‘Pull your socks up’: Resident asks for shoppers to show consideration

A Highfields resident has voiced her shock after shelves at a local Woolworths were stripped bare following the COVID-19 lockdown announcement on Friday.

Highfields resident Genevieve Allpass expressed her dismay in an open letter, after finding some shelves at the Highfields Woolworths empty on Sunday.

“This is not the fault of the store or the staff, the fault lies squarely with the selfish people in the community who yet again only consider themselves,” Ms Allpass said of the situation.

“You would think after the caning everyone got after doing this crazy panic-buying the first time around that they would have learnt something but obviously not.

“All the people consistently saying, it wasn’t me, well it’s obviously someone and for the love of humanity just stop it.”

Ms Allpass urged people to think of others while doing their shopping.

“Young shop assistants shouldn’t be expected to disallow or regulate an adult shopper, particularly when that shopper has the potential to be abusive,” Ms Allpass said.

“There are people who need to shop in Highfields who can’t get into town for various reasons.

“Here we have elderly, disabled, people without vehicles, imperfect public transport, people who have illnesses, and many other reasons why they need to shop at their local stores that they can access easily.

“There are a lot who can’t afford to get into town and then buy items at a specialty store for twice the price.”

She said it was important for the community to “pull its socks up and do better”.

“If not for your sake, then for the sake of everyone else who depend on you to do the right thing,” she said.

“Wear your mask if you have to, socially distance when necessary, help others in need without expectations or compensation, respect our health workers, teachers and necessary workers (hint: they’re not the millionaires) and just be nice.

“Seriously, just be a nice person – that costs zero.”