Supermarkets setting aside an hour for elderly/vulnerable shoppers

[PotsofChoc]

Email from Sainsbury:

‘A number of you suggested that we reserve an hour in stores for elderly and vulnerable customers. In response to this request, we will set aside the first hour in every supermarket this Thursday 19th March, for a elderly and vulnerable customers. I hope that you can respect this decision and will work with us as we try our best to help those that need it the most. If you or an elderly family member, friend or neighbour would like to shop during this hour, please check online for your local supermarket opening hours.

We will also help elderly and vulnerable customers access food online. From Monday 23rd March, our online customers who are over 70 years of age or have a disability will have priority access to online delivery slots. We will contact these customers in the coming days with more details.’

This sounds sensible to me, my only concern is policing it. A lot of people with underlying conditions look healthy, will they be questioned on their vulnerability? Will any non-vulnerable person take the piss and use it as an opportunity to panic buy?

Yes good idea but what are they going to do for those still working full time unable to wfh? After work hours there is nothing left. I also have to shop for an elderly parent who doesn’t drive.

I think this is nice in theory but not sure how it will work.

Supermarket staff darent ask people to justify why they fit into the class of 'vulnerable' because its none of their business. But if we've seen anything over the past couple of weeks it's that people can be arseholes. Shops will be awash with healthy people who are safe in the knowledge that no one will dare to question them.

I mean, most people aren't arseholes, they'll support this. But those who think they're more important won't, and there's plenty of those...

1. that’s great in theory, I would love that being at even higher risk than your average 70 year old and expecting a separate letter from the nhs. But how is anyone supposed to know that if I look like a normal 37 yr old? I don’t need the abuse I will get.

2. by next week all old people will need to be at home not food shopping so this would have to be the one and only time it happens.