Coronavirus virus fears causing panic buying

[Dave1987]

I would think partly correct. And obviously unethical and pretty atrocious. Although I don't see any reason to believe that it's happening on any more than a very small scale. Most likely, the supermarkets are out of stock on things like toilet roll almost entirely because of people buying it to hoard for themselves, not buying it to sell.

Ummm, how? Could you clarify what action you think the Government could take that (a) will stop the small numbers of people hoarding to sell, (b) won't harm legitimate businesses in some other way, (c) can be done on a very short timescale, and (d) won't divert resources from other important stuff.

Really? And what makes you think the supermarkets aren't already doing everything they reasonably can to keep stock levels up? What could the Government do differently? Bear in mind that you can't just magic up rice and toilet rolls from nowhere in 2 seconds flat. Goods do have to actually be manufactured (or grown) and then come through the supply chains to get to the shops.

Well yes, possibly you haven't noticed but most of the supermarkets are already applying rationing limits to a lot of stuff.

The Government has been caught with its trousers down. The health secretary said a few weeks back that the Government had been in contact with the supermarkets the ensure the supply chain was ready. The immediately rebuked that saying there had been no contact at all. They are now saying 'please don't hoard'. Well the cat is out of the bag now. And the more people hoard and the supply chains don't catch up and the more people will continue to hoard. What they need to do is get the shelves restock and quickly. Once the shelves are restocked the hoarder will stop because they will realise there is no point. With continued images of empty shelves the hoarding will continue.

 

[Typhoon]

I am wondering how useful this first hour OAP trading will be. Sainsburys opens at 0600, how many OAPs will make it before 0700?

Thanks to a KCC initiative

With a number of national shopping chains announcing dedicated early morning shopping sessions for the elderly and vulnerable, Kent County Council has moved to ensure that the would-be shoppers can get there.

(https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/all-aboard-for-early-morning-travel-223979/) I can catch the 05:24 and be there for opening time!

 

[Bletchleyite]

It already is. Shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted I fear.

There is not (yet) a replenishment issue, stocks will rebuild and in the meantime wipe your backside with kitchen roll/newspaper[1] and eat something other than pasta. People don't like their routine changing, but the present situation is not a threat to people having enough to eat, not even nearly.

[1] If people feel this is going to cause a sewer issue perhaps place the used paper in a bin bag instead of the toilet, as Asian countries usually do, it seems ick but it's no worse than nappies.

 

[krus_aragon]

Not for a family of 4 eating 1 tin each

In which case, they're eating the food, not hoarding it. No problem.

 

[trainophile]

How are the government intervening?

I was replying to the comment that

the panic buying will go mental!

 

[Meerkat]

The Government has been caught with its trousers down. The health secretary said a few weeks back that the Government had been in contact with the supermarkets the ensure the supply chain was ready. The immediately rebuked that saying there had been no contact at all. They are now saying 'please don't hoard'. Well the cat is out of the bag now. And the more people hoard and the supply chains don't catch up and the more people will continue to hoard. What they need to do is get the shelves restock and quickly. Once the shelves are restocked the hoarder will stop because they will realise there is no point. With continued images of empty shelves the hoarding will continue.

Lots of ranting, but not hearing any solutions

 

[AM9]

The figures from the IC report suggested about 70% compliance I think.

After an ill considered comment by Hancock that elderly and at-risk people were to be told to stay at home, it was very quickly watered down to not going to crowded places and keeping social distances over 2m. It was obvious that the original announcement would fail miserably as he was effectively implying that even gardens were out of bounds. So if gardens were acceptable, what about flats etc., where all outside spaces are public space.
Then there's the medical professionally-held view that confining people to the relatively poor air inside a dwelling and denying the opportunity for any useful exercise would bring forward far more health problems than we already have. Given that the call for self-isolation in those groups was intended to reduce demand on NHS resources, that original implementation would make the situation worse. I wonder if some of the panic in the tone of posts here about that might come from an assumption that the intensive care resources in the country should not be wasted on those who don't (in their view) contribute to the nation's wealth.

 

[trainophile]

Lots of ranting, but not hearing any solutions

What's your suggestion then?

 

[Bletchleyite]

After an ill considered comment by Hancock that elderly and at-risk people were to be told to stay at home, it was very quickly watered down to not going to crowded places and keeping social distances over 2m.

You're misinterpreting that. They said this may be asked within a few days. It hasn't been asked yet.

 

[Bletchleyite]

intensive care resources in the country should not be wasted on those who don't (in their view) contribute to the nation's wealth.

Not so much wealth or the economy, but as I posted elsewhere I've already decided (and hope that in the moment of need I can keep my will) that if it comes to a choice between me (single bloke, only-just-middle-aged, no dependents) needing a ventilator and a parent needing one I will decline, for instance. Though I suspect if I do need one it will be too late for me to make a choice. Maybe I should put a note in my wallet or something.

