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Coronavirus

Mask & gloves

(121 Posts)
kangaroo73 Wed 13-May-20 15:08:26

As I’m over 70 I’ve been getting my shopping delivered. I’d really like to go and get some ‘bits’ myself though at some point so I’ve managed to get hold of gloves & masks in readiness. However, I’m still nervous about this and there are so many conflicting views about the wearing of such protective wear. Have any of you over 70s ventured into the Supermarkets yet?

Fennel Wed 13-May-20 18:43:51

We're both well over 70.
Husband does most of our shopping in either Tesco or Sainsbury because he drives. He wears a facemask and gloves.
I go into one of our 2 local corner shops often, wearing face mask and gloves, for a few bits and pieces. Both restrict entry to 5 people and have strict distancing rules inside. The cashiers are behind screens.

oscaro11 Wed 13-May-20 18:52:00

I’m a bit afraid to go to a supermarket. I have asthma and after being at home all these weeks in a way I’ve got used to it. I’m getting a home delivery from the milkman and also Iceland. Both have been a life saver and completely reliable. I was unable to get A space with any other supermarket. Now, I feel I must support these two going onwards who have saved me through this awful time.

oscaro11 Wed 13-May-20 18:52:56

Meant to add, I’ve got gloves and mask ready for going out,

MissAdventure Wed 13-May-20 18:57:49

If I had the choice, and I could manage to get deliveries, I think I would be in no rush to go into a supermarket yet.

We are supposed to get an increase in the virus as restrictions are lifted. I would perhaps wait until the next plateau.

Willow500 Wed 13-May-20 18:59:22

I've just made a mask today from cotton and an old t-shirt and went out to the post office this afternoon with it in my pocket along with gloves to put on before going in. Needn't have bothered - it was shut hmm! Who knew they have new opening hours and close at 12.30 every day.

We've had one home grocery delivery and two click and collects but have decided now that we will go to Tescos this week as there are things I forget to get online and the substitutes are not what I would normally buy. I did go a few weeks ago later at night and it was fairly quiet so hopefully it will work again.

grannypiper Wed 13-May-20 19:00:13

I haven't been inside a shop since 20th March and wont be going near one for a long time and when i do it will be with mask and gloves.

Froglady Thu 14-May-20 09:13:59

I'm 67 and have continued to shop at Morrisons. I use an electric wheelchair when I'm out and about and can only get so much shopping at once as I wouldn't be able to carry it. The staff are very good there about queuing to get into the shop and for the tills and only so many people are allowed in the store at one time. I don't wear any protective clothing and it has worked so far.

Moggycuddler Thu 14-May-20 09:16:36

I honestly haven't been out in weeks and weeks. Don't intend to unless I have to, until things are really a LOT better.. I've been lucky in getting supermarket deliveries every week and otherwise internet shopping. Feel too worried to go out. If I had to I would wear a mask and gloves.

Bobdoesit Thu 14-May-20 09:18:34

MayBee70 you also open and close the car door. I wonder how long the virus lives on the handles? Just a thought.

polnan Thu 14-May-20 09:19:13

I am 83, no underlying health issues, but very anxious, thinking I will stay with my online deliveries,

I am just anxious, have my little car, really want to go out, but scared.. what of? breakdown, anything,,,

I do have b/d cover, but anxiety isn`t reasonable is it!

oh dear,, I can`t bear the thought of wearing a mask, claustrophobic? I have some ordinary rubber gloves,, but .. oh dear!

Jane10 Thu 14-May-20 09:23:40

I'm happy to drive for my shopping as I don't want a flat battery when lockdown lifts a little more. I notice that our neighbours are taking their cars round the block once in a while to keep the battery charged and turn the tyres a bit.
Something else to think about!

curlytops Thu 14-May-20 09:28:07

Only ventured to pharmacy. I suffer from asthma so I chose to wear a mask and gloves, plenty of others dressed the same ?

Teddy123 Thu 14-May-20 09:31:10

I think this is the worst time to go out. Everyone will be madly rushing to the supermarket.

I'm looking forward to my delivery tomorrow!

Littleannie Thu 14-May-20 09:32:42

We go to our M and S foodhall on the retail park every 10 days. We go in the afternoon when it is quieter, and never have to queue for more than 10 minutes. An assistant sanitises the trolley before she gives it to you at the door, and again when you take it back. They only allow 10 people in at a time. As there are about 10 aisles, we usually have each aisle to ourselves as we go round, so we feel as safe as possible in the circumstances. If there is someone else in the aisle we wait at the end till they move on. It works very well. Also the check outs have screens up. We are both over 70 by the way, but can't get a home delivery. We can get most of what we want there. Yesterday I went to the big Boots on the retail park for toiletries and medicines, it was nearly empty. We wouldn't go near a big supermarket, having heard stories of customers not observing the distancing rule.

Missee Thu 14-May-20 09:32:52

I have to go to the pharmacy to collect my prescription. I only worry that the people who don’t realise they have the virus are walking about and so many don’t practice social distancing, but as WHO said yesterday this probably won’t go away anytime soon so we will have to manage it. That said I’m happy to carry on working from home and doing click’n’collect.

