Food for our brave doctors, nurses and all emergency staff

[Cat]

For all NHS workers - our doctors, nurses, and all of those other brave people on the front line against this virus it is great to see that M&S has introduced the following policy so hopefully we won't
be seeing images in the media again of exhausted nurses and other medical staff unable to find food in the stores for themselves or their families because of selfish stockpiling.

'For our NHS and emergency service workers, who we will all be relying on in the coming weeks and months, M&S will reserve the first hour of trade on a Tuesday and Friday for them to shop.'

Brilliant initiative of M&S and even better if food parcels of good, healthy food could be delivered to staff at our hospitals through some Government planning. Following an exhausting 12 hour shift, or longer
at the moment, staff should be able to go straight home and rest rather than having to search for scarce food.

[Watchman]

I totally agree with your sentiment Cat.
However, admirable as it might seem, sadly it cannot be upheld as there is no legislation to back it up.

I was advised by a Waitrose Maidenhead staff member earlier this week that, whilst Waitrose had clearly stated that the first hour
of shopping every day was to be devoted entirely to the elderly, the infirm and their carers and emergency staff, nurses, doctors etc.,
when they walked down the long queue pointing this out to those in it, only about 50% acknowledged and
went off to grab a coffee, willing to return after an hour.
The other 50% stayed rooted to their spot and would not budge, claiming that as they had taken the time
to start queuing early, they were not going to leave - and, of course, they entered the store and like locusts,
loaded up their trolleys.

As supermarket staff have no jurisdiction to demand to check IDs, the Government has to pass the necessary legislation
to ensure that the measures put in place are strictly followed.
Or else, place a bobby at the head of the queue to ensure that the request is adhered to.