Boots opticians - covid overkill

[WeeM]

Went to make an appointment today as happened to be passing. They are still making people stand outside and have a barrier over the doorway. There was no one else in the store but the woman came over, took our details on a scrap bit of paper, went to the computer to check dates and then came back over to offer us a time. Is it just me or is this just total overkill now? I don’t think I’ve noticed anywhere else that is still doing this sort of thing. And not to mention customers details are floating about on bits of paper... I get they may want to limit numbers in the store still but the place was empty! I can’t wait to go back for the appointment to queue up outside

Last week, over 8000 were so ill with covid they were admitted to hospital.

That doesn't mean they got it from trying on glasses

Whereas my doctors, not in the uk, still regularly meet with patients over video chat instead of in-person and when patients do enter the medical buildings masks are required, absolutely no exemptions. Patients who truly can’t wear masks have to make special appointments.

No, in fact I went into specsavers a few weeks back, no mask, and no one was bothered by anything at all, it was like normal.

We've given up with Boots. I don't mind the caution, obviously some people are still vulnerable. But when they are threatening to stop contact lens deliveries because you need an eye test, then it takes forever to get through to them and they don't have an appointment for months. All apparently because of covid. Specsavers still have sensible precautions, yet manage to still run a service.

@TwoCoffeesPlease

I had a man come to service my boiler yesterday and he was wearing plastic gloves which I thought was a bit odd. I thought people stopped doing that in June 2020. Mask wearing I get although I feel like a bit of a nob wearing one at the moment so I don’t always. OP I agree, a lot of businesses with their Covid rules are acting like we are just creeping out of the first lockdown and it is tiresome at best

Maybe he is CEV?

I would have rolled my eyes at the gloves but only because it's more plastic to be thrown away.

@Satsumaeater

If I had a DH or close relative undergoing chemotherapy I'd delay routine eye and dentist appointments for myself until the cycle was over.

And to the person criticising those who keep the distance on the pavements - all the joined at the hip couples annoyingly go out for walks at the same time as me so there's no room on the pavement for me anyway so I cross the road if it's safe.

What about those on permanent chemo whose cycle is never over? Chemo carries on until they die!

The only thing I will say as someone who is CEV is an optician or optometrist have to be very very close to your face with their face in order to examine you. I feel a bit like we are being thrown to the wolves because everyone else is tired of any restrictions.

@LoveFall

The only thing I will say as someone who is CEV is an optician or optometrist have to be very very close to your face with their face in order to examine you. I feel a bit like we are being thrown to the wolves because everyone else is tired of any restrictions.

Say covid stays around as it currently is for the next few years, do you think it's realistic for the whole country to be expected to live with restrictions indefinitely?

I don't see how close the optometrist being to your face is helped by making people queue outside. They will still be examining these people.

@TheWernethWife

Went to choose new frames from Specsavers, woman took my name and then gave me hand sanitiser, then handed me a plastic box saying that each frame I touched had to be put in this box and they would be taken away to be cleaned.

I asked why since I'd sanitised my hands in front of her but she didn't have an answer.

@TheWernethWife Covid or non covid I think the frames should be cleaned after they’ve been tried on. People could have skin complaints that are contagious such as impetigo,scabies, shingles that could be passed on

@buzzzliightyear

Say covid stays around as it currently is for the next few years, do you think it's realistic for the whole country to be expected to live with restrictions indefinitely?

For relatively minor/modest restrictions, then yes, why not? Having to wait for a few minutes outside a medical/health setting, or having to wear a mask in a medical/health setting, is the least we can all do to help protect the vulnerable people in that setting. Most people don't "choose" to go to a medical/health setting - so I fail to see why it's such a big deal to make pretty small changes to help keep them safer.

Now, as for other entirely voluntary places, like shops, cafes, tourist attractions, then, no, they're places that the vulnerable can either avoid or choose the timings carefully to avoid going at busy times or at riskier times of year.

Specsavers have been great, even in the earlier stages of the pandemic. DH has been in several times lately due to an infection and it was fine.

I'm now actively avoiding businesses that are shunning customer service in favour of bowing to covid hysteria.

For relatively minor/modest restrictions, then yes, why not? Having to wait for a few minutes outside a medical/health setting, or having to wear a mask in a medical/health setting, is the least we can all do to help protect the vulnerable people in that setting. Most people don't "choose" to go to a medical/health setting - so I fail to see why it's such a big deal to make pretty small changes to help keep them safer.

Now, as for other entirely voluntary places, like shops, cafes, tourist attractions, then, no, they're places that the vulnerable can either avoid or choose the timings carefully to avoid going at busy times or at riskier times of year.

.......

How is standing around outside keeping anyone safer though?

If a mask is requested in a healthcare setting then I will wear one that's practical but I can't understand the need for standing outside

@buzzzliightyear

How is standing around outside keeping anyone safer though? If a mask is requested in a healthcare setting then I will wear one that's practical but I can't understand the need for standing outside

It will depend on the premises, their staff, their customer base, etc. It may be to maintain social distance, i.e. limit the number of people in at any one time. They may have a vulnerable staff member, so need relatively few people in the premises to reduce risk to their staff. They may want time to wipe down surfaces and allow ventilation between customers. Just because you don't see a reason, doesn't mean there is no reason. As mentioned above, it doesn't seem to be a common instruction across all premises, so it looks to be a local management decision as to what restrictions to apply, which makes it sound more likely a risk assessment on a premises-by-premises basis. Some premises are larger than others, some are laid out in different ways, some have better/worse ventilation than others. If you don't want to wait outside for a few minutes, then go elsewhere if it bothers you so much - it's not like it's a GP surgery or hospital where you have no choice.

Dentists are also the same, it's ridiculous!

@HollyBollyBooBoo

Dentists are also the same, it's ridiculous!

That's another healthcare setting where there'll be vulnerable people who HAVE to go there. There is also a lot of close physical work and flying spit/bits of tooth in the surgery, so is already one of the highest risk areas for spreading infections. It makes perfect sense to continue to have precautions/restrictions in healthcare settings where vulnerable people have no choice but to use.

Specsavers is the same

There are bits of spit and flying tooth in the waiting room, yikes!

Boots still bonkers regarding masks

Went to Boots opticians. Idiot optician asked me to wear mask. But , he was wearing his under his nose! I refused, but offered to leave. He said no. I challenged him on their efficacy. I did the same with some senior lady. Boots are bonkers

My boots opticians now no masks including staff as well.

my son is at specsavers and they are still insisting on masks.

Honestly as close as they get to peoples faces I can kind of understand it.

Boots are bonkers

Don't blame Boots or Specsavers, mask wearing is dictated to them by the NHS and college of optometrists.
The hardworking staff, many of whom have been working through the pandemic non stop, will not thank you challenging them on guidelines that are beyond their control.