In these testing times, the kindness of strangers has come to the fore

SIR – We have been overwhelmed by the kindness of complete strangers during this crisis.

On Thursday my wife and I visited our local supermarket for provisions. There was a queue outside, and when we walked round the corner we saw that it stretched a long way back. There was a biting wind, so we decided that it was too cold for us, at our age, to stand around, and resigned ourselves to returning home emptyhanded.

As we walked back along the line, complete strangers – much younger – beckoned us to join the queue nearer the front and would not take no for an answer. We were then ushered to the front by successive shoppers.

Their kindness brought tears to our eyes and strengthened our faith in human nature.

Frank Vickers

Woking, Surrey

SIR – The other day I phoned my local pub at 11.30am. Less than an hour later I was handed eggs, potatoes and loo rolls, with free delivery. What fantastic support for older people in this village. Diane Donnelly

Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire

SIR – A word of warning to all those trying to arrange online deliveries for vulnerable relatives. I set up a Sainsbury’s account for my 82-year-old mother, who lives 200 miles away from me, and placed her first order for 18 items, none in hoarding quantities and all shown as available. When the driver arrived, he handed over some oranges, two pints of milk, a small block of cheese and a tub of Greek yogurt. The other 14 items were unavailable, and there were no alternatives.

There is little point prioritising people if they cannot get what they ordered. This also, of course, drives people to order lots of other things they do not really want, just in case.

Victor Launert

Matlock Bath, Derbyshire to me. I was contacted by email and told that I had been designated as a vulnerable person because I am 84 years old, and was therefore entitled to a “slot”.

When I tried to go online I found that my account was locked, so I phoned the helpline. I had to wait for about half an hour, but then a very kind and patient lady talked me through the steps to log on, and I have now placed an order which is to be delivered today. It is a huge relief and I am grateful to Sainsbury’s for its efficiency and concern. Jean Vowles

Andover, Hampshire

SIR – I have been shocked by the number of people in my food shops who have clearly never cooked before.

Now that restaurants are closed we are seeing people of all ages buying cutlery, salt, pepper and other simple things, as they have to prepare food and actually use their kitchen. Eva Llewellyn London SW3