No need for this panic buying selfishness in lockdown – Jayne Dowle

IF you have to go shopping this month, at least try and do it sensibly. There is no need to panic or behave as if you are the only person on the planet entitled to bread, milk and half a dozen rolls of Christmas paper.

All the big supermarkets have published updated guidance for shopping safely during the second national lockdown. These new measures are there for everyone’s common purpose.

I know it can be irritating and personally demanding, but we must remind ourselves that we’re still supposed to be ‘all in this together’ – even though certain members of the Government seem to have forgotten this particular mantra.

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When we look back on this extraordinary year, it would be good to think that we have learned to put others before ourselves.

Graeme Bandeira's Be Kind cartoon at the start of the first lockdown.Graeme Bandeira's Be Kind cartoon at the start of the first lockdown.
Graeme Bandeira's Be Kind cartoon at the start of the first lockdown.

After all, how many people are still throwing away frozen food they so selfishly stockpiled first time around, or find themselves navigating mountains of loo rolls in their garage?

It was bad enough back in March; this time, with both Christmas and the possibility of restrictions being extended on the horizon, the stockpilers and the selfish find added justification for their mercenary tactics.

Whatever the Prime Minister says, Christmas will be far from ‘normal’ this year. And whilst it makes sense to pick up a few presents and festive items as we go along, there is no need to storm the aisles as if it’s already Christmas Eve.

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I’ve seen and heard some pretty smug comments from those with the time, energy, storage space and financial wherewithal to have already completed their Christmas shopping and wrapped every present.

Panic buying has returned in some parts of the country following the imposition of a second lockdown.Panic buying has returned in some parts of the country following the imposition of a second lockdown.
Panic buying has returned in some parts of the country following the imposition of a second lockdown.

Presumably, some of these people might now find themselves with enough time on their hands to help those less fortunate than themselves.

Charities are crying out for donations of food, clothing and presents for children for whom Christmas will be just another sad and cold day.

And what about those who are frail and vulnerable and find shopping for themselves difficult?

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I heard a good argument the other day for supermarkets to reach out to them and prioritise online delivery slots more so than they are doing at present.

Supermarkets like Sainsbury's have reported long queues.Supermarkets like Sainsbury's have reported long queues.
Supermarkets like Sainsbury's have reported long queues.

Until this happens, we should look out for them instead and step aside to let them go first. Shopping is stressful enough for those of us fortunate enough to be fit and able-bodied. Imagine how it is for people with mobility problems or mental health issues?

And spare a thought for those who work tirelessly to keep those shelves stocked and your family fed and watered. My son came home from his shift at our local supermarket last week exhausted and more than a little baffled at human behaviour.

This includes those often-forgotten frontline workers, the supermarket workers who must remain calm and composed when assaulted – sometimes literally – from all sides.

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Jack says that he feels like a veteran now, in his second campaign; he worked all the way through the first lockdown and the long hot summer when we were first instructed to wear a face-covering before entering a store.

At the start of the second national lockdown, shoppers were behaving like it was Bank Holiday Monday, piling their trollies high with booze, pushing past each other to get to the shelves and generally showing no respect for anyone else in their vicinity.

Surely we should all know the rules, but most of the time all we need is simple courtesy and common sense. Treat other people as you would wish to be treated yourself should just about cover it.

Of course we’re all human and make mistakes, lose our patience or get stressed, especially if we’re in a hurry. By no means do I represent a perfect example of how to behave well in a Covid-aware retail environment.

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I find one-way systems challenging to navigate; even if I take a list I always forget one crucial item from the fruit and vegetable aisle and have to circumnavigate all the way back to the start again without causing offence or crossing anyone’s path.

Yes, I do admit to more than a sigh of irritation when an entire family still treat food shopping like a day out. And what about those annoying people who stand about in groups chatting to each other? Rule of six and all that, I mutter under my breath as I pass.

Yet I will try to dig deep and remind myself that we are supposed to be approaching the season of goodwill. I’d urge you to do the same.

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