Are we still supposed to be shopping solo?

[biser]

I've just come back from the supermarket. There were a LOT of twosomes. Also saw masks being warn as chin-warmers.

Have the supermarkets, again, given up monitoring this?

Anyone who can see the bigger picture and is able to shop alone probably does. They can see it benefits everyone especially during busy times.

DH and I popped into a very quiet M&S Foodhall today. If an anonymous person on the internet wants to moan at me, go for it.

@Donotfeedthebears

DH and I popped into a very quiet M&S Foodhall today. If an anonymous person on the internet wants to moan at me, go for it.

They aren't going to. If it was quiet I don't see an issue.

No face masks are legally enforceable unless exempt

They are a must not a should if you get me

Lots of people have to go along with their husbands because men always come back with the wrong things and women like choosing what they fancy eating.

Apparently.

@Pastanred

Who made up these rules about single shopping as no shops near me are telling people to shop alone and that includes the big supermarkets

It's on the Asda website.

Lots of people have to go along with their husbands because men always come back with the wrong things and women like choosing what they fancy eating.

Apparently.

Even my very fussy kids can (just about) deal with Dad getting healthy crisps, seeded bread and the wrong sort of yoghurt...if I promise to go shopping the next week!

Our Tesco has a big "you must shop alone" sign and mentions it over the tannoy every few minutes. In my last four or five shops, I'd say 75% of people were there as a couple or a family of four or five with two adults. They have people on the door but don't ask anyone entering as a couple.

I have no issue whatsoever with people shopping in a couple or with their kids if they have to. I'd be amazed if even 10% of the people I saw fell into this category. It seemed to be treated as a leisurely family outing. Appreciate that two people could take half the time shopping together but there was a lot of standing around, chatting, kids mucking around etc.

It's less of an issue now cases are falling, but it takes a lot longer to shop when you're trying to be conscious of social distancing and you have double the number of people in store. If I worked in Tesco, I'd be pretty fed up that they don't bother enforcing their own rule as it increases their risk of staff being infected. Or just drop the rule if they deem it unworkable.

I am also looking forward to the day when everyone can enter in as big a group as they want, without masks and enjoy their shop again...

@Pastanred

No face masks are legally enforceable unless exempt

They are a must not a should if you get me

They have the same status as shopping alone according to the GovUK website from which I copied and pasted upthread.

I think you've rather missed the point. It's not about Mumsnet 'frothing', but that by shopping together you have unnecessarily increased the risk to the staff and customers in the supermarket and of course yourselves. Shopping together when you don't need to might seem a small thing to you, but if everyone did it, transmission would rise...more people become ill...a few more deaths (each one a tragedy for that family) and so on. People need to think collectively and act responsibly.

Should have said, above was in response to ProfessorInkling.

It’s unrealistic to expect everyone to shop alone. Sometimes I take DS with me. He can stay home with dp and Dd (we don’t all go as a family - bugger that at the best of times 🤣) but he’s autistic and it keeps his confidence up going out and about (he wears a mask most of the time and social distances).

I agree whole families shouldn’t go shopping A that’s annoying even before covid!

Some shops are stricter than others Tbh. My local Tesco is quite strict but Asda don’t give a crap!!

Only one where 'manning' it is sainsburys.
Tesco have a sign. But families walk past and carry on and couples.
It doesn't bother me tbh. I tend to shop alone as its child free time when dh gets home. But there has been times I've gone with teen, baby and younger child.
Younger child would create merry hell if left with teen. And teen wouldn't feel comfortable with baby, well more toddler now unless baby asleep.

So if I've needed stuff we've all gone in on the odd occasion.
Made mistake of leaving them in the car once. I could hear child kicking off from 3 rows away and made themself sick in frustration. Teen then shouting that it was silly. Etc.
So would have been much easier to all go in.

@Sendingasurprise

I think you've rather missed the point. It's not about Mumsnet 'frothing', but that by shopping together you have unnecessarily increased the risk to the staff and customers in the supermarket and of course yourselves. Shopping together when you don't need to might seem a small thing to you, but if everyone did it, transmission would rise...more people become ill...a few more deaths (each one a tragedy for that family) and so on. People need to think collectively and act responsibly.

I haven’t missed the point. I agree, that generally speaking, the more people can shop alone the better. But I don’t think that shopping as a couple at a quiet time for just a few items is particularly dicey either.

We all take risks every day. They are a part of life.

We are both vaccinated, as are 20 million other people.

I was going to go to the supermarket with DH earlier but didn't as thought the less the better so stayed at home as I didn't really need to be there