So..."Let Elderly People Shop Early" - what's "Elderly"?

[Amethyst]

I'm seeing stuff about "let elderly people shop early." And we are told COVID-19 is especially hard on people over 60 with pre-existing conditions.

So, who gets to be "elderly" and shop early? 60+? 70+? Do we show age ID? Look decrepit?

(Do you even care about shopping early?)

 

[FIREd]

In France, some supermarkets open early and let elderly people shop before regular business hours. Here it is reserved for people over 70 who show ID in general but individual supermarkets fix the rules.

 

[gerntz]

For all the senior citizen favors/discounts I've seen over the years, this is my favorite. I'd make for those 71 & over.

 

[Mdlerth]

I am content to be part of the masses

I don't care about shopping early. I'm retired and hate getting up before my body tells me to wake up.

When I was working, I had to get up in time for the morning commute and didn't have time then to shop.

Even if I qualify for the preferential treatment, because I am over 60, I don't have any of the comorbid conditions that are the real risk-boosters. It would be disingenuous to abuse special privileges when I am included in the targeted group solely by coincidence rather than need.

My observations of many people who take up handicapped parking spaces indicates I'm the only one who feels that way.

 

[razztazz]

Yes I do care about shopping early. I usually do it anyway but I notice that the super markets don't have the good stuff out real early So, I have to hold off till1000-1200.

Otherwise too many empty spaces. And that's SOP pre-Corona everywhere I"ve ever lived. If they'd stock up earlier I;d go even earlier. I think it's a good idea

 

[Amethyst]

Can they bring a guest? My husband is well past 71 and is lost in the supermarket.

For all the senior citizen favors/discounts I've seen over the years, this is my favorite. I'd make for those 71 & over.

 

[Nemo2]

My husband is well past 71 and is lost in the supermarket.

Did you not go back to get him?

 

[RunningBum]

If I felt I was part of the group with higher risk of death from the virus, I'd definitely shop early or have someone do it for me. Whether they check ID for you age varies from place to place, but I would hope that no place would turn you away if you looked to be part of that group. My uneducated guess at guidelines would be anyone over 70, and anyone over 60 not in good health.

 

[Jerry1]

I think it's a great idea. Shows some respect for the people who are challenged in whatever way, be it age or general physical issues. Can't imagine someone with COPD trying to deal with the crowds and the potential higher risk of catching the virus.

Unfortunately, they may also need to enforce limits. It's not too far a stretch to imagine a healthy 70 yr old carting out a bunch of TP and cleaning supplies, even if the intention is good (their extended family needs it).

 

[Amethyst]

He follows me around with the cart while I do the gathering. Truly excellent at that job, but don't ask him to follow a list.

Did you not go back to get him?

 

[Amethyst]

It's probably moot anyway. My highly informal survey of friends and family who are 70+ and have "conditions" reveals:

a) They order online and have the store employees bring the groceries to their car
b) They order online and have somebody else pick it up (the operative phrase is "they have somebody.")

 

[Nemo2]

He follows me around with the cart while I do the gathering. Truly excellent at that job, but don't ask him to follow a list.

I generally maneuver the cart, follow the list, while DW performs independent reconnaissance forays, (or revisits aisles where I have forgotten or been unable to locate various products); between us we usually maintain a relatively good momentum.

(Of course there's always that one overlooked/forgotten item.)

 

[FIREd]

During this Covid-19 unpleasantness, one of our local grocery stores has a "one person per cart" rule inside the store. So there is no shopping with spouses or kids.

 

[REWahoo]

During this Covid-19 unpleasantness, one of our local grocery stores has a "one person per cart" rule inside the store. So there is no shopping with spouses or kids.

Sounds like a good idea in theory, but what's to prevent the spouse from grabbing a cart and tagging along?

 

[FIREd]

Sounds like a good idea in theory, but what's to prevent the spouse from grabbing a cart and tagging along?

So far, a lot of the rules enacted to fight this thing have been honor-based. The authorities are counting on people to have enough decency to follow the rules meant to protect them and others. France in general has a good sense of community and solidarity. If most people play the game, I think that we will see a sizable effect on the spread of Covid-19.

 

[Spock]

During this Covid-19 unpleasantness, one of our local grocery stores has a "one person per cart" rule inside the store. So there is no shopping with spouses or kids.

Ummm... no.
Now days you need 2 people, 1 to shop and 1 to watch the cart so nobody uses your cart as available stock from which to fill their cart while your back is turned.

 

[RunningBum]

Ummm... no.
Now days you need 2 people, 1 to shop and 1 to watch the cart so nobody uses your cart as available stock from which to fill their cart while your back is turned.

Cough on your cart contents periodically. People will leave your cart alone.

 

[Spock]

Cough on your cart contents periodically. People will leave your cart alone.

made me think of that movie/tv scene where a kid quickly licks his hand and then touches all of the deserts on the try to claim them for himself...

 

[Chuckanut]

So far, a lot of the rules enacted to fight this thing have been honor-based. The authorities are counting on people to have enough decency to follow the rules meant to protect them and others. France in general has a good sense of community and solidarity. If most people play the game, I think that we will see a sizable effect on the spread of Covid-19.

FWIW, a development near me with assorted shops and apartments has very crowded parking. Very crowded. Yesterday I drove past it at 3 in the afternoon. About 20% of the parking slots were taken. Obviously, people are staying home.

The one busy place was a public park. People were walking about alone or in small groups. All were well spaced from each other. That's about it for crowds. The local Costco has lines to get in, again orderly and well spaced. They even had TP and spray disinfectant! And a huge display of various hard liquors as people entered.

I think most of us know we are in this together.

 

[Chuckanut]

Since all of these fabulous hotels and resorts are going empty, I think they ought to quarantine we old folks in them, for free.

 

[ncbill]

I like it...a local store has now allocated 8 am-9 am for older patrons and ones with other health conditions.

They've also now started curbside delivery (free) in addition to offering home delivery (still costs $)

 

[GravitySucks]

Dollar General has 1st hour reserves for seniors.

 

[mountainsoft]

a local store has now allocated 8 am-9 am for older patrons and ones with other health conditions.

I'm glad I'm not "elderly" as there is no way I'm getting up early enough to go grocery shopping at 8am! I usually do my shopping after lunch, around 1pm or so.

 

[GreenEggs]

Since all of these fabulous hotels and resorts are going empty, I think they ought to quarantine we old folks in them, for free.

I do wish that we could quarantine the elderly so the rest of us can just get sick and get it over with. As it is the whole damn country is trying to slow down a freight train that's coming from all directions and is invisible.

Flattening the curve is costing the country a fortune.

Packing the elderly into casinos, resorts, and cruise ships for a month would have to be cheaper than what we're facing now. And besides wouldn't they all be happy to get free vacations.

 

[Amethyst]

To make matters worse, we now have vast numbers of young people out of school with no place to go and nothing to do. They can't even go to the movies, let alone a night club. They are a sudden presence even in our neighborhood of mostly retirees - lots of college-age grandkids suddenly at the beach access, driving grandpa's golf cart, Playing Loud Music At All Hours (horrors!) etc. They are not social-distancing at all!

(Spring break had been going on for a while, but these young folks were never around - they had better things to do than hang around grandma's neighborhood).