To go to a local garden centre?

[Thetimehascomethewalrussaid]

I feel like I might get flamed for this. I'm on maternity leave and obviously we're in full lockdown. Where I live is also currently in the throes of Storm Christoph and the rain outside is literally like the wrath of god - so no chance of a walk. My baby is teething and really grumpy and I'm going out of my mind being stuck in the same four walls all day every day. All baby classes have been cancelled, can't even go somewhere for a quick coffee to break up the day. My husband is at work (he's a teacher and over half of the school are in because the government have massively expanded the list of what constitutes a 'key worker' - so it's not really a lockdown, but that's another thread!) We have a support bubble because we have a child under 1 but they're also at work in the week (also teachers). Our local garden centre (2 min drive away) is open - would I be unreasonable to pack the baby in the car and go and have a look round there for an hour? Just to break up the day and regain a bit of sanity? Not an essential journey, but arguably important for mental health! My husband now has weekly COVID tests - he had one yesterday and it was negative so it's highly unlikely we have it! Feel like I'm going mad!

As a now ex supermarket staff, I implore you not to go. I got out of retail 4 months ago because I couldn’t take it anymore. Garden centers are open because of greedy bosses. Not because staff want to necessarily. I was so scared all the time but the anger that ate away at me because “browsers” just didn’t give a shit about me, my colleagues or my family. I know it’s hard for you, but please think about people who don’t have a choice

@Eyeslikethesea

As a now ex supermarket staff, I implore you not to go. I got out of retail 4 months ago because I couldn’t take it anymore. Garden centers are open because of greedy bosses. Not because staff want to necessarily. I was so scared all the time but the anger that ate away at me because “browsers” just didn’t give a shit about me, my colleagues or my family. I know it’s hard for you, but please think about people who don’t have a choice

While I'm sure working in retail at the moment is fucking shit - I hated it in non-pandemic times - the thing is though, if garden centres and other such shops (I'm thinking Argos/ Home bargains and the like) stay open they relieve the pressure from supermarkets etc.

These places, if kept safe, are best staying open as they dilute the number of people going to shops to buy things like tools/pet food/tools etc, and some garden centres have food courts and things as well.

I don't think people should be going to shops just to 'browse' at the moment, but the more places that stay open selling things that people need, the better.

so glad you had a nice outing op.
I just hope you stay well.

Glad you went.
I am so grateful DC are all big.

Lockdown with toddlers & no baby groups. I cannot conceive how I would have coped.
There's a lady marches up & down my (long) road with babe in pram at least twice a day.

@Whydidyouask

Hardly hysterical. More a withering response I’d say. What’s making ‘this problem’ worse is some people’s inability to stay the fuck at home so we can get through it that little bit faster. The virus is spreading exactly how I’ve described and it’s just not ok to make the problem worse because you are bored.

no you sounded hysterical , have you thought about visiting the gp for some calming medication because you sure as hell sound like you could use it . as for getting through it faster , they will still be finding excuses and reasons not to bloody lift it even if we all stayed in for the next 6 months , it aint never going back to normal id say not even after the vaccinations are done , there will be another crap reason to do with the virus then

All those plants shouldn’t be left to die
Why ruin someone’s business?

Who else finds it funny (sad funny) that our usual "most ethical principles" are all being chucked out...

One use plastics are bad -> no they aren't, let's drown in Plastic PPE

Support local businesses -> Support Amazon fulfillment centres instead

Too much screen time is bad for you -> Must save the world from apocalypse by not leaving my sofa

People who wear PJs all day are gross -> Shall I change out of my day PJs into my night PJs at 6pm or 7pm?

Insulate your home and office well to save energy and the planet -> Open the windows & heat loss be damned

Missing even one day off school is damaging to education -> Learning Loss is a myth, kids are resilient

Fresh air is good for you -> Going out for non-essential reasons makes you into a Granny-murderer

no you sounded hysterical , have you thought about visiting the gp for some calming medication

it aint never going back to normal id say not even after the vaccinations are done

An interesting viewpoint @chaosrabbitland that doesn't convince me you're armed with any real facts. There's so much info online regarding coronavirus and what helps it to spread (and, more importantly, what we can do to help reduce spread).

I took my 7 month old to the supermarket for "bits" after some stuff was left off my delivery. It wasn't essential. But my 7 month old has been to two places: our flat and the park.

A 7 month old needs experiences. It was okay when he was a new born

@Dowser

All those plants shouldn’t be left to die Why ruin someone’s business?

I get that. But I am not convinced people are actually buying plants when they do visit.

Rest assured, I'll go back to being thoroughly miserable now

Don't worry, you won't be alone OP. Everyone I know who can't work is feeling the same, and they haven't had the benefit of a 'me-time' trip out. I'll send them your update and I'm sure it'll cheer them up no end to hear some people are carrying on regardless.

