On a roll: The psychology behind toilet paper panic

... and we haven't yet seen the same level of hoarding for more key items like canned foods 

I beg to differ.

Toilet paper was invented in the USA in 1857. It is now sought world over, but is still not universally available. We might reflect on what people used to accomplish the same function before the invention of purpose driven toilet paper. "Leaves, grass, ferns, corn cobs, maize, fruit skins, shells, stone, sand, moss, snow and water."

In other words, a run on toilet paper is more amusing than anything else. Like disposable diapers, there are alternatives, whether those alternatives are as convenient or not. As long as we have soap and running water, all is not lost.

I thought toilet paper matter is only in Japan. seems all over the world now. If toilet washlet has a washer and a drier functions, no need of such paper.