Went to Sainsbury's in Ripley Derbyshire this morning after their statement that they will keep the first hour of opening for vulnerable people only. What a farce. They were letting everyone in regardless. I saw twenty somethings and even a man in full body high vis gear and nobody was challenging them. People were tag teaming to get items letting the vulnerable stay still whilst they ran around the store grabbing everything. I asked to see a manager as Sainsbury's had created a killing atmosphere not a protective one. Got to see a very young manager who clearly could not care less even when I produced my chemotherapy as proof I was in the group they were supposedly protecting.
SHAME SHAME SHAME on them.
Not to difficult to ask people for proof they are entitled to use that hour and anyone who objects shouldn't be using it. Clearly they prefer profit to public service despite their public statements.
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skodaguy
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As for shopping online, my daughter kindly thought she’d do just that for us last week. After trying all the supermarkets, the earliest slot she could get was with Tesco for Monday, April 6.
Agree. Plus many of us with health conditions can’t get to a supermarket at 8 am. Plus how do they know who is vulnerable to give them a delivery slot?
My husband went this morning. It was the same here in Surrey. He was there at 7 am. Finally got through the crowd to find nothing left in this large store. Only bread milk and crisps and potatoes. What a farce ! All ages were going in with no regard for elderly or vulnerable people like us on chemotherapy. I too say shame on Sainsbury’s for not carrying out there promise As for online shopping as someone suggested, they aren’t taking anymore customers ( here anyway ) and can’t guarantee that we would get many products ordered as there’s none on the shelf for the pickers to pick! The elderly and sick are having to go without because of selfish people. Even my dog has no dog food in the cupboard ! Hope others are having an easier time and wish you all well
I am cautious about saying anything about the age of people accessing this time slot for the vulnerable. I am 28 and look like any young, healthy adult. I'm not saying that people weren't taking advantage, I'm just aware that a lot of disabilities and illnesses can be classed as hidden. I started to feel uncomfortable about going to the early slot in case people questioned or judged me and ended up staying home. There isn't any easy answers on how to patrol this, I just hope people stop panicking quite so much soon and become more considerate again. You would think the examples of Italy, Spain and France who are all on full lockdown but still have all food shops open would ease people's anxiety. I do feel our government should be communicating better to ease the anxiety.
Oh dear, that’s not good. I was wondering how they were going to “police” that restriction because how can you prove you are shopping for an elderly relative or neighbour and who is going to physically stop someone coming in.
I’m doing some work just now (voluntary) to help youngsters in care experience better meetings and went to asda yesterday to buy 6 Easter eggs, same make for them. I was only allowed 3 even after explaining why I needed them and that I was not stockpiling Easter eggs. That was going to the other extreme! I could have bought 3 of one kind and 3 of another - that was ok.
I'm physically exhausted at the moment. I'm lucky I got all my essentials in but i'm going through the night and day to get essentials like nappies for my Grandaughter and also essentials for a good friend whose family isn't due back from abroad until a week sunday. It is never ending and getting physically demanding but if I just sit back and relax I will feel guilty. I hope and pray this panic buying calms soon. Atb,tina.🤗
I agree Tina about the exhaustion. Absolutely exhausted. This is partly due to finding I have to go to numerous shops to get everything I need. Did well today - but five shops, seriously! Exposure to more people too.... just for necessities.On the bright side, I finally got toilet paper🤷🏽♀️
I got 2 jumbo pks of nappies for Granddaughter,130 wash fairy washing liquid for my daughter and toilet roll for friend but had to make sure I was at Tesco for 6am. I've got to see if I can get fresh bread and eggs at 9am. I'm praying this ends soon. Try to keep well. tina.x🤗
I had my last Sainsburys delivery 9 days ago, I order my groceries once a week and there have been no delivery slots at all since I looked on Tuesday. Sainsbury’s CEO says there will be prioritised delivery slots from 24th March but how will they identify who is vulnerable?
Yes Skodaguy that is the sameproblem around here and also my daughters area. Profit before the needs of the people seems to be the big supermarkets motto! At least some of these unscrupulous small shops and pharmacies who are trying to charge rediculous prices for essentials are being named online. One pharmacy tried to charge £10 for a small bottle of Calpol!Profiteers out there,please be aware you will be remembered out there long after Covid19 and God willing prosecuted and named and shamed in the public domain. Atb, tina.🤗
This wasn't the case at my Sainsbury's. There were staff and security people on the door and you were not allowed in until 9am unless you were elderly or could prove in some way that you were in the vulnerable category!
Agree - we went into Sainsbury’s in Stevenage and the guy on the checkout when we got to the front was coughing! My partner with MPN walked round to avoid him. I asked him if he should be there and he was defensive and said ‘there are other things going around and I wouldn’t be here if I was a risk’. Disgraceful. Sainsbury’s should not have let him work.
No deliveries in any supermarket until end of April. Are we meant to starve? I can't go out to local shops either. I've been advised to isolate. I've already started to eek out food. I belong to a what's app neighbour hood group which will help. Is click and collect effected? I could ask a volunteer to collect.
