Selfish panic buying?

[CwtchesCuddles]

A friend in London has just been shopping and sent me this picture of bare shelves, people have been panic buying!
AIBU to think it's selfish? I can understand buying an extra few things as part of your normal shop but clearing the shelves? Is everyone just looking after number 1 these days? What is going to happen when all those with spare cash buy up all the supplies?

Don't worry @XingMing you can put in with wrong information whenever you want. Enjoy your sleep.

Might get more biscuits in. Fancy a chocolate hobnob now.

Preppers aren’t selfish. Panic buyers - well, yes, possibly. But we all do what we need to do. Especially when the Government isn’t telling us much. I’ve got a Brexit cupboard (and have had for 2 years, on stock rotation) so I won’t need to clog the aisles as panic buyers do their thing. Though I will need to build it back up again before actual Brexit hell happens #311220

I think it depends where you live. My area has just hit the news for confirmed cases of the virus and when we did our usual food shop tonight, the supermarket looked post apocalyptic. Pasta, tinned food, cleaning products, medicine, bread and milk had all been decimated. There were gaping empty sections of shelving all around the shop. Thankfully, we were just there for standard fresh foods and there was still plenty of that available but I’ve never seen this particular store look like this before so I think an element of panic buying must have been involved.

I understand why some people are panicking, these are scary times, and people are beginning to realise that supplies could be affected or travel could be restricted, as the virus spreads.

I don't think buying extra food is selfish, it is sensible to have extra supplies in, to tide you over a period of illness/supply problems/transport issues. The retailers will notice the change in buying habits and quickly order more supplies to replenish their shelves. Ideally, all households would have enough food to survive self isolation for a couple of weeks, and well prepared people would help out vulnerable people who had not been able to stock up. Being prepared puts you in a better position to look after yourself, and gives you the option of helping others, too, if you see someone in need.

Local Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Ocado online all fully stocked!

I didn't think there was any coronavirus outbreak in London area, so YANBU.

Last time I looked there was one case in London, one in Herts. Someone had turned up at a local surgery causing it to be disinfected but don't know if it was confirmed as it didn't appear in the statistics (yet).

I am guilty of buying extra apples. Because the ones I like are not often available. However, none of the shops I have been to had any spaces on the shelves, other than the usual end of the day gaps around yellow sticker time.

Its always the same with impending doom,that people will go and stock up big time at the shops. Some people will go over the top stocking up if they can afford to get lots of things, others cannot afford a big spend.

I was just looking at Australia news on here,as I have a friend who lives in Melbourne, and it showed photos of big food stores,all with empty shelves in some aisles. People trying to stock up on all the things that have frequently been mentioned on here, as in types of food stuff,and toilet rolls,and antibac stuff.

So the whole world is doing exactly the same things right now.

I wish people would stop comparing to flu. It is NOT flu

The flu comparison is spot on and one the WHO and CDC use to put the Coronavirus in context and perspective (and to avoid panic).

Well the director of WHO said yesterday “this is nothing like flu, we are in uncharted territory”. So the big boss at WHO doesn’t seem to want to be comparing it to flu.

Except he didn’t say that - if we are talking about the same quote

We are in uncharted territory - we have never seen before a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission but at the same time which can also be contained with the right measures

As stated, The flu comparison is one the WHO and CDC use to put the Coronavirus in context and perspective (and to avoid panic).

How is that a flu comparison? Its a new, non-flu virus whose transmission mechanism and rates are completely different. And unpredictable, because new, with no existing immunity, vaccine or confirmed antiviral medicine. How is that comparable? I don't see how flu comparisons are valid or helpful other than, it will kill more elderly/already sick people, which is probably true of most viruses.

I know people are trying to reassure themselves by saying that but I really dont thibk it that comparable. In years to come maybe, but not now in the initial outbreak.

Except the WHO and CDC have made the flu comparison referenced above Precisely to give Co text, perspective and - unsuccessfully - to avoid panic.

I will continue to prefer WHO statements than civilian assertions!

referenced where? Where is the comparison with flu from the WHO or the CDC? What have they said exactly in relation to this coronvirus and seasonal flu? Your quote in your previous post doesnt mentuon it?

Are they saying we are prepared for seasonal flu so we are prepared for this? I'd like to see these quotes as they would be reassuring.

Again, identify the WHO rep saying " this is just like flu. Wash your hands and all will be fiiine"

Shops fully stocked where I live.

Hi everyone, we've moved this to the Coronavirus topic.

Sure it's just like the flu...because the WHO make all this fuss about flu every year don't they, recommend entire regions lock down, etc. Oh wait....they don't!

The only way this has been compared to flu, is in taking precautions. Wash your hands frequently, clean your door handles, work tops, don’t come into close contact, cover your mouth with a tissue or into the crook of your elbow when coughing, etc, like you should when you or someone close to you has the flu. That’s the ONLY comparison. This virus is not like the flu in its symptoms, incubation period, is much more contagious and has a higher death percentage than the flu. FFS people, before some of you continue spouting about the it being ‘just a flu’, try doing some actual research or a simple bit of reading.

And also unlike flu, there is no vaccine.
So the vulnerable are even more vulnerable.