Coronavirus / COVID-19

[rory_20_uk]

I think panic buying is both a good thing (to a point) and is also something the Government wants to happen.

If every home in the UK has more provisions than usual then the logistics of feeding the UK is easier when things get really bad - suddenly the inability to get a delivery for a few days or even a week or so just means you use your supplies rather than have to get food by breaking quarantine. Ideally for the next month or so, all shops should be being constantly restocked with as much non-perishable food being carted off as possible.
The government is also doing barely nothing to stop it - bar allowing delivery lorries to arrive earlier and later to stock the shops up. Again, priming the pumps rather than controlling purchases (bar a few items - but even then ensuring good hygiene in a quarantine is a good idea).

The elderly are probably going to be indoors for 3 months. As in should not leave their house. At all. I doubt any persons, bar the "preppers" have that much food packed away.

So, when you're at the shops do us all a favour and whilst there's still easy food on the shelves being brought in by the literal truck load, take home as much as you can afford so you will be one less headache for the government when the bodies start piling up.

[a completely inoffensive name]

I think panic buying is both a good thing (to a point) and is also something the Government wants to happen.

If every home in the UK has more provisions than usual then the logistics of feeding the UK is easier when things get really bad - suddenly the inability to get a delivery for a few days or even a week or so just means you use your supplies rather than have to get food by breaking quarantine. Ideally for the next month or so, all shops should be being constantly restocked with as much non-perishable food being carted off as possible.
The government is also doing barely nothing to stop it - bar allowing delivery lorries to arrive earlier and later to stock the shops up.

Rory, I see your logic and agree with it mostly. But while some fear is good to spur individuals to take care of themselves, there is a problem with this hands off approach by government.

At a minimum, there should be laws in place during national emergencies for mandatory rationing, enforced by the stores to prevent people from buying up all the hand sanitizer and isopropyl. We want people to get their butts to the store and stock up, not see empty shelves and start fighting each other.

[rory_20_uk]

Rory, I see your logic and agree with it mostly. But while some fear is good to spur individuals to take care of themselves, there is a problem with this hands off approach by government.

At a minimum, there should be laws in place during national emergencies for mandatory rationing, enforced by the stores to prevent people from buying up all the hand sanitizer and isopropyl. We want people to get their butts to the store and stock up, not see empty shelves and start fighting each other.

First off, soap is absolutely fine - if not better. I bought 4 bars a few weeks back. And we've still got some left. Shops seem to have no problem with soap.
Secondly, laws require enforcement. So how would you enforce the rules? Get the National Guard to the checkouts? And this might make people panic a whole lot more; toilet paper is a surprisingly important thing - but I imagine that the amount manufactured can be increased very quickly. Supermarkets around here are just bringing pallets of the stuff out of the warehouse and yes they're quickly being depleted. Which is a good thing.
The rates of fighting so far are much less than seen at the "typical" Black Friday event. Sure, I'd rather none at all, but this is a small price to pay for the general grasping of urgency to get stuff.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

UK moving to a "war footing" regarding manufacturing: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51896168