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Original poster

Friend still washing shopping

49 replies

Lavender200 · 08/10/2022 16:15

Just that really, I'm wondering how I can help her?
I've tried to explain the risk through surface transmission was proven to be extremely low, but she doesn't believe me.

OP posts:
Soproudoflionesses · 08/10/2022 16:17

I would let her get on with it.
If it isn't affecting you that is

Mouldyfoodhelp · 08/10/2022 16:18

I mean you can try and show her research, or try and persuade her to not wash one extra item per week
it seems a bit abnormal in the sense most people seem to be going back to what they were doing pre COVID but if it helps her cope then it doesn't matter too much.

Doingprettywellthanks · 08/10/2022 16:19

If she’s doing that, must be tip of iceberg

Presumably not socialising? Hugging? Going in to work?

HappyHamsters · 08/10/2022 16:20

She wants to do this to keep safe, food packaging is always grubby anyway.

Hotandbothereds · 08/10/2022 16:26

Is she anxious in other ways? I’d be worried in general about how this was affecting her and what else might be going on tbh.

BCBird · 08/10/2022 16:31

I keep my stuff in quarantine. The risk.may be low but is still there. I wonder if yiur friend finds it difficult to reconcile with the fact, as I do, that although restrictions may have gone Covid has not gone away and therefore there seems little reason to change her behaviour? Just support her.

gogohmm · 08/10/2022 16:31

I have a friend that is still refusing to go into buildings unless fully masked, only will meet in the park, very empty pub garden even in winter. Did go on holiday but took euro tunnel and stayed in his car and drive around ww1&2 battle sites and cemeteries Confused (have been myself but I did happy things as well) he booked self catering cabins so no need to eat inside.

To eaches own but my friend had mental health issues pre covid, it's just a manifestation of them I think

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 08/10/2022 16:32

And this is affecting you how?

Mojoj · 08/10/2022 16:33

It's a MH issue. She needs help.

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 08/10/2022 16:35

Mojoj · 08/10/2022 16:33

It's a MH issue. She needs help.

Oh fuck off is it.

Justcallmebebes · 08/10/2022 16:36

Batshit. Is she clinically vulnerable? I don't know anyone who washed shopping even at the height of Covid. Does she go out or is she isolating?

Hotandbothereds · 08/10/2022 16:37

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 08/10/2022 16:32

And this is affecting you how?

Wouldn’t you be concerned about a friend displaying symptoms of severe anxiety?

I think this is probably the tip of the iceberg tbh, I’d be worried and want to see if I could help my friend.

BCBird · 08/10/2022 16:38

I still take precautions. I don't want it end of. My friends accommodate me by also testing before we meet. I dint go to crowded places either. I wear a mask too.

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 08/10/2022 16:39

Hotandbothereds · 08/10/2022 16:37

Wouldn’t you be concerned about a friend displaying symptoms of severe anxiety?

I think this is probably the tip of the iceberg tbh, I’d be worried and want to see if I could help my friend.

Show quote history

She's washing her shopping, quietly getting on with it, minding her own business.

IF I was concerned about my friend I'd go about helping her privately, not judging her on the Internet.

Mojoj · 08/10/2022 16:41

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 08/10/2022 16:35

Oh fuck off is it.

Show quote history

Of course it's a MH issue!! Who else still behaves like this ffs!

hamdden12 · 08/10/2022 16:42

@TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination OP isn't judging her she's asking how she can help her. There's nothing outing about her post so I hardly think anyone is going to identify either of them.

aniamana · 08/10/2022 16:43

definitely a MH issue. strange that some people on this thread wouldn't recognise it as such (unless she is clinically vulnerable)

BCBird · 08/10/2022 16:47

It would be a mental.issue if Covid was a figment of her imagination. It is ot. It is still there and in its wisdom, I use the term loosely, the government have gone from high restrictions to nothing, much of society have decided that is the path they wish to.take. We don't all agree. As mich as I would like to criticise the majority I don't , they make their choice as do those who continue to take precautions

silverclock222 · 08/10/2022 16:47

So does my mum but she now goes out without her mask. Just leave her be.

Garysmum · 08/10/2022 16:48

My friend does this. Also wears a mask when out, has been into shops about 10 times since 2020. Works remotely, gets everything delivered. Has a broken toilet they won’t get fixed as they don’t want a plumber or anyone in their house.
has not seen parents or friends since 2019. Won’t see child for a month of they get so much as a cold.
Makes more since if I say this person nearly died of covid in Feb 2020. I think in this case it’s ptsd, but won’t seek help. Very sad

DoubleShotEspresso · 08/10/2022 16:50

I think it's a huge stretch to even consider this a MH issue.

OP this doesn't impact upon your own life, your "friend" is obviously feeling what are to her valid concerns - she's not asking you to join in.

I actually don't think it's a bad practice, supermarkets (& the journey many packaged items take) can be filthy places... why the judgement? I've always removed outer packaging and wiped down tins/cupboard stuff with anti vac wipes pre covid. If she's happy doing so what's your concern?

A bit unkind also to invite further judgement, if you're truly worried, couldn't you meet her for a cup of tea or something and ask if she's alright? If you feel it's needed provide her some reassurances ?

ThreeFeetTall · 08/10/2022 16:56

What's she washing it with? Water then who cares.

ForestofD · 08/10/2022 16:56

My Mum makes my Dad does this then it has to go upstairs to 'decontaminate.'

Dad says it's easier to spend 30 mins a week doing this than deal with the meltdown. It's not logical in any way.

Mumdiva99 · 08/10/2022 17:01

My husband does this. It makes him happy. Yes he has general anxiety too. He's now worried about cold and flu germs as well as covid.

Doesn't really impact the rest of us so I just let him get on with it.

Youthinkyoureuniqueyourejustastatistic · 08/10/2022 17:03

I know it’s all a bit old hat now but covid isn’t fun and it’s not a safe illness to have. It isn’t just a cold (it may feel like it but most colds don’t have lingering effects or cause organ damage).

We still don’t go inside places without a mask and tend to stick to outside.

But, I have never washed my shopping. Very early on I would remove the thing from the package if it was from a high traffic counter E.g. newsagent chocolate bar.
But since it’s been proven that is a very low chance of catching it.

Its a bit like hand sanitizer- great for reducing some illnesses but really just “security theatre” at this point when we know it is a respiratory pathogen spread by droplet and aerosol transmission.

One thing to do is to look at other countries I.e. Germany and see what they are doing (you know any other country with a sensible government). FFP2 masks in public transport and healthcare.