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Original poster

Is it actually selfish to stock pile?

337 replies

Orange89 · 14/03/2020 22:14

Now I haven’t gone crazy with the whole loo roll situation (I currently only have 2 rolls left) and have been doing my usual shops (average of 3 small shops a week) but it’s safe to say I’m focusing my food on long life semi-healthy foods I can store in the cupboard space we have. It’s a little more than usual but nothing crazy. All I’m hearing is stockpiling is a stupid move but surely and obviously more people are doing this than letting on as the shops are emptying. But surely this is purely practical move? I know this could face backlash from people saying some people can’t afford to stockpile (I can’t really either) but I’m talking high calorie, cheap alternatives instead of the fresh foods they’d normally buy. Or that demand can’t be met but I bet there’s another baked beans / rice / powdered custard etc to last a couple months... Just in case

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namechangetheworld · 16/03/2020 18:43

People who have added gradually over the last few weeks have been wise!

They really have. I have the utmost respect for preppers who have larders stocked with months of stuff that they've picked up. I wish I had the money and space. It would put me much more at ease than my meagre supplies are doing.

userxx · 16/03/2020 20:02

@namechangetheworld I haven't stocked up on anything as the last time I looked all the supermarkets are still open. You do realise they aren't going to close?

Original poster
Orange89 · 16/03/2020 20:06

@userxx

I haven't stocked up on anything as the last time I looked all the supermarkets are still open. You do realise they aren't going to close?

I think the problem with this is that staying in is causing less spread . So people who didn’t do a little prep are adding to the problem going out more than they need to which will lead to more deaths. I personally feel I want enough food so I can avoid going out much as I possibly can as will still need to see my father who I found out had serious health problems just before Coronavirus first emerged.

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Peapod29 · 16/03/2020 20:14

Turns out Those that stock piled were actually being sensible. We didn’t bulk buy anything and as of today I’m technically not meant to leave the house for 2 weeks as 2 people in the household have coughs. We have no food in (as in it would be a major push to feed us for us a week with freezer and tins) and 3 adults and 2 kids to feed. Online delivery slots are all taken. We don’t have anyone nearby we can reasonably ask to do a massive shop for us. I think the government response to this has been a bloody shambles !

userxx · 16/03/2020 20:30

@Orange89 I'm not going to be staying in the house. I'm living my life as normal, just taking the extra precautions.

Hopefully the selfish ones who have been clearing the shelves have now taken themselves off to hide from the world for a while so I'll should be fine whizzing round the supermarket as normal.

namechangetheworld · 16/03/2020 20:32

I haven't stocked up on anything as the last time I looked all the supermarkets are still open. You do realise they aren't going to close?

Unless you can predict the future, you have absolutely no idea whether the shops will close or not. Even if they don't, if you have to self isolate, how are you going to buy food? There are no slots available for Tesco deliveries (for example) for three weeks. Are you planning on relying on family and friends to bring you food? What if they have to self isolate too? The government have proved to be less than useless so far so I doubt we can rely on them to provide for us all.

Original poster
Orange89 · 16/03/2020 20:47

if you have to self isolate, how are you going to buy food? There are no slots available for Tesco deliveries (for example) for three weeks. Are you planning on relying on family and friends to bring you food? What if they have to self isolate too? The government have proved to be less than useless so far so I doubt we can rely on them to provide for us all.

Exactly. And for example Peapod29 is now in this situation. I hope you have all you need. Are there any neighbours who can help, I know some communities are sending out local help for anyone in this situation.

Like the

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Original poster
Orange89 · 16/03/2020 20:50

Sorry I meant I hope you get all you need*

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userxx · 16/03/2020 20:54

We've been told the supermarkets won't be closing, I'm pretty sure the supermarkets in Italy are still open! I'll be popping to the supermarket in the next few days to get some bits. I'm not as panicked as you are namechange.

namechangetheworld · 16/03/2020 20:56

I hope for all our sakes that I'm proved wrong and you're proved right!

Original poster
Orange89 · 16/03/2020 20:59

I just don’t see how you think you could go to the shop if you are in the same situation as Peapod29

Is it actually selfish to stock pile?
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Original poster
Orange89 · 16/03/2020 21:01

Obviously you could break the rules . But that feels more selfish than stock piling and panic buying together to me!

