We, on the other hand, were told to buy a few cans and some extra rolls of toilet paper.
And as you know, this has caused panic and mayhem if you want to buy any toilet paper or pasta. Yesterday's news also came with the charming story of people wanting their dogs put down because of the virus.
We have just been through massive bushfires. If you want to go crazy on supplies, head to a fire affected community and spend big there.
Do not be distracted by the SM chaos and make sure the bush fire rebuilding is happening.
Most of all, keep an eye on this government and where our money is. It is easy to forget what is important if you are distracted with chaos.
Lastly, wash your hands more frequently. Do not cough or sneeze near people - always have a tissue to cough into. Wear a mask if sick, no matter how mild. Remember it starts with a scratchy throat, so get that checked out and self-isolate if you feel that coming on, well before the temperature spike. Let the doctor know when booking the appointment that is what you are worried about, so they can arrange for you not to infect the waiting room.
Use common sense, and try to not be selfish. You are trying to not spread the infection, as much as you are trying not to get infected.
We already have a crumbling economy and rising unemployment - let's not speed things up with further mismanagement.
Use common sense, and try to not be selfish. You are trying to not spread the infection, as much as you are trying not to get infected.
We already have a crumbling economy and rising unemployment - let's not speed things up with further mismanagement.
And as we all learnt from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, “Don't Panic.”
Linking with #MLSTL.
If you do feel the need to buy toilet paper in bulk, please buy from here. Who Gives A Crap. Delivers to your door (no need to infect anyone) and builds toilets around the world. If you want to freak out about diseases, the increase in viruses due to the impact of climate change and lack of toilets is terrifying - as discussed in one of these two podcasts - can't remember which one. Cameron Webb – Climate change and the rise of mosquitoes or Jacqueline Thomas – The value of human waste
These fabulous people do have hand sanitiser and also help women in refuges, escaping violence and homelessness.
Linking with #MLSTL.
If you do feel the need to buy toilet paper in bulk, please buy from here. Who Gives A Crap. Delivers to your door (no need to infect anyone) and builds toilets around the world. If you want to freak out about diseases, the increase in viruses due to the impact of climate change and lack of toilets is terrifying - as discussed in one of these two podcasts - can't remember which one. Cameron Webb – Climate change and the rise of mosquitoes or Jacqueline Thomas – The value of human waste
These fabulous people do have hand sanitiser and also help women in refuges, escaping violence and homelessness.
All good points, Lydia. We shouldn't ignore the threat of coronavirus, but it's not the only concern--or even necessarily the largest--and it shouldn't overshadow everything else. History has shown time and time again that panic often creates bigger problems than the event that led to the panic. Here's hoping cooler heads prevail.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of runs on toilet paper at Costco, but have not seen it in our local area. People do seem to lose all sense of reason in things like this. I wont be stocking up any more than usual.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't seen it in our local area, but people have been doing & saying & sprouting some super weird stuff. The panic is the problem.
ReplyDeleteI went to a woolies on friday, no problems. Then I mentioned it online and all these friends showed photos of the same woolies and other supermarkets in our area cleared out. Rocked up to one today and again stocked with everything. It's sooooo weird.
DeleteThe mass of news content is fueling panic which in turn is generating more news...I cannot see when the cycle will stop.
ReplyDeleteI find it intriguing that toilet paper is the item being panic bought? Interesting! lol
ReplyDeleteI find it weird how much is being purchased. Like how long do you think you'll need to isolate yourself? A year?
DeleteGreat advice! The media has created panic all over the world - I'm in the US and even though we have not had a single confirmed case in our state, people are behaving ridiculously! There isn't a single bottle of hand sanitizer to be had in any shop. Typically, I'm not a hand sanitizer user - I prefer good old soap and water - but I thought I'd buy a bottle to keep in the car. Not happening. It's just crazy.
ReplyDeleteNeither am I. I did get a small bottle for the car and used it after touching a disgusting ATM this morning. I think that should maybe be my new practice anyway. Virus aside...
DeleteI find it interesting that we're all hand sanitizer mad but no one seems to demand the Govt sanitise the public transport like they're doing in other countries. Or demand that business bring in clear and transparent protocols. There's literally no logic to our thinking.
ReplyDeleteI was gobsmacked at the whole toilet paper thing - why????? It's not a gastro break out and also why all the bread being bulk bought? The world isn't ending, nobody's dropped a nuclear bomb, people are just crazy and I blame the media for turning it into such a big deal. If worse comes to worse I guess I'll be out collecting gum leaves to use when the loo paper runs out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I've shared on my SM 😊
Our reaction has been strange isn't it. Toilet paper and handwash. I guess I get the hand-wash but if in isolation for a couple of weeks toilet paper is definitely not top of my list. Mine is far more responsible - diet coke, red wine, chocolate... the important stuff.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be interesting to see what happens here - how prepared we are. I know we feel like we are, but as you point out... we're not used to having to deal with crises. (Look at how the government performed during the bushfires!)
I'm a Registered Nurse of 30+ years. If they treated influenza like this there wouldn't be thousands of deaths from it. There's always a panic when there is a new virus or bacteria - when I was a new nurse it was HIV and MRSA ("golden staph"). We all wore Hazmat suits and patients were behind two heavy doors in isolation. These days it's run-of-the-mill. The best thing we can do in this situation is get educated - it will stop the anxiety. There's plenty of information out there that the official government sites are releasing such as Queensland Health. Don't read media, don't get information off Facebook. It will settle down and then there'll be something else to worry about.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about your Hazmat story all week. It's funny what sticks...interesting times, as they say.
DeleteHi Lydia, Toilet paper has definitely been on everyone’s minds these past few days. I like your phrase “confidence in the people.” And, yes, “Don’t Panic.” Very good, pragmatic points in your post. #MLSTL
ReplyDeleteHi Lydia, my husband came home from shopping and hadn't heard about the panic buying of toilet paper and hand sanitizer. He was baffled as to why there were only a few packs left. We are ready for any pandemic now as we have toilet paper :) Have a great week and thanks for linking up at #MLSTL. x
ReplyDeleteI was wondering what people not on SM made of it. They'd just turn up like normal and be perplexed by the empty shelves.
DeleteHy Lydia, panic is taking over and I honestly don't know when it will end. I'm worried about the economy and think your advice of Don't Panic is very apt. #mlstl
ReplyDeleteOMG, toilet paper, too. Oh, really, people, let's get a grip. The regular old garden-variety influenza is far more concerning and kills thousands each year.
ReplyDeleteBUT, the upside is that this whole coronavirus thing has reminded us about how to to be careful and take good care...including things like thorough hand-washing...sing "happy birthday to you" twice while washing...
#MLSTL
The bigger problem is now the state of my hands after so much washing and sanitizing every time I take public transport or touch a public hand rail etc. They're awful. I'm now using hand cream like a crazy person too....
DeleteI did buy extra toilet paper before the big week of buying up. I have IBS and it can flare at times of stress. However, I am also a stock-up type shopper anyway. That comes from years of living in remote NSW. Today, just back from local shops and it was my first time seeing the empty shelves. The poor people at Coles kept having to answer questions. Anyway, yes we are doing more handwashing and I am having 2x cataract surgeries in Parramatta next week...and was asked "have I travelled OS in last 2 weeks." Denyse #mlstl
ReplyDelete