COVID-19 - The Panic Shoppers

Empty toilet paper and paper towel aisle at Colorado Springs grocery store.

I went to the grocery store March 13. That day contained a double whammy. School districts had just announced they added a week to spring break to prevent the spread of the corona virus. And it was snowing. 

We are Colorado preppers-lite. You never know when a blizzard will hit. The Bomb Cyclone of 2019 closed the city down for a few days. Our shelves are always stocked with the basics. 

---

Ravaged canned bean aisle in the local grocery store.

Including toilet paper.

Thus my family was quite amused, and maybe a little horrified, at the last minute hoarding. During my trip to the grocery store, many shoppers exchanged smiles, and joked about the panic buyers.

I was not entirely smug. In fact, the panic vibe in the grocery store began to affect me. As I rummaged through the canned beans, I had to fight the urge to load an entire case into my cart. 

Most of the items I came for were oddly well-stocked. No one needed emergency guacamole or oranges. Our older daughter was confused by the absence of onions. When your family is self-quarantined for a week, do you really want onion-breath?

---

Empty onion bins.

I was nearly in tears when a young mother, who by virtue of age and inexperience could be forgiven her lack of preparedness, told of her search for diapers. Somewhere someone has a garage full of hoarded diapers their baby will outgrown long before they are used.

No, I was not smug. I was infected by the fear. A feeling of "I've got to get mine before it's all gone" crept up on me. I had to stop, breathe, and put items I didn't need back on the shelf.

If one good thing comes from the great COVID-19 panic buying, it will be that people plan ahead for as yet unpredicted emergencies. Whether you live in blizzard or hurricane country, tornado alley or flood-prone territory, be prepared.

Two weeks of non-perishable food and paper products, OTC medicines, a case of bottled water. Follow the government guidelines from FEMA. Here's the list. You don't have to be a doomsday prepper to keep your family comfortable during inevitable emergencies.

---