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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:
Caspah · 13/01/2021 20:48

A few years ago I had a couple of bad falls. In the following two years I would have instances (would describe them as petit mal blackouts, but not diagnosed) where I would sort of freeze and see images in my mind which were frightening. The seconds/minutes after they passed I was fine. Thankfully most of the time they happened at home, but when they happened elsewhere I was still able to realise people were thinking, 'What's wrong with her?' because I'd zone out. My husband learned to recognise when it was happening.

Does this mean I can no longer go into a shop because I don't have that back-up of, 'It's fine, it'll be over in a minute', and I look 'normal' to everybody else? My partner can go to a supermarket, but I'm confined to the house?

BlackCatShadow · 13/01/2021 21:46

Ok, so basically what people are saying is that disabled people just need to try harder?

Graphista · 13/01/2021 22:19

Wow! Thanks @ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia and @Sirzy

@MerciSeat i can't see many if any people at all saying EVERYONE can do the other options eg click and collect, we are saying there are people who COULD change to alternative shopping methods who AREN'T and there are clearly from examples given on thread people/families who are completely ignoring the whole thing and shopping as normal!

If those who CAN shop in different ways did, then this would reduce the numbers in supermarkets which would be of benefit to all.

@Caspah An invisible disability indicator of some type I think would be of use to you

@BlackCatShadow we're saying everyone has to try harder. I strongly suspect those shopping in "gangs" of 3 generations or large groups of teens without masks etc don't have a single disabled person among them. They're not clinically vulnerable in any way and don't give a toss for those who are.

Life is unfair generally for those of us who are disabled but railing against actions designed to protect us is plain stupid.

We are as a group more vulnerable to covid than most "ordinary" people anyway so it would be a case of cutting our noses off to spite our faces to react against such practices.

Yes it's unfair, yes it sucks, but it's reality at the moment at least (hopefully not for too much longer)

If I were well in other ways at the moment (meaning mainly mh which is mostly why I'm housebound) I'd love to go out and about and see friends and family, hug people, go to concerts and shows, have Sunday dinner in the local etc but even if I weren't housebound I still have lung issues including asthma which mean it would be very foolish of me to do so. I could rail against my rights being impinged, indeed I'm usually a great champion of railing against "the man" but sensibly and logically the main person I'd be putting at risk if I did so just now is me!

These rules aren't just to control people for the sake of it, they're to keep people healthy and ALIVE!

Certain posters on threads like this I think have not been personally affected by losing people to this horrific illness.

I have and I absolutely can't bear to lose any more.

This is not about people being "inconvenienced" this is about saving lives.

I also have a number of ex colleagues (hcps) working bloody hard in incredibly difficult conditions putting their own health and lives at risk in this too.

At the very least have some ACTUAL compassion for them! They are the ones treating EVERYONE that's ill under overwhelming pressure.

People making feeble excuses and flouting the rules cos "I ain't being told what to do" are making their lives and work a lot harder than it needs to be.

mumwalk · 13/01/2021 23:05

@bananapop2020 we don't drive, 3 kids. I do 2 shops (essentially as much as I can carry) a week and carry it the home (30 min walk). We have always done this, it's perfectly possibly for most able-bodied adults. If not there is public transport, taxis, or online deliveries.

BananaPop2020 · 14/01/2021 00:32

@mumwalk I am impressed that 16 pages later, you have responded specifically to my post!

mumwalk · 14/01/2021 09:18

@bananapop2020 what can I say, I'm a late starter Smile

woodhill · 14/01/2021 12:45

@Graphista

Wow! Thanks *@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia and @Sirzy*

@MerciSeat i can't see many if any people at all saying EVERYONE can do the other options eg click and collect, we are saying there are people who COULD change to alternative shopping methods who AREN'T and there are clearly from examples given on thread people/families who are completely ignoring the whole thing and shopping as normal!

If those who CAN shop in different ways did, then this would reduce the numbers in supermarkets which would be of benefit to all.

@Caspah An invisible disability indicator of some type I think would be of use to you

@BlackCatShadow we're saying everyone has to try harder. I strongly suspect those shopping in "gangs" of 3 generations or large groups of teens without masks etc don't have a single disabled person among them. They're not clinically vulnerable in any way and don't give a toss for those who are.

Life is unfair generally for those of us who are disabled but railing against actions designed to protect us is plain stupid.

We are as a group more vulnerable to covid than most "ordinary" people anyway so it would be a case of cutting our noses off to spite our faces to react against such practices.

Yes it's unfair, yes it sucks, but it's reality at the moment at least (hopefully not for too much longer)

If I were well in other ways at the moment (meaning mainly mh which is mostly why I'm housebound) I'd love to go out and about and see friends and family, hug people, go to concerts and shows, have Sunday dinner in the local etc but even if I weren't housebound I still have lung issues including asthma which mean it would be very foolish of me to do so. I could rail against my rights being impinged, indeed I'm usually a great champion of railing against "the man" but sensibly and logically the main person I'd be putting at risk if I did so just now is me!

These rules aren't just to control people for the sake of it, they're to keep people healthy and ALIVE!

Certain posters on threads like this I think have not been personally affected by losing people to this horrific illness.

I have and I absolutely can't bear to lose any more.

This is not about people being "inconvenienced" this is about saving lives.

I also have a number of ex colleagues (hcps) working bloody hard in incredibly difficult conditions putting their own health and lives at risk in this too.

At the very least have some ACTUAL compassion for them! They are the ones treating EVERYONE that's ill under overwhelming pressure.

People making feeble excuses and flouting the rules cos "I ain't being told what to do" are making their lives and work a lot harder than it needs to be.

