Coronavirus essential shopping

[Mgby1]

Really frustrated with what people would consider essentials. I am trying to keep my family as safe as I can (only going out to work, children only playing in garden). Working in a shop it's really pissing me off that people think they can stroll around on their phones taking their time whilst people are queuing outside. Wouldn't bother me so much if they are actually coming in for essential items but adults are coming in for a bar of chocolate! It's just ridiculous and I dont think we should be putting ourselves at risk cos of some stupid people. Any other people in retail that refuse to sell non essentials? Xx

[Seriouslyastounded]

I went for wine. I couldn’t give a fuck if people thought that was non essential. I’m working in a warehouse sending out non essential products to people. I want my wine

[OutComeTheWolves]

Ffs I'm sick of people policing other people during this lockdown. If you don't consider it to be 'essential' stop selling it until the lockdown is over. You have no idea what's going on with some people - if they want to incorporate a stop of for some chocolate into their one bit of exercise a day, or stop off for a treat after a 12 hour shift at work or whatever it is they're doing, so be it.

People are dying because we're not testing and contact tracing enough, because we're not providing the right protective equipment to people and because the government were too slow to contain this. Not because Jim down the road needed ten minutes peace so went to buy a dairy milk.

[KatherineJaneway]

I'm not trying to police what people buy but it should be made clear what essential means

You are though. It is all about what you believe is essential. I was told on MN by someone that bread and milk are not 'essential'. They are in my house.

Looking at all the retailers that will go under after this pandemic, be glad you have customers.

[MonaLisaDoesntSmile]

This ^^
We have been very lucky to get a delivery this week, but some of the stuff has not arrived so partner went to get those items from local corner shop and only found two. Probably a judgemental sales assistant thought it was non essential...

[cologne4711]

The local shop near me have said if you go in for what they deem, non-essential, they will ask you to leae. Sounds sensible to me

it's not about what they deem to be essential or not. Can we please stop this nonsense about "non-essential" purchases. No it's not very sensible to get n your car and drive half an hour to buy a chocolate bar. But if I am out for a walk and pass a shop and decide to buy some non staple items I can't see the issue (and I won't queue anyway, so I will only go in if it isn't busy). Plus the fact you might go in for something the coronastasi does consider essential but they don't have it (though there was a thread where even milk wasn't considered to be essential).

People will remember the way businesses behaved over this. Both the virtue signallers and the ones who ripped off their staff and customers.

[Bool]

Can’t quite believe this thread. You do realise the idea is for a lot of us to slowly get this virus. We will start opening up slowly soon because the NHS is coping.

[Bool]

@cologne4711 The coronastasi! Love that!

[Mrhodgeymaheg]

These posts annoy me. One person goes into a shop to buy chocolate and suddenly everyone is doing it in their mind. I needed an essential item the other day and had to go in 4 shops to get it as none of them had it. Perhaps that is what you are seeing.

[LonelyFromCorona]

If its really that much an issue talk to management and have a clearly signposted policy that non essential purchases will be refused. Expect lots of arguments. Enjoy.

Otherwise leave people to it, I suspect its no the majority, so accept it for what it is.

[cushioncovers]

This essential thing has annoyed me too. I have gone once a week to buy what is basically essential items and then we go without whatever I forgot or couldn't get. My brother however is on furlough and has been popping in and out of the supermarkets for all sorts. Easter eggs, birthdays cards, flowers for an anniversary, all separate trips which in his words ' break up the week a bit'

[PutThemInTheIronMaiden]

I bought a box of hair dye from Poundstretcher. I went in hoping to get wipes, cereal etc but they didn’t have it and I’d picked the dye up first. I ended up just buying that because I felt I’d be judged for putting back something I had handled.

[Wannabangbang]

I find it odd people are willing to risk their lifes, that of their families at home and staff in the shop to buy just one chocolate bar. How can they deem this essential, just how i don't get it.

I personally won't be going to any shop unless really needed ie milk, bread, i would probably throw a bottle of wine in whilst I'm at it, but again i wouldn't go to shop just because i want wine as it isn't a need. I leave off going to the shop unless i need atleast a full basket of much needed items.

I do think the government needs to outline what items they list as essentials on their own so people aren't mislead into thinking entering a shop for a solitary item such as one bar of chocolate or a pack of icelollies for example is an essential product.

