Tossing Coins?

Hold on to your hats, I am about to have a major rant. Why is it so difficult to use cash during this pandemic? Mainly because almost all retailers are insisting you use cards to make your purchases. "That's no problem for me" you say.

Well then, you are among the wealthier section of our society.

But think about the ones behind you in the queue...

Many older people distrust computers, or are genuinely unable to get to grips with the technology. They do not want to risk the loss of everything by clicking the wrong button.They draw their pension out in cash each week, and carefully allocate their expenditure.

Many people on benefits work in a similar way - if they know how much they have in their purse, they know what they can afford to buy.

People who have struggled their way out of debt [often with the help of CAP or similar groups] now avoid using cards because they know what a hole they fell into when they were waving their card at every purchase.

And right now these people are genuinely struggling to cope - because every shop has a sign saying "Cards only"

Why is this recent blanket insistence on card use during the pandemic? Well, mainly because of two newspaper articles in the Mail and the Telegraph.

The latter, on March 2nd said "Banknotes may be spreading the new coronavirus, so people should try to use contactless payments instead, the WHO has said"

And the former declared on March 8th "The WHO has advised public against using paper money"

These two statements were based on a conversation with a WHO spokesperson who was asked whether banknotes could spread the virus, and replied "It's possible...it's a good question. We know that money can pick up all sorts of ...viruses...it's a good idea to use contactless"

But the WHO were quick to clarify this did not amount to an official warning about banknotes. 

They simply restated the advice to wash hands frequently particularly after engaging with other people/goods in shops etc.[I'm not aware of the Telegraph or Mail making their error clear.]

There have been loads of sad stories circulating about people taking their carefully saved cash reserves into the supermarket to buy food for the family only to be turned away at the checkout. Or other people, self-isolating due to the virus, whose 'neighbours' offer to buy their groceries, take their card [and PIN] and only later discover more has gone out than they have received goods for.

The banks do not want to do away with coinage, it is the credit card companies who do.

But why do we need coins? I've been asked. People tell me that in time we will all just wave cards at machines, even in church. Last year we had a visit from two enthusiastic chaps, demonstrating their quick-pay-contactless-Sunday-offering system for churches. Personally I sort out my giving before Sunday morning -it's all done by monthly direct debit. But many people - particularly OAPs feelt hat putting their gift in the plate or bag is part of their act of worship. And children love to add their pennies.

I do know of some occasions when I want to use coins

• each November when I buy my poppy
• when I use cash in a shop, and put my change in the charity box on the counter
• when I am out for a meal, and want to ensure all my tip goes to the waiters who have been so helpful, and not into the company till - when it sometimes doesnt get back to them
• on a coach trip, when there's a 'whip-round' for the driver
• when I buy a Big Issue magazine

Most of the recipients of those pennies are charities, or lower paid workers. 

As Rosie and George get older, the Tooth Fairy will probably visit [and surely she won't leave an Amazon voucher under the pillow, or a BACS transfer slip?] Generations of children have loved the birthday cards from aunties, uncles and grandparents with the message 'please buy yourself something special with this' and a crisp banknote or two folded inside. Children love coins. Rosie has a small coin jar and uses it for playing shops with her Mum.

One science lesson last week involved putting her dirty old pennies into a bowl of salt and vinegar and watch them come up shining. We had a great chat about coins and money. Our coins of the realm have a great heritage - my Grandfather worked at the Royal Mint, so I admit I'm rather biased. Please resist the efforts of the wealthy credit card companies to deprive us of our pennies. Everyone in society would be the poorer for it. 

And how on earth will people 'win the toss' to start their sports matches?