Thread by @RD_Catherine

THIS picture of an elderly man in an Epsom supermarket this week mol.im/a/8126263 via @MailOnline....

Professionally and personally I find it harrowing.
You find yourself creating a narrative ...
<thread> #coronavirus #stockpiling #panicbuyinguk 1/10

I don't know this man. I don't know his situation. But I recognise the posture. It's defeated.
As if staring at the list will generate some semblance of order as to what item to look for next. Which is likely to be a futile search in 🇬🇧 #supermarkets at the moment 2/

The #Supermarkets #panicbuying may have you feeling clever as you hoover up newly refilled stock to brag about later🙄
But next time, spare a thought for that elderly person. Perhaps someone with early #dementia whose routine of a little shop is now a nightmare + NO DINNER 3/

UK #Supermarkets are supposedly limiting purchases of high-demand items, with 'protected hours for vulnerable'. Whilst commendable, it'll always be survival of the fittest - or fastest - to high demand items. And brings vasts groups of high risk people together #coronavirus 4/

So here's a tale from my #ICU nurse in charge today (step forward Kathy👏). Daughter works in a local @coopuk. Earlier this week had an elderly lady come up to the till with her meagre shopping list. She'd held back shopping, but upset and anxious not a single item available 5/

Now's not a time for 'Let us eat quinoa'- because even that's been panic-bought. For the elderly, routine is the key to a regular food intake and prevention of #malnutrition. It's hard to think what to do with chilled gnocchi if you've never eaten it #nutritionandhydrationweek 6/

So that @coopuk assistant took her list and her name, knowing stock would come in overnight, then set aside her little food shop in a carrier bag and assured her it would be ready the following day. It was. 👏The elderly lady was so grateful. Food insecurity is an awful thing 7/

Could this approach go large, @sainsburys, @Tesco, @asda, @Morrisons @AldiUK @LidlGB @IcelandFoods? Whilst workers reload shelves, could volunteers pack small shops from lists taken from vulnerable shoppers in store that day? Even two rolls of loo paper is OK if you have none 8/

And not every elder shopper has a family member/other at home who can do that 'LOOK WHAT I MANAGED TO GET!!!' moment. Social isolation and desire to stay independent versus inability to access food WILL compromise health in this vulnerable group #nutritionandhydrationweek 9/

So dear Tweeters, be more socially responsible at this #strangestoftimes
YES you do need to buy food. Be grateful this has not been the norm for us.
NO, you don't need to do a #supermarket raid.
#BeKindToEachOther
Buying more than you really need right now? Just #PutItBack 10/