Food deliveries by unmasked drivers

Most of our delivery drivers no longer wear masks. They stand back and I get it in. Have to accept that things have changed. Grateful that I don't have to go to a supermarket. I think that my you have little choice but to adapt to the current situation.

I am in the “vulnerable” class. I feel perfectly safe taking my shopping in from the doorstep, either from the Tesco trays (the driver always stands well back) or in shopping bags left on the doorstep from other supermarkets. Also Amazon, etc. I have to say at the beginning 2 years ago (2 years! Where has it gone?) we were wiping down everything with dilute bleach and pretty scared. But having done our research (I’m a retired nurse, my husband a retired dentist) we know pretty much what’s safe and what isn’t. Taking your shopping from a sensibly distanced unmasked driver is quite ok, and a darn sight safer than going into a crowded supermarket! (Btw wearing a decent mask PLUS a plastic visor has shown to be very protective if you’re still really worried.) I guess you have to figure out exactly why you’re scared of a mask-less driver, exactly how you think he might infect you, with Covid, and then do your research to see if your fears are valid.

I am still making delivery drivers leave the stuff in our porch. I have a video doorbell so I an interact with them without opening the door.

reading this thread has been interesting but most of all it brought to mind the wonderful episode of The Good Life, if any of you remember it. Margo Leadbetter, sending back the whole of her christmas shopping as the christmas tree was shorter than ordered, and being amazed that they didnt redeliver on christmas eve etc. Do have a look if you have never seen it. Penelope Keith at her most intolerable and bossy!
I have cancer and various other problems and have been shielding of course. My back problems cause the most diffficulty as I cant bend down. So my organisation now is that the driver puts one box on top of another at the doorway , so I do not have to bend. then I have ready as many sturdy bags, as possible. Cant carry heavy bags . Then I put a sensible amount into one bag and just put it further back in the hall. repeat until box emptied. Tell the driver that is empty now and step back. He brings next box and replaces empty box which he takes to the van. Last one he puts the now empty box down and lifts bottom box onto that. Poor or rainy weather I say sit in your van while I am doing it and I will wave when ready for next lot. Then I close the door, take any frozen stuff through to the kitchen, wash my hands and put away. By that time I am shattered and need a coffee and a sit down . I then take my time checking list and putting things away, and that is about the most I can do that day. Not my choice but at the moment the best I can manage .I do miss picking my own fruit and vegetables and being able to go round on a disabled buggy which allows me independance and the chance to look at things as I shop and change my mind, or see a good bargain. We all have to work out the best way to keep going

YABU in my opinion. Presumably you weren’t planning to invite him in for a coffee? ? The shopping would surely have been left on the doorstep or just inside as you stood well back? You could have arranged for the crates to have been collected next time if you needed time to put items away? I’m afraid you will come unstuck if you need deliveries from any company in the future.

Why not wear a mask yourself when they arrive? I'm assuming they aren't entering your house so it shouldn't be a problem. I'm more concerned about tradespeople now having to do work inside the home who don't wear masks. Had this recently and opened all the windows. Bit chilly at this time of year but it seemed safest.

There are a lot of harsh replies here which, in my view are unnecessary. My experience with drivers from the same company is that they haven’t ever worn masks consistently and despite doing the door drop / step back routine I suddenly find a driver is leaning over me to remove a crate. To say this is a fuss about nothing is neither correct or kind. If runnerbean feels unsafe and asked politely then imho the driver should do what they can to reassure her. Donning a mask for a few minutes is hardly a bother. And despite Covid being largely airborne, droplet contamination is still a feature. The medical and scientific community are all saying this is too soon to relax and we need to remain vigilant. Don’t condemn people for being, what you consider to be over anxious.

The law doesn't demand they wear a mask. You are vulnerable so protect yourself, wear a mask and wash your hands after dealing with shopping.

Try click and collect.

