Panic buying follows coronavirus across the globe

Pathetic. Just imagine the out of control state if something serious occurred.

As far as I know the virus does not induce violent or sudden bowl movements. So why are people hording toilet paper? Are people building some type of nest? Should I do the same? Make a human size rats nest? Whoo I have to go to the toilet just out of fear.....I get it now.

Some people are so mindlessly stupid, it beggars belief.

You reap what you sow, media.

People already have psychological problems, this virus will push others finally off the deep end, instead running from, your fears, you confront your fears,like an adult

It isn't just toilet paper running out, i think media partially has to be blamed as toilet paper running out makes a good clickbait news headlines.

I'm going to guess that part of the reason is also because toilet paper takes up so much shelf space such that just a few being gone makes it seem like it is running out very fast.

Stores allowing people to buy 150 rolls of paper in a time of crisis is a good part of the supply problem. Where is the management? Caption says LA, but I can imagine this happened many other places, including Japan. I checked with my local Siems and they said when they get more TP and Tissue, customers will only be allowed to buy one package at a time. That's more like it.

If people stop fearing and start understanding will save them alot of stress, pressure and mental health but they will listen to anyone shouting.

Pathetic sheeple. Selfish panic buys can cause serious problems for people who actually need these products. In Japan the mass buying of surgical masks has made it increasingly difficult for healthcare professionals to get hold of them.

So, to be fair, just because people are stocking up on emergency supplies doesn't mean everybody's panicked. That is what experts recommended, after all. Unfortunately, when millions of people try to prepare at the same time, the supply can't keep up.

Obsessively documented on social media, scrambles to the shops and empty shelves are adding panic and confusion to the fight against an epidemic that has killed thousands, placed millions under quarantine and battered global markets.

There you are... the sort of material that induces panic... the media and social media are adding fuel to the fire. Just report the FACTS... and if you don't know... don't report it!!

And I agree with Cambodia - treat the spread of lies and sensationalist reporting as terrorism - after all, it's causing fear and panic, which is a form of terrorism.

There you are... the sort of material that induces panic... the media and social media are adding fuel to the fire. Just report the FACTS... and if you don't know... don't report it!!

Yep. There are people on this site telling us how bad things ‘really’ are, feverishly speculating on how bad it’s going to get with YouTube videos.

Unhelpful people. I’m glad I don’t have to work with them.

The media and social media make a dangerous combination in times like this. I'm a little concerned about our gun-loving American friends... how long before we see someone getting shot?

Shows how inately greedy and selfish humans are. In times of crisis it shoulfd be natural to conserve for the most deserving - not consume extra for what utimately will be a waste og moneyh and resources for most.

This sort of thing didn't happen during the 3/11 earthquake, stores took control and limited buying amounts per customer, and customers allowed inside the store per time frame, to lessen stress.

You're joking, right? In Tokyo the kombini, supermarkets and drugstores were quickly stripped bare of fresh foods, toilet paper, kleenex tissues, dry cell batteries and all sorts of other things.

Our toilet now has a wee sign asking people to use the washlet more and be “ketchi “ with toilet paper but generous with soap when washing their hands after. Caught an old girl trying to half inch some paper yesterday, pretty pathetic. If looks could kill.

People already have psychological problems, this virus will push others finally off the deep end, instead running from, your fears, you confront your fears,like an adult

The japanese had been already nuts with this mask thing way before Corona virus, now I predict it will be hard to see people walking around without wearing those masks for months/years to come.

On a more positive note, after five days of empty shelves, my local East Tokyo Conan's Home Center finally had tp...in packs of 16, I think. Limit now is one/customer. Hopefully, by next week, all the local grocery stores will be back with their Miffy and other cartoon characters TP varieties.

Sheeple are stupid!

This sort of thing didn't happen during the 3/11 earthquake, stores took control and limited buying amounts per customer, and customers allowed inside the store per time frame, to lessen stress.

It kept order, people waited in lines, and it was a community effort.

Now, it's selfish panic buying with no limits placed, spurred by social media.

"You don't want to be the odd one out," Nightingale said. "At the end of the day, we do need our social groups for survival so it's a primal instinct to obey whatever needs that society imposes on us."

Speak for yourself. I feel no need to wear masks because others around me are.

My concern is that I will never see a smile again. So sad after finally after year of bad teeth people were starting to show great smiles.

Drug stores such as Create with mostly good management finally got a clue to pace and separate times they put out toilet paper as the long lines in the morning before opening were wiping them out. Now you can walk in anytime and they have toilet paper.

I did notice that rice was gone in many places. Just order it online through Amazon.

“You're joking, right? In Tokyo the kombini, supermarkets and drugstores were quickly stripped bare “

Not in my area. I was deeply impressed by the restrain on display. I often relate that to my fellow Americans.

I think its great for business. On the other hand if you have a big stockpile and someone who has none asks for your help, make sure to give them something.

Our toilet now has a wee sign

Ha ha!

It is always good to have a supply of needed supplies. The LDS says members should have a years worth of supplies for the entire family.

It is a pity that people panick but that is bound to happen, ha.ss .oles will need toilet paper whatever happens.

Moreover, the lack of info of long term effects of the covid19 is still unknown.

Authorities of different countries all applying different policies create international confusions.

Production sites being abroad for some stuuf (not the toilet paper product though), is a challenge for some during the present times.

https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/its-not-just-toilet-roll-the-new-items-selling-out-at-the-supermarket/news-story/6724e614ca8aae9dde10bdb664cf14be

Perhaps the most surprising item out of stock, however, was in Liquorland.

An international beer with “fresh and vibrant flavour” that was great with “meals,” the sign side below an empty shelf.

In the middle of Australia’s coronavirus panic, the store had run out of Corona beer.

Bunch of selfish mindless zombies, if something really bad happens, so what ? you outlive everyone by one week ?

In the U.S. I heard Costco is very generous with returned items. I hope that this time around, they'll refuse to take back toilet paper and bottled water. Americans almost never wear masks. I think retailers never carried them anyway, except for industrial and healthcare usage. As expected shelves were stripped bare, but it's funny that I don't see anyone wearing masks on the street.

"gives people this sense of control that 'I will have what I need when I want,'"

You can always rely on a psychologist to come up with an amusing answer to everything.

@Cricky

So why are people hording toilet paper?

I'm told it all started with a Facebook news link that says toilet paper is made in China and the factory is down. The NZ, and Aus gov. had to clarify that in fact it's made domestically, but by then it's too late. Blame Facepalm.

Hand sanitizers...there's some truth to it, ie some infrdients do come from China, but again, no need to panic, there's stockpile.

Funny enough, no rush on food.

It has been said that a person is smart but people are stupid. We now see this daily. When will people learn?

CrazyJoe

So, to be fair, just because people are stocking up on emergency supplies doesn't mean everybody's panicked. That is what experts recommended, after all. Unfortunately, when millions of people try to prepare at the same time, the supply can't keep up.

Which experts? Prof Cleetus P Stoatchaser of the Arkansas Survivalist Brotherhood?

Australia's biggest supermarket this week began rationing sales of toilet paper after police had to be called to a shop in Sydney when a knife was drawn in a scuffle over the scarce commodity.

You gotta be kidding me, mate. Some people have really lost their minds.

We might be less irrational if we weren't being reminded so much of the potential dangers by the news," London-based consumer psychologist Kate Nightingale told AFP. "We either avoid the topic or we go completely nuts and stock up on anything we might just need."

Oh, please. Stop blaming the news. You should be able to analyse the situation and make decisions accordingly. Some people are just pessimistic and go nuts.