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Supermarkets need to get real!

456 replies

Justa47 · 11/01/2021 17:32

When will supermarkets stop being a day out and only allow single parents in with kids and not families and couples?

Why doesn’t one parent wait in the car?

OP posts:
tinytemper66 · 12/01/2021 22:01

@Moonlightflick I am in Wales where they have really clamped down and have even wrapped non essential goods up so they cannot be purchased. It maybe ok where you live. I forget on times the different rulings.of each 4 nations. Apologies if I have alarmed you unnecessarily.

Maverickess · 12/01/2021 22:11

People on this thread are SO obviously not part of a group who would ever be discriminated against. It reeks of "I'm alright Jack".

Well you can count me out of the I'm alright Jack, and 'obviously' not in a group that would ever be discriminated against.
I'm an nmw care assistant, single parent for 17 years and have had severe enough mental health problems to have been hospitalised. I also don't drive which is akin to being brain dead on mn apparently.
A lot of people are surprised to find out all of the above, because I don't hold them up as a banner in front of me as an excuse to do and say what I like, and expect to be treated differently to my peers. If it's pertinent to a situation then it's spoken about. If I needed to shop with my daughter because I am the only childcare and also the only person who is an adult to shop, then when asked, that's what I'd say. Calmly and without getting defensive and aggressive.
If I fall and break my leg tomorrow and need the same DD to accompany me to the shop to get food, for practical reasons, then I'll state that if I am asked.
I think some of the responses here, like leaving a 7 year old alone to shop, or not allowing vulnerable people who can't shop alone are ridiculous quite honestly, as ridiculous as saying no one should ever be asked why they're not shopping alone in case it offends them, or saying asking someone to wear a mask is automatically ableist.
I don't like the restrictions, I don't like that I'm going to get moaned at by DD because I bought the wrong bloody milk or whatever, but I understand why it's better at the moment to shop alone, and think if some people are just taking the piss, something needs to be done about that. I don't think it's fair to put that on supermarket workers who are neither police nor virologists, security does seem a decent solution. But that doesn't mean I'm relishing the thought of it, or think it's great. Personally I'd rather people just took some responsibility for themselves and didn't take the piss, then as a whole we'd be more likely to understand that a few people who genuinely can't shop alone, or wear a mask are actually genuine and not someone who's jumped on a bandwagon not designed for them, and thus making it harder and more dangerous for everyone else.
If you're genuinely concerned for people who can't shop alone, can't wear a mask, you surely would be pissed off at those people, rather than defending them and making it easier for them to do it in the first place.

ExpatAl · 12/01/2021 22:14

@kingat

I wish I knew how to quote on the app.

I just still dont see any reasonable argument on how 2 people in a couple/family are more dangerous than 2 people from two households.

Say, tesco allows 50 in, it is still 50 if it is 50 singles from 50 households or 50 in couples, but only 25 households.

It is not less positives, if I have it probably my husband has it too, so whichever one of us goes, it is the same risk.

No it is not the same risk. Less people on the shop at one time is beneficial. Your 50 shoppers argument is ridiculous.
WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 12/01/2021 22:19

@kingat

If one person in a couple has it then the other probably does too. If they are asymptomatic, how do you know who in the household spreads it and decide who goes to the supermarket? So what difference does it make???
If one person in the house 'has it' no one should be leaving the house, not even for a walk, let alone going to a supermarket.
Lickedmylollyandneversaidsorry · 12/01/2021 22:30

You clearly haven't met my husband! 😂 Give him a shopping list and you'd have thought he'd been asked to crack the Di vinci code or something!! 🙄🙄🙄

kingat · 12/01/2021 22:30

@expactAl, do explain then please how exactly is it more risky in my example. I dont know what is the exact number allowed in, but how is 2 in a couple more people than 2 not in a couple?

@Witches, yes obviously if you know you have it you stay in, I though it goes without saying we are talking about asymptomatic spreaders here.

