Panic buyers

[Pauldogs_0]

Hi all, I've not visited this forum before but I felt I had to today. I'm not currently self isolating but I am sort of hand sanitizer and cleansing wipes. Thank to idiots panic buying I can't find any in the shops. It's the same with masks too. I wondered if anyone else feels just as angry as me that panic buyers are putting people at risk in this way. What, if anything can we do if we find out if anyone is doing this? I'm not suggesting we become vigilantes, but these people are putting lives at risk and need to be stopped.

 

[Drummer]

All you need is soap and some sort of cloth - I still have muslin nappies from when the babies were small so am using those to wipe and then put them in the washing machine to sanitize. If necessary I could make handkerchief sized squares from old cotton sheets. There is absolutely no need for hand sanitizer and disposable wipes, the virus is broken down by plain old ordinary soap - and if you don't come into contact with the outside world then there is no need to be washing and wiping all the time.

 

[Docb]

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.

 

[Robin]

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

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.

 

[Northerner]

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.

😡 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.

 

[Kaylz]

The things you mention are the least of my worries to be honest although I am miffed that I can't get kitchen wipes, I do have a pack of Dettol ones that cost me over £4 a pack whereas I can usually get kitchen wipes from Aldi or Lidl for under £1, food is my worry, there should be more availability of items soon though with the restrictions in place etc xx

 

[grovesy]

The things you mention are the least of my worries to be honest although I am miffed that I can't get kitchen wipes, I do have a pack of Dettol ones that cost me over £4 a pack whereas I can usually get kitchen wipes from Aldi or Lidl for under £1, food is my worry, there should be more availability of items soon though with the restrictions in place etc xx

It is unbelievable there is such a difference in price, I usally but mine in Wilko, about 50p, only go into town about once a month so I used to buy a few at a time so when this kicked off I had a stock. Though I did buy a couple of packs in Sainsburys when the shelves started to empty.

 

[Ditto]

The only thing I can't get is my toothpaste from Holland & Barratt. I miss Wilco as well. Also handwash but soap will do just as well. We've got everything else, it's very civilised around here and we're all very polite to one another. The roads are empty, who needs a zebra to get over to the supermarket?! 🙂

 

[Kaylz]

It is unbelievable there is such a difference in price, I usally but mine in Wilko, about 50p, only go into town about once a month so I used to buy a few at a time so when this kicked off I had a stock. Though I did buy a couple of packs in Sainsburys when the shelves started to empty.

It's ridiculous isn't it, Tesco sell the Dettol ones for £2-3 but I had to rely on Scotmid (Coop to you guys) although we have Coops too, I'll be absolutely skint by the end of it all if I keep needing to pay that price! I keep checking sites in the hope I can nab things when in stock but no luck as of yet!

The only thing I can't get is my toothpaste from Holland & Barratt.

I only use Colgate Cavity Protection and I can't get that anywhere, other toothpaste's make me gag as the mint is too strong, I have a full tube that I'll be starting within the next few days but can't get my mouthwash as bought it at Savers in the other town! Keep checking Superdrug website but atm its only available to click and collect and there isnt a Superdrug anywhere near
xx

 

[grovesy]

The only thing I can't get is my toothpaste from Holland & Barratt. I miss Wilco as well. Also handwash but soap will do just as well. We've got everything else, it's very civilised around here and we're all very polite to one another. The roads are empty, who needs a zebra to get over to the supermarket?! 🙂

I usally get my seeds, and bulbs there too. I noticed around here when I was last out that toothpaste and shampoos shelves were empty too.
I often use Wilko online.

 

[grovesy]

It's ridiculous isn't it, Tesco sell the Dettol ones for £2-3 but I had to rely on Scotmid (Coop to you guys) although we have Coops too, I'll be absolutely skint by the end of it all if I keep needing to pay that price! I keep checking sites in the hope I can nab things when in stock but no luck as of yet!

I only use Colgate Cavity Protection and I can't get that anywhere, other toothpaste's make me gag as the mint is too strong, I have a full tube that I'll be starting within the next few days but can't get my mouthwash as bought it at Savers in the other town! Keep checking Superdrug website but atm its only available to click and collect and there isnt a Superdrug anywhere near
xx

I looked on Wilko at wipes the other day online but they are only available in store. I noticed alot of toothpastes are not available online either.
I

 

[Ditto]

I usally get my seeds, and bulbs there too. I noticed around here when I was last out that toothpaste and shampoos shelves were empty too. I often use Wilko online.

