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Why are we buying toilet rolls and not

28 replies

Trexical · 17/03/2020 20:21

Immune boosting foods like beetroot, ginger, spirulina and oranges etc?
Now I know there's no cure or even any evidence that foods can fight this thing but surely fuelling your body with antioxidants is better than nothing yet most people in the store were rushing past all the foods that might assist them in favour of wet wipes and toilet rolls! Am I the only one to find this odd?

OP posts:
CheriLittlebottom · 17/03/2020 20:23

Cos wiping your arse on an orange would likely sting a bit.

Trexical · 17/03/2020 20:32

@cheriLittlebottom I hadn't thought about that Grin

OP posts:
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 17/03/2020 20:40

I have no idea what spirulina is, oranges give me mouth ulcers, beetroot has to be fresh (and dipped in salad cream!) and ginger needs to be cooked in something!

SavoyCabbage · 17/03/2020 20:48

There is no sign of any beetroot, ginger or satsumas in the Tesco I went in today. So people must be buying them!

Don't know what the other thing is but I'm fairly confident there was none of that either!

DIYBother · 17/03/2020 20:54

You can’t boost your Immune system with any particular food: www.bda.uk.com/resource/covid-19-corona-virus-advice-for-the-general-public.html

People should eat a varied diet, just like they always should.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 17/03/2020 20:54

I googled it @SavoyCabbage, I'm taking my chances without it, it looks vile! spirulina

SavoyCabbage · 17/03/2020 21:57

Sounds like the sort of stuff Rapunzel’s parents swapped her for!

viccat · 17/03/2020 21:59

Because oranges are not the only fruit. Grin Whereas there aren't many alternatives to toilet paper...

nocoolnamesleft · 17/03/2020 22:02

I bought oranges. Also vitamin C with zinc, vitamin D, cod liver oil capsules...though only 2 of each.

bingowingsmcgee · 17/03/2020 22:05

I agree OP, all very well hoarding tins, but it's the fresh fruit and veg that's going to help you beat the virus.

IvinghoeBeacon · 17/03/2020 22:06

I don’t know anything about “immune-boosting foods” tbh.

Of course there are alternatives to loo roll. We use reusable wipes for my son so if we ran out of paper and couldn’t get more we would use those. You could get in the shower or use a flannel or cut up an old T-shirt - not the nicest option but it’s there. The British aversion to bidets seems a bit silly now! I can see why people want to make sure they have a reasonable stock of loo roll but you dont have to think very hard to come up with alternatives

Stressheadme123 · 17/03/2020 22:08

Where is the proof that fresh fruit and veg “helps you beat this virus “

sixeightfour · 17/03/2020 22:10

I still don't get why everyone is stocking toilet roll.

AnotherMurkyDay · 17/03/2020 22:11

I have all of those in. But can't get bog roll.

bingowingsmcgee · 17/03/2020 22:11

Just common sense stresshead.

SnoozyLou · 17/03/2020 22:13

Cos wiping your arse on an orange would likely sting a bit.

You've killed me 😂😂

OP, I'm all for a healthy diet, but eating a dozen oranges or a tub of spirulina, with the best will in the world, it won't stop a virus. In fact, it places you at higher risk of picking it up if that involves you going into a supermarket.

And actually, you don't want your immune system going into overdrive. That's what does all the damage with this virus.

I'll stick with my coconut oil loo roll and take my chances.

whoknows2017 · 17/03/2020 22:17

I remember way back when my Mum was stockpiling loo rolls and being very scared by her shopping habits - I have (unfortunately) inherited her traits.... researching why I have found the following:-

1973 Toilet Paper scare

After that scare was finished, she replaced it with another one - stockpiling sugar .... you have been warned Smile

Fieldofgreycorn · 17/03/2020 22:20

Completely agree with you Trexical that’s what I’m doing. Ensuring your immune system is in best condition is one of the most crucial things you can do. I’m having berries and broccoli or citrus every day.

(Along with washing your hands for 20 sec with soap often, not touching your face with unwashed hands and keeping away from anyone with symptoms).

BroomstickOfLove · 17/03/2020 22:32

Having had a nasty bout of bronchitis a few years ago and realising what is involved with a prolonged cough after having had a couple of children, I've stockpiled incontinence pads.

TrainspottingWelsh · 17/03/2020 22:35

It's beyond me why people are stockpiling toilet paper of all things, but it's at least more rational than pointless shit like beetroot and spirulina. You can't even burn them in a power cut.

But I'm all for encouraging the panic buying to move away from the items I regularly buy, and those others depend on. If everyone starts stockpiling cod liver oil, ginger and other nasty crap instead that would be great.

merryhouse · 17/03/2020 22:38

it occurred to me today that maybe everyone's bought loo roll because it's cheaper than tissues?

Rewy · 17/03/2020 22:40

CheriLittlebottom You made me smile. Thankyou !

JumboSauce · 17/03/2020 22:54

Soon we’ll be trading by barter. I have loo roll, does anyone have ‘quick cook fusilli’? Happy to do an exchange.

Tartyflette · 17/03/2020 23:03

whoknows2017 i remember the panic buying of sugar in the 70s, it was completely bonkers.
People who never bought sugar (didn't take it in tea or coffee and never made cakes or puddings) would buy two or three packs of it 'just in case'.
I also remember male colleagues in the office who had probably never done a food shop in their lives (it was the 70s after all) earnestly discussing amongst themselves where they could get some.

PureAlchemy · 17/03/2020 23:05

I think everyone is buying toilet roll because everyone else is. They’re freaking out at the empty shelves and deciding to stock up the next time they see toilet roll, whether they need it or not.

The fresh fruit and veg aisles are still (usually) well stocked, so no-one’s particularly worried about not being able to find oranges, beetroot etc if they want it. So no panic buying of that yet.

I guess at least toilet roll doesn’t go off, unlike fresh fruit and veg.

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