Forum Topic

If we are so worried about Social Distancing during the virus

Then why are not bothered about it standing in a supermarket with 600 or more other people for an hour like I was today?

Fross Walters ● 2427d25 Comments

Good question.Some pharmacies only allow 2 people in at a time and you have to stand 2m away.It reminded me of the restriction they used to (perhaps still do) on kids in sweet shops.The rules I assume do not apply either to the tube or buses.The thing to remember is these are just arbitrary rules (like the age limit) designed to slow down the rate of transmission.

Ed Robinson ● 2427d

If we catch this virus then it will have been in Waitrose or Sainsbury’s. More people have masks but not much social distancing in evidence. How else do you get your essentials though?

Jonathan Callaway ● 2427d

Went to a bank yesterday where they were only allowing a couple of people in at a time.If you can get your stuff delivered I guess it may be better but they may not have any slots.  I thought the idea of increasing click and collect a good idea.  That would leave more delivery slots for those not mobile.What about milkandmore.co.uk  They offer more than just milk now and you can I understand order and pay for a delivery to an elderly relative at another address.  (I've never used it but was trying to sort out provisions for a friend.  Unfortunately they did not deliver in the area he lived.)Many local shops are stepping up to the challenge and are now delivering.

Philippa Bond ● 2427d

I went to Sainsburys at 7.15 this morning, the place was packed. A large number of people in a relatively small enclosed space, just what we shouldnt be doing but I have struggled to buy groceries for over a week so I had little choice. One man stood in an aisle with his arms by his side having a good cough...nice! Also, many elderly people looking bemused and even a little frightened. Fortunately the till staff are enforcing a 2 items of each product only policy...well done Sainsburys.

Adam Tripp ● 2427d

Instead of using supermarkets why not use your small local shop for everyday things.  Many will get you things and put them aside to pick up later if you are local.

Robert Wheeler ● 2427d

Agree.  Very disappointing that someone can be coughing like that considering all the information.  This virus is airborne and people in airline seats two rows in front or behind from someone with it have caught it.  The bank had a notice saying not go in if you weren't well.  British reserve often means we don't say anything or nowadays are too afraid to.  Have you seen any TV ads?  What would the reply to "Cough in your elbow" be? Eh, Wot, or Eff off?

Philippa Bond ● 2427d

We really really should be. And because our governmenr has such a shit response to this crisis, they are allowing the at risk groups to "herd" around in supermarkets infecting each other instead of arranging home grocery deliveries for every oap - at a fraction of the £330bn+ cost of bailing out shareholders in businesses. Maybe they think the sooner we catch it, the sooner it will be over. Why is neither the store not the local authority providing someone with a megaphone to continually advise people queuing to stand at least 1m apart? that would be more useful than the new security guys who are unable to validate your age or stop you buying 3 cans of beans.It is because the government is unable to do the most basic things to protect its citizens. It is not fit for purpose.

Michael Winstanley ● 2426d

We went out for a walk today along the river, but had a quick peep at Putney High Street on the way, expecting to find it deserted. On the contrary, it was as busy as on any other Saturday, despite the fact that many shops seemed to be closed. We were really surprised at that. It was mainly - but not exclusively - young(er) people, do they just think the advice on social distancing is for others? Do they even see the advice at all? We thought it was pretty irresponsible behaviour.

Richard Carter ● 2425d

It is totally irresponsible behaviour. No different from any other  country until forced into lockdown though.

Lucille Grant ● 2425d

I was wondering, is Johnson reluctant to introduce a mandatory lockdown because if he does it will highlight that the previous government cut police numers so much that there aren't sufficient police to enforce it? Just wondering ...

Michael Ixer ● 2425d

And a poll reported in the Telegraph indicates that almost a quarter of 25 to 34 year-olds were ignoring social distancing advice and 7 per cent had yet to take any additional precautions at all. Not encouraging.

Richard Carter ● 2425d

When you say that PHS was as busy as any other Saturday, it reminded me of somebody once saying:  And stupidity is an endemic virus.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2425d

Perhaps there is little respect or consideration for the older age groups which this mainly impacts following Brexit, housing and Uni fees etc.The US have started personalising their message and have also said later evidence is possibly showing increased risk for the lower age groups.

Ed Robinson ● 2425d

Why would the youngsters on Bondi beach and California be worried about brexit.It's about irresponsible youngsters ( a minority of them) across the world. The same minority of  youngsters that have little or no respect for their elders or the rules in normal times.

Andy Pike ● 2425d

Why would the youngsters on Bondi beach and California be worried about Brexit.US comment was a separate paragraph - highlighting a different way of getting the message across.Agree with you on elders/rules - I blame the parents :)

Ed Robinson ● 2425d

A minority of parents and youngsters and it is a small minority.

Andy Pike ● 2425d

I do wonder, thinking back to when I was in my 20s in the 1970s, whether I would have acted the same way as  current 20 somethings are doing. I probably would have thought I was invincible then.My two thirty something daughters are very anxious and worried and  self distancing/isolating themselves. One is having sleepless nights over how irresponsible so many people (whatever their age group) are being.

Lucille Grant ● 2425d

Have our lives become so dominated by how we look and how others see us and how we feel about that that we've lost other practical abilities?  Is this exacerbated by attempting to buy ourselves better?  I wonder.I feel that a lot of the satisfaction of achievement that we had years ago came from learning practical skills like how to cook and how to mend and how things worked and how to do more practical things rather than just buying new and ready-made and more and more expensive.Just learning how to wash our hands properly and more often and keeping 2m distance and staying in seems too simple but even so is proving a big challenge to our fast-paced business-as-usual routine.

Philippa Bond ● 2422d

The collapse of authority in every sphere ,the decline of public space and the growth of individual rights and demands did not come over night.

Hugh Thompson ● 2422d

It is the balance that is so often lost.  The demands for rights without taking personal responsibility.

Philippa Bond ● 2422d

I'm happy to report that Richmond Sainsbury has somebody on the door, everyone was distancing and (annoyingly) when my bin bags, botty wipes and (small) pack of loo paper went through the till, it Beeped and apparently I had tried to buy too many toiletry items, so had to put something back.Shelves were pretty empty, but lots of fruit and veg available.  Not so many tins or dried goods and practically NO booze!!!  You need to forage, you may find hidden gems.Think they're doing a good job but quite startling to see so many gaps.  Everyone queueing for the till were distancing very well :)

Bunny Payne ● 2420d

Virgin wines give £40 off your first online order... I ordered on Saturday and took delivery today

Matt Palmer ● 2420d

Get those essentials in!  We may have to drink our way through this (in my case max one glass a day, honest).

Jonathan Callaway ● 2420d

That sounds like a very generous offer, Matt. How many bottles do you have to buy to get that reduction? Enjoy however many!

Jane Carter ● 2420d

Get those essentials in!  We may have to drink our way through this (in my case max one glass a day, honest).

Jonathan Callaway ● 2420d