Panic buyers

[Kaylz]

@Kaylz I don’t know if this helps but I saw Tesco have Colgate Cavity toothpaste this morning and some Dentyl mouthwashes (where I am, at least - S England) They seem to have restocked quite a few toiletries so for anyone struggling to get specific items, it might be worth re-visiting stores who’ve previously not had things.

Superdrug has been slower to restock, I’ve found.

Yes that's where I usually get my toothpaste but the one local to me didn't stock my Dentyl Clove mouthwash, unfortunately I can't get to Tesco now as it's in the other town and buses are only running Sunday service meaning I'd be roaming the streets for well over an hour at last, delivery from Superdrug was saying there are delays but that's fine I've got half a bottle of mouthwash and micellar water each which will hopefully last until it arrives xx

 

[Maz2]

Panic buyers are annoying the life out of me. Talk about selfish - as long I have enough to hell with everyone else. Abusing supermarket staff which I have been told about in my local store - punching them and throwing things at them is unacceptable. I had a box of eggs taken from me a few days back as I had two boxes. They rationed them due to the idiots panic buying but I did not grumble just let her take them. I was not panic buying - I eat a lot of them and use them for bread making.

Masks are a waste of time anyway and won't stop you getting in if you are with someone in long enough contact. They are only any good in a clinical setting with other protective gear.

 

[Maz2]

I was in the local deli yesterday, at the same time as an elderly man wearing a mask. He was wandering up and down the narrow shop, and actually barged me out of the way at one point, then blocked up the shop doorway while he stood in it to take a call on his mobile. I assume he felt invincible because of his mask.

No he isn't invincible. Masks are useless. Doctors will tell you that and PHE have already said so on their website.

 

[Maz2]

😡 I don't have sanitiser, wipes or masks, I'm just severely restricting my trips out of doors where I might come into contact with others. As @Docb says, the masks are pretty ineffectual - I've heard this several times when put to experts - the only thing they might help with is to reduce contamination of things if you are already infected, so reducing the danger to others. I've had one or two deliveries, but washed hands thoroughly afterwards unpacking 🙂

I understand the desire to do all you can, but I think that just minimising exposure as much as possible is the best you can do now.

Northerner - you should be OK just walking past people. It is if you are in their face for longer than about 10-15 mins so best to chat at the two metre distance.

 

[Maz2]

I am more irritated by the gullibility of those who panic buy, largely because what they are doing is pointless.

Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water is as effective as using a hand sanitiser. If you want to wipe something down, then use soap and water. The sort of mask you can buy is of little or no value. They rarely fit well and need a lot of adjustment because they get uncomfortable. That means wearers are constantly touching their face which is not a good thing.

As I understand it, it might be theoretically possible that touching something that an infected person has touched or has coughed over but that is a very low risk compared with close contact with an infected person. So keep up your social distancing and wash your hands regularly with hot soapy water and let the deluded panic buy if it makes them feel better.

Another thing to remember is that the current rules are not designed to stop the spread of covid-19, but to slow it down so that the health services can cope with the small proportion of the population who will need medical intervention when they get it. There is only one thing now that can stop it and that is an effective vaccine. That will turn up in due course but developing one is easy to promise but difficult to do. Accurate testing of active infection, so that those with it can be isolated for a good reason and accurate testing to confirm that somebody has had it and can return to society without problems are the real game-changers and would allow the world to get back to a new normal.

The above might sound a bit harsh but I for one am really tired of official information having to go through the PR process before it can be promulgated.

Thank you for that post. You are correct, panic buying is utterly pointless. There is plenty of supply but they won't keep up if everyone keeps going on as though it is Christmas every day. There is a lot of unnecessary worry caused by the media. Of course it has to be taken seriously but it is far less contagious than colds and flu. I have given up listening to the media now. My info is coming from the Government Ministers, the Scientific Advisers and Medical Advisers only.

 

[Robin]

No he isn't invincible. Masks are useless. Doctors will tell you that and PHE have already said so on their website.

I know that and you know that. He obviously didn’t!

