Does anyone have a real explanation why toilet paper is being stock piled but there is still plenty of food to be had? I just don't understand the phenomenon.
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Locally the food is starting to go too. My grocery store was out of ramen, beans, rice, and getting low on canned soup.
I just wanted to do my weekly grocery shopping darn it.
Toilet paper is high in fiber and goes well with most sauces and seasonings due to its neutral flavor profile.
I've also summed it up this way:
"Honey, why are those people loading up their carts with so much toilet paper?"
"I don't know, but they must know something we don't, and we'd better do the same thing until we figure out why."
Positive feedback loop!
Quote from: somnif on March 14, 2020, 02:04:00 PM
I just wanted to do my weekly grocery shopping darn it.
Same. Not a can of green beans to be found. :'(
It's crazy. My wife went to the grocery store yesterday and said it was nuts. Practically all the meat was gone and of course the toilet paper. Perhaps you'll start seeing people profiting by selling it by the row at intersections.
Quote from: BrianS on March 14, 2020, 02:24:46 PM
Perhaps you'll start seeing people profiting by selling it by the row at intersections.
(https://kval.com/resources/media/d76c65ef-00d3-4864-9989-8445b300428e-medium16x9_Capture.JPG)
TP is the new currency in this new Mad Max world we live in. Those with the most will have all the power!
I suspect the trend was spread by the internet....
It was a little different here though, no one seemed to be hoarding anything except hand sanitizer and clorox wipes. Ironically there was plenty of hand soap available everywhere. ::)
Yesterday the food and toilet paper disappeared all at once. I don't think anywhere here took it serious until it affected the sporting events.
Yes because toilet paper is very bulky and it takes up a lot of floor space for stores, and is generally limited to a single aisle or part of an aisle.
Food is relatively small and much much more of the store is dedicated to it.
If all of the people that bought up all that TP bought a reasonable amount of food as well I suspect that the food aisle would still look decently stocked.
Ack sorry if that sounded combative or rude. I'm a little irritated by some stuff that went down on a different, far less decent forum earlier today.
Again Brian, thank you for hosting the best little spot on the net.
Quote from: EBK on March 14, 2020, 02:28:14 PM
Quote from: BrianS on March 14, 2020, 02:24:46 PM
Perhaps you'll start seeing people profiting by selling it by the row at intersections.
(https://kval.com/resources/media/d76c65ef-00d3-4864-9989-8445b300428e-medium16x9_Capture.JPG)
LMAO.
Anyone freaking out about TP is not thinking long term. If I need to worry about never getting TP again I'm going straight to every Home Depot and Lowes in a 50 mi radius and buying them out of their ferns. Softer than the cheapest TP and it will regrow, what more could you ask for?
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Spring is coming early here in southern new england and the mullein is already starting to grow.
Holy moly I thought that it was just in Montreal the toilet paper hysteria xD I am on paternity leave so I have been so much disconnected from the current events xD
Rhubarb is starting to poke through here, huge leaves.
Is there a run on bidet installation, can't get a plumber because their all doing bidets.
dave
Back a few years ago the last hurricane that blew into south TX caused a run on gas stations and it took almost a week for things to return to normal. The media was actually trying to help by telling people to stop and carry on normally and things would be OK. Of course that didn't happen and people were driving all over San Antonio trying to find gas. The storm blew east of the area and all the flash flooding, bad weather was pretty much nonexistent. I was making a joke about selling TP at the intersection and then I clicked on the below article and stopped thinking that way. Is this a little bit of justice, getting 17,000 bottles of sanitizer shoved up your rear, for trying to profit off an emergency? But I'm sure he is not out any money since he was selling it for $8 to $70 a bottle.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/he-has-17700-bottles-of-hand-sanitizer-and-nowhere-to-sell-them/ar-BB11blvS?ocid=spartanntp
Quote from: EBK on March 14, 2020, 02:09:41 PM
Toilet paper is high in fiber and goes well with most sauces and seasonings due to its neutral flavor profile.
;D I have found though that the combo of very spicy food and toilet paper is generally an unpleasant experience.
Definitely NOT making light of the situation however....
People still wonder how Hitler was able to get a nation to approve of the atrocities that were committed simply by his public addresses. Think about that when wondering why so many people are hoarding TP simply by what they "hear."