I can't believe I'm living in a time where you're accused of being a murderer because you went to the shop for a can of Fanta Lemon.

@Thetimehascomethewalrussaid

I totally get understand how you are feeling all too well !

There is a real good reason why Garden centres are still open, Uk Gov encourages/supports these garden centres in this way..

Its obviously Cause Gardening is a activities done mostly outside,and even in garden centres at least some of the garden centre will certainly be outdoors !

I say take Advantage of this very Local garden centre being still open and support them by visiting them !
You will feel so much better doing this !

I know a few people who have sadly unfornately who have committed sucides Cause they have been stuck indoors all the time since March last year !

Their mental emotional health feeling trapped Claustropic all the time took its toil on them,sorry to say ...😢

I know its shit situation for most people at the moment...

As with all retail they are supposed to be open for essential shopping. This doesn't mean browsing around just because they are open. I work in a large and busy supermarket. Is it fair for people to queue up outside whilst others browse? And there is also a track and trace issue. Some days we get 7 or 8 colleagues all pinged at once to isolate for anything up to 10 days. These colleagues have only been to work. Currently across the store we have over 40 staff isolating because of track and trace, this means we can deal with less customers, workers are losing out on wages because some of them are now on their 3rd and 4th isolation period which means SSP all from just coming to work. I am all for doing what is best for you in regard visiting people who are happy for you to do so but shops are not days out.

Gosh I soooo which people would stop throwing this 'my mental health' excuse around, just so they can bend the rules. I have young children too. Please just go for a walk!

I do have genuine sympathy for people with mental health problems, but I'm sorry being bored or feeling a little down does not constitute a mental health issue.

The garden centre is permitted by law to be open. This means, by law, you are entitled to shop in it.

Give your mental health a break and go buy some dahlias.

YADNBU

I think you're selfish.

But as long as there's a spring in your step, eh?

@Thetimehascomethewalrussaid

Really Good idea visiting this local garden centre Op
If I was in your situation I would be very tempted to visit this garden centre !

It makes good sense to me ,
Its very nearby,
You are Not breaking any type of Lockdown rules at all,
Ignore the Posters who are telling you not to visit this garden centre which is next door to where you live !
those Posters are talking nonsense Crap..

Go for it Op,
Visit Garden centre as soon as possible !

Just ensure you have your face mask on and social distance when you get there

Enjoy your day out with your little one too
Congratulations on your birth of little one took

xx

[quote thosetalesofunexpected]@Thetimehascomethewalrussaid

Really Good idea visiting this local garden centre Op
If I was in your situation I would be very tempted to visit this garden centre !

It makes good sense to me ,
Its very nearby,
You are Not breaking any type of Lockdown rules at all,
Ignore the Posters who are telling you not to visit this garden centre which is next door to where you live !
those Posters are talking nonsense Crap..

Go for it Op,
Visit Garden centre as soon as possible !

Just ensure you have your face mask on and social distance when you get there

Enjoy your day out with your little one too
Congratulations on your birth of little one took

xx[/quote]
The OP has been to the Garden Centre and come back. I don't believe it was a whole day out though.

No, tbe reason garden centres are open for 'essentials' is to do with gardening and food production. So if you grow veg and are going for compost, slug pellets or a cloche, that's fine. If you just fancy a mooch around looking at scented candles, and trinkets, don't go. Don't look for loopholes to exploit the system and make this worse for everybody. What you're being asked to do is simple; just stay at home.

I know who can't work is feeling the same, and they haven't had the benefit of a 'me-time' trip out

Why not though? Some shops are open. Most parks are open. Why would anyone - unless shielding - choose never to go outside to places that are open if they can? As long as you keep 2m distance and wear masks, its well within the 'rules.' You know a lot of strange people maybe who enjoy staring at 4 walls every day

Good for you @OP and elequently said too

I'm inspired. I say this as someone who up until recently never eaves the house but my baby is getting bigger and needs some outside stimulation.

@Dowser

All those plants shouldn’t be left to die Why ruin someone’s business?

I quite agree.

I see no harm in going to a garden centre as long as you observe social distancing and hygiene. It's hardly a 'day out'.

@Cuntitinthebin

I think you're selfish.

But as long as there's a spring in your step, eh?

I think you're selfish for begrudging OP a trip to the garden centre.

@Dowser

I totally agree with all your Comments
Makes Total sense what you said !

Not what the Hysterical !
Op Don't go to this garden centre at all under any Circumstances ever !
"Just do online/supermarkets shopping All the time Continuously from last March until all the Lockdowns have finished Brigade hopefully this year !