The greedy, selfish, grabbers have got away with this stockpiling , going through checkout with cart piled with stuff. Why was this not addressed earlier? I really have to put the blame on the head offices of the giants, they saw what was going on in extremely desperate times, but appeared to do nothing, as you say, shame on them.
I too, am very angry about the situation that has been allowed to unfold.
I really think that there should be, (as this is not going away any time soon,) preparation being made for ration books to be issued in some form or another, therefore giving EVERYONE a fair chance of getting the food and basics for day to day living.
Yes we can do online shopping if we need to ( IF you forward plan by about 3 weeks!!) we can we can check local groups where there are lots of offers of help from very kind people. We can pop in the car and trawl around looking for things.......BUT what about those of us who don’t have the means to do these things , who have no tablets, computers etc. Who are these people? they are of course, the very elderly, people with disabilities either physical or mental, the poorest amongst us. Those who can only afford to shop on a daily basis, and many more reasons. What are they going to do.? I fear for them all. They have no chance....that’s why ration books of some kind MUST be introduced .
We are self isolating , my partner is nearly 90, and of course my MPN .
Yesterday a very kind woman through the help of local social media, picked up our prescriptions . For which I am extremely grateful , my kids live a distance and most of our friends and neighbours are 70 + . So that help is invaluable .
Well rant over. Thank you for highlighting the uselessness of the ‘selective ‘shopping hour, just one more thing apparently bus passes are not valid at that time of day!,
I just wanted to say, not all vulnerable people have visible illnesses, nor are they old! I know young people having cancer treatment who need to isolate themselves and need food too. Too easy to jump to conclusions in all this.
Of course you are totally right, no matter what age some people have very compromised immune systems, but that is something that can be checked, maybe with a hospital , ie an appointment letter , also prescriptions. We always carry a copy of our prescriptions with us. Just in the wallet.
Just read a critical care nurse went to a supermarket after working a long shift, no fruit or veg available . I think this makes a point , we have to keep morale and energy up of our wonderful health workers.
The slots do not even go beyond the three weeks that you can see on the screen and every slot is taken. They say "Let us know if you are self isolating" but you can't do that unless you can book a slot. I hope it settles down soon so that I can book a slot or go to a shop that has potatoes, flour and Quorn - things can be used in many ways and keep us going for a while. I hope we don't run out; my partner is Type 1 diabetic and food, as well as insulin, is his medicine. He will become very ill without carbohydrates. We are both over 75. I wonder whether the fact that I have a virtual trolley full of groceries will trigger a slot for me when one becomes available, or will I have to stay constantly online.
It is horrendous. For me the blame lies with those selfish individuals that started panic buying causing a domino effect, the media for all the hype about, pictures of empty shelves and so on, and the supermarkets themselves...The government tried to say don't panic there will be plenty then one of the heads of a supermarket came out and said 'no we can't guarantee that'.
Surely it will return to normal soon as people have everything they need. SkodaGuy i know my wife told me her friend had said there was plenty of stuff in Aldi in Alfreton yesterday afternoon if thats any help.
What is more awful is the waste that will occur when all the selfish people throw out all the stuff that goes to waste when they don't actually use it.
My husband went to our local Iceland store in the hour for vulnerable and elderly people and it was a joke. The crowd that occurs is more dangerous for contaminating each other and would be better for the stores to deliver to this group. This is an unsafe practice. Ration books are a good idea or tokens for basic supplies
I live in Berlin we have had some hoarding
One supermarket had a sign saying no loo roll,tissues or napkins left but we still have cat litter. Lol. However on the whole nothing like the madness elsewhere.
I am like some people, I have had cancer for 25 years through a series of MPN's but don't look that ill as I am always tanned after having PUVA many years ago. So I took proof I had cancer. Its not that hard. Take your drugs which will probably be labelled as chemotherapy or the patient information leaflet and highlight what applies to you The notion of shopping for someone who is vulnerable is false. The time was supposedly reserved for those doing their own shopping. I have identified 2 things I can do to get out and exercise apart from my garden but one is walking my son's dog and today daren't go out as to many people out on my estate so couldn't reach the woods safely. The other is going to the stables where I used to ride and cleaning tack as I can cordon off an area for myself and no-one has complained when I have to ask them to give me space for a moment to get to water or the tack room. I always explain that I have cancer and the proprieter explains also as we have known each other for years.
We couldn’t get a delivery slot at any supermarket.
DH had a plan and a shopping list with items in supermarket order.
He was at Tesco by 6 a.m. when it opened, and waited in the car till the short queue had gone in. He donned nitrile beekeeping gloves and collected the trolley. Tesco aisles were all one way only and small number of customers stayed well apart.
Selected items, just enough fresh food for the week, with no waste.
Stood well away from the check out person to load bags, and used contactless card pay.
Loaded car, returned trolley, removed gloves, and drove home.
Gloves and bags washed well in detergent and hot water, and hands washed.
I know what you mean about Sainsbury’s I had a home delivery and the young man proceeded to throw my groceries on the dirty floor from the back of the van he wouldn’t bring them to my door ,including a trifel & my bill this is the van registration P869 PPY he could see I was walking with two crutches when I said I’ve never had anyone as rude as you he said smirking well report me then
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