Being doing that since the start of the pandemic

as the wearing of masks wil no longer be required after this week i dont think there is anything you can do apart from asking the delivery person to step back while you unload from the door step as suggested if you drive why not try click and collect

As many have said above both you and the driver were following the rules. They have given you much practical advice on how to manage future shops.
I wonder if it would be helpful you to speak to your gp about a referral to someone who could teach you a coping strategy to keep your levels of anxiety in check. This reaction is not good for your health, particularly as I assume the vulnerability will continue.

BlueBelle, that is a bit harsh!
If you are classed as vulnerable (and we don't know the circumstances) I can fully understand why they can get upset by this.
The rest of the country might well be opening up , but as long as there are Covid cases being reported, there will be a percentage of people that will still be worried and erring on the side of caution - however silly some people will think that is . Be Kind!

Masks are not any good for preventing transmission of Viruses. It says this on the packets
So yes YABU

If you won’t accept a doorstep delivery from an unmasked driver who’s outside and stood well back how are you going to cope when masks are no longer compulsory in shops etc? We have to get over this fear of coming into contact with other people. If you are jabbed and boosted and have had a flu jab just take control of your own safety. Wear masks if you feel safer, continue to sanitise your hands and live your life. You are in greater risk of dying from many other things than you are from Covid. Be positive ?

Reading this there’s obviously very heightened anxiety for someone who is very vulnerable. I don’t think common sense comes into it or our rationale . it seems quite genuine but hopefully a bit of perspective will come into play .

We have Tesco every 10 days. Sometimes the driver wears a mask, sometimes not. They put the trays in the porch and stand well back. It's fine.

I stand back when my order is delivered,some drivers wear masks some don't the transaction takes a couple of minutes surely I think you are being very unreasonable in your actions.

That poor driver would have to return the order and explain to his managers making his working day that much longer than expected poor man.

Two years of having the fear of god put into us to ensure social distancing compliance and all the rest of it -it’s hardly surprising some people have developed levels of anxiety which severely restrict their lives.
OP and others who are still fearful have a serious hill to climb before they will feel able to get back to “normal” but I do urge them to consider the massively reduced risks and try to apply their own good sense.
There has been good advice upthread about having the shopping put on the doorstep (you could put out your own bags or boxes) and if shopping in person you can still wear a mask sanitize your hands etc, but don’t be surprised if others don’t.
Nexus your intentions are good, but way way beyond reasonable. The delivery driver is not really bothered by your latest test result status, he or she just needs to get their job done and get on to the next house.
So let them bring the shopping in or decant it into smaller bags which you can lift and put it in the kitchen or wherever, standing well back if you want
As long as you have been vaccinated the chances of serious illness are very very remote and life must go on.
I am reminded of a previous poster who was so paranoid about infection, they watched from an upstairs window while the shopping was left on the doorstep then changed their clothing after unpacking their (disinfected) shopping which I believe they also left to “quarantine” before touching.
There’s good hygiene and common sense and there’s paranoia.

Sorry, but you will be even more vulnerable when you go to the supermarkets.
You could Pin a note to your door saying’ we are isolating please knock the door and stand well back’ .
All of our delivery people stand back away from the door anyway and we quickly take the shopping out of the crates.

I do wonder how some people are going to move on from this.

Will the excessive anxiety persist I wonder?

We could end up with an epidemic of fearfulness.

Open your door and stand back! FGS! Sorry, but it is you who are being unreasonable.

I think you were very unreasonable to refuse to accept the delivery. If you check Sainsbury’s T&Cs you may well find you were not entitled to. Presumably your refusal means you’ll have to face the maskless hordes in the shops to buy food. And I wonder if you’ll get a refund and whether Sainsbury’s will refuse to deliver to you again? You have to accept that masks are being phased out whether we like it or not so I suggest you make sure you wear a good quality one if you’re lucky enough to get another delivery.

Yes, you are being unreasonable. Have you never passed someone in the street who wasn't wearing a mask? They were probably closer to you than the delivery driver

To be honest I never really notice if the driver has a mask on I just try to pack my shopping in bags as quick as possible so he can go on his way. They usually stand back anyway. They dont want to catch anything either.

Poor Sainsburys. Will they agree to deliver to you again? I think that was rather rash.