Pandemic and an irrational obsession with toilet paper

A couple of months ago news started to trickle out of China of a virus spreading throughout a community at great speed. Other countries began to put measures in place to limit travel to and from China, specifically from the affected province. China enforced quarantine and built hospitals in record time.

Day by day, week by week the numbers of patients grew and sadly deaths began to occur. No-one was clear on the cause or the path of transmission. Other countries noticed increased numbers of cases and travel sanctions were placed on them too. Travel advisory information updated recommending citizens did not travel to the affected regions.

The nay-sayers in countries across the globe complained their governments had not done enough. Governments weighed up their options; keeping their citizens safe vs protecting the economy.

Markets fell dramatically. People, even those you would least suspect, became doomsday preppers. Panic buying ensued. Worldwide toilet paper of all things became the most sought after item on the shelves. Only problem – there wasn’t any on the shelves because the irrational buying behaviour of a few was contagious. Perhaps more contagious than the virus itself.

How did toilet paper even become the “must have” product ? If you had to self isolate for 14 days maximum – does your household truly need 36 (or more) rolls for that length of time ? I think not. If you do, you likely have bigger problems than COVID-19.

Soon enough, in a matter of days, other staples started disappearing from shelves as quickly as they were refilled. Flour, rice, pasta, hand sanitiser, meat, eggs, tinned and frozen vegetables and fruit. The rest of us, shook our heads in disbelief. The elderly and regular shoppers bewildered, unable to buy the basics, let alone do a weekly shop.

Still today, six weeks after the first rumours of a virus, shelves are empty and our understanding of the behaviour of the virus is only slightly clearer. Media outlets feed the panic with their sensationalist reporting, always looking for a new angle to strike fear into the hearts of global citizens. Social media perpetuates the panic “Does anyone know if there is toilet paper at <insert name here> ?”

Self-isolation and social distancing have become catchphrases. Re-educating people to wash your hands, with soap, properly has been paramount. It beggars belief though – do people seriously NOT know how to do this ? It is basic hygiene.

Coronavirus; COVID-19 sounds pretty nasty – and there is a lot of anxiety surrounding the unknown. For us at this end of the planet it seems like something happening far far away. But we are still feeling its repercussions, seeing the number of cases begin to climb. Markets are in disarray, travel plans cancelled, large gatherings (festivals, sports fixtures, concerts, markets) cancelled, weddings and other celebrations postponed, jobs are on the line. Entire countries are in “lock-down”. Millions of people all over the world will “catch” the virus – 80-90% will survive. Many of the 80% could be asymptomatic; not showing symptoms but still contagious.

Potentially most of us we will hardly notice it. Some of us may be get really sick, or know someone who does. Some of us might even lose people we love. The elderly and those with underlying health issues are most at risk.

If you need to self isolate, or your suburb, town, city, state or country is locked down, take heart from the people of Italy.

This is not the first pandemic to threaten global health. It is the first to occur since social media became a thing. A platform that brings us news, updates, lies and propaganda straight into our lives. Instantly. Mainstream media; television, radio and newspapers continue to do their fair share too. There are many articles trying to educate us; to explain the measures we and our governments must take, the importance of flattening the curve and the dangers of not heeding the warnings. 

In the scheme of things this pandemic is one of the smaller threats our race has faced. SARS, Bird-Flu, Swine Flu, Asian Flu, Hong Kong Flu, Spanish Flu, Russian Flu, HIV/AIDS, Cholera, Smallpox even Measles. Most of these now have effective vaccinations widely available to prevent the spread of infection. Pandemics in History

Panic buying isn’t new either – just enter those two words into the search bar on Trove or PapersPast – you will be surprised. Financial crises, disease and war have all contributed to them in the past. Sugar, butter, cotton sheets, soap, tobacco and meat. Panic buying during WW2 and after led to governments introducing extensive rationing. None of them seem to be ridiculous as toilet paper though.

What a thing to go down in history for our descendants to read about.

“How we survived the COVID-19 pandemic and toilet paper panic of 2020.”

How much of this media driven mass hysteria has put the world on the precipice of a global recession potentially larger than the Great Depression 100 years ago ? Chaos in the financial markets was always going to happen, but could we have done anything different ?

«  Let’s stop being dumb.

«  Let’s just wash our hands, make sure we live and work in clean environments. 
«  Let’s remember not to shake hands and touch our faces.

«  Let’s be responsible citizens and stay home if we are sick, distance ourselves from the vulnerable.

«  Let’s be innovative.

«  Let’s be positive.

«  Let’s be kind.

Maybe this our chance to take back our resources, to manufacture what we need in our own countries, to live more sustainably.

These are just my thoughts and an attempt to document what is happening right now. Check back in a few months to see how we are all getting on.

May the force be with us all.