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Original poster

Supermarkets opening just for those who shouldn't even be there! Madness

61 replies

redskyattwilight · 20/03/2020 01:14

The message from Prof Whitty is that vulnerable people need to stay at home. Not only to protect themselves but also the NHS + others.
The message from all the supermarket is 'come to us, it's fine, we'll even open it especially for you'

Why are the supermarkets allowed to encourage behaviour that is opposite to the official advice. I realise many will have problems with getting there food, but every effort should be taken to avoid them entering the physical shop surely.

OP posts:
Marchitectmummy · 20/03/2020 02:02

Surely the message from the supermarket is we understand you at need to shop and are vulnerable at this time therefore we have a time for you to come with Other people in the same position as you.

Not all vulnerable people can use the Internet or have people around them who can order for them.

This must be to goad people surely everyone understands the predicament.

Fucket · 20/03/2020 02:22

Before we went into self-isolation yesterday With symptoms, I had spent the day before trying to work out how we a family of 5, 2 vulnerable adults, 3 young kids, are meant to get food. Supermarket restrictions meant I can’t buy enough to feed my family more than a couple of days. Others have offered to help, but seeing as they are limited on what they can purchase for themselves they are not going to manage more than the odd bottle of milk and bread.

I asked my regular Tesco about the special hour for the vulnerable (at 7.30 am when the shop was already heaving). Apparently it’s between 9-10am, but still open to everyone and i was told to try and organise an online delivery from Tesco. Yeah ok.

So not only are we meant to self-isolate for 14 days because we have symptoms, dh and I are expected to work from home. He’s in logistics, lots of shipments of alcohol needed for making hand held etc. He’s busy, I’m meant to be supporting teachers at my school by helping them with content whilst they try to run lessons online. I’m also meant to now go around every shop in town every other day to feed my family! Thankfully I’m using the freezer items. I planned for two weeks of isolation. I did not plan for 3 months at home. As we won’t get tested unless we end up in hospital, which I guess will happen if this is not a cold, how are we meant to know if this virus we have is THE virus? We will still have to stay home just in case.

Online deliveries should be cancelled and given to key workers, elderly and vulnerable. I cannot think of anything worse than congregating in supermarkets every other day to ensure we all catch this god awful disease.

dillydallyshillyshally · 20/03/2020 02:23

@WhereverIMayRoam enormous round of applause Very, very well said.

Monty27 · 20/03/2020 02:36

Has anyone tried to do an internet shop recently?
FFS I despair Angry

HeIenaDove · 20/03/2020 02:37

@WhereverIMayRoam Yes Great post.

HeIenaDove · 20/03/2020 02:38

@Fucket Its a real shitshow. I agree with your point about online deliveries Thanks

HeIenaDove · 20/03/2020 02:40

But elderly should be able to order by phone.

Margie70 · 20/03/2020 02:49

I am 70 with a heart condition- I have an adult son living 30 minutes away, with a life limiting health condition, requiring treatments at home lasting between 5 and 8 hours a day from 2 to 3 nurses/carers who visit his home. I am his carer for emotional and practical, and sometimes physical and financial support. I am awake now (2:40 am) because my not so local supermarket has a dedicated opening time for us oldies and I’m scared of missing the chance to get supplies. I haven’t done this before but I’m now desperate for basics, so that I can fully self isolate - but I don’t know how to fully self isolate AND also offer the support my son needs. No delivery slots for weeks. And I’m scared of catching Covid-19 as my son’s father died less than a month ago - and he doesn’t deserve to lose another parent, yet. Sorry that this sounds so miserable but this is my reality - and could be the reality for many of those keeping their distance from my in the queue I will join later this morning.

PyongyangKipperbang · 20/03/2020 02:50

I will be taking my disabled 30 year old son to buy his shopping during these times, because he physically cannot fight his way to the the fucking shelves at any other time. If I didnt do this then I would have to do his shopping for him, and he would never leave the house, nothing to do with CV19, thats his life.

What exactly is your problem with a disabled person with no symptoms, being able to shop without being physically abused?

Downunderduchess · 20/03/2020 02:52

The major supermarkets in Sydney have totally cancelled online delivery for the time being, so the only choice is going in person if you don’t have anyone to do it for you. They have established an early morning shopping hour for elderly/disabled/less mobile shoppers. At least it is something. The staff at the supermarkets are doing their best under pretty shitty circumstances i.e. people behaving like lunatics.

daisypond · 20/03/2020 02:53

People need to eat. There are no delivery slots available, even for those on the internet.

