FFS just because you CAN go to 'The Range' doesn't mean you should

[Torri67]

Nor any of the other shops unfairly dodging the lockdown closure by claiming they are essential (someone on another thread's, local shoe shop, local branch of Next) etc.

It's bloody ridiculous. The more we are out and about, the more this virus has a chance to keep spreading. Don't click and collect from your local business, place orders online from them or phone up and arrange delivery.

Just stop f**king going out. If you don't HAVE to go out for work, essential shopping - ie food or medicine, just stay at home.

If you don't, don't moan when bloody Boris is on our screens on 2nd December saying the lockdown is extended.

I'll be doing what I like thank you. If I'm allowed to go to the Range without breaking any rules, I will bloody well do so.

You stay home.

@Weallfloatdownhere

Why do people insist on asking "what is the Range" on threads like this? Is your Google broken?

Because people like to be smug and pompous about not knowing about cheaper shops. And must make sure everyone knows it!

@Janaih

You should pop down there OP, pick up a box of grips.

Not sure this comment got the love it deserves

@Noideawottodo

This is the accepted rhetoric but I'm afraid it's nonsense. Take Taiwan as an example. An extremely liberal and democratic society. PROPER TEST AND TRACE

Yeah, what she said

Whilst this is undoubtedly true, do you understand why the countries who have managed this best have been able to? I don’t believe for a second that anyone on here would accept a system like theirs. Christ, we don’t want to be told not to go and do certain things for a few weeks.

@thenightsky 😂😂😂

The range sell food (my local has an Iceland in it) they also sell medication often at a cheaper rate then other shops.

Love the idea of The Range being the same shop as Iceland.
So if you buy an essential pint of milk and a bag of oven chips first, does that mean you can buy a non essential tea light holder or portable walrus polishing kit too as you're doing your essential shop at the same time?!
asking for a friend

What's The Range? (misses point)

I"m going to B&Q today to pick up rolls of insulation for the loft and paint for the project I've got underway. I give not the shiniest of shits about whether you think this is essential or not. My home is comfort and consolation, security and pleasure all at once at the moment. If people want to shop to make their houses more comfortable and pleasurable, who cares if you think their desire for pot planters or fairy lights is selfish and irresponsible. It's really not.

AwFeebs, exactly. The Range is walking distance for me so although I have a weekly delivery from Sainsbury's it is handy to be able to get something I've forgotten or to get a fresh load. I've also gone in for other things I've considered essential like some plumbing supplies to repair a broken tap. Turning off my water supply for the last lockdown to avoid water pouring out of said tap 24 hrs a day didn't seem the ideal solution.

It isn't all baubles.

@Teateaandmoretea

I also agree the government are going to shift as much blame to others as possible and they have been extraordinarily (though not surprisingly) incompetent at managing this. But those countries which have been more successful at managing this have either had a more compliant population (who self isolate, wear masks, socially distance and understand the rules are a pain, but a hopefully short-term inconvenience) or they have had extreme lockdown.

There is a critical balance between keeping infection figures manageable (reduces deaths, reduces burden on NHS, fewer sick days for working people) and keeping economy going/people working which is essential for so many families who can’t WFH in the longer term.

So that is why I so strongly believe in the OPs position which is that for those of us who can, WFH, stick to online shopping and don’t mix with different households. I think by taking this individual responsibility we can help minimise the shocking impact this is having on our economy, on the NHS, on our kids’ education and for the elderly and vulnerable.

But I absolutely don’t want to absolve the government of any blame (though I also think those who voted in these numpties should be held responsible too)

If you can't understand why insisting on neeeeeding to go to The Range etc is selfish and stupid then there's no hope for you.

If you can't understand that the economy and shops shutting down and causing mass unemployment/economic deprivation will have a much worse effect on life expectancy and quality of life than a virus with a 0.2% death rate, then there's no hope for you.

@LastGoldenDaysOfSummer

So many replies here show why the lock down was needed in the first place and why it won't work.

Very sad.

Agreed.

Frontline NHS worker here.

The comments here are depressing.

I'd love to take a few people on a tour and show them just how much some patients are suffering with this illness, and also how full the hospital is with Covid cases.

We have no isolated side rooms left in the hospital. We have been forced to mix Covid positive patients in bays with non Covid patients, a disaster waiting to happen.

I just wish everyone would do their bit. If you 'need' to go out for stuff, fine. If your going out for Christmas decorations etc, please just wait a few weeks or order online.

Surely we all want to minimise the spread of the virus?

P.S. I'm currently isolating because two of my work colleagues have tested positive (currently waiting on my own results).

