Coronavirus UK: Shopper accuses carer of ‘spreading germs’

A care worker was left in tears after an ‘aggressive’ shopper accused her of ‘spreading germs’ by wearing her uniform in a shop amid the coronavirus crisis. 

Kimberley Simpson, from Burton-upon-Trent in Staffordshire, claimed a fellow customer followed her through the B&M store for ten minutes ‘shouting’ that she shouldn’t be allowed inside.

In a clip of the altercation, the shopper tells Ms Simpson she is ‘spreading germs’ by entering the store in her work clothes – before threatening to report the carer to her manager. 

Sharing footage of the incident to Facebook, Ms Simpson said she was ‘disgusted’ by the shopper’s behaviour.

She added: ‘I know I’m an ugly crier, but this lady has just followed me around B&M shouting at me saying I’m not allowed in the shop because I’m in uniform.

Kimberley Simpson, from Burton-upon-Trent in Staffordshire, claimed a fellow customer followed her through the store for ten minutes ‘shouting’ that she shouldn’t be allowed inside 

In a clip of the altercation (pictured), the shopper tells Ms Simpson she is ‘spreading germs’ by entering the store in her work clothes – before threatening to report the carer to her manager

‘Apparently I’m not allowed to buy non-essential items, how does she know I’m not doing client’s shopping? 

‘Apparently I spread germs before and after Corona, and she’s reporting me to my manager who I’ve just spoken to, and they said I’m not doing anything wrong.

‘We have worked so hard, no clients have Covid-19 so we are clearly doing something right. She shouted at me for a good ten minutes before I decided to film her because she was following me.

‘No staff in the shop helped me, no one stuck up for me, a Polish couple told me not to cry bless them and said she’s stupid.

‘I feel really disgusted at this lady’s behaviour, I have done nothing wrong.’ 

According to an NHS England document published on April 2, there is ‘no evidence that wearing uniforms outside work adds to infection risks.’

In footage from the incident, which has been viewed more than two million times, Ms Simpson (pictured) is seen speaking with the woman who stands behind her trolley

Sharing footage of the incident on Facebook, Ms Simpson said she was ‘disgusted’ by the shopper’s behaviour

It added, however, that ‘public attitudes indicate it is good practice for staff to change at work or cover their uniforms as they travel to and from work.’  

In footage from the incident, which has been viewed more than two million times, Ms Simpson is seen speaking with a woman who stands behind her trolley.

‘I am filming you because you are having a go at me for buying stuff,’ she said. 

The woman replies ‘I’m not having a go, I’m asking you why’ before Ms Simpson claims she is ‘absolutely ridiculous’ for coming up to her ‘aggressively, saying I am spreading germs.’ 

The woman replies ‘You are still spreading germs, I’m not talking about Covid’ as astonished shoppers watch on.  

According to an NHS England document published on April 2, there is ‘no evidence that wearing uniforms outside work adds to infection risks’

Ms Simpson was inundated with thousands of messages of support after she posted the video online, with one woman congratulating her for ‘sticking up for yourself’

Ms Simpson was inundated with thousands of messages of support after she posted the video online, with one woman congratulating her for ‘sticking up for yourself.’

‘Silly woman just wanted someone to have a go at and try and bully you,’ she said. ‘If it wasn’t you it would have been someone else. Don’t let this sad sack bring you down.’

Carole Thorpe added: ‘Absolutely disgusting behaviour, she isn’t worthy of you and all you and your colleagues do. This has brought me to tears.’

Coronavirus has killed at least 131 social care workers in the UK, with dozens more NHS employees having fallen victim to the virus.

There has been mixed guidance on whether care workers should wear their uniforms in public amid the pandemic, with Worcestershire County Council stating it ‘is best practice to change into and out of uniforms/work wear at work and not wear when travelling to and from work.’

The guidance for key workers and medics in Burton-upon-Trent, where it is believed this incident took place, was not immediately clear.  

B&M has been contacted for comment.