Hellokittymania · 20/03/2020 03:00

Please think before you write, op. There are no delivery slots available… How do you expect us to have food? I have a disability… When I go to the supermarket, I have to wait 20 minutes for help, and then we go around and there’s nothing on the shelves… Please think…

Colouringaddict · 20/03/2020 03:26

No delivery spots to book, I am self isolating, if I contract this disease, it would probably kill me. My daughter is a teacher and part of the SLT so she will continue to go to school. I have some freezer food but won’t last for long, I am getting increasingly more anxious about where I will get food from, I’m sure I’m not alone in this position

Thetigeronthewobbelboard · 20/03/2020 03:29

I’m not elderly but belong to another group classes as vulnerable. What slams you have me and my family do? Not eat? My husband has to keep working so although he can get to the shop, it is difficult for him to always get there at the time when we hear there are deliveries. Obviously this is the same for other too only in other families (not saying all of course) there might be two adults able to try and get there at the right time. We didn’t panic buy as we listened to the advice not to.

Thepigeonsarecoming · 20/03/2020 03:38

To everyone now posting, please read the follow up posts of this thread as they are mainly all positive and supportive and looking to support you further. Instead of posting another about how the OP is wrong let’s discuss what’s the best way to help you. Any suggestions? Maybe a collective agreed post to the supermarkets? Many people continuously posting to them asking for an hour for you this far

Thepigeonsarecoming · 20/03/2020 03:40

got you

MissyJane2 · 20/03/2020 03:41

*The message from Prof Whitty is that vulnerable people need to stay at home. Not only to protect themselves but also the NHS + others.
The message from all the supermarket is 'come to us, it's fine, we'll even open it especially for you'

Why are the supermarkets allowed to encourage behaviour that is opposite to the official advice. I realise many will have problems with getting there food, but every effort should be taken to avoid them entering the physical shop surely.*
People have to go out, myself included because you can't get a home delivery now there are no delivery slots for a month.
And I like a lot of people don't have any friends or family who can go to the shops for me.
And where I live in a block of flats, I don't think my nieghbors would go out and get food for me.

So I have to go out the the shop and get it myself.

But even when I get there there is no food on the shelves at all.
So it's a wasted journey.
Even if you can get an online delivery slot most items are sold out or not available, so I you don't know how many are going to be missing when your shopping arrives.
Some people I know have ordered then the delivery has been cancelled due the the crisis.
That's why we have to go out. I am 56 BTW.

Thepigeonsarecoming · 20/03/2020 03:47

Maybe it would be better starting a new thread about this which doesn’t have such a negative title/start?

Original poster
redskyattwilight · 20/03/2020 09:08

I honestly posted with those classified as vulnerable at heart. It just creates a inconsistent message to them I think. I'm sorry for those who found my post vulgar or me to have the thoughts. It wasn't expecting raising a concern and then being personally attacked for doing so.

OP posts:
Monty27 · 21/03/2020 06:17

It just shows the state of our society when elderly people are forced to look after themselves because they don't have anyone to help them 😓

amandalives · 21/03/2020 06:36

As others have said there are no delivery slots. If they're to stay away from people those who aren't vulnerable need to step up and help. I'll be posting my number through next doors letter box, I don't know her but want to try to help her stay away from people. Unfortunately you have some young and healthy people in hysterics over this, they've stripped the shelves to try to avoid going out but it's resulted in people in the vulnerable category having to go out everyday to see what they can find when it really should be the other way round.

PurSav0n · 21/03/2020 07:14

Sainsbury is now only open 8-8 with 3 early mornings for elderly and NHS. Utter madness. Mixing those most at risk from germs with those having the most contact.

No mention of school staff. I tried 4 shops after work all stripped bare, was told to come back late as lorries arrived. Now can’t do that. Schools are going to be open for longer so we’ll have even less time and less to buy. If we’re in school looking after key worker children were in school.

Not sure why somebody behind the scenes NHS is deemed more in need of help than teachers and school staff.Hmm

PurSav0n · 21/03/2020 07:16

It isn’t working families stripping shelves they’re at work and have nothing to buy after.

I also have to buy for an elderly parent so 6, said parent can’t drive or get delivery slots. If food isn’t in one shop I have to try the next- after work.

PurSav0n · 21/03/2020 07:17

We’re

PowerslidePanda · 21/03/2020 07:18

Sainsbury is now only open 8-8 with 3 early mornings for elderly and NHS. Utter madness. Mixing those most at risk from germs with those having the most contact.

I was about to post exactly this! Yes - both groups need to be supported in obtaining supplies, but to do both within the same time slot is a really bad idea!