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Original poster

AIBU to think the government should have handed out a carepack for each citizen?

74 replies

lexiepuppy · 15/03/2020 00:14

They should have had protocol in place for a Pandemic. Could they not have supplied everybody with a mask, latex gloves, hand gel, hand wash and food vouchers for the old, people on benefits and low incomes?

They managed to give everyone a gas mask and ration book in WW2, care packs could be handed out at polling booths.

They could have made stores ration toilet rolls and pasta/rice. Basic shopping lists.
They could have given reassurance to everyone.
AIBU to think the government had enough time to get it's shit together and have a protocol in place, but they are bumbling along taking the lead from other countries.

OP posts:
Isla727 · 15/03/2020 00:16

I agree they could have done this.

I disagree that they are taking the lead from other countries. Other countries are being far, far more sensible and pro-active.

Sparklesocks · 15/03/2020 00:17

It’s a nice idea but I don’t think this government is particularly fussed about the country’s welfare in all honesty. It feels like money is the priority, not people.

GreenTulips · 15/03/2020 00:18

Thermometers would be useful - I’ve ordered one off amazon.

I’m surprised at the empty shower gel and bleach shelves ... did no one have any before?

BillywilliamV · 15/03/2020 00:19

Yeah, coz they have whole warehouses of these things for just this sort of emergency.

Sparklesocks · 15/03/2020 00:20

@GreenTulips I think it’s a mix of panic buyers grabbing what they can get, and others worrying they won’t be able to get them after the panic buyers have stormed in - so have been picking up a couple of extras which has decimated the stock

Toomuchgoingon · 15/03/2020 00:20

They can't just have these things on standby. If They did, they would go out of date and the they would be accused of washing public funds.

Toomuchgoingon · 15/03/2020 00:21

Wasting, not washing.

lottie360 · 15/03/2020 00:26

Its called personal responsibility. You can provide your own family with these things.

Things go out of date,they cannot just have millions of care packages on standby that they replace every few years.

TheSmallAssassin · 15/03/2020 00:27

I don't think there's any evidence that these things would help. Washing your hands regularly, for instance, is better than wearing gloves. The jury's out on whether masks help or not. There will be toilet roll and pasta again. Has anyone actually run out of anything they can't do without? It would be a waste of money and the economy is going to go to shit, so let's not spend it on things that don't actually make a difference.

HopeClearwater · 15/03/2020 00:29

They managed to give everyone a gas mask and ration book in WW2, care packs could be handed out at polling booths

They had a long time to prep for WW2 because they knew it was coming. Your suggestions for the packs aren’t that helpful either. Now, rationing toilet roll might be a plan...

Klonda · 15/03/2020 00:39

care packs could be handed out at polling booths.
Good idea, let's gather everyone together.

Gingerkittykat · 15/03/2020 00:39

Yup, they should have had a big warehouse with 60 million masks, sets of gloves and bottles of antibac ready for this.

mumwon · 15/03/2020 00:40

thanks to friends & relatives - over several years I have a lot of fancy soap (mind I had to go through all the clothes cupboards to find them - so I also sorted out my undie drawers at the same time) so I don't have to go out on a Saturday for that.

ErrolTheDragon · 15/03/2020 00:46

Masks etc are pretty useless, and one mask - which would become contaminated with all sorts, even if you never encountered a CV virus - would probably be positively dangerous.
The only essential on your list is something to wash your hands with which surely everyone has got. Soap, shower gel - you don't need special 'hand wash'.

managedmis · 15/03/2020 00:46

Totally unprepared as usual

MustShowDH · 15/03/2020 00:51

I'm guessing this is a spoof thread. Either that or you're on glue.

Original poster
lexiepuppy · 15/03/2020 01:08

Nope, I'm not on glue! Nor is it a spoof thread!
Nor do I think that it would have been too much effort for the government to have sorted out mask, gloves, hand gel , stuff that doesn't go off that quickly! A small deterrent, even if it is placebo effect.

Personally I don't give a flying fuck if I catch it, but I do have 2 children with underlying health concerns.One of which is stranded in Spain. So my anxiety is through the roof!

Maybe I should have some glue and rethink this!Confused

OP posts:
Pixxie7 · 15/03/2020 01:18

Agree with hand gel and food vouchers for those on low incomes, the rest not so much. The ones I worry about are the homeless.

ErrolTheDragon · 15/03/2020 01:23

It wouldn't be a placebo effect though. A mask could lead to false complacency and as I mentioned upthread handing out one would be stupid. Hand gel is only needed if you need to clean your hands when somewhere you can't wash them. Everyone surely has soap or shower gel or suchlike.

The first indications that there might be an epidemic on its way were in january, everyone has had over a month to think about sensible precautions. It would have been a ridiculous waste of money for the government to provide the items you suggest - not so much the cost of the things but the waste of manpower organising and distributing them.

Original poster
lexiepuppy · 15/03/2020 01:27

My daughter and i are worried about the homeless too, I forgot to include them on my list for food vouchers and imaginary care pack.
I was shopping today ( not panic buying) and there was an old man pushing a walker along, barely able to walk with his shopping and he went to the isle and there was no toilet paper for him (or anyone).
I literally cried.Sad

OP posts:
ineedaholidaynow · 15/03/2020 01:28

I must admit I was thinking about this the other day and wondering how quickly they were able to make gas masks for everyone in WWII.

pawsies · 15/03/2020 01:32

If food becomes scarce then I think the government will have to distribute food packages based upon the information they have about how many live in a house (get that info from council poll voting forms?)

Maybe for those that haven't registered there'd have to be a set size box designed to provide basics for a week for a few people.

Logistical nightmare.

GrumpyHoonMain · 15/03/2020 01:34

* I was shopping today ( not panic buying) and there was an old man pushing a walker along, barely able to walk with his shopping and he went to the isle and there was no toilet paper for him (or anyone).*

Where I live all the lovely old ladies have panic bought all the basmati rice / atta / tinned tomatoes. They often come to the supermarkets with their walkers several times a day.

SilverySurfer · 15/03/2020 01:44

MustShowDH
I'm guessing this is a spoof thread. Either that or you're on glue.

I also thought it was a joke but I'm amazed to see the OP is actually serious Shock

I think the Government may be a tad busy right now but perhaps Boris's secretary could pop to the corner shop in her lunch break to buy 67 million of each of the items suggested, and parcel them up when she gets back to the office. Hmm

SFS

ErrolTheDragon · 15/03/2020 01:45

I must admit I was thinking about this the other day and wondering how quickly they were able to make gas masks for everyone in WWII.

The risk was perceived well before the outbreak - in the event, fortunately, they weren't needed.

www.findmypast.co.uk/1939register/why-britain-issued-gas-masks-ww2