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userxx · 16/03/2020 21:05

@Orange89 I don't know who peapod is 🤷‍♂️. Of course I'll be going to the shops, hairdressers and restaurants whilst I have no cough or temperature.

userxx · 16/03/2020 21:10

Obviously you could break the rules . But that feels more selfish than stock piling and panic buying together to me!

What are you talking about? Where have I said fuck everybody, if I come down with Coronavirus I'll be in Waitrose regardless? Of course I wouldn't be out and about whilst ill. Remember, I'm not one of the stockpiling twats, I actually care about other people, not just me and my own.

Original poster
Orange89 · 16/03/2020 21:11

@userxx

Peapod29 is someone who can’t do all you’re mentioning as has had to self isolate unexpectedly. I think this is the whole point I’m getting at. If someone in your house were to get just a cough you would not be allowed out. Unless of course you don’t mind risking the spread to the vulnerable

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Original poster
Orange89 · 16/03/2020 21:16

@userxx

What are you talking about? Where have I said fuck everybody, if I come down with Coronavirus I'll be in Waitrose regardless?

I’m not saying that I’m saying this is the whole point of being prepared so not to have to find yourself unable to get out like below user. You seem to think you could just go out at anytime ‘because the government have said they will stay open’ but you can’t guarantee you won’t suddenly find yourself in this position. Just saying I hope you have got that one extra packet of pasta . Just in case!

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maryboleyn · 16/03/2020 21:28

wtaf..??

Is it actually selfish to stock pile?
GarlicSoup · 16/03/2020 21:33

You’d Save money wiping your arse on £50 notes @maryboleyn Grin

userxx · 16/03/2020 21:33

@Orange89 I'm pretty sure if I got the virus pasta would be the last thing on my mind. My lungs not filling with fluid would take priority. I'm hardly likely to want to whip up a pasta bake am I 🤣.

IndecentFeminist · 16/03/2020 21:33

We had been building up stocks of food and basic meds since last summer. Even before then we have always had a decent stock of non perishable stuff, and paracetamol for adults and kids, I'd never be without it. We have a fair supply of stuff in the freezer, so the only shopping I am doing now is my standard weekly shop for fresh stuff.

So no, my 'stockpiling' last year is not at all selfish. If anything it is freeing up supplies now as I don't need to fight for them. 🤷

Original poster
Orange89 · 16/03/2020 21:43

@userxx

No need to be sarcastic! If someone even has a cough in your household then YOU can’t pop to the shops tomorrow like you implied! You don’t know what could happen. Pasta was just an example. Anyway done explaining my point

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Original poster
Orange89 · 16/03/2020 21:45

@IndecentFeminist

I wish I was this organised! Heck I will be for the next pandemic Grin

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userxx · 16/03/2020 21:54

Anyway done explaining my point

Thank fuck for that.

SidekickSally · 16/03/2020 22:39

Yes, supermarkets will stay open and they will get restocked. Warehouses are full, they will restock supermarkets in time, that's not really the problem any more.

The issue is, if you've been told to stay at home if someone else is ill in your house, and the advice is firm now, then you cannot go to the supermarket even if it is full of lovely stock.

So, you have to
a) get a home delivery. Well there are no slots for weeks so that's not an option unless they can suddenly get more drivers. Do we need a new rule that delivery is only for those who are in isolation?
b) rely on friends and family or if you're lucky community-minded people who've started to set up groups that can help
c) If you have literally no-one then you'll just have to break isolation and go out to the shop. No other choice is there?

Original poster
Orange89 · 16/03/2020 22:47

The issue is, if you've been told to stay at home if someone else is ill in your house, and the advice is firm now, then you cannot go to the supermarket even if it is full of lovely stock.

Exactly my point.

So, you have to
a) get a home delivery. Well there are no slots for weeks so that's not an option unless they can suddenly get more drivers. Do we need a new rule that delivery is only for those who are in isolation?

This is a good idea , doubt they’d be able to police it though if not testing everyone.

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