Coronavirus panic-buying in Australia is weirdly, obsessively focused on toilet paper

Panicked consumers the world over are picking supermarket shelves clean, as coronavirus concerns inspire stockpiling. Everything from hand sanitiser to non-perishable food is being bought up, inspired by fears not only of Wuhan-style lockdowns, but also import restrictions or factory closures that could impact supply and cause shortages.

Such shortages are not currently imminent threats. Still, that hasn't stopped people hoarding, with things getting particularly weird Down Under. To the confusion of all, Australians have focused on one particular product: the humble toilet roll.

To be clear, there is absolutely no need for Australians to stockpile what's fondly known here as bog roll. The majority of the country's TP is made within Australia, and is unlikely to be impacted by the coronavirus outbreak at this stage. The current scarcity has been entirely caused by hordes of people grabbing more toilet paper they reasonably need. Read more...

More about Australia, Toilet Paper, Panic, Stockpiling, and Coronavirus


via Tech News Digest