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Original poster

The ‘essential’ police - please stop

284 replies

TheDogIsKeepingMeSane · 04/04/2020 16:50

Until we are issued what is deemed an essential shopping item ANY food/drink item is ok to buy.
I’ve been working today outside. It’s hot.
On my way home I stopped at my local independent shop & bought myself 2 bottles of cold beer.
I live alone & work alone & it felt great to chat with the shop owner (2m apart) .
When I left the shop a cyclist said me ‘ hardly an essential item is it’

Just stop it .
I’m ashamed of what my fellow human beings have become.

The beer is cold & I shouldn’t be made to feel ashamed for buying it

OP posts:
Bizawit · 04/04/2020 19:38

Couldn’t agree more OP! People have gone bonkers.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 04/04/2020 19:38

It’s about the frequency, not the item.

Keep the frequency down as much as you are able.

So don’t do an extra trip for chocolate.

But if you have to do one for baby milk fair enough.

Best case scenario, include your baby milk and your chocolate in your big weekly shop, that’s fine.

Cohle · 04/04/2020 19:40

give your head a fucking wobble!

Why? Shopping as infrequently as possible is literally the government guidance.

Doubtless you think the rules don't apply to you because you know better though Hmm

TinklyLittleLaugh · 04/04/2020 19:42

Well no one in my house has nipped out for bread and milk. We have got them in our big shop. Don’t have room in the freezer for everything so some of our milk is long life and we are substituting bread for wraps and pittas and baked potatoes and the odd homemade loaf.

Clymene · 04/04/2020 19:42

Some people, like the OP, can't afford to buy everything at once.

But the essentialist police have such failure of imagination that such a scenario is beyond comprehension.

LaurieFairyCake · 04/04/2020 19:44

If I'm in a shop buying my food and they sell other stuff I buy it

Batteries
Tin of paint
Outdoor mat
Plants
Daffodils
Easter eggs

Plus full weeks shop

TinklyLittleLaugh · 04/04/2020 19:44

No one is paid in such a way that they can only buy a day’s food at a time.

Kazzyhoward · 04/04/2020 19:46

It’s about the frequency, not the item.

Nail on the head. Every time you go into a shop, you're increasing the risks of you getting it, giving it to the shop workers or other customers, or getting it and passing it onto your household. Reduce the number of times you need to do it. Going to a shop for just 1 or 2 items is plain stupid. For some, once a week is fine, for others, maybe every 3 or 4 days. But whatever, make every visit count - i.e. buy enough for a few days so you don't need to go again. To the OP, yes, you were unreasonable for taking unnecessary risks to buy a couple of bottles of beer - why didn't you buy some in the last proper shop to reduce the risks to yourself and everyone around you?

Kazzyhoward · 04/04/2020 19:48

People have gone bonkers.

Yes, the ones who understand the situation and know that the more people don't heed the advice, the longer and worse the lockdown will become.

Derbygerbil · 04/04/2020 19:48

Ridiculous what inessential stuff people are buying....the only solution is for us to be locked in and the Army deliver potato rations to everyone. You can survive perfectly well for 60 days on them apparently.

Flymetothetoon · 04/04/2020 19:52

@Cohle
Did you actually read my post?

Too bloody busy being the Sphincter Police

NiteFlights · 04/04/2020 19:52

Some people, like the OP, can't afford to buy everything at once.

Yes, so wait until the next essential shopping trip and buy the beer then. JFC it’s not that complicated.

bellinisurge · 04/04/2020 19:55

The op went into an open shop on their way home to buy a morale booster. The government deemed such shops as necessary. In what other way would you shop at an off license or other mini shop?

BeetrootRocks · 04/04/2020 19:59

Stating that bread and milk, two staples in the UK, are non essential items, is bonkers, yes. Properly bonkers.

Kazzyhoward · 04/04/2020 20:03

In what other way would you shop at an off license or other mini shop

Lots of people are buying a full shop at small convenience stores. We have a Spar (petrol station) near us, and it has people with trolley loads buying their groceries for the week. Older people have been doing it for years and now with the restrictions, lots of middle and younger people are staying local rather than risking the supermarkets.

Haffiana · 04/04/2020 20:04

No one is paid in such a way that they can only buy a day’s food at a time.

Many people can only carry a day's food at a time.

Clymene · 04/04/2020 20:07

This is reminding me of year 7 feudal history lessons

Mumto1girl3boys · 04/04/2020 20:09

Go to the shop whenever you want and buy whatever you want. I went to asda earlier because i was in the mood for making rice pudding. Nobody elses business aslong as i stay 2m away from them😊

Cohle · 04/04/2020 20:10

Did you actually read my post?

Patently, since I quoted it in my own...

MelbaToast · 04/04/2020 20:13

If it was quiet enough you could have a chat with the owner then whether it's essential or not doesn't matter.

bluebluezoo · 04/04/2020 20:15

Go to the shop whenever you want and buy whatever you want. I went to asda earlier because i was in the mood for making rice pudding. Nobody elses business aslong as i stay 2m away from them

If it was quiet enough you could have a chat with the owner then whether it's essential or not doesn't matter

Some people just don’t get it..

Flymetothetoon · 04/04/2020 20:16

@Cohle
Shopping once every fortnight is too much for you?

Jesus fucking Christ!

GrumpiestOldWoman · 04/04/2020 20:19

Some people just don’t get it..

Dead right, this is why we have laws about wearing seatbelts and not playing on motorways!

Flaxmeadow · 04/04/2020 20:20

Someone on another thread has just said bread and milk are not essential.

Didn't they say they're not essential everyday?

Mlou32 · 04/04/2020 20:20

"Many people can only carry a day's food at a time."

Nonsense.