Now I'm wondering if the vulture-sellers are going to get a bit of wall-to-wall counselling when word gets out in their localities.
Quote from: BuGG on March 14, 2020, 03:43:14 PM
I suspect the trend was spread by the internet....
It was a little different here though, no one seemed to be hoarding anything except hand sanitizer and clorox wipes. Ironically there was plenty of hand soap available everywhere. ::)
Yesterday the food and toilet paper disappeared all at once. I don't think anywhere here took it serious until it affected the sporting events.
Well, UNR (University Of Nevada Reno) as well as those they compete against has canceled all games, basically until further notice.
I only go to the football games, so that doesn't really affect me personally.
But I did have tickets for Lynyrd Skynyrd tonight, which was moved to October 2nd, and current tickets will be honored.
So I'm kinda bummed about that, but i do understand.
I haven't been to the big store for a few weeks. Just the little gas stations nearby. so I dunno how bad things are there yet.
https://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/d/tucson-2008-infiniti-g35-free-toilet/7091880532.html
I'll admit, this did make me chuckle.
I got lucky yesterday while doing my normal shopping for the week. They had a few cases that were being put on the shelves so I was able to get a pack each of booty wipes and paper towels. I went to our local Chinese food joint for a carry out order later and was joking with the owner about how crazy people are acting right now. She told me that someone had stolen the TP from their bathroom in the restaurant earlier in the day! :o
Quote from: Drew Hallenbeck on March 14, 2020, 09:56:55 PM
I got lucky yesterday while doing my normal shopping for the week. They had a few cases that were being put on the shelves so I was able to get a pack each of booty wipes and paper towels. I went to our local Chinese food joint for a carry out order later and was joking with the owner about how crazy people are acting right now. She told me that someone had stolen the TP from their bathroom in the restaurant earlier in the day! :o
I joked about that at work yesterday. Girl had a roll on her desk.
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Quote from: BrianS on March 14, 2020, 05:44:25 PM
Back a few years ago the last hurricane that blew into south TX caused a run on gas stations and it took almost a week for things to return to normal. The media was actually trying to help by telling people to stop and carry on normally and things would be OK. Of course that didn't happen and people were driving all over San Antonio trying to find gas. The storm blew east of the area and all the flash flooding, bad weather was pretty much nonexistent. I was making a joke about selling TP at the intersection and then I clicked on the below article and stopped thinking that way. Is this a little bit of justice, getting 17,000 bottles of sanitizer shoved up your rear, for trying to profit off an emergency? But I'm sure he is not out any money since he was selling it for $8 to $70 a bottle.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/he-has-17700-bottles-of-hand-sanitizer-and-nowhere-to-sell-them/ar-BB11blvS?ocid=spartanntp
A perfect example of why we are doomed as a species.
Quote from: AristotleIf the youth of today represents our future, we are surely doomed.
Quote from: alanp on March 15, 2020, 12:39:13 AM
Quote from: AristotleIf the youth of today represents our future, we are surely doomed.
At a spry 29 years, I feel I can retort with this
(https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/645/713/888.jpg)
Rice, pasta and flour is pretty much gone from our shops here.
Quote from: Willybomb on March 15, 2020, 05:28:32 AM
Rice, pasta and flour is pretty much gone from our shops here.
Well, that's a step in the right direction. We got out and just looked around last night; people here are hoarding Ramen Noodles.
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Cider vinegar is another to add to the obscure list of panic purchases due to its supposed health benefits.
Is salad dressing so much to ask?
There has to be someone somewhere pushing the buttons, I'd like to know who, and his reasoning or is it random. If it were me, I'd be totally random, like Brussels sprouts and cream cheese.
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I was just at Costco - there were two cops guarding the paper towel / toilet paper area.
I wouldn't be surprised if there's been brawls there, which led to that. I have never seen a Costco with so little stuff in it. But guys with guns guarding toilet paper is a new one for me.
(https://i.imgflip.com/3s1wx9.jpg)
Quote from: Scruffie on March 15, 2020, 02:16:55 PM
Cider vinegar is another to add to the obscure list of panic purchases due to its supposed health benefits.
I'm assuming it's because white vinegar was already sold out? It has been at my stores.
