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Original poster

Is this wrong?

60 replies

jdw1991 · 22/04/2020 09:58

So I regularly see my neighbours getting visits from someone who drops shopping off. The person who drops the shopping off keeps a safe distance, doesn't enter the household but stays outside of the garden to chat. Is this allowed? I've heard so many different opinions on it but I'm not so sure!!

OP posts:
MoltonSilver · 22/04/2020 10:39

OMG people are so irritable. There's no need for the rude replies.

Goawayquickly · 22/04/2020 10:40

I just can’t imagine why anyone would think there’d be a problem with this.

Aesopfable · 22/04/2020 10:40

Of course it is ok. It should be encouraged as long as social distancing is maintained.

I often stop to chat to people on my walks, or from my front garden. I also have nice long chats with my neighbour who lives opposite without either of us leaving our front gardens.

dementedpixie · 22/04/2020 10:42

Of course its allowed, why wouldn't it be?? I have taken shopping over for my mum as she is in the shielding category. I put shopping on doorstep and ring the bell and then move back up the path when she comes to lift it in. I then (shock horror!) have a short chat with her to see how she's coping as she isnt seeing anyone or going out any more. I'm sure the chat brightens up her day and I like to see she's ok.

Unshriven · 22/04/2020 10:43

It's very telling that all of these 'numbername' and new posters feel free to be astonishingly rude and crass, whilst castigating others (or MN as whole, apparently forgetting they are 'MNers' too) for supposedly the self same thing. Hmm

MereDintofPandiculation · 22/04/2020 10:43

If you're getting shopping for a vulnerable person, it's the 15 min chat that reassures you that they really are coping rather than just putting a brave face on it. It's the time you can find that their central heating boiler has packed up and they've been without heat or hot water for the last 3 days. Or that they're worried about their swollen legs but don't want to bother the GP.

louise5754 · 22/04/2020 10:44

@Laniakea I can't speak for the op but I had similar responses on a post I made yesterday.

I eventually had to say I'm dyslexic suffer with severe anxiety and I'm autistic and I was genuinely asking a question.

Do I start off saying that now in every post I make?

FreierFall · 22/04/2020 10:45

Ffs. In what way is it wrong. This whole covid19 shit show really has highlighted how stupid/nosey/self righteous some people are.

NeighbourPooNameChange · 22/04/2020 10:46

It seems like you don’t want it to be allowed OP - but it is :) welcome to
Mumsnet Thanks

ifonly4 · 22/04/2020 10:47

Well I need reporting then. I drop food shopping off for my Mum once a week. I leave it outside, stand on the grass and chat to her, we're approx 5m apart. Part of the chat involves telling her about alternatives I've had to choose, and she's always worrying about me having enough money for her food, so have to go over that one - she's elderly, a worrier and repeats it all. Last week it was about filling in a form she'd had giving two weeks to claim her pension otherwise she'd loose it. She's only sees her two neighbours and a lady who she chats to from a window sometimes while she's out walking. She has no one else to help and for me it's about assessing she generally seems ok as she's on medication and has set backs.

TiredofSM · 22/04/2020 10:52

@vodkaredbullgirl I think you need to step away from the Coronavirus board...
This is not AIBU and the OP isn’t talking about reporting anyone.
Calm down people.

vodkaredbullgirl · 22/04/2020 10:55

@TiredofSM I will stay where I am thank you.

InTheShadiws · 22/04/2020 10:57

Why would you think for even a second that it would be wrong or not allowed?

Mammatino · 22/04/2020 11:01

I think it’s within the guidelines. If you are asking because you might like to drop something off with a relative then Keep two meters apart whilst you talk and obviously if you or they have any symptoms don’t go. I can’t see what harm there is in it, unless they are licking each other in the street...then you should call the police 😀

iVampire · 22/04/2020 11:11

‘ I'm generally trying to get opinions so if you can't be nice.. Do one!’

Pot .... kettle ......

knittingaddict · 22/04/2020 11:12

Our daughter parks on our drive for her walks with her small children. We then have a little chat to her and the grandchildren through the window and all standing well back from each other. She is on her own in a flat and if it helps keep her going then we will continue to do it.

My husband did worry about how this would look to our neighbours as they are frequently doing work outside when they arrive. I wasn't so bothered because I knew we were being sensible. A couple of days ago our neighbours had a couple of friends/family members do the same thing at their house, so we are more relaxed now.

That tiny bit of human contact is so important and I make no apologies for it.

NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite · 22/04/2020 11:19

How many more of these posts are there going to be?

Yes, it is allowed for others to drop off shopping to the vulnerable. You can even take it inside and put it away and do other things if you are caring for someone else.

Why does it matter to you? Stop being a fricking busybody.

louise5754 · 22/04/2020 11:34

I think it's because people don't know the rules.

For example I did t think you could drive to your parents home and then go for a walk.

I thought you had to walk where you lived?

Drivingdownthe101 · 22/04/2020 11:36

Driving for exercise is fine as long as the time taken to exercise significantly exceeds the time taken to drive there.
So for example you can drive 5 mins for an hour walk. You can’t drive 2 hours for a half hour walk.

louise5754 · 22/04/2020 11:39

Wouldn't it be safer to tell people to walk round their estate a few times rather than people drive to the same place?

I'm not being funny btw. People on here seem to think I am.

RedRed9 · 22/04/2020 11:44

My DM drops shopping off at my grandads and stays in the driveway to have a chat.

He lives alone and has to shield, so he can see literally no one for a terribly long time. If it wasn’t for those little driveway chats (well, shouts, as he’s a hit deaf) I can’t even imagine how desperately lonely he’d be feeling right now.

WineLover1234 · 22/04/2020 11:45

@louise5754 I know I only walk around the town I live. Don't see it necessary to walk elsewhere with driving first but that's just my view on it Flowers

Drivingdownthe101 · 22/04/2020 11:46

louise5754 I imagine that the police (who issued the guidance) have decided that that is low enough risk.
You can of course choose to walk around your local area if you prefer... we have plenty of green space nearby so no need to drive to exercise.
If you live in a big city on a busy road with lots of people exercising in the same place, it may well be safer to drive 10 mins away for a walk.

JKScot4 · 22/04/2020 11:47

I deliver for my local foodbank and ppl often come to the door to say thanks, will I be reported?
Ffs they’re keeping distance, learn to knit or bake, stay away from your window!!

Drivingdownthe101 · 22/04/2020 11:48

That’s great if that’s what suits you WineLover1234. Official guidance is that it’s fine to drive to exercise with certain conditions. People can then make their own risk assessments.

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