NightlyPoe said:
I am so confused as to why the panic buying of toiler paper is a thing. |
A lot of this is reactionary to rumor mongers about either supply chain disruption or myths about protection from contamination (hence the absurd purchases of bleach and the like). Like I said, panic makes everything worse. Larger crowds flocking to specific locations increases odds of spread, mass purchase of supplies strains the ability to provide health care and home care providers with important goods which disproportionately harms the poor, unhealthy, and old who are at the higher end of risk for this.
No this isn't "just the flu" but this isn't a MERS outbreak. The best thing that the 90%+ of the population who are not at risk of any serious harm can do is do the things we are SUPPOSED to do during flu season but never do: cover your moth when you cough (preferably with your arm not your hand), use hand sanitizer when needed, wash hands frequently, stay home if sick, don't shake hands unnecessarily. And if you really think you have it, call your health provider and follow the procedure. If you are in the low risk demographic, it is extremely unlikely that you will need to go to a hospital so don't rush to that conclusion. Basic stuff will slow the spread dramatically and allow the system to keep up. Spread needs to be kept slow where the virus is and kept AWAY from at risk communities which means those who are at low risk need to behave rationally.
And side note, honestly if we crash our global economy - which I don't think will happen but if we do - over a virus with what looks to have a mortality rate of 0.75% give or take just a bit, I would have to say that would be the greatest collective display of human stupidity over the last 10 years. Which I remind you covers the 2016 Republic Primary, the 2020 Democratic Iowa Caucus, AND the Xbox One announcement event.
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