank).
Despite the queue, a few times we have been next in line and been gazumped by someone who has just turned up.
Well, after months of this, it was pouring with rain, and we had stood outside for 20 minutes. Every time the employee came out he refused us entry and let someone else in.
By the 5th time he did this, I had enough and said, is there actually any chance of you adhering to the bloody queue, or will we just pitch a sodding tent and hope to be allowed in for the 2 minutes we need by a week on Tuesday.
He let us in next
But I was told it's because of Covid. So covid allows queues not to matter then? Or that one type of banking is less fussy than my DH standing whilst someone entirely protected by glass sorts his request?
And no, they weren't short staffed.

Solange1973 · 21/09/2020 17:49

I have a good one...my ex decided to move to Spain ‘because of Covid’. Apparently, he feels safer on the Costa Del Sol...I am speechless!!!!

user1019273703 · 21/09/2020 18:00

@Hollyhead yes I get you with that in john lewis. Makes no sense!

JonSnowIsALoser · 21/09/2020 18:23

No printed menus at a restaurant because of Covid. No menu on a blockboard either. You can only order using online menu on your smartphone. If you don't have a smartphone / good enough connection, you must use the restaurant's iPad. 😬

JonSnowIsALoser · 21/09/2020 18:24

*blackboard

Mylifesadrama · 21/09/2020 18:31

My friend told everyone she had to shield all through lockdown, even plastered her door with save the Nhs and wouldn’t leave the house further than her garden. She has no medical condition that meant she needed to shield, and had every Tom dick and Harry in her home with no social distancing. She lives in a tiny bungalow and at times filled her tiny lounge with over ten people!

Twiddlingthumbs · 21/09/2020 18:35

We had the same issue and the Health Visitors’ limited visits seem to be a nationwide thing. If you have any concerns, please call your local hospital and they can arrange a weigh in at one of your local clinics.

You could also buy a baby scale and use the percentile baby chart to track baby’s weight.

Ilovegardens · 21/09/2020 18:45

We couldn't have a couple of metres of weed suppressant cut at the local garden centre because of Covid-19. 🤔

DreamTheMoors · 21/09/2020 18:45

My elderly neighbour lady sweeps our shared walk 3 or 4 times daily.
I was outside the other day and complimented her on keeping them so tidy.
“Oh, I do it because of the Coronavirus germs in the dirt.” Hmm