Corona Virus Panic Buying

[icyfroth]

As shoppers prepare for a coronavirus pandemic there’s one item people can’t buy enough of – toilet paper.

While many are stocking up on pantry staples such as pasta and flour, a new photo taken inside a Costco store shows this is the one product people are most afraid of running out.

“Can someone please tell me WHY these idiots are panic buying all the toilet paper ???” the caption reads.

But they’re not alone. Scores of shoppers have been sharing on social media how toilet roll sections at their supermarkets have been decimated.

The hysteria comes despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison telling people today not to panic buy.

“Just before coming into this press conference earlier today, I spoke to both Coles and Woolworths, just to get an update on their arrangements, and I appreciate their response and the steps they are taking to assure people and their own customers,” he said.

“They would send the same message I am sending you today. It is important that people just go about their business and their normal processes in a calm manner.

They had spoken to me about the arrangements they have in place around their supply lines and things like this, but I would just urge people to be going about their business in the normal way when it comes to those matters.”

Leading Australian toilet paper manufacturers have also told news.com.au there is no need to panic as we won’t be running out of rolls anytime soon.

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/toilet-paper-will-coronavirus-panic-see-us-...

"It is important that people just go about their business and their normal processes in a calm manner."

Good to see our PM has a sense of humour.

But really! Toilet paper?

[joz*garage]

Oldie but a goodie..

[*kazumi*]

Quite a bit of toilet paper in our supermarket but no kitty litter and very little of dog food

[springyzone]

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@brerrabbit585 wrote:

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In some contexts excessive toilet paper usage , or in this case a run on purchases , is symbolic expression of being an unwilling part of a larger unsettling social environment or looming crisis that is suspect whereby one feels powerless 

Notice that there has not been a run on long storage life food , logical if long term quarantine is seriously considered. 

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I thought they said long life milk was one of the things people were buying.  Rice, cereals, and the other foods they're stocking up on are also long life foods.

The longer the life of a food, the more devoid of nutrients it is, which only lowers people's immunity and puts them at higher risk of catching the virus.  Long life milk isn't just nutrient deficient, it's actually bad for you.  That's the price you pay for convenience though.

@ springy, why don't you spread a bit more panic?  Don't you think they're irrational enough already?

How many months (or even years) do people think they might be quarantined for?  I have a sister who can go through a roll of toilet of paper a day (I have no idea how!) but a 24 pack lasts me several months - and people are buying several of these huge packs at a time!  For stocks to sell out as fast as they are, some of these people must be filling their trolley and then going back for another lot until their car is full, then they take it home and go back for more.  It'd take a LOT of people over-buying to deplete the shelves as fast as they are.

I don't think people are worried about being quarantined because they have the virus, but if they're this crazy about toilet paper they'll probably be paranoid about not going out and being exposed to others who have it, especially if it becomes more common here.  But if they're that paranoid, why are they even going near shopping centres now where there are lots of people? 

I don't think most of the ones buying huge amounts have actually thought about why they're doing it and they're just doing it because others are.  If they did some basic maths they'd know they're buying enough for several months, and in some cases years.  If they were worried about being shut in their homes for months on end they'd surely be buying food rather than toilet paper.

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Huh? How have I been spreading panic?

In any case, I've just been chatting on this messageboard and of course, everyone here is a model of rationality anyway. No danger of me leading anyone astray.

I've said that in my opinion people should be limited to buying one roll or one of any item in short supply.

I have admitted I bought 2 packs of toilet paper for family (none extra for myself).

But I can perfectly understand people in general stockpiling a few things. Note: Not a 6 month supply, but enough for a couple of weeks. The public was told to do exactly that by the so called experts.

I told my adult kids nearly 3 weeks ago to get a few things and if there was any medication they wanted (for an upcoming cruise in a couple of weeks) to get it then rather than wait because there would be a run on the shops and they may not be able to get it later.

All this rush to buy  staple items was predictable.

We've also been advised by the experts that if we need any sort of medication on prescription, not to leave it to the last minute. The government knows very well things may go downhill if the virus takes hold, with surgeries shut or full or a shortage of doctors, medicine etc

These runs on items always happen in times of uncertainty. I'm not being an alarmist when i say that, just a pragmatist.

At the moment, I think the panic buying is being led by fear, not necessity. But when people see whole regions in italy & China being shut off, yes, i think some of the buying is understandable. It's just some people go a bit overboard with it.

[rogevibe]

Is it not curious that the one item "panic bought out" is the one common item used regularly by all people.

 Does this sudden gross buying allude anything relating to the current virus of concern ? 

[myoclon1cjerk]

And now we have panic selling. The Dow Jones lost nearly 8% overnight. Ditto London's FTSE. Hundreds of $billions lost in one session. The Saudis and Russia are in dispute over oil, sending stocks down by over 20%. Petrol will be a lot cheaper in the short term at least. If this keeps up we'll end up with a global recession. Trump, of course, will blame Obama or Bernie and his moronic fans will lap it up.

[*kazumi*]

Yes, Trump is already blaming Obama, despite the fact that Obama established a body that was preparing for pandemic, which we were told will be coming. 

https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/international/Pages/napapi.aspx

Trump is the one who dismantled this organization. 

[rogevibe]

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@springyzone wrote:

Those machines are.. made in China.

I noticed in my supermarket that some parents were buying whole cartons of baby wipes.

I know these are the in thing but when my kids were little (we're talking the 1980s to early 1990s), I don't recall them being as prevalent. I used cloth nappies, although disposables were certainly available. But expensive.

I used a face washer to wash their bottom. I would put it under warm water first then wash it out afterwards and re-use it.

In fact, now that my kids use wipes on their own children, I have often thought it is probably cold on their little bottoms, not as pleasant as a warm washer.

So while toilet paper is sort of handy for us adults, I can't see the wipes are a necessity. If worst comes to worst, my hint is we can all use washers.  You're welcome!

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Are wipes washable ? 

[rogevibe]

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@latina4621 wrote:

No rush on  baby formula - so is the toilet paper splurge a social commentary in part , rather than simple panic buying. 

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[rogevibe]

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@lyhargr_0 wrote:

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@davidc4430 wrote:

i'm predicting lots of sewerage  blockages being reported in the comming months as these fools who have bought the darn wipe things decide 'well i bought em i better use em' then flush em.

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I use heaps of wipes ( all different types ) both at home and when I am out, never yet felt the need to flush one down the loo

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Maybe many get flushed because of locality where they are used.....

[rogevibe]

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@latina4621 wrote:

Laxatives sell out  as hoarders try to make use of excess toilet paper.

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So reacting to the covid crisis causes constipation ?