I've noticed a pragmatic view along those lines coming from some older people, particularly those in very poor health who probably aren't getting much out of life anyway. It is very much younger people who are (understandably) trying to protect their parents by shying away from that debate.

If, say, I had motor neurone disease (to use one example of something really bad) I'm not sure I wouldn't want something like coronavirus to take me out before I totally lost independence.

 

[Momo and diggy]

"advising" them, and advising them to limit face-to-face interaction with others if possible.

They know full well that many will object, and some won't comply. Heck, the Prime Minister's own father is one of them!

so is Jeremy corbyn and Donald Trump

 

[Meerkat]

What's your suggestion then?

i don’t need to proffer alternatives as I am not ranting about current actions/plans

 

[notlob.divad]

Panic Shipping is itself contagious. If people see others doing it they do it themselves. Here the shops have made some really simple changes that are reducing the panic buying and increasing social distancing.

They have moved a limited number of Baskets/Trolleys to the door. All the others have been locked up / hidden away. If you don't have a trolley or a basket you are not allowed in the shop, you must wait until someone leaves. Effectively the same "one-in one-out" nightclubs sometimes use, but using the trolley and the baskets as tokens.

 

[Karl]

Just back from my local Morrison's. The lady in front of me at the checkout had 6 bottles of Fairy Liquid Antibacterial in her basket!! The checkout lass only allowed her 4. I've seen it all now. Unbelievable.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Just back from my local Morrison's. The lady in front of me at the checkout had 6 bottles of Fairy Liquid Antibacterial in her basket!! The checkout lass only allowed her 4. I've seen it all now. Unbelievable.

So not only is she inconsiderate, she's thick as pig's proverbial. Antibac does nothing against viruses - Tesco Value will be just as good in this case because it breaks down the fat layer of the virus!

 

[Dave1987]

Lots of ranting, but not hearing any solutions

I am well aware that some people see old BoJo as some kind of saviour for the UK and how he is going to guide us through the next 5 years blah blah blah but he has well and truly shown how poor a leader he really is in this. In his press conferences he already looks broken. I’ve just seen photos of my local shops. They are bare. People are still hoarding/panic buying. Clearly BoJo’s Government is not reassuring people. He looks a busted flush already. Right now this needs clear leadership with decisive action to get the shops stocked and again get people to have faith in the Government. Denmark have said clearly they will pay up to 75% of people’s wages if businesses keep people on. What’s happening in this country? Some vague promises about loan guarantees for some businesses. No wonder people keep hoarding.

 

[trainophile]

I am well aware that some people see old BoJo as some kind of saviour for the UK and how he is going to guide us through the next 5 years blah blah blah but he has well and truly shown how poor a leader he really is in this. In his press conferences he already looks broken. I’ve just seen photos of my local shops. They are bare. People are still hoarding/panic buying. Clearly BoJo’s Government is not reassuring people. He looks a busted flush already. Right now this needs clear leadership with decisive action to get the shops stocked and again get people to have faith in the Government. Denmark have said clearly they will pay up to 75% of people’s wages if businesses keep people on. What’s happening in this country? Some vague promises about loan guarantees for some businesses. No wonder people keep hoarding.

He's completely out of his depth. Not a word about grocery shortages in PMQs.

 

[DarloRich]

There is not (yet) a replenishment issue, stocks will rebuild and in the meantime wipe your backside with kitchen roll/newspaper[1] and eat something other than pasta. People don't like their routine changing, but the present situation is not a threat to people having enough to eat, not even nearly.

[1] If people feel this is going to cause a sewer issue perhaps place the used paper in a bin bag instead of the toilet, as Asian countries usually do, it seems ick but it's no worse than nappies.

Agreed - issue will be what to do when the bin collections stop. We seem to be expecting council workers on low paid jobs to carry on regardless while we sit at home and lap top ourselves crazy because it isnt safe for us to go to work!

My plan: burn it.

On panic buying: Ration people. If they kick off chuck them out of the shop with nowt.

 

[krus_aragon]

Panic Shipping is itself contagious.

Excellent typo.

Does it apply to palletted freight as well as shipping containers?

 

[DynamicSpirit]

I am well aware that some people see old BoJo as some kind of saviour for the UK and how he is going to guide us through the next 5 years blah blah blah but he has well and truly shown how poor a leader he really is in this. In his press conferences he already looks broken. I’ve just seen photos of my local shops. They are bare. People are still hoarding/panic buying. Clearly BoJo’s Government is not reassuring people. He looks a busted flush already. Right now this needs clear leadership with decisive action to get the shops stocked and again get people to have faith in the Government. Denmark have said clearly they will pay up to 75% of people’s wages if businesses keep people on. What’s happening in this country? Some vague promises about loan guarantees for some businesses. No wonder people keep hoarding.

