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Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
Covid
Why is it specifically toilet roll that's running out?
Eckhart · 12/03/2020 20:28
Pasta is too, but less so, it seems, and not as soon. Given that snot and poo aren't prolific symptoms of COVID -19... why toilet roll?
Poetryinaction · 12/03/2020 20:29
If you are told not to go out, and can't go shopping, it is a horrible thing to live without.
Reginabambina · 12/03/2020 20:31
@Poet really? Its not even edible. It’s one of the least essential things we buy. There’s this amazing stuff called soap and water which renders it unnecessary in a tricky situation.
isabellerossignol · 12/03/2020 20:32
Domino effect? Packets of toilet roll are big, even packs of four. A shop only needs slightly more than usual to be sold and suddenly the shelves look bare. Then other people see the bare shelves and panic so they rush to another shop to buy some, and they buy extra when they're there. And so it goes on...
BearimyJeremy · 12/03/2020 20:33
I don't get it. Showering off your bum is probably more hygienic and ecological even with a bit of soap and laundering towels etc.
dementedpixie · 12/03/2020 20:33
I've read it is more psychological than an actual need for hundreds of toilet roll
Lunafortheloveogod · 12/03/2020 20:33
The only logical answer I’ve seen was “every time someone coughs they must shit themselves”
Eckhart · 12/03/2020 20:33
I agree, poetry, but if we ran out of food we'd have less call for it. We don't seem so concerned about that. Most of us have a means of washing right next to the toilet. Starving is surely worse?
Tonz · 12/03/2020 20:33
I was talking to a woman in asda with 5 big packs of toilet roll and 5 of every kind of pasta in her trolley she said she just didn't know what else to do in this situation. I think it's psychological with a lot of people they just want to feel like they're doing something. There's a lot of fear I coughed once and I swear necks snapped to look at me
Herpesfreesince03 · 12/03/2020 20:34
It’s just what people panic buy. By me you can’t get hand gel, toilet roll or painkillers. Cleaning supplies are iffy. And I’ve just had most of £180 online shop cancelled. They were out of stock of all the dried goods (pasta,rice, tins etc) and all my freezer food was cancelled. I’ve been refunded almost the whole amount and just have a few bits for the fridge. People are preparing not to go out for a couple weeks, plus panic buying in anticipation of other people panic buying. I’m doing it myself now. I’ve been round all the corner shops which are better stocked than the supermarkets now buying what I can before everyone else does
dementedpixie · 12/03/2020 20:35
Apolloanddaphne · 12/03/2020 20:35
Our local supermarket has not had an issue with toilet paper. It seems rice, pasta, tinned tomatoes and wine are the go to items to stock up on here!
HunterHearstHelmsley · 12/03/2020 20:36
I wonder if people saw the pics from Australia and thought it was here
dementedpixie · 12/03/2020 20:37
Toilet roll, painkillers, anti bac wipes/sprays, handwash, sanitiser all out here
PancakesNWaffles · 12/03/2020 20:37
DH couldn’t find loo roll in any shop in our area or within about a mile radius today. I’m in london. I’ve got a D&V bug. I’m so pushed off with this selfish fucking stock piling. Fucking idiots.
carlywurly · 12/03/2020 20:38
I've literally just bought all those things. Loads of toilet roll in stock too. Hand sanitizer is the only elusive product.
I need to do a freezer clear out and restock - there's too much elderly bread in there
dementedpixie · 12/03/2020 20:38
Aldi had some here. They had fancy Nicky supreme gold ones up the middle aisle
Kuponut · 12/03/2020 20:43
I'm kind of expecting hand cream to be the next thing that goes as the handwashing and sanitising starts to bite.
Eckhart · 12/03/2020 20:44
@dementedpixie Thanks for the link. I'm glad to see experts are also thinking this behaviour is unfounded.
@PancakesNWaffles I feel for you. I hope you feel better soon and have enough supplies in the meantime.
Chloemol · 12/03/2020 20:47
Someone told me it’s because the middle bits are made in China. And with the lockdown there will be a shortage of them. No idea how true it is, but the panic buying is just madness
TheHumanSatsuma · 12/03/2020 20:47
Because social media has whipped everyone into a frenzy
Eckhart · 12/03/2020 20:50
@thehumansatsuma Yes, but that started for a reason. An unknown reason.
I really like your name, btw, although what I think you look like is probably vastly erroneous.
Verily1 · 12/03/2020 20:54
Because the official advice is to cough into a tissue and to dispose of it into a bin. That’s a lot of tissues!
Toilet paper is cheaper than tissues.
dementedpixie · 12/03/2020 20:56
I dont believe that's why people are buying it tbh. Its seeing empty shelves and then thinking omg I better buy some too
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