When all this news about Covid-19 came out regarding Wuhan, I think everyone, myself included, thought it wouldn’t get as bad as it most likely will do in the short term. Most viruses in the past few years haven’t really reached the UK or US, and when they have, they’ve easily been managed. However, with the Coronavirus, we don’t know a great deal of information on how to cure and prevent it, or particularly where it comes from.
News broke out, and everyone started panic buying loo rolls, sanitizers, soap, pasta, and for some odd reason Tesco ran out of baked beans almost immediately. I can understand feeling the need to keep hand gel and soap topped up, but loo roll? I mean now no shops can get it from their suppliers, and no customers can get it from shops. The sensible people who didn’t panic buy, now can’t get hold of basic necessities such as bloody loo roll.
I still don’t understand why everyone panic bought loo roll, but everyone’s complaining about the lack of dried foods when there plenty f fresh food available in supermarkets as well as local fresh food stores being fully stocked. Just learn how to actually cook and you don’t need to worry about these things.
The schools shutting, stores closing, exams being cancelled and everyone’s reactions to all this happening just shows how unprepared for something like this to happen. We’re behind as a country on this, much further behind than other countries, but we’re getting there. We’ve just got to take precautions.
As someone who works in an agricultural focused store, it is hard to do that though. I’m constantly coming into contact with people, meaning we’re cleaning down surfaces, handles, trolleys and tills as often as possible. I mean I’m washing my hands more times than I can count! But we can’t shut. Much like the supermarkets, if we shut people won’t be able to look after their animals, supply their farms to continue working, or get agriculture necessities.
Hence, don’t be mad if we can’t get hold of certain items, keep everything stocked up or if we’re slightly stressed; suppliers don’t have everything we need currently so it’s not our fault. We’re British, just keep calm and carry on ;) - Liv x
Photo: Joe Ayres