So where will all the idiots go now....

[DeRigueurMortis]

Given hardware stores are considered essential my guess is that we will see the masses heading for B&Q to stock up on items for "home projects" they can do during lockdown.

Completely missing the point that the reason they can remain open is to provide supplies to key workers like plumbers to fix leaks that unless fixed would prevent people staying in their home.

I've also got a feeling that we will see people having daily "essential" trips to the supermarket to get out and about.

I still don't think some people are taking this seriously.....

I know where they will go.

To their allotments.

I used to go to the supermarkets for fun before the lockdown. I like the homeware aisles in Morrisons, clothes at Sainsbury's and DVDs at Tesco.

So yes, I can believe people will make up excuses to nip in to the supermarkets, just for something to do.

I'm going to just stick to a weekly big shop on Tuesdays, and hope that not too many people chose the same time as me to go

I think there’s a strong chance that the clothing and entertainment sections of supermarkets will be closed off tbh. Obviously I can’t be certain but it would make sense to prevent the extra browsing time, touching and trying on.

So can I. And also to make way for more stock.

Of course, people will meet up.
Neighbours, oh just pop in the back door. Many have gates between properties. A place I used to live, a couple of back gardens and you're a couple of streets away.

That one walk a day they will use as an excuse to pop into the mates. As will others also pop into that mates.

I hadn't thought about the homeware sections in the supermarkets....

I'm sure people will still find a way to have secret parties....

They will still drive to the woods and the beaches and the mountains when not shopping.

Having seen them thread about the Sports Direct email, I think that the clothing section of supermarkets should stay open. Especially the ones which do good sportswear

Umm not sure about that.

I'm happy to avoid sports direct but can avoid the supermarket forever!

Sorry can't avoid the supermarket.

I will be going to DIY stores if I need to, simply because my house needs re-decorating, but I will of course distance myself.
I can see the scenario where I don't have much to do, despite WFH, and this will me something productive to do.

Well I am at home 100% until my next midwife appointment, unless babe makes an appearance before then of course.
I will walk up and down the street a few times for my exercise and me and Dp have decided to use this as a way to eat what random shite we have in the freezer/cupboards and then do a good defrost. I think we should be okay for a few weeks.

"If I need to"...

This is the problem.

You don't need to. It's not essential travel.

Your life won't end because your kitchen didn't get a lick of paint.

By all means order paint and supplies for delivery but that attitude is exactly what will make hardware stores the next transmission centres and put essential workers at risk by making them more populated.

I need a few things. We all do.
I will be getting things delivered. If it cannot be delivered, well it wasn't meant to be.
The important bit is we can still get food, medicines, health care and utilities. Anything else is a bonus.

The customers at said store have been vile all week. Over run with kids today too! Made it very unpleasant now schools are closed

Paint and gardening supplies flying out,the store is trashed and staff frazzled and scared.

People DO NOT CARE! They want their stuff at all costs

If you need things for home projects get them delivered.
If they can’t be delivered, do without they aren’t essential

I think in time the lockdown will be stepped up. There have been escalating measures all along here and elsewhere.

We need very soon to have a highly controlled shopping environment as elsewhere...temp taken on entry, only small numbers allowed in, tape to mark distances for standing at the till. I don't know how other countries doing this are managing when people go but they obviously are somehow. Guards I think supervise to ensure only essential shopping done in the briefest possible time. We're bound to go down the same path.

Also I think we will soon need to have some kind of self certifying paperwork indicating our reason for being out...medical, essential supplies etc.

So yeah, don't know where the idiots are going to go...anywhere as long as they don't have to go inside their own heads I guess...horribly empty in there.

Actually...just read the govt guidance and it does already say that shops must only let people in a few at a time so it is not crowded and they must operate queue control outside, also must ensure two metre distance between customer and staff member.

I know where they will go.

To their allotments.

Someone I know is spouting about how going to her allotment will be her form of exercise, her kids will be going with her and doing their school work there.

I have always believed that we are heading for months of total lockdown but that it was being spoon fed to us a little at a time. Lots of people looking for loopholes will have the rest of us demanding they get it done. We are so predictable.

B&Q is shut.
My mum works for them and was emailed tonight to say the store is closed as of tomorrow. She still needs to go into work tomorrow morning to help put away stock etc but they are 100% closed to the public.

They could go and bloody volunteer to get food and medicine to vulnerable people. Heck you can even do deliveries on foot with the dog.
But they won't.

I do wish I could go to my allotment, the extra food may be handy later in the year.

I was reading the fb page of the National Allotment Organisation earlier. Apparently they are trying to get clarity as to whether working on an allotment is to be classed as exercise.

@Fluffiest

"I'm going to just stick to a weekly big shop on Tuesdays"

But why? You are supposed to be changing your behaviour. Get your essential items and then go home and stay there.

To be honest I think allotments should be an exemption as long as you practice social distancing.

They provide both food and exercise.

So assuming you can get there by foot and work in isolation I think they ought to be exempt.

Genuine Question
Do you think it will still be ok to visit the cemetery?
I would go in the car tend to my dd's grave and come back home. I go 2/3 times a week. I don't usually see anyone there.
DH thinks I'm mad but he only goes on anniversaries/birthdays.
It's the one place I feel close to her, the thought of not been able to visit really upsets me.

I'd put in an exemption for allotments too. It's small-scale farming, and we are going to need increased food production.

With this virus, and the resulting controls on movement, crops could rot in the fields this year.