We are understaffed, overworked, under appreciated, and many staff are teetering on the brink. I've seen more nurses break down in tears in the past few weeks than I have in all of my 13 years as an NHS worker. It's not easy for us at the moment.

Yes the death rates have come down, but the cases are multiplying by the day (I can only speak for the hospital I work in, can't name it though, too outing unfortunately).

I'll not reply to any more responses as I'm too down with it all already. But if I've managed to get just one person to think again about going out for non essentials, my work here is done.

Stay safe everyone x

I just wish everyone would do their bit. If you 'need' to go out for stuff, fine. If your going out for Christmas decorations etc, please just wait a few weeks or order online.

What's going to magically happen to the virus in 'a few weeks'? And suely if everyone has the same idea and rushes out to the shops at the same time, that would be much worse than a more steady stream of shoppers over the next 4 weeks?

Are you aware of any evidence linking Covid outbreaks to The Range?

[quote Covidiot]@Teateaandmoretea

I also agree the government are going to shift as much blame to others as possible and they have been extraordinarily (though not surprisingly) incompetent at managing this. But those countries which have been more successful at managing this have either had a more compliant population (who self isolate, wear masks, socially distance and understand the rules are a pain, but a hopefully short-term inconvenience) or they have had extreme lockdown.

There is a critical balance between keeping infection figures manageable (reduces deaths, reduces burden on NHS, fewer sick days for working people) and keeping economy going/people working which is essential for so many families who can’t WFH in the longer term.

So that is why I so strongly believe in the OPs position which is that for those of us who can, WFH, stick to online shopping and don’t mix with different households. I think by taking this individual responsibility we can help minimise the shocking impact this is having on our economy, on the NHS, on our kids’ education and for the elderly and vulnerable.

But I absolutely don’t want to absolve the government of any blame (though I also think those who voted in these numpties should be held responsible too)[/quote]
Thank you. For everything you said. Especially the last sentence.

The chance of catching it in a shop.....very very low. Chance of economic destruction of the retail sector....very high 🤷‍♀️

Completely agree. The infection rates and hospital admissions vary widely in England so why on earth a full country lockdown? Economists have predicted that the effect of this lockdown on the economy will be devastating.

Look at Primark - they have already said how badly they will be affected as they have no online facility. Personally I think they should have stayed open - isn't inexpensive clothing 'essential' to some people?

Being told to "Stay safe" makes me want to run naked into The Range and buy glitter.

Essential means different things to everybody. MYOB. It might be best if you go lock yourself up in your covid secure ivory tower...

If you can't understand why insisting on neeeeeding to go to The Range etc is selfish and stupid then there's no hope for you. So if I go into The Range to get a loaf from Iceland I am being selfish. If I walk 5 times the distance to our local large branch of Sainsbury's which is busier than The Range then I'm not being selfish. Can you explain that to me as I can't see how that works.

@WindChimeTinkle

Being told to "Stay safe" makes me want to run naked into The Range and buy glitter.

Yeah, whenever I'm told to 'stay safe' I think to myself 'Well but I wasn't planning on going bungee jumping or trekking in the Antartic or anything. But thanks all the same."

Omg that last comment made me chuckle.

You can go to school
Uni
Nursery
Childminders.
You can go to the parks
You can go to lots of shops.
You can go to public gardens and beaches and stuff.
You can excercise.
You can go on public transport
You can work

So no offence to you but there's still a million things going ahead.

Tradesmen can still go in your house to work too. Which is great for my neighbour who's had about 15 different blokes in her home the last two months. They will be continuing throughout all this. So imagine how many people will have trades people in their houses!

It's a half hearted shitty attempt and it will do sweet FA.

It's a half hearted shitty attempt and it will do sweet FA

Yup. They only did it because Boris had to appear to be 'doing something'

Thanks OP now I have got "You wont believe the Raaaaaaaange" stuck in my head.

The Range sell food and other essentials so... yeah. YABU.

No need to go every single day though I guess.

If you can't understand why insisting on neeeeeding to go to The Range etc is selfish and stupid then there's no hope for you.

I needed to go in the last lockdown, I needed a mop, was that selfish?

Whilst this is undoubtedly true, do you understand why the countries who have managed this best have been able to? I don’t believe for a second that anyone on here would accept a system like theirs. Christ, we don’t want to be told not to go and do certain things for a few weeks.

I think you're utterly wrong. Most people would be completely prepared to accept it simply because it would mean you could lead an almost normal life. You could see family. You could work. You could visit shops and restaurants.

Stop making excuses as to why it wouldn't work here. It would.