Well I don't think Boris is any kind of saviour. Personally I regard him as an unprincipled serial liar who appears to have no virtually morals beyond, anything that helps get him to the top. But on the CoronaVirus, he does seem (perhaps for the first time in his life? ) to be listening to and following the advice of scientists and experts, and I don't think you can fault him for that, even if some of the policies appear not to have been completely thought through in terms of their impact on business (perhaps not too surprisingly given how quickly the Government is having to react to a changing situation). And it's hardly Boris's fault that the local shops have bare shelves... that's down to people panic-buying and hoarding. You keep telling us that the Government has to somehow get the shops stocked again, but you give no idea how this might be done, beyond the efforts that are already being made. I'd put it to you that, in all probability, the Government are already broadly doing everything that can reasonably be done at such short notice.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Agreed - issue will be what to do when the bin collections stop

A bit of discipline should allow people to store it. Food waste on a compost heap, wash packaging and dry and squash down and you can store it for as long as you like.

I only put my green bin out about once a month in winter, even then it's not full.

Nappies would probably be an issue, time to switch to washable ones?

 

[Dave1987]

Well I don't think Boris is any kind of saviour. Personally I regard him as an unprincipled serial liar who appears to have no virtually morals beyond, anything that helps get him to the top. But on the CoronaVirus, he does seem (perhaps for the first time in his life? ) to be listening to and following the advice of scientists and experts, and I don't think you can fault him for that, even if some of the policies appear not to have been completely thought through in terms of their impact on business (perhaps not too surprisingly given how quickly the Government is having to react to a changing situation). And it's hardly Boris's fault that the local shops have bare shelves... that's down to people panic-buying and hoarding. You keep telling us that the Government has to somehow get the shops stocked again, but you give no idea how this might be done, beyond the efforts that are already being made. I'd put it to you that, in all probability, the Government are already broadly doing everything that can reasonably be done at such short notice.

Well the pound has just dropped to its lowest level against the dollar in 34 years. So the markets clearly believe the UK is not doing as much as other countries are doing. There are several things that the Government could do like providing extra logistical support to get the “robust supply chains” to get the staples into the shops. Judging by the fact that the chancellor is only providing loans to businesses hedged against future profits I doubt that the Government will do “everything it takes”.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

I am well aware that some people see old BoJo as some kind of saviour for the UK and how he is going to guide us through the next 5 years blah blah blah but he has well and truly shown how poor a leader he really is in this. In his press conferences he already looks broken. I’ve just seen photos of my local shops. They are bare. People are still hoarding/panic buying. Clearly BoJo’s Government is not reassuring people. He looks a busted flush already. Right now this needs clear leadership with decisive action to get the shops stocked and again get people to have faith in the Government. Denmark have said clearly they will pay up to 75% of people’s wages if businesses keep people on. What’s happening in this country? Some vague promises about loan guarantees for some businesses. No wonder people keep hoarding.

The thing about panic buying is that surely, at some point, the people doing it will think "well, we've got enough now, let's stop shopping for a bit"?

Seriously, are people really filling their trolleys full of bog roll and pasta, then going back out the next day and doing it again?

 

[Meerkat]

Local supermarkets were gutted by this afternoon. Pretty big gaps on the fresh food shelves.
Tea and beer had also been savaged. Got the impression there was a staff shortage to restock, didn’t seem to be many around.

 

[nlogax]

The thing about panic buying is that surely, at some point, the people doing it will think "well, we've got enough now, let's stop shopping for a bit"?

Seriously, are people really filling their trolleys full of bog roll and pasta, then going back out the next day and doing it again?

I think many of these are just people who've been unsuccessful in stocking up 'normally' for a week or so, just catching up / buying a bit more just in case. But all these small extras do add up.

 

[trainophile]

Local supermarkets were gutted by this afternoon. Pretty big gaps on the fresh food shelves.
Tea and beer had also been savaged. Got the impression there was a staff shortage to restock, didn’t seem to be many around.

I suppose any staff who live with elderly parents or other people may be having to keep away from potentially taking the virus home with them.

 

[trainophile]

Just seen on the TV news scenes of pensioners taking advantage of the oldies shopping hour at various supermarkets to load up with two or three giant packs of loo rolls. Not quite the spirit of the thing is it?

 

[Meerkat]

Just seen on the TV news scenes of pensioners taking advantage of the oldies shopping hour at various supermarkets to load up with two or three giant packs of loo rolls. Not quite the spirit of the thing is it?

12 weeks plus of pooing themselves that they don’t catch it! Scary times

 

[PG]

Not for a family of 4 eating 1 tin each

mind that might cause them to increase their consumption of the precious bog roll

He's completely out of his depth. Not a word about grocery shortages in PMQs.

But did any of the honourable members ask the PM about the shortages!?

 

[Karl]

So not only is she inconsiderate, she's thick as pig's proverbial. Antibac does nothing against viruses - Tesco Value will be just as good in this case because it breaks down the fat layer of the virus!

What was that advert from the 1970's? "Now hands that do dishes can be soft as your face, with mild green, Fairy Liquid.....!!"