Don't buy more than you need.

[Saikii]

I know this is scary, but if the panic-buying continues, they will go to a forced ration system. This is as much a fight against fear as it is against the virus. Please, only get what you and your loved ones need. The inside of these grocery stores right now is very unsettling and I work in one. Shelves, empty, items being limited due to high demand. There's a palpable tension in the air and work is really starting to feel unsettling, but I'm trying to stay strong for those around me. I can't wait for AC to come out so it can help ease my mind and get it off this event. sweatdrop  

[Zphal]

I haven't even tried. Waiting for the panic buying to stop. Rationing might mean I can actually get some milk and TP. rolleyes

Sorry you're having to deal with morons, Saikii.  

[wellwisher]

Been relatively lucky here. Went grocery shopping yesterday, the only thing I couldn't find that was on my list was some clorox disinfecting wipes. Otherwise I'm treating it like the usual grocery run.

The media has been overhyping the stocking up. Realistically having 2-3 weeks of supplies on hand at all times is a good thing. Going to the grocery store less frequently means getting more supplies, which makes sense. However, no one needs 5 liters of hand sanitizer unless they normally go through 1 liter a week.  

[Zphal]

Prof. Moonie

Part of the problem - aside from people overbuying, of course - is the warehouses can't keep up with the demand. Instead of people's shopping being spread out over time, it's being all condensed into a short period, due to people focusing on staying at home more and some being "laid off" because places closing up due to COVID-19 precautions (so they're getting food while they still have a few paychecks coming in from previous shifts).

This week is much better than last week. I think people have finally managed to stuff their freezers and cupboards to capacity. xd

Also I hear a lot of places are denying returns, which is a nice slap in the face to the panic-purchasers. Enjoy your thirty year supply of TP! I hope you got the kind you like because you'll be wiping your a** with it for a looong time! biggrin

Also I'm betting in a few months food drives for the homeless and such will do really well.  

[TheLuckyOne149]

This was somewhat nice of you to post this Advice. I hope this helps answer your question. Take care of yourself!  

[Vikabro]

It kinda sucked at first. When it all started it was very hard to buy toilet paper. We've gotten to where if we find any in a store we buy what we can find. Just a little bit at a time. We are at a point we are okay for a while without having to worry. Been the same with a lot of other things. Though lately, things seemed to have calmed down. Though now an then I can see shelves for cleaners and papers to become barren. But at least not to the point where it is impossible to get anything.

But yeah. The whole thing with panic buying really sucks.  

[Vikabro]

Prof. Moonie

Vikabro

It kinda sucked at first. When it all started it was very hard to buy toilet paper. We've gotten to where if we find any in a store we buy what we can find. Just a little bit at a time. We are at a point we are okay for a while without having to worry. Been the same with a lot of other things. Though lately, things seemed to have calmed down. Though now an then I can see shelves for cleaners and papers to become barren. But at least not to the point where it is impossible to get anything.

But yeah. The whole thing with panic buying really sucks.

Yeah, the panic buying was the main issue of so many shortages on items. Instead of shopping on regular basis, people were shopping all at once and stores/warehouses couldn't keep up with the demand.

Luckily we never really had much issue due to everyone else panic buying. Though my mom did kinda get caught up with it and might have been ripped off from buying some TP online.