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NHS Coronavirus information. Information from gov.uk. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have health concerns, please seek medical attention.
Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
Covid
I feel broken tonight.
AnUnlikelyWorldofInvisibleShad · 21/03/2020 22:53
I work in a supermarket. Thankfully only part time although I feel like I should be doing more hours. We have no food for the vulnerable elderly customers. I had to tell an old man we had no bread and I didnt know when we would have any for him. It's so busy. We are all working flat out on our shifts and we still cant get enough food on the shelves for them.
I am scared. I am scared for my elderly customers, that they wont be able to eat and I wonder how many of them will catch this virus. I am scared for myself as I am having to work there and at risk of catching the virus. And I am scared that I will bring it home to my children.
I just feel awful tonight.
SenselessUbiquity · 21/03/2020 22:56
Thank you for working so hard and doing what you do.
covetingthepreciousthings · 21/03/2020 22:58
virtual handhold OP.
It's a really really tough time, I think the supermarket situation will get easier when we go into a lockdown, which I hope will be sooner rather than later.
Notcontent · 21/03/2020 23:00
Oh, god, I can just imagine how you are feeling.
Try and keep yourself safe.
AnUnlikelyWorldofInvisibleShad · 21/03/2020 23:02
Thank you senseless.
I hope you are right coveting. I feel so guilty telling people we haven't got any of what they need and knowing they are going to struggle to get back in for at least a few days. And if they do manage to get back in they are putting themselves at risk. They should be able to make just one trip and get what they need. Not have to keep coming in daily in the hope we might have managed to get in what they need and it not be bought within 10 minutes of being put on the shelves.
DeathByMascara · 21/03/2020 23:04
I'm so sorry, you guys are absolute heroes. I can't believe how people's behaviour has been these last few weeks. You all deserve a medal, and a massive hug. You're doing a wonderful job ♥️
LizzieSiddal · 21/03/2020 23:06
Thank you for what you are doing. Lotta hope people start to listen and stop panic buying.
It’s a shame basics cant be held back for older and vulnerable people.
AbsentmindedWoman · 21/03/2020 23:11
I'm so sorry you're in this position.
Your wages should be so much higher too. This crisis is showing how essential your job is to society, and the pay does not reflect this.
LaureBerthaud · 21/03/2020 23:11
I'm not being insensitive but we can all survive without bread.
You sound exhausted, OP. Remember if you or your children do get the virus it will probably be very mild.
AnUnlikelyWorldofInvisibleShad · 21/03/2020 23:11
Lizzie if I could hold things back for them I would do that in a heartbeat. I was thinking earlier I wish I could buy some things to keep to one side for these customers but I imagine that wouldn't be allowed and realistically i probably couldn't afford it. I think I am going to ask our store manager when I am next in if keeping some basic essentials to one side is something we could do. He probably wont be able to authorise it but at least I'll have asked.
Thank you everyone.
WomanIsTaken · 21/03/2020 23:14
I had to go to a supermarket to pick something up for my elderly mum this morning. I've been staying away from big stores, picking up stuff at my small local shop instead so haven't seen the full scale of the madness in person. I was shocked, and in total awe of you supermarket workers. I did see lots of freaked out looking older shoppers.
Would it work to have an isle of essentials that was reserved for the elderly who are shopping in person (ie not by proxy like my mum sending me to the shop, as anyone could claim to be shopping for an elderly relative)? The isle could be set up to have a broad range of essential items and access restricted at both ends and granted upon production of a bus pass confirming age, or similar.
Similarly, one till reserved for the over 70s.
AnUnlikelyWorldofInvisibleShad · 21/03/2020 23:16
It's not just bread though. That was just a bit of a tipping point for me. We have no toilet paper, milk, eggs, bread, cooking oil, tinned food. Honestly the list goes on. I agree we can certainly survive without bread but I'm not sure how they will cope without most of their basic essentials. Hopefully they do have family members who will help but I cant be sure.
I am exhausted though today. It's been a long couple of days and chances are I will feel a bit better tomorrow.
Balkinfly · 21/03/2020 23:18
Rationing needs to happen. People can't be trusted. Hoarding was a big problem in the war so don't see this ending anytime soon.