Excellent post Graphista
Twillow · 14/01/2021 12:52

I work in a major supermarket. It never fails to amaze me throughout this the number of elderly couples that choose to shop at the busiest times - Saturday lunchtime for example! They have all day the entire week and go when it's full of working familes Confused.

If you have elderly parents that like to maintain their independence by shopping together - have a word! Afternoons and evenings are the quietest times, 2-5pm and 7pm onwards it's a ghost town.

earnshaw47 · 14/01/2021 13:09

in march when it all kicked off we realised that the best way to go was supermarket home delivers, it was not easy at first to secure a slot but we are just about ok now, i think anyone disabled should go the same way

MoonlightFlitwick · 14/01/2021 18:39

@earnshaw47

in march when it all kicked off we realised that the best way to go was supermarket home delivers, it was not easy at first to secure a slot but we are just about ok now, i think anyone disabled should go the same way
But there aren't any slots.
Caspah · 14/01/2021 20:23

@Graphista '@Caspah An invisible disability indicator of some type I think would be of use to you'

Whatever caused this to happen eventually disappeared, and I didn't say I was having this problem now. It was frightening for about 18 months. I was pointing out that we can't always judge people by our own social experiences/beliefs, particularly when we know absolutely nothing about them. So I don't need an ' invisible disability indicator', although I may need an invisible thought shield to prevent people being able to read my mind.

Caspah · 14/01/2021 20:34

Sorry @Graphista, I took your mention of me needing an 'invisible disability indicator' as sarcastic, but reading back through your posts on here I think you probably weren't being. If that's the case, again I apologise.

Dee61 · 15/01/2021 00:18

Me and my Husband go together. We have to walk so I can't carry all that we need for a week.

Justa47 · 15/01/2021 06:35

@MoonlightFlitwick

That’s not true is it. It’s a matter of focus to get a slot. I am sure there are places where it is tricky but for example. On Wednesday no slots until 21st. Yesterday I got a slot for today.

OP posts:
earnshaw47 · 15/01/2021 20:52

supermarkets are supposed to save delivery slots for vulnerable customers, not sure if it works in all supermarkets

DoctorHildegardLanstrom · 16/01/2021 03:53

That’s not true is it. It’s a matter of focus to get a slot. I am sure there are places where it is tricky but for example. On Wednesday no slots until 21st. Yesterday I got a slot for today.

I did this yesterday, I cannot tell you how thrilled my downstairs neighbours with their new baby and toddler were, when at 10.50pm (the only slot I could get) my delivery turned up

supermarkets are supposed to save delivery slots for vulnerable customers, not sure if it works in all supermarkets

But then those of use who don't drive and have to take the two adults are very much judged.

People need to pick what they want, delivery slots for the vulnerable or at least some of us turning up because we have to carry what we can on our backs.

In a perfect world it should not be either or, but we don't live in that and once again the poor and the vulnerable are being abused for it

Justa47 · 16/01/2021 03:57

@DoctorHildegardLanstrom

Get your neighbours and baby but you can get other slots in time.

Second piont I just do t understand

OP posts:
DoctorHildegardLanstrom · 16/01/2021 04:05

@Justa47

No I couldn't and that is my point, I have spent a week on various delivery sites, this is the only one I could get.

On these type of thread its always we need to leave the slots for the vulnerable, but when you turn up as a family who don't drive at the shops and then need to get the shopping home, you are also evil.

Also for the FSM if you were lucky to get the vouchers, most can only be spent in the store, not online. I think only Asda were online. If you have to go to the store, why you would spend £3 on a delivery, when sooner or later you are going to have to go to the shops to spend the vouchers?

Justa47 · 16/01/2021 04:26

@DoctorHildegardLanstrom

I understand some people have issues but if everyone else was considerate it would not be an issue.

OP posts:
Justa47 · 16/01/2021 04:27

@DoctorHildegardLanstrom

The fact is people were selfish, broke the rules, got complacent and made up BS rationalisations and what’s why we are were we are.

It’s all about risk management and why the supermarkets need to play there part.

OP posts:
JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 16/01/2021 10:06

Well said @DoctorHildegardLanstrom

Some people will never stop passing up opportunities to kick the vulnerable and disabled. Sadly COVID has given them ample opportunity to do this

HugeAckmansWife · 16/01/2021 10:45

I would have thought one able adult could carry a rucksack and a bag on each arm, on invest in a wheeled shopping trolley that would be a fair bit of shopping. It may be that different choices should be made... Don't buy a slab of coke cans or 2l bottle for instance if it's too heavy. Look well ahead for delivery slots, if you can't get one this week or next, search ahead. Only right back in March was I not able to get one for two weeks. Of course there are genuine reasons why two adults might need to go, of course there are. But there are a lot of creative solutions and options out there for many people also.

Sirzy · 16/01/2021 10:50

@earnshaw47

supermarkets are supposed to save delivery slots for vulnerable customers, not sure if it works in all supermarkets
Tesco have priority slots for those who where shielding with them. So you can access delivery in an 8 hour time slot on the given day. You still need to book well in advance (I have just booked for the 5th feb)

Asda allowed those who were in the shielding group to access a set slot for each week via their delivery saver thing.

ladyvimes · 16/01/2021 10:58

To play Devil’s advocate, you could turn this argument round on yourself and say if you’re that worried about supermarket transmission then don’t go to the supermarket and find another way.
You can’t police everyone’s individual circumstances.

JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 16/01/2021 10:59

@ladyvimes

To play Devil’s advocate, you could turn this argument round on yourself and say if you’re that worried about supermarket transmission then don’t go to the supermarket and find another way. You can’t police everyone’s individual circumstances.
This, in spates. Why are all these terrified, shaking people who claim there's no delivery slot problem and there are No Excuses, walking into a supermarket themselves?
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