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?

I still have my Brexit cupboard

Yes, me too. I'm so grateful to all the MN preppers for the wealth of advice.

I always have a couple of weeks worth of food in. But I have bought more, just because of the rumblings from work of potential home working and to be honest, the madness of crowds, is something I always bear in mind.

I think people are way too complacent about food supplies staying constant in a worst case scenario but then again, I've lived in developing countries and have seen shortages first hand. If its not needed, I've simply brought forward my food shopping expenses. It will all get eaten/used.

I work in a supermarket, at the weekend, Sundays can look like that. I went to Tesco yesterday and all was well, apart from hand gel and antibacterial hand wash. I did manage to get some hand gel a few days ago, probably stock problems caused by all the people who don't normally buy (like myself) that sort of thing now picking up an extra one or two.

I popped into Booths earlier to panic buy pudding and didn't see any empty shelves other than the self service muffins and donuts. Clearly us Cumbrians have our priorities sorted.

Chicklit could you point out to her about our reliance on other people to stop the spread of viruses? Or Maybe suggest she could donate one to her local school! I'd be tempted.

My other half and I are both feeling quite vulnerable because of his job (NHS front line) and my health (immuno suppressed.

We are struggling to get hand sanitizer that is affordable. Even online they are either super expensive or won't arrive for a few weeks as imported.

Think we will have to do a road trip to a few shops.

For the first time today I'm feeling properly scared about all this.

General preppers don't need to panic buy. Because we're already sorted.

My local shop regularly looks like that on a Sunday.

I did suggest to dh that we go and do a big shop at B&Q. That way, when we have to self isolate, we can get on with all the decorating and DIY we keep meaning to get round to.

He muttered something about working from home and Netflix.

Corona virus is a virus, so anti-bacterial gel will do nothing to protect you or to prevent its spread.

I'm starting to wonder about shops that can't cope with a few extra sales. This 'just in time' thing is sounding like "never quite in time"

I have limited storage space, but if you can you should always be stocked up for a few weeks in case of some problem. There are lots of reasons you might be glad you did.

my local Waitrose looks like that on a Saturday afternoon, Sainsburys often have empty shelves too.

Empty shelves in shops on a Sunday evening? Shocking.

FWIW I've been in two different supermarkets today in zone 2 and it all looked normal to me.

Can't stand the smugness of 'Preppers don't need to panic buy, we've already got plenty in.'
So sanctimonious.

I've also got more than enough food in. Know why? Because I've the money to do so.
Those on benefits (you know, the most vulnerable, sick, elderly, disabled) don't have that luxury unfortunately.

Corona virus is a virus, so anti-bacterial gel will do nothing to protect you or to prevent its spread.

Apparently if the contain a 60% alcohol or more then they do kill viruses, that’s why people are buying them.

If it hasn’t started, the panic buying will set in properly this week. Cases have jumped and the govt will be announcing their ‘plan’.

It is not the preppers - they’re already sorted. You prep to avoid the rabid bundle of panic buying. Nothing to mock, it’s just sensibly doing a little at a time to spread the cost, I do the same at Christmas because I prefer to splurge on booze. Blame the non-preppers - for not prepping and suddenly deciding to panic.

There was a light scattering of snow in my village on Thursday - half a c? Gone by lunchtime, but the local shop had sold out of bread, milk, soap.

Those on benefits (you know, the most vulnerable, sick, elderly, disabled) don't have that luxury unfortunately

So what's the excuse of the people who do have the money, not bothering and calling us all mental and selfish? Why haven't they taken the responsibility so people who don't have the means will be able to shop for what they need? These are the ones who are panic buying.

So yeah. Add smug to that list I did earlier. All preppers fault.

To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.

Those on benefits (you know, the most vulnerable, sick, elderly, disabled) don't have that luxury unfortunately.

Agreed.

People are very me, me, me, I’m alright, fuck the rest. I will be making sure I donate more to food banks in the coming weeks/months and we should all help out anyone struggling if we can.

i live in london and none of the shops look like that where i live. I was out at a large supermarket today and all shelves were well stocked

Lucky for you that those of us who could prep did so then eh @PickleMyPepper? More will be left in the shops for you when you need it.

Yes, Its supremely selfish and unbelievably stupid.
Its like that time when there was a small petrol crisis which lasted about a day and there were queues about a mile long at petrol stations. Selfish and ridiculous. The next day petrol went back to normal.

^ that was from the WHO site.