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?

Mlou32, are you on the NHS staff thread? I think we’re all feeling it this week.

I'm not sure it's a price worth paying for the 250k premature deaths saved

This.

@RafalsTheKingOfClay no I'm not, I'll go and have a look for it, thank you.

I know some people would prefer lots of people to die. People like me. I know they would prefer my kids did not have a mother.

I appreciate that it is more complicated than that for many companies but ultimately that is what it boils down to. Life or death.

It's much more complicated than that. These people still need to feed their families. They still have employees who rely on them for their wages and to feed their own families. They still have to pay rent, bills and utilities. Those things don't disappear just because they're not open and serving customers.

If the government wants people to practise social-distancing then they need to enforce it. They're not. Small businesses are not going to close unless they have to - they can't afford to. It's as simple as that.

And 250k is an underestimate. Minimum 500k

Thank you @Mlou32

Give them a bloody chance ! I’m sure they’ll be shut in due course .
I’m glad I can at least get to somewhere that sells toys or my dd will have the shittest birthday in an already crap time .
Hoping to get her some presents today so then we can stay at home for the foreseeable.
And if I get any “presents should be the last thing on your dd’s mind , people are dying “ she’s a child she doesn’t know what the fuck is going on and I don’t feel the need to guilt trip her either

For small shops and businesses it's not just locking the door. They will likely go out of business in weeks and then thats your life savings, livelihood and maybe last 10 or 20 years gone

Which is precisely why the government needs to order closures, so that these businesses can submit insurance claims for business interruption, and recoup some of their losses.

But with some people at the top of insurance companies being big donors to the Tory party (and to the Brexit campaign) one has to wonder if vested interests are playing a part in the government's reluctance to do this.

And lots of people would be left with lung damage as well. Actually would be left with an ongoing burden on NHS and social care. Unless you just let them die as well.

I think it might be worthwhile people checking the small print in their business insurance cover.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/business-51927500

@Adaline is it? Tell me, what is the ultimate price that we can pay when we really break it down? The rent? The bills? Or our lives?

I'm not daft. I don't think aw just shut up shop for now, it'll save lots of people and we'll pick up again in a couple of months, we'll be right. No, you'd be very naive to think like that. Neither is anyone is disputing how utterly difficult and complicated it is. But we are when it comes down to it, talking over 10,000 lives lost globally. Probably over the 200 mark in the UK alone by the end of this week.

Yes, this is going to financially break businesses, families etc. Its absolutely bloody awful. But ultimately, people mothers, fathers, immunocompromised children, friends, sisters are going to lose their lives.

@fluffybutter I'm glad to hear that your child will enjoy playing with her newly acquired toys. There are some immunocompromised kids that potentially won't live to see their next birthday due to catching the virus as it makes its way around the country. And that is down to businesses not closing the doors, the government insisting on it...and people like you that facilitate community spread of COVID-19 due to your priorities of going out and about to buy a nice toy for your daughter. But never mind, me and my unborn baby, along with thousands of other key workers will keep putting our lives on the line to deal with the transmission of the virus eh? Bottoms up and all that!

the government not* insisting on it

Well they all seem to have a different take on this I think! My DD received a text from River Island to say they are shutting all of their shops due to concerns over Corona Virus . At the same time I received a text from Goldsmiths to explain that their staff/shops were all very clean ,and to carry on shopping there (BTW bought one ring from them some time ago.Not a secret millionaire!) So no continuity there really .

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

Universal credit will cover most of your rent (unless you're living in a property bigger than you need, or expensive for the area you live in) and probably give you some more on top.

is it? Tell me, what is the ultimate price that we can pay when we really break it down? The rent? The bills? Or our lives?

Until the government take it seriously, people won't take it seriously. Boris is advising people to stay away from public gatherings while his dad is popping down to his local pub. It's a total shambles.

I don't blame businesses for staying open because the government don't seem to be bothered. The tube is running, buses are running, shops, cafes and restaurants are all open.

Don't blame the small business owners - blame the government who seem to just think this whole thing is a game.

How about non essential public services from local authorities that still have their libraries open.. gives out a message that this isn’t serious from a government body

There's a surprising number of vulnerable people on benefits who rely on libraries for the internet access that they need to manage their universal credit claims.

Unless the government can make alternative arrangements for them, they could end up destitute.

If people are made homeless or can't afford to feed themselves that also outs their lives at risk. But I suppose they're just selfish for wanting to afford to live.

They are putting profit before health.. Its as simple as that.

The emotional blackmailing that goes on on these threads is awful. Talking about how there will be children growing up without a parent or not living to see their next birthday etc.

As hard as it is to think about, this has to be about more than that. Because after this is over people still have to live, and no, we don’t need to hear that “well at least they’ll be alive,” because those people will be plunged into poverty, no job, no home, no prospects and no means to feed their families.

How many deaths do you think that will end up in causing? Mal nutrition, other associated health problems, increase in suicides....?

It can’t be one or the other, there have to be considerations on both sides.

And I speak as someone with a serious heart condition who would probably not survive if I catch the virus.

If people don’t want to put others at risk by going into shops then don’t go into them. It’s not that hard is it?

Why have a go at the shops for being open when it is the individuals who are shopping there?

My dh is a tradesman, if his parts shop shuts, he’s fucked, we are fucked. But so are his customers it’s a pretty essential service despite not “appearing” to be.

garden centres are selling grow your own stuff hand over fist.
Again, is that essential? A lot are independent, they have money tied up in their plants coming through. If they don’t have a boost now they won’t make it through and arguably that grown food (and mental health benefits) is essential.

Pet food shops, again, essential. Unless you want to go down the Australian euthanasia boost.

There's a surprising number of vulnerable people on benefits who rely on libraries for the internet access that they need to manage their universal credit claims

All our libraries are closing today. I suspect many others will be following suit early next week.

@Mlou32 Thanks ! I’m sure she will

Well either way we are doomed then. Go to work and die of CV, stay home and starve to death.

Great.