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 12/01/2021 22:34

@Littleelf1

I go shopping with my family. Two adults plus 3 children. 2 in a double buggy one holding on to trolley (hand sanitised before and after). I have a disability which means I can't go out on my own. Yes there are a lot of us. But we stay single file when other people are in the aisle. We social distance as best as possible. We get comments and hateful looks all the time. Getting a home delivery means we would be waiting for at least a week. Its not ideal but if we all social distance and be cautious of ourselves and others then at least we are making a difference to most people walking around close enough to see the stitching of your clothes.
I'm sorry to hear about your disability 💐

Curious though, why can't your second adult shop alone?

Why can't you book a shopping sky a week in advance. Most people do. I coukd t get a dame day one here, but I can book in advance, so I do then check the order the day before to make sure it's what I need.

Seems a better solution than 5 of you going into the shop.

ExpatAl · 12/01/2021 22:48

[quote kingat]@expactAl, do explain then please how exactly is it more risky in my example. I dont know what is the exact number allowed in, but how is 2 in a couple more people than 2 not in a couple?

@Witches, yes obviously if you know you have it you stay in, I though it goes without saying we are talking about asymptomatic spreaders here.[/quote]
A lockdown means leaving home for essential reasons. Shopping as a couple is not essential.

ExpatAl · 12/01/2021 22:51

@Lickedmylollyandneversaidsorry

You clearly haven't met my husband! 😂 Give him a shopping list and you'd have thought he'd been asked to crack the Di vinci code or something!! 🙄🙄🙄
Then he needs the practice.
HappyBirthdayJC · 12/01/2021 22:53

Shopping is a necessity rather than a luxury for me most of the time. I hate it. But home deliveries or click and collect usually results in the most important key ingredient being substituted! I prefer to be alone because then I can follow my list and keep within budget. I sometimes need to take SEN teen with me but that’s a last resort.

I seem to be the only person using the hand sanitiser on entry and I’m also on my own using the self scanner facilities.

Social distancing hasn’t become habit for most people round our way, as I often have to step back when my space is invaded to allow a couple to stand there for a while to discuss if it should be Lurpak or Utterly Butterly. I become invisible despite my bulky 6ft frame.

But the worst is the bastarding droopy masks with the sniffing nose and snarling upper lip on full display. FFS it’s the 2020/21 version of a dirty mac.

kingat · 12/01/2021 22:53

@ExpatAl

you clearly have no argument for it, so thank you, but I will continue shopping with my family

Maverickess · 12/01/2021 22:56

Say, tesco allows 50 in, it is still 50 if it is 50 singles from 50 households or 50 in couples, but only 25 households.

Having 2 infected people in one place doubles the risk of passing that on, unless they're literally only occupying the same spot and only touching the exact same things, and breathing out in the exact same space. If out of the 50 households, 10 are infected, shopping alone means 10 people breathing the virus out. If they're all Shopping with another person, that means 20 people breathing the virus out, increasing the viral load in that area.

Then there's 25 other households (plus any other households over and above that 50) waiting outside, rather than all 50 households going through.
Not all supermarkets are in out of town areas with masses of room. So there's a potential problem, plus people needing to walk past the queue, safer queuing together outside by all scientific accounts than inside, but a risk none the less, one that can be avoided.
Secondly, there's the increased waiting time for the people outside as 50 people from 25 households go through, followed by another 50 people from another 25 households and so on. It effectively would double the waiting time. Why should someone wait twice as long, because someone else wants to shop with their partner/mum/teenager (notice I said wants not needs)

Then not everyone has a car, so increased use of public transport, which has a knock on effect to those needing to use it for work etc if they can't get on because it's full. It also again doubles the risk of having two infected people in that space rather than one.

AlecTrevelyan006 · 12/01/2021 23:01

In the first lockdown around 10% of the working population carried on ‘going to work’. This time the figure is between 25-30%.

Coupled with a more transmissible strain it’s no wonder infections are so high.

Stressing about a few families going shopping together is like turning up to an earthquake zone with a dust pan and brush. Completely pointless.

Theunamedcat · 12/01/2021 23:01

@kingat

I wish I knew how to quote on the app.

I just still dont see any reasonable argument on how 2 people in a couple/family are more dangerous than 2 people from two households.

