The extreme hoarding and panic is bad. It has left some people without, and that was completely unnecessary. If everyone had bought a little extra over the last few weeks there would have been very few shortages.
I blame our leaders. From the beginning they should have encouraged people to stock up for two weeks of essentials in case they have to quarantine. Reassured everyone supermarkets will be open. Ask people to think of others, and that will assure there will be plenty for everyone.
Supermarkets should limit no more than 24 rolls of TP, limit certain products that people went insane for.
This past week they could have controlled shopping by making MWF last name A-M and TThSat last name N-Z Sunday could be everyone. It could be on the honor system, but still give some order to it. Something. The supermarkets turned into a great place to pass the virus they were so crowded and so busy.
The reason I didn’t have to panic is because I stocked up back on the 28th, went back a few days later again. Since then I just kind of replace what I have used if I can find it in the store.
My Republican friends seemed to get in panic mode when Trump finally told his people it’s real, a good two weeks after we Democrats started preparing. Trump’s denial actually probably helped me personally. I assume Fox news was on his page too, but I don’t know. There must also be some libertarian websites or something telling people not to worry and it’s all overblown. Maybe that is a mental illness; the denial about what is happening. It’s a defense mechanism anyway. They joke they are prepared for the apocalypse anyway, and have plenty of food and paper goods.
High anxiety is perfectly understandable for some groups. Older citizens with health conditions are at much more risk if they catch it. Older parents with young children would be worried about their children losing a parent.
Too easy to get neurotic though and start seeing the germs everywhere and obsessing about it. OC about it.