Charleygirl5 Thu 14-May-20 09:35:55

Since lockdown started I have been using my car every 7-10 days and each time I have taken it at least twice around the block to charge it up. So far it has worked.

I do not see the point of using gloves. A few times when out I have seen people with masks and gloves on- their phone rings, rifle in their pockets for the phone, use a hand to move the mask and after the call place phone back in the pocket. I doubt if the phone is ever cleaned.

After I lock my front door I treat my hands as "dirty" and do not put them to my face until I return home and have washed my hands. After I sanitise my hands in my car, I rub my hands around the small sanitiser bottle and also around the steering wheel.

hicaz46 Thu 14-May-20 09:36:16

I’m a scaredy cat and haven’t been in a shop since 18th March. We’ve been very lucky to get an online shop when we’ve needed it and have had milk delivered for some time anyway. I am over 70, don’t have any underlying conditions that I know of, but who knows, so I’m not rushing to go out any time soon.

lemsip Thu 14-May-20 09:39:02

MayBee70 I agree with your post. after all, a mask is to stop you passing it on so unless we all wear one, not a lot of good. Having said that, I will wear one. not been out yet though.

Patticake123 Thu 14-May-20 09:39:40

I went to Tesco last night at around 8.0pm , I did wear a mask and gloves. The store was virtually empty, they had a system of arrows to follow and whilst I was quite anxious initially, I was reassured and it was lovely to be out selecting my own food.

railman Thu 14-May-20 09:42:56

As far as face masks are concerned, the answer is simple - in public places, wear a face mask. Wearing a face mask could save a life - maybe your own.

Some say, but it won't protect you from getting the virus - maybe not, but it reduces the risk you can give it to others significantly.

Since, in the UK, we have not done extensive testing and tracking, we cannot be certain that the person who just passed us in the supermarket, or garden centre, or on the bus, train or tube is not asymptomatic, or even in the early stages.

The fools that suggested social distancing is the answer on public transport has clearly either no experience, or knowledge of how trains operate.

In public places, especially where 'social distancing' is much less practical - wearing a mask can save lives. So what's the problem?

luluaugust Thu 14-May-20 09:51:11

We go to M&S me with face mask, both of us with clean gloves. with a couple of home deliveries this means we go about once every 2/3 weeks. Venture out and has been said just check shop before you go in, try older age hour but we have found 5 o'clock in the evening better.

lostinfrance Thu 14-May-20 09:52:57

No - I don't wear either.

However I am not in any at risk group - and only go out in public place once per week (at most) to do the shopping for our household and for mother in law.

Husband is working at home so mixes with fewer people than I do. (he doesn't come to the supermarket with me) and son is pretty much living in his bedroom.

I have seen shoppers wearing gloves who repeatedly rub their noses, faces, touch their hair. As a pp said they will get out their phone with gloved hands and transfer any virus before putting it back in their handbag/pocket. Masks are likely to be hot and sweaty and folk with touch and adjust them.

When i get home I wash my hands, then I wipe down all the shopping with soapy water and a splash of Zoflora. Leave it to dry and put away. I fold up the shopping bags and put them back in my car boot for the next trip - which will be two weeks time as I alternate which car I use. Then I wash my hands again and using my disinfectant soapy cloth wipe down the front door handles, the fridge door, cupboard doors and anything else I may have touched. I can't do any more than that.

If it becomes law then of course I will wear a mask but I see it as leading to a false sense of security.

Missee Thu 14-May-20 09:55:20

Totally agree with railman. I’ve just got to get hold of a mask.

jaylucy Thu 14-May-20 09:58:06

Masks will not protect you if you wear them. They are more designed for blocking a sufferer from spreading the virus , which is why it has been suggested that people using public transport wear them.
If you wear gloves, and you touch something that an infectious person has touched, you will just spread the virus to the next item you touch.
Great care has to be taken in removing the gloves when you get home and you will still need to wash your hands when you get home.
My son does our shopping. He goes to the supermarket from about 6pm when there are no queues to get in and as the supermarket is doing a "one in one out" system and there is also a route for customers to follow round the shop.
He sprays his hands with antibac spray once he has got out of the car and takes anti bac wet wipes for the trolley. He hasn't worn a mask yet but he did say that he pulled his scarf up over his face last night as two twonks with a trolley each were going the wrong way round the store!
Once he gets home, he washes his hands and I do all the wipe down measures or decanting into containers for all of the shopping !

Delene100 Thu 14-May-20 10:01:14

I turned 70 in March. Been shopping every two weeks since the pandemic. I wear a mask, take my own anti bacterial wipes for steering wheel, handles and trolley handles, etc. Once indoors I spray the bags and packaging with Dettol spray and. I wasn't informed about locking down but have been staying indoors, taking a multi vitamin and minerals plus vitamin C daily. I think it's important to boost our immune system so if you contract the virus your body has a better chance of fighting it off. We can't stay locked away forever but must take precaution if we have to venture out.