[ShanghaiDiva]

The govt does not need to outline what is essential and what isn’t. The advice is clear: reduce the number of trips. What you buy in the shop is irrelevant. Essential refers to the trip you make, not what you buy.

[Ponoka7]

@Wannabangbang, no the government does not get to dictate what we can buy and what is essential. As for a pack of icelollies, they were essential when my DD had raging tonsillitis. I walked to my local farmfoods, which was empty and bought five packs. I would have been more at risk going to a supermarket and combining getting them with other shopping (which i didn't need) because i wasn't allowed to buy them separately. I had to go to the chemist by farmfoods for my DD's perscribtion.

I don't eat, dairy, pasta, rice, cerials or much bread. My DD has a limited diet because of Autism. How exactly do they tailor the 'essentials' for everyone? The liberties that we've given up makes sense, they are for our's and the greater good. Shopping restrictions don't make sense. Now we are on a more even keel, I think the likes of Argos should be willing to deliver exercise equipment and garden toys. Especially as this isn't going to be over this Summer.

[Wannabangbang]

That's a good point ponoka I guess everyone needs different items. My post was more aimed at people popping out willy nilly for non essentials ie 2 times a day same shop for silly items.

[theneverendinglaundry]

I'm getting really fed up with the Mumsnet Essentials Police. The government has clearly said that we can buy whatever we want from a shop that is open.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52245937

Maybe the man went to the shop for flour, or eggs, or something else he couldn't find? And thought he may as well treat himself to a bar of chocolate beings as he had queued for an hour?

People need to stop being so judgemental.

[RishiSunakFanClub]

I currently leave my house once a week when I have to go to my doctor's surgery. I've been fortunate enough to book a weekly Tesco's delivery but if I fancy a bar of chocolate or a cake whilst I'm out I will go to the nearby Co-op and I really don't care how non essential it is.

HTH

[HeffalumpsCantDance]

Then stop selling things you deem non-essential.
DS walks 1.5 miles, buys a bar of chocolate and walks back. Combining 3 miles of exercise with non-essential purchase.
There’s a serious inability to prioritise what to get furious about sweeping the land, and a lot of petty, officious individuals who are probably missing the Brexit frothing and have now moved their anger onto another easy, visible target.
Sometimes a touch of normality helps people retain their mental stability, stops them slapping their children senseless or otherwise breaking down. But the ice lolly is all you see.

[MrsG010814]

If the items are for sale in the shop then people are entitled to buy them. Like a pp said you don't know if people went in for other items and they weren't available but even if they didn't there are no restrictions on what you can buy.

[Annarosez]

Sorry to hear that OP. Some people really are idiots and are putting everyone else at risk.

[BirdieFriendReturns]

Maybe we should ask permission from Mumsnet before going shopping to see if our purchases are essential.

Am I allowed to pop to the shop to buy tampons and pads or should I make my own out of old bedsheets? Can I pick up bar of chocolate and a magazine too when I’m there?

[puppymouse]

Relieved to see some frustration with this "keyboard outrage policing." It's exhausting.

I went to get fuel yesterday as I have to drive to my horse each day and I combined my fuel purchase with a fuck ton of mini eggs as DD loves them and I wanted to have plenty to stock up as they won't be around for long.

No it isn't essential but I was there anyway, was wearing gloves, bought some fresh local strawberries my vulnerable DM was missing which made her day as she hadn't been able to get any delivered and a few other luxuries. Left them on her doorstep...

I haven't been anywhere other than the stables or local garage in a month. Most of us are doing the best we can.

[Annarosez]

The government was clear that people should make as few food shops as possible and only when essential. Adding chocolate to a shop that involves vegetables, milk etc. is different.

[LastTrainEast]

"The local shop near me have said if you go in for what they deem, non-essential, they will ask you to leave" After this is over they may be out of business.

While it's true that it's stupid to make a trip to ONLY buy trivial items there is no reason why someone can't buy whatever they like once there.

For those little shop owners complaining maybe we can send someone around to confiscate the 'non-essential' items you are blatantly displaying on your shelves?

[OneHanded]

I spend forever because anxiety sends me into a hyper state and I can’t think straight or I’ll stare at the shelf not properly taking it in to find what I’m looking for.