 

[Docb]

Went to Booths this afternoon to do some grocery shopping and it was most relaxing. Got everything we wanted, no pushing, no shoving, everybody keeping their distance, staff relaxed and smiling, altogether a much nicer experience than what used to be normal.

Its a weird world.

 

[Greymouser]

Masks are useless.

No they really are not! They are only part of the protection needed for good prevention, but they are very useful. You also need eye coverage and very regular changes of disposable gloves. ( More stuff to give even close to 100 % protection. ) Many medical professionals have died already, even with this protection, so little used can be 100%, even with training.

There are two main reasons why they, ( the media, ) are suggesting it is pointless. One: people have been panic buying these too, so reducing the supply for professionals. Two: Most people have no idea how to use the protection properly.

The best use of the mask is to protect others, if you have the infection, every cough ( etc. ), could spread the virus and you may not know you have it, until too late. I was told by a Japanese fella many years ago, that is the main reason why you see many in the far east wearing masks routinely, even before this outbreak, just a common courtesy to protect others when you have a cold or whatever.

Not having a go, just saying, like. 😉

 

[Mickeyminime]

I work in a super market and i couldn't descibe how bad and dangerous it was with those panic buyers being around. I believe we had the police in quite a few times as customers and staff where arguing over lack of stock.

I wasn't able to do any shopping around that time so i decided to get mine online. I must have put nearly £200 in to my shopping. Normally its £80 for the whole month as i try to limit what i eat, specially in the morning and afternoon.

However, only £35.80 worth of food came through the door out of nearly £200. My shop has been very empty from eggs, bread, milk, tin fruit, tin veg, the whole lot. We where even branded liars when we had no toilet rolls out, yet we where being truthful. My shop has online so even when the customers are not in during the night, we have the onliners that take it for those who buy online. Its like a 24hour shop.

Since that week, its been difficult to get food, i've even had to go for the bad food just to keep going. At one point, i couldn't even buy any lunch for work because the sandwiches and ready meals where sold out. This wasn't just 1 supermarket, but a few.

Now that i've been told to isolate, getting food will be even more difficult as i've been told to isolate for 12 weeks. The YouGov doesn't assist diabetics as most vunlerable so either i break the isolation and go out to get food or i stave to death. I have enough to keep me going for a while, but i do question if the government/NHS even know that many are screwed when it comes to how things have been planned.

 

[Docb]

Hi Greymouser, welcome back. I suggested earlier that masks - at least the sort you buy over the counter - were of little value. Agree that helping to protect others if you are infected has some merit but without very strict hygiene associated with their use even then the benefit is limited. I come from a background in the nuclear industry where protection from contamination is taken very seriously indeed. The idea that a bit of cloth over the mouth provided any level of protection would not have been considered.

Agree with you very much that the government planning tends to centre around their idea of what constitutes the life of the plebiscite. All is organised if you are a nuclear family, live in a semi with a garden, a job with a good employer, have savings, internet access and good health generally. Begins to fall apart if you fall outside those criteria.

 

[Greymouser]

@Docb I would still maintain, that whilst they offer only a psychological benefit, really, when it comes to self protection, I would say that they offer protection to others as even the simple cloth ones catch that cough or sneeze, which otherwise can travel a surprisingly large distance. Only the other day, I saw a teenager wandering through a local shopping centre, sneezing frequently, without any attempt at covering up!!!! 😱 Some numpties, it seems just never learn or listen. I would say it should be mandatory to stay at home even when you have just an ordinary cold.

As for masks that I use well, as I do DIY and do not like breathing grout dust for instance, I use a FFP3 mask, which is a couple of levels above a plain surgical mask. I also have the next level above that and have even considered higher still as some things used, or though about using are even worse than grout dust. Such as this.

The main problem is not that they are not that effective, as such in my opinion, but that they are very uncomfortable to wear, can cause sweating and itching, which will quickly become a problem. If you want to take it to an extreme, you can get a full army surplus Nuclear Biological Chemical suit on Amazon and a military gas mask! Though even this will not give you 100% protection.

Sorry for the thread drift... 😳