Say, tesco allows 50 in, it is still 50 if it is 50 singles from 50 households or 50 in couples, but only 25 households.

It is not less positives, if I have it probably my husband has it too, so whichever one of us goes, it is the same risk.

50 paying customers instead of 25? They can make more cash per hour that way
caringcarer · 12/01/2021 23:08

I asked my son to pop out and get more potatoes as soft out. He came back furious family of 6. 2 adults, 4 kids and not a mask between them. He said 1 kid was running about too.

Jakadaal · 12/01/2021 23:15

In sainsburys today I overheard a member of staff ask 2 ladies shopping together to next time bears in mind it should only be 1 person shopping. I felt like cheering!

ExpatAl · 12/01/2021 23:16

@caringcarer

I asked my son to pop out and get more potatoes as soft out. He came back furious family of 6. 2 adults, 4 kids and not a mask between them. He said 1 kid was running about too.
I can believe it. I walked past a family, none wearing a mask, all of them stood in front of the ice creams, arguing about which one to get. Pathetic.
Pinkwithwhite · 12/01/2021 23:20

I had to go to the supermarket today. I had to take my children with me. Is that a problem?
I'm not a single parent, husband was working so I went instead.

latheritup · 12/01/2021 23:22

There was a family today at the supermarket... Mum plus her 6 kids. She wasn't wearing a mask because the kids wouldn't understand her apparently. It was a nightmare.

Brockaslass · 12/01/2021 23:22

It's not as simple as that for some people. I have seizures that cause amnesia and can become very stressed and confused when I have them, which is on a daily basis and surprisingly it doesn't make an appointment, I also have Asperger's and FND. My husband is deaf and autistic he has no concept of shopping, adding up, food labels, my allergies etc, I have to do all that, but I need him with me because of my condition and naturally we can't leave my young child at home. We can't get a priority slot on and of the 5 supermarkets that deliver here because despite been eligible we can't get a slot for 3-5 weeks according to their booking processes. We can't even get the government food hampers due to allergies. We can shop ourselves and our son is well behaved and keeps his distance from everyone and wears a mask, but without the ability to go to Asda every two weeks we would literally starve, that's why supermarkets can't force this rule because they'd be breaking the law, everyone who needs vital care has the right to shop with that carer, not all parents can leave their kids in car with a partner even when there are two of them. Covid doesn't turn the world into robots.

ExpatAl · 12/01/2021 23:27

Of course you have a right to have a carer with you. These are not easy times.

QueenOfTheDoubleWide · 12/01/2021 23:34

@kingat

It is just funny, what will they decision be based on if again you dont need proof you are single parent, dress code? And again why is it safer if couples dont go in together?
If someone in a household catches Covid, the risk of the partner they live, eat and sleep with catching it is around 35-40% with the old variant but even if the new one spreads more effectively and that goes up to about 60% there is still a good chance that one of a couple may not have it to pass on. Conversely if two people go shopping together the risk of catching the virus if they come into contact is doubled compared to if just one went. Of course it makes a difference
DahliaMacNamara · 13/01/2021 00:04

@AlecTrevelyan006

In the first lockdown around 10% of the working population carried on ‘going to work’. This time the figure is between 25-30%.

Coupled with a more transmissible strain it’s no wonder infections are so high.

Stressing about a few families going shopping together is like turning up to an earthquake zone with a dust pan and brush. Completely pointless.

My thoughts exactly. A much bigger problem, coupled with workers on such poor pay and conditions they're terrified of having to isolate, so don't even get tested in case it comes back positive and they can't work. People with problems around this are told to suck it up, buttercup, what makes you special, get out there like the rest of us. Shopping as family recreation isn't even a thing in the one supermarket here, so I'm agog to see so much frothing over it.
JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/01/2021 00:39

A lockdown means leaving home for essential reasons. Shopping as a couple is not essential.

Not for you perhaps but for many people it will be.

JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/01/2021 00:40

@latheritup

There was a family today at the supermarket... Mum plus her 6 kids. She wasn't wearing a mask because the kids wouldn't understand her apparently. It was a nightmare.
Maybe she was a single mum?

Did you ask her why she wasn't wearing a mask?