To be annoyed at non essential shops who are keeping their doors open?

[Mlou32]

Big stores such as Penneys (Primark), Brown Thomas and loads of other businesses big and small have all shut up shop for now in an attempt to help with social distancing. However the likes of Debenhams and other non essential types of shop are happily still trading. Of course I know folk have personal responsibility and we should be (and I certainly am) only going to the shops once a week on my own to do the groceries. Then coming straight home. And everyone should be adhering to this level of essential contact only. However the likes of department stores and other non essential shops continuing to trade is to me, the height of social irresponsibility. As I say, there is a level of personal responsibility that people should be taking however there is always going to be those who don't give a damn and do what they like. These shops being open just seem to be encouraging those who have no intention of adhering to government advice to come out and mingle in public. They are open so people will come.

Its actually really irking me. It's like they're putting profit above peoples health and safety.

I do understand the stark financial situation that many businesses are finding themselves under at present. I also know that the government hasn't explicitly ordered them to close. But can't they use common sense and regard for public health and just shut their doors?

Am I being unreasonable at being annoyed at these stores?

Totally agree, I work in a shop, footfall has dropped off BUT people are still coming in for items they don't need. It's a non essential shop.

I wish the government would just announce closures instead of relying on companies and shoppers to make the correct decision.

I work for a furniture retailer, but in logistics. We are awaiting government instruction to close. Our CEO has put together what I feel is an amazing support package.

I work part time in debenhams in ireland. Customers are very few and far between. They really need to close imo.

I got an email earlier from the snow centre near me, explaining that they were staying open. That struck me as a particularly non-essential venue

@Iusedtobecool I know Tesco call centre are facilitating work from home for a number of its colleagues. Providing them with laptops all set up to take calls and access the systems. Is there no talk of this your workplace?

My rather cynical self thinks that it's so that staff can continue to work even while self isolating at home as opposed to trying to protect their workforce. I should probably give them a bit more credit but.. I have my reasons not to!

@iusedtobecool sorry just read that you no longer work there!

I work in an independent nursery shop.

If we close now, with the government forcing it, the business will likely go under.

We might be non essential but the last couple of days been extremely busy with people suddenly realising they should buy all their baby stuff now before shops close.

If I chose to self isolate because the government has recommended we don’t go out, I don’t get paid.
If I get Coronavirus/other illness, I’ll get ssp.
Lose/lose situation so for now I’ll keep getting on that bus to work with all the other people who have to go to work

What about a bank. Is that non essential?.

My rather cynical self thinks that it's so that staff can continue to work even while self isolating at home as opposed to trying to protect their workforce. I should probably give them a bit more credit but.. I have my reasons not to

I don't understand your point here. They're doing both. Tesco is overwhelmed at the moment, they need all the staff they can get. Would you rather their existing employees are on SSP for two weeks or given the option to work?

We have a staff member recently returned from Spain who has been told to isolate for 14 days. She has been set up with all the kit to work from home. So our company is helping her to carry on working (and earning) and also protecting other staff.

Not many companies can afford to shut the doors for 3 months with staff on full pay.

My friend has a shop and he is shitting himself. Trading was already quite tough and this could send him under. He employs several staff so also feels a responsbility to them.

The thing is, it won't actually matter if you get paid for another week if you're fucking dead. And I say that as someone who was made redundant today.

@showgirl to me and the majority of people, no. However for some groups in society, yes. Hence why some banks here in Ireland have been talking about operating under very reduced hours to service only those who absolutely require it. Certainly I'd count them as more essential than Debenhams being open so that someone can buy a new pair of jeans.

Why do you ask? Do you work in one?

It’s a really hard one. Of course, what you say makes total sense and in an ideal world we would do absolutely everything we can to stop the spread - no questions asked. Sadly, for some shops, closing equals poverty. My sister in law has a beauty salon and it’s on its knees. All but closed because of cancellations. I’m not saying people shouldn’t cancel but she can’t pay her staff... her rent as of 3 weeks time. She is the main earner in her house and has a young family. She’s literally pulling her hair out.
Of course non essential businesses should close but it’s easier to say that when you’re not the one running a small business with employees and a mortgage to pay :( I can understand why some are open - just shows the economic side of this crisis.

No my husband does I work for the NHS.

@redcrayons my point is clear. Yes, their actions are both protecting their staff along with allowing people to wfh while self isolating. However my point was... that my suspicions are that they are doing it more for the selfish reason than the selfless. Due to personal knowledge of them and how they operate as a company.

I'm not saying it necessarily matters why they are doing it; they fact that they are doing it means that staff are protected regardless. However it was a side point that I made of my own personal suspicions.

all these businesses have everything to lose, that's the point.

The longer they stay open, the longer this mess will last. Sales are going down (mainly), why would they not want to shorten the closure as much as they possibly can?

They are the ones ruining their business, and will bitterly regret it. And that's if they are lucky enough not to catch anything.

My sister in law has a beauty salon and it’s on its knees. All but closed because of cancellations.

my point exactly. They are already struggling. They are only making it 10 times worst by staying opened. The better protection would be to lock down pretty much everything and try to minimise the impact.

We have enough countries ahead of us to analyse what happens. We know. We just chose to ignore it and pretend we are immune.

To be honest, some of those things are still essential to some people

What about people with young children who have grown out of their clothes / need summer clothes?

What about people who need new furniture (because old ones broke or was outgrown or because they’ve just had a baby or for orthopaedic reasons etc)

As long as people are sensible about practising social distancing then why shouldn’t these shops remain open?

supermarket sell clothes, so that one is easy enough.

Furniture? Really?

@JustInCaseCakeHappens well, no. I can see why you’d think that but it’s not that simple. If they close now, they go into administration immediately. Staff get no payout, rent unpaid, done.

If they stay open for a week, they can make a minimal amount which will pay for essentials, allow them to access government funding which is still to come through, pay staff something and hopefully make some cash via voucher deliveries which won’t be possible after the inevitable lockdown.

I do totally get your logic and I don’t disagree - sooner they shut, sooner we get through this, less lives lost. But it’s also the quickest way to financial ruin for some small businesses and although I don’t disagree that is for the greater good to close, I also have complete sympathy for those who will be sent into poverty and can see why they’d struggle with the decision. That’s all I’m saying.

@huntideas I think that people can deal with clothes that are half an inch too short for a little while if the alternative is many more hundreds of peoples deaths by not adhering to all but absolute essential social distancing Sure, no kids will be leaving the house anyway or perhaps once a week for a quick grocery shop so they don't need to care if their clothes are a bit tight/short etc . My clothes are certainly going to get a bit tighter over the coming weeks being stuck at home for god knows how long munching on isolation snacks to alleviate my boredom

On a serious note though. We can dream up unlimited 'what about' situations but the reality is that not many peoples requirements to purchase things trump risking people losing their lives with this illness.

Obviously it’s important to slow the spread and yes everything should be closed - but also get that unless forced they are hoping to keep going by being open as long as possible!

The aftermath of this is going to be just awful - more of us will survive, but loads of us will be out of work! I’m about to be unemployed and put on ssp (94£ a week) my rent is 1300£ - im basically fucked - if my workplace could stay open I’d be there everyday, selfish or not

They won't shut they insist on sticking by government guidelines. I'm doing my best to isolate while DP goes to work each day at the same time we need the money it is really shit.

To add DP's sales commission is as healthy as Christmas, people keep shopping, it is really busy selling electronics nothing life or death, the owner's won't close for goodwill.

When this is all over, I hope we will apply criminal sanctions against anyone who owned or went to work in a company that facilitated people against social distancing,

Automatic manslaughter conviction.