Coronavirus - why panic buying is not the answer

'Carnage' and 'mayhem' were adjectives readers used.

Understandably, considering the Prime Minister labelled this 'the worst health crisis for a generation' and we should 'prepare for loved ones to die', people are worried.

There is no vaccine yet against coronavirus. The truth is that many of us will get it. And unfortunately, some people will be at serious risk of death.

Those are the very people who need supplies. Hand wash, toilet roll, foods to ensure they can last 14 days in self-isolation.

READ: Supermarkets plead with shopper to stop panic-buying

Unfortunately, not all of those people will be able to get the things they need due to the behaviour of those of us who are relatively fit and healthy.

Do you really need five packs of toilet paper? Do you really need to grab every last packet of pasta from the shelf?

Unless you are genuinely buying those extras for an elderly relative or neighbour - let's get a little perspective.

Although the government is expected announce extra measures next week (this could include school closures), the very clear message at the moment is - carry on.

If there IS a shutdown, one of the very last things to close will be supermarkets.

The numbers seems scary (1,140 confirmed cases and counting), but measure that against the fact there are 64 million people in the UK.

We have a long, long way to go yet. Panicking right now is not the answer.

There have been photographs posted on social media of elderly people at the shops unable to buy a single packet of rice or toilet roll. 

How can those of us with health and age on our side possibly justify hoarding supplies away when the elderly person living next door to us might be in desperate need? 

By all means, prepare - but don't panic. 

And to that end - please be mindful of the people working around-the-clock to keep supplies coming. 

Supermarkets have drafted in every available member of staff, some of whom have reported being treated badly by customers. They are doing their jobs - they don't deserve to be shouted at.

If you sneeze/cough/generally be an ass on/to a supermarket worker because you couldn't get your 50 packs of toilet roll you should be kicked out of the shop, horrible what some people are doing. #coronapocalypse

— 𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗼 🍓 (@Berrae_) March 14, 2020

At the supermarket today, I witnessed a worker looking hassled, worried and upset. A few minutes later, I saw her dealing with an irate customer. I didn’t catch what it was about, but the worker said ‘we have no pasta, no toilet roll, no antibacterial gel, it’s not my fault’ 1/3

— Jennifer Wilson (@JenzyFrenzy1) March 13, 2020

To that end, please also remember our reporters are human and they are working around the clock too to bring you comprehensive, reliable information. They also don't deserve to be abused. 

Coronavirus shouldn't be a divisive issue.

It's not Brexit - we aren't on opposing sides - it's us against the virus.

If we have any hope of beating it, we need to be a nation united, not divided.