It's easy to panic buy...........

Just did my normal shop today - although did buy an extra large pack of loo rolls and some extra surface wipes. However shouldn't need to shop again for a couple of weeks or so. Thinking ahead, will we then be in the real thick if this thing and not be allowed to go out? I think it's the not knowing that perhaps prompts the panic buying. And as someone above said, the empty or near empty shelves do make you feel that you should just take something "in case"

This drives crazy. All massive bags of rice gone in local supermarket. I just wanted a little brown rice bag. Only two left. Didn’t look at loo roll aisle. People are ridiculous.

Just been to Morrisons, their shelves were completely cleared of toilet rolls twice today. Also note the pasta and pasta sauce panic. But why bottled water too?!

I am checking out my bookshelf later to weed out the paperbacks just in case.

Oh dear, I'm neither a planner nor a panicker - or maybe a last minute planner? But I was surprised to find the shelves empty of eggs!!? Perhaps someone knows the hens plan to stop laying!

No paracetamol in any of our 4 local supermarkets. And my head is pounding!

I consider toilet paper to be non-negotiable.
I struggle with the 'gung ho' attitudes on this thread. It is unkind to be so judgemental. There are valid reasons for people to be anxious about the outcomes from this virus. Being prepared for dealing with the issues we do have some control over seems eminently sensible. If the only advice available is just wash your hands then I am very worried that this is a platitude and that our authorities have no idea how to proceed as the threat of the virus grows daily.

kwest , I'd say that toilet paper is non-negotiable for all of us, all of everybody- same for paracetamol. Selfish people who panic bulk-buy ensure that many go without. What you you mean by 'gung-ho'? Nothing is more 'gung-ho' than selfish people panic bulk buying- leaving others without.

The only shortage that I’ve noticed here is hand gel. There did seem to be a shortage of tinned pulses/chick peas etc when I shopped earlier this week, but that’s because I was in the wrong aisle and there were plenty round the corner.

I do generally have good stocks of most things in as we live in rural Scotland and weather can mean its difficult to get out. It’s what most people do here.

Loo roll is very nice to have but it isn’t essential. Improvisations can be made with cloths made from old garments, or we could do what much of the world does anyway and use water.

I read that the loo roll panic-buying in Australia was triggered by a rumour that paper pulp was going to used to make face masks instead of loo rolls. That’ll be a heck of a lot of face masks but I guess in extremis, we could use them for botty-wiping!

Most Australian loo rolls are produced in South Australia. After the initial panic (? why) customers in most supermarkets chains are now sensibly restricted to 4 packs which is probably 2 too many! If everyone bought just what they required and did their usual weekly shop there would be no problem!
Press photo taken earlier this week ?

No variety suits me lol, I should have lived in communist Russia, the simpler the better.

Re stocking up on toilet rolls, a friend said “Why? Are we going to shit ourselves to death?”? Excuse language, she said it, not me.
Newspaper can in fact be flushed down the loo if not too much is used and you crinkle it between both hands until it is soft. (Don’t ask how I know...)

DD in Australia messaged saying no loo rolls in Woolies or Costco when doing her weekly shop. She is down to her last two rolls, family of five.
She does a big shop on a weekly basis, and is annoyed to say the least.
Hope she gets some.

?

Overbuying is incredibly selfish. Everybody needs to eat, not everybody has the means to stockpile food.

I am amazed at the selfishness of some people with panic buying., which leaves those less well off or those who don't drive to shop in a difficult position. Sadly a sign of me first. I also think the media needs to be responsible in the way the Coronavirus is reported so that people do not panic. I expect there will he enough to go round if people are sensible. BBC people stealing hand sanitizer from hospitals who are these low lifes!!!!

Oops meant BBC reported..

what does pasta achieve
I suppose if you have to go into isolation with small children, you can keep them occupied making pasta collages. You can achieve some amazing results

Perhaps we should re-install our bidet, SueDonim

In the supermarket yesterday I saw a lady putting at least 10 packets of Pampers baby wipes in her trolley - her husband (I presume) asked why she was buying them. She replied as the shop didn't have any anti-bacterial wipes they could use the baby wipes! I couldn't help thinking a parent may come along later and be unable to buy any for her baby

If we follow the advice, soap and water is still the best approach. Perhaps the toilet rolls are to blow your nose if tissues run out

Now that retailers have realised we're all gullible spendthrifts (as if Christmas wasn't proof enough) you can betcha life this sort of unnecesssary, media-driven panic will happen regularly.

And foodbanks are desperate to keep poor children nourished and the rich have (once again) cornered all the resources.

Panic buying is quite literally taking foods from vulnerable children.

My DC is in S1 of High School, so a perfect breeding ground for the rapid spread of viruses. I’ve had to send him in with anti bac gel because I’ve discovered there is rarely soap in the dispensers for one reason or another. I shall be having words with the school on Monday but if this is the case in other schools across the UK it’s perhaps no wonder that parents are panic buying the stuff.

I think it's fair enough to stock up on pet food. It won't go to waste. If we do have to self isolate, or worse still, treat ourselves at home, (what capacity are the UK hospitals at in normal times?), I am sure/hope home deliveries will be made to keep us going, but I don't think supplying pet food will be a priority.

Callistemon, we got rid of our bidet when we had our bathroom redone. I’ve regretted it ever since.

Ours is still around somewhere (but not installed).
I thought of planting it up with spring flowers

I just do my usual shopping as those who panic buy are not giving anyone else a chance to get some food or in my area case hand sanitizer