03-22-2020, 08:55 AM
(03-21-2020, 05:14 PM)Charon Wrote: The elderly and those with underlying immune system issues were allowed to shop from 6-8 am at local store. Some official changed the hours late last nite. 6-7 am only.
When houseshare got there, the shelves were empty. and One woman had run in and had Isopropel Alcohol in her carts. All of it. And all these young men came in laughing and saying they were there for their parents. Balderdash. They were BSing around in store I am told.
Sorry to hear that.
We have exactly the same problem in the UK. The big stores are hiring thousands of new staff to restock the shelves more quickly. No supply side shortage, so if people bought more normally it would all be fine. Luckily panic buying is normally a relatively short-lived behavioural response to uncertainty. Not saying it'll stop tomorrow, but it won't go on forever (people hit a saturation point when they have a full cupboard). Besides I think governments may have to act. I don't like the idea of rationing being imposed, but we may see police at major stores if people don't calm down. Stores have tried to impose item limits and it might be that police enforce that. So much for the British "blitz spirit". I hear the British army are getting instructions to work on a plan to deliver food and household goods to the vulnerable.
Due to my anxiety disorder I bought hand gel and isopropyl alcohol very early. I won't lie, when I saw the ebay prices I was tempted to make money selling it (10x what I paid), but I can't bring myself to do it as I think it immoral (although not actually illegal in the UK). I supplied my elderly parents with gel which was always the aim, but then able to give away small bottles of gel to friends and neighbours. People have reciprocated by swapping it for food. I'm trying, with my psychology hat on, to start a virtuous circle of local help. Even the look of gratitude on someone's face when I give them free alcohol gel is worth it. I'm giving them to local shops because their staff are also in the front line.