I didn't know there was an online! I shall have to check that out. 🙂

 

[grovesy]

I didn't know there was an online! I shall have to check that out. 🙂

They charge Delivery but when i order I usally order stuff that would be heavy. My last order was supposed to be delivered on 25th March but arrived 23rd. Delivery usally only a few days.

 

[Kaylz]

I looked on Wilko at wipes the other day online but they are only available in store. I noticed alot of toothpastes are not available online either.
I

Yeah I've just scoped Superdrug as I was needing my Dentyl Clove mouthwash and some Micellar Water, toothpaste only available to order and collect, did get 2 bottles of mouthwash and 2 bottles micellar water though, they aren't accepting guest check outs so I'm glad I made an account a few months ago now! xx

 

[Grannylorraine]

Forgot about toothpaste, going on the list now, otherwise will end up with a huge dental bill. I do wonder how much of the panic bought stuff will end up in the bin. I try to only buy what we need each week, well hubby is now as I am too scared to step outside my front door, but most weeks there is still a small amount of veg thrown away, this week however I decided that I need to use those bits and make veg soup even if it only makes a bowlful.

 

[Davein]

Forgot about toothpaste, going on the list now, otherwise will end up with a huge dental bill. I do wonder how much of the panic bought stuff will end up in the bin. I try to only buy what we need each week, well hubby is now as I am too scared to step outside my front door, but most weeks there is still a small amount of veg thrown away, this week however I decided that I need to use those bits and make veg soup even if it only makes a bowlful.

The online Daily Mail is showing pictures of bins overflowing with wasted food in Derby but no doubt this will be replicated as sell by dates come up
Daughter works for Morrisons and has spent the day discounting fruit and veg as they have overordered quantities. So some of this could get dumped.

 

[Greymouser]

Only been lurking for ages now, but thought I would pop in to offer a bit of information, which I hope helps someone. 🙂

I know simple soap and water is best, but it is hard to achieve when and out and about, 🙄 which I know needs to be kept to a minimum, but some people, ( like myself, I care for my wife 24/7 ) have no choice but to go out. So what do I do?

Well, even if I could get them, some wipes and hand sanitisers are going to be pretty ineffective as they do not contain enough alcohol to affect the virus, it needs to be above 60% and the cheap ones in particular, are no where near this. I was aware of Dettol surface cleanser, which claims to kill viruses, particularly some corrona viruses. Dettol is hard to get too at the moment, but if you can get it, it is useful. You can get little clear spray bottles cheap from Home Bargains, ( for instance, ) decant some of the Dettol into one and hey presto you have a small pocket hand sanitiser! 🙂

There is no guarantee it will work against this virus, but it certainly works against some, such as Norovirus and colds. Of course it is not designed to go on skin, but it claims to be safe to be used on food prep surfaces, so should be OK. Of course moisturiser is essential as it does dry you out. ( as does soap. ) If you cannot get Dettol, I would suggest Milton which is safe for babies, so again, should be good to go. Even a very mild bleach solution, if that is unavailable.

Back on topic, it seems that the supermarkets are slowly recovering, now the restrictions and reduced opening hours have come in. At least around here, though I avoid the larger ones and concentrate on Lidl and Aldi etc. 🙂

 

[SB2015]

Called in at a small Tesco high street store on our walk yesterday evening. We were the only customers. Chatting to the staff, at a distance, they were describing the different waves of purchasing that have been happening. At present the focus seems to be in cake making.

There were plenty of veg, and I hope that these do not get wasted. I wonder whether the excess ordering of veg in some stores, is a result of automated systems that base quantities on previous sales. Over the past few weeks that would certainly have skewed things. We may well see Montaigne fo loo rolls in the future.

Our quest for yeast continues.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Only been lurking for ages now, but thought I would pop in to offer a bit of information, which I hope helps someone. 🙂

Lovely to see you posting again @Greymouser. We’ve missed you!

 

[Inka]

@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.