AnUnlikelyWorldofInvisibleShad · 21/03/2020 23:19
That would be a good idea if it could be implemented woman.
We have had a similar problem with nappies and formula etc. I have not been able to get formula for my baby for at least a couple of weeks but I am mobile and can walk to the other supermarkets that are a bit further away if I have to. Hopefully other parents are able to manage that also. A lot of our customers live very close by and are not mobile enough to get to the other supermarkets so they are literally relying on us.
WomanIsTaken · 21/03/2020 23:20
But Laure, many elderly people do eat a lot of sandwiches. Especially if their manual dexterity is impaired by arthritis or they're not strong enough or steady enough to carry out basic cooking, or worry about using electrical or gas appliances for safety reasons. I'd say that sandwiches are a staple for the elderly, and that cooking is often not an easy option.
highlandcoo · 21/03/2020 23:22
Well done OP for your hard work 
I think a lot of us feel that supermarket workers should be much more appreciated in our society.
I feel sure hope to God that lockdown will come soon and we will have a system like most of the other countries in Europe which is calmer and controlled.
Look after yourself and thank you for caring about the elderly. You sound fab.
Wingedharpy · 21/03/2020 23:24
I think the supermarket situation will be easier this next week too OP.
The 70's and over and the "high risk" others should be staying in from hereonin.
They probably contributed to the mad scramble in the week, trying to stock up before they stayed home now.
The announcement about school closures probably added to that as parents tried to stock up as they didn't want to have to drag school kids round the supermarket this coming week, but they'd quite like to have something in to feed them with.
I hope it gets easier for you and less heartbreaking.
I too think you are all unsung heroes, along with the delivery guys and gals who are doing their best under awful circumstances.
There are a lot, if not all, supermarkets having dedicated shopping times for the elderly and vulnerable, so, that does give some a bit of a leg up.
Your man will be able to eat, though he may not get quite what he wanted.
I'm an old fogey too and, just like the rest of the Nation, we oldies have to get ourselves organised and change our usual routines.
Life is not carrying on as normal for anyone.
Take care.😉
StuckBetweenDarknessAndLight · 21/03/2020 23:27
The thing that makes me so angry about this is that the elderly, the vulnerable have to keep going out to try and find produce when they should be at home keeping safe. They're exposing themselves to risk every time.
Aside from that - thank you Unlikely. You didn't sign up for this and it must be so hard for you. I just hope no one has been horrible to you, as I have heard in other reports. Keep well.
Mischance · 21/03/2020 23:28
Well done for all that you are doing. Such a difficult time for everyone and you are there to help keeping people fed; so thank you for that.
You can only sell what you have there; so please do not feel bad - there is no need for that. You are doing your best.
Elderly people should not really be out there at the supermarket - they are an at risk group. I am hoping that relatives and community groups will be helping vulnerable people to get what they need.
toothfairy73 · 21/03/2020 23:39
Thank you OP. It's hard enough to serve the general public at the best of times let alone in a situation as unprecedented as this. Thank you for everything you are doing. Sending a big virtual hug

Bakingberry · 21/03/2020 23:50
This is so heartbreaking. I'm usually well stocked at home for food so I've deliberately been avoiding buying things this week. I'm going to try and make do with what I have and hopefully this madness will be over next week. But I'm fearing the worst.
I guess it depends where you live, but I've heard smaller shops and places like M&S generally have better stock levels at the moment because everyone is heading to the large stores.
SpillTheTeaa · 22/03/2020 00:03
People are selfish. If we all just shop normally like we used to there is a lot to go around except people are buying 4 loads of bread and freezing them.
I knew people could be selfish but then COVID-19 happened and wow now I know the true extent of selfishness.
eaglejulesk · 22/03/2020 00:09
One of the major supermarkets here (NZ) has a limit of two of most things, and they have shortened their opening hours by two hours each day to allow staff more time to re-stock the shelves. People are so selfish, it's everyone for themselves and to hell with everyone else!
Look after yourself OP.
toothfairy73 · 22/03/2020 00:10
@SpillTheTeaa I can't believe that people are doing that. That's crazy. I worked in a bakery in a supermarket in the 90s when doing my A-levels. We used to ration the bread when it snowed!
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