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?

Couldn't believe it jane when my DH told me - he was livid!

I've not noticed any empty shelves. Salads were a bit low but they often are at the weekend. The only other thing I noticed that was missing was the larger 5kg bags of pasta. That will be MNers stocking up. Lots of the smaller bags of shells and bows. I splashed out and bought some of those. I did leave plenty for others.

I work in supply chain
There are already issues with deliveries of certain products
Fresh is where would be hit if UK was on even a partial closure
For all those saying deliveries will be ok errr no shop workers or drivers may be an issue

i really think its sensible for everyone to stock up with a few weeks worth of food, medicines, toiletries, pet food, etc if they are able to. I have friends in the far East who confirm whats very likely to happen in the UK soon is, people being asked to work from home, some schools being shut, hot spots where the virus is found to be put into isolation, likely problems with supply chains. this is not fear mongering, its being prepared.

Yes, and then the Queen will snuff it so there won't even be anything decent on the telly.

The Pope isn’t looking too healthy at the minute too. Both sides here, in (NI) might be crying on each others’ shoulders this year.

My post is re the attitude of preppers. All about being 'prepared' and whatever else.
It's very well and good preaching that, but the most vulnerable in our society cannot do it.

That's a bollocks argument. Some people can't afford heating. Does that mean I'm selfish for putting mine on?

Extending that argument implies it's selfish that people earn a decent salary and spend it on themselves, rather than giving every penny to charity. People do give to charity but everyone will always put themselves and their family first!

Never mind, now they'll have a chance to give those grubby shelves a good wipe.

I've prepped for the past year. No need to panic buy. I'll leave that to the people who mocked the preppers and didn't bother.

"I called the panicking and the over-buying fucking mental, not the posters themselves."

Fab reinvention of what actually happened.

I did my regular online shop today (tesco) and there was a limit to no more than 1 bread flour and 1 hand wash. I hadn’t tried to add any more, the “add” button was blanked out and a note saying you have reached the limit for this product- in the same way it does when you buy two boxes of paracetamol/aspirin/ibuprofen.

Morrisons looked like it does every Saturday afternoon when I went in yesterday. I haven’t tried to buy hand sanitiser as we have plenty of soap.

People are behaving like lunatics. It’s not the fucking apocalypse. .

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

I'm a single parent on a very low income. Hence buying a few extra tins from Aldi each week. As I need to feed the kids and I don't actually have the cash to run out and panic buy. At least it's one less person clearing the shelves now eh.

Never mind, now they'll have a chance to give those grubby shelves a good wipe.

🤣🤣🤣

People taking advantage of the coronavirus by increasing their prices are complete tw#ts

don't think we will starve but TBH will make us a bit more frugal and more appricative.

I'm a single parent on a very low income. Hence buying a few extra tins from Aldi each week. As I need to feed the kids and I don't actually have the cash to run out and panic buy. At least it's one less person clearing the shelves now eh.

Isn’t it incredibly patronising, the way those with money seem to think that all people on benefits practically live on dust? When I was nursing my husband, I bought a couple of extra bits and pieces a week, usually something that was on a particularly good special offer. It soon adds up, if you’re strict with your stores.

Would rubbing actual alcohol such as vodka or whisky be effective then if a person didn't have antibac gel? I have a normal shop booked for Tuesday night so will be interesting to see what comes.

Raininsummer, I think an effective hand gel has to have at least 60% alcohol.

DS makes pasta, and there are always the makings in the cupboard. Flour, eggs, olive oil and water. Basic but fairly healthy. You could live on it for ages if you had to. I can also make it, but DS is good at it... so he gets the job.

I did a big shop today. Apart from own-brand ibuprofen (which hasn't been available for ages), they had everything I wanted. I did buy extra kitten food though 😸

Read the other thread on Homesteader Prepping (homesteader- wasn't aware we were in 1800s America)- it's full of sanctimonious types being a bit ridiculous.

The most sanctimonious person on that thread was you. The best bit was when you flounced saying nobody was up for a laugh, after you'd failed so tragically at being amusing.

As for the OP: shelves looked pretty normal near me this weekend. And I don't see how you can assume it was people clearing the shelves rather than one or both of the usual lack of stock on a Sunday afternoon/lots of people buying one or two extra things.

It’s quite usual to see some empty shelves at the close of trading 4- 5 pm at my local supermarket.

Totallyfuckedup, not sure where I am patronising. Eggs, flour, oil and water and something smooth and heavy to roll it thin.... how is that beyond the competence of anyone with a reading age above seven years old? Mix it up until it's silky smooth, lots'of kneading work, then put it somewhere cool for 30 minutes, then roll it as thin as you can. Fresh pasta...... tah dah. An onion fried and a handful of tomatoes will feed you and your family a sensible meal. If you have any cheese to grate on top, better still.

Also anti bacterial gel doesn’t work against viruses

cookingonabootstrap.com/
Tin Can Cook by Jack Monroe

Don't like her but this book is pretty good as are the recipes on her website.