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People are buying triple or quadruple their normal weekly amount in anticipation of being locked down and not being able / willing to go out. That’s not “panic

People are buying triple or quadruple their normal weekly amount in anticipation of being locked down and not being able / willing to go out. That’s not “panic buying”, it’s quite prudent given what has happened to China and Italy.

quickthrowman 7y ago
Perhaps China forbid grocery store visits, but Italy did not and the US will not either. It’s panic, pure and simple (unless you’re in a high-risk category, then it’s simply preparing to truly isolate) I’m 36 and I’m not worried about catching the coronavirus, I’m worried about spreading it.
- yibg 7y ago
  As far as I'm aware people in most / all Chinese cities can go get groceries. At least that was the case in Beijing. Not sure about Wuhan itself though.
  - Chris2048 7y ago
    > As far as I'm aware To what extend do you expect your awareness of what's happening in China to be accurate?
    - yibg 7y ago
      To the extend that my company has employees there and I talk to them regularly.
- senordevnyc 7y ago
  I expect grocery stores here to remain open but I still want to avoid going out as much as possible. So I’ve stocked up on extra food to accommodate that. It’s pretty simple, I’m not panicked, and I’m bewildered as to why this is difficult for you to grasp.
Godel_unicode 7y ago
It's not prudent, or cautious, it's exactly panic. People are irrationally afraid, and as a consequence are buying crazy amounts of things with little reason. Even in Wuhan the lockdown wasn't severe enough to make that type of hoarding necessary. The only common thread in discussing quarantine in the US is that Wuhan is far more drastic than would ever happen here. Consider for instance the absolute run on bottled water; what possible explanation other than mindless panic could explain that?
- Chris2048 7y ago
  > are buying crazy amounts of things with little reason Seems like there is a good reason to buy more than usual - what constitutes "crazy amounts"? > Consider for instance the absolute run on bottled water Water being one of the most essential requirements for human life beyond breathable air?
  - Godel_unicode 7y ago
    There's no reasonable scenario in which the water supply is interrupted by this current flap. All this panic buying means is there will be a huge amount of unnecessary plastic waste this year.
- senordevnyc 7y ago
  Grocery stores don’t need to close for me to not want to visit them. I’m safe and sound at home with supplies so I don’t need to go to the store for awhile. I feel calm and prepared. The only person spinning out of control here is you.
  - Godel_unicode 7y ago
    Your panic buying to build up a supply lead to others not being able to buy what they need. Actions have externalities. The problem with panic buying is it breeds panic.
bsder 7y ago
You buy a bottle of Tylenol every week? I feel sorry for your liver. You buy a 24 roll of toilet paper every week? I feel sorry for your ... well, you know. Those are panic buying. The other explanations aren't as charitable.

quickthrowman 7y ago

Perhaps China forbid grocery store visits, but Italy did not and the US will not either. It’s panic, pure and simple (unless you’re in a high-risk category, then it’s simply preparing to truly isolate) I’m 36 and I’m not worried about catching the coronavirus, I’m worried about spreading it.

yibg 7y ago
As far as I'm aware people in most / all Chinese cities can go get groceries. At least that was the case in Beijing. Not sure about Wuhan itself though.
- Chris2048 7y ago
  > As far as I'm aware To what extend do you expect your awareness of what's happening in China to be accurate?
  - yibg 7y ago
    To the extend that my company has employees there and I talk to them regularly.
senordevnyc 7y ago
I expect grocery stores here to remain open but I still want to avoid going out as much as possible. So I’ve stocked up on extra food to accommodate that. It’s pretty simple, I’m not panicked, and I’m bewildered as to why this is difficult for you to grasp.

Godel_unicode 7y ago

It's not prudent, or cautious, it's exactly panic. People are irrationally afraid, and as a consequence are buying crazy amounts of things with little reason. Even in Wuhan the lockdown wasn't severe enough to make that type of hoarding necessary. The only common thread in discussing quarantine in the US is that Wuhan is far more drastic than would ever happen here. Consider for instance the absolute run on bottled water; what possible explanation other than mindless panic could explain that?

Chris2048 7y ago
> are buying crazy amounts of things with little reason Seems like there is a good reason to buy more than usual - what constitutes "crazy amounts"? > Consider for instance the absolute run on bottled water Water being one of the most essential requirements for human life beyond breathable air?
- Godel_unicode 7y ago
  There's no reasonable scenario in which the water supply is interrupted by this current flap. All this panic buying means is there will be a huge amount of unnecessary plastic waste this year.
senordevnyc 7y ago
Grocery stores don’t need to close for me to not want to visit them. I’m safe and sound at home with supplies so I don’t need to go to the store for awhile. I feel calm and prepared. The only person spinning out of control here is you.
- Godel_unicode 7y ago
  Your panic buying to build up a supply lead to others not being able to buy what they need. Actions have externalities. The problem with panic buying is it breeds panic.

bsder 7y ago

You buy a bottle of Tylenol every week? I feel sorry for your liver. You buy a 24 roll of toilet paper every week? I feel sorry for your ... well, you know. Those are panic buying. The other explanations aren't as charitable.