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

Put the plug in and use it as a mini-pond with fish and water lilies!

I read an article that said that the shortage of paracetamol is caused by a shortage of Ibuprofen. I read that the ingredients for Ibuprofen are made in China then shipped to India but - and this started happening before we were told about Covid-19 - there was a shortage of these ingredients. This then led to people buying Paracetamol instead which, in turn, led to the scarcity of it.

I have a friend who works in a local supermarket. She said that toilet roll stocks were low, but, surprisingly, no one seemed to be buying the moist toilet paper wipes. Surely they'd be a good alternative?

I was in Boots collecting a prescription and mentioned hand sanitizer to the pharmacist. She said there will be a delivery on Monday but you'd need to be here at 9. The last delivery was gone by 9.30. fine

I will definitely not be in any queue at 9am on Monday.

Ignore ..... fine

The psychology of panic buying and stocking up is interesting. First, there's the threat of a pandemic, causing feelings of anxiety, next a need to do something to regain a feeling of security and control.

The response is emotional, rather than practical, so hoarding begins (but not the most needed items, like food). Seeing empty shelves makes us anxious too so we follow, sheep-like, in the footsteps of the first panic buyers - just in case they're right, or know something we don't!

Just came back from Waitrose. Sold out toilet paper, sold out rice and pasta, sold out Paracetamol, sold out soap.

Sold out Common Sense!

I bet their profits are soaring, especially as the cheaper choices always sell out first!

Why the panic buying of toilet roll? I didn't think diarrhea was one of the symptoms!!

Just come back from shopping- plenty of rice, pasta, toilet rolls, small amounts of paracetamol and ibuprofen all available, so I just bought some chicken, brioche rolls and a room fragrancer. I did walk out wondering if I should have bought some of the shortage items but . . .
Hope I don’t regret it later.

Just on a wee note, why is it that Ibuprofen seens to be the painkiller left on the shelf? I do know asthmatics cannot use it. Is there another reason?

There is a difference between panic buying and the herd instinct from just being practical by making sure there is enough food (and toilet paper) in the house in case of illness or having to self isolate during these times. It may not be possible to skip out to a shop and it’s better to not have to rely on anyone else bringing stuff in. I did buy a large pack of toilet paper today - just my normal regular sort of purchase, and found myself apologising to the cashier saying I wasn’t panic buying! Honestly!!

Just spoke to supermarket delivery driver, his last delivery cost £600 !!!?

Perhaps I should buy some brioche rolls before they disappear off the shelves!

I know that doctors do not approve of anti-inflammatories Fiachna, perhaps the message based for through.

I did not type that!
Autocorrect.
The message has not got through

Calendargirl. Not sure where your DD is but I was in Woolies today and there were palettes of loo rolls being brought in to the loo roll aisle. 4 packs per customer which is ridiculous. DD just took one. There was no rush on them. Perhaps the shoppers are finally realising there’s nothing to panic about! A local pharmacy was selling basic masks for $18 each (approx £9.20). Needless to say there was no rush on them either!

We manufacture loo roll in the UK anyway, we aren't going to run out lol

Marmight

DD is in Canberra. Haven’t heard if they are still able to wipe their bums!

Just been to one of the “poor peoples” supermarkets and they are fully stocked with everything except hand sanitizer. I’m wondering if it’s possibly the well off who are causing these shortages ? After all those on a tight budget can hardly stock up can they ?

Our supermarket shelves have everything’s bar hand sanitizer. We are fortunate in that we have always had a stockedlarder and freezer so could survive for a while. Unfortunately my daughter suffers from mental health issues and lives on universal credit. In their wisdom they have sanctioned her and completely stopped her benefit we have had to pay her rent and send money as she had nothing. God help anyone who is in need. She lives 300miles away. I despair.

I’ve sent a care package to elder son and dil in New Zealand, hand sanitiser, loo roll, disinfectant wipes, paracetamol. Dil has socially isolated herself due to her respiratory issues and pregnancy and none of the above can bought for love nor money there. Makes me anxious for them both, other son in Canada, they have already bulk bought everything they need, DIL2 being a planner type of person she is stocked as apparently being snow bound in the house is common so they need to stock anywhere.
I’ve stocked some things for myself , but not much. More worried about my children and future grandchild than myself!

Which are the poor people's supermarkets gillybob?

No hand sanitizer in B&M but I didn't look for loo roll.

Oldbat1, I hope you have proof and haven't just taken her word for it.

It's so strange how people react to an upcoming crisis. Stock up on loo roll and food, but don't expect the NHS to cope with extra demand, it just can't. Ten years of budget cutbacks can't be reversed in time:

www.nytimes.com/2020/03/05/world/europe/coronavirus-united-kingdom-national-health-service.html

Well the one I was in today was Morrison’s Callistemon .

Maybe I should’ve said supermarkets in poorer areas ?

Oh, I don't get to Morrisons often because it's quite a journey.

I thought you might mean Lidl or Aldi with all the 4x4s in the car parks!