I'm guessing it is because vinegar is a cleaning supply... for some applications. Won't really help at all in this situation, but logic isn't really in play right now.
Quote from: somnif on March 15, 2020, 10:45:47 PM
Quote from: Scruffie on March 15, 2020, 02:16:55 PM
Cider vinegar is another to add to the obscure list of panic purchases due to its supposed health benefits.
I'm assuming it's because white vinegar was already sold out? It has been at my stores.
I'm guessing it is because vinegar is a cleaning supply... for some applications. Won't really help at all in this situation, but logic isn't really in play right now.
Nope, just the cider, I'm guessing because yes as you say, vinegar = clean and if people think cider vinegar specifically has health benefits (some people take it as a 'supplement') it's clean AND healthy. I bet a lot of people now have it in a cupboard with no idea why they bought it... I imagine it would make surfaces sticky if you cleaned with it.
I'd have just bought actual cider (which is alcoholic here, I think it's the same as what you US guys call hard cider?) that seems far more sensible.
Quote from: jimilee on March 15, 2020, 02:19:50 PM
If it were me, I'd be totally random, like Brussels sprouts and cream cheese.
Cook this up with mushrooms, mustard, garlic, shallots & bacon, makes a terrific pasta... oh, never mind.
Cider vinegar is used in some sauces, and that's about all the use I know of for it, other than for health reasons.
Hand sanitizer and rubbing alcohol is out everywhere, and washing with soap and water may not be convenient (out and about, in your car, etc.), but while looking, I think I have found an as yet, untapped resource...
Mouthwash
Most of it has alcohol in it.
Might make your hands sticky, but its an option.
As for toilet paper, bathroom sink and a washrag.
Quote from: CodeMonk on March 16, 2020, 08:14:20 PM
Hand sanitizer and rubbing alcohol is out everywhere, and washing with soap and water may not be convenient (out and about, in your car, etc.), but while looking, I think I have found an as yet, untapped resource...
Mouthwash
Most of it has alcohol in it.
Might make your hands sticky, but its an option.
No no no, don't do that. You need 60%+ alcohol to have any real effectiveness, and even the booziest of mouthwashes tops out around 30%. Plus, that stickyness could make you more likely to actually pick stuff up.
Quote from: alanp on March 16, 2020, 04:16:25 AM
Cider vinegar is used in some sauces, and that's about all the use I know of for it, other than for health reasons.
Pickles, chutneys, stews, salads, vinaigrettes... but not something I'd consider panic buying worthy, the supposed health benefits don't even seem related to this.
I had to make a sherry vinegar dressing for my salad instead, like an animal.
Quote from: somnif on March 16, 2020, 11:16:02 PM
Quote from: CodeMonk on March 16, 2020, 08:14:20 PM
Hand sanitizer and rubbing alcohol is out everywhere, and washing with soap and water may not be convenient (out and about, in your car, etc.), but while looking, I think I have found an as yet, untapped resource...
Mouthwash
Most of it has alcohol in it.
Might make your hands sticky, but its an option.
No no no, don't do that. You need 60%+ alcohol to have any real effectiveness, and even the booziest of mouthwashes tops out around 30%. Plus, that stickyness could make you more likely to actually pick stuff up.
Saw a formula for diy hand cleaner and it called for 2/3's, 99% or better, isopropyl alcohol to 1/3 aloe vera gel with a couple drops of essential if you need a scent - legit? It was also mentioned soap and water with proper washing technique is still best if available.
dave
Quote from: davent on March 17, 2020, 12:33:43 AM
Saw a formula for diy hand cleaner and it called for 2/3's, 99% or better, isopropyl alcohol to 1/3 aloe vera gel with a couple drops of essential if you need a scent - legit? It was also mentioned soap and water with proper washing technique is still best if available.
dave
The WHO's recommended formula is 80% ethanol or 75% isopropanol as a final concentration. Your ratios would end up somewhere closer to 66% alcohol, which is still over the 60% minimum, so acceptable if you wish. The essential oils won't hurt anything, so long as you're careful about skin sensitivities you may have. (The WHO formula is the alcohol, 1.45% glycerol to avoid skin drying, and 0.125% hydrogen peroxide as a preservative, with distilled water used to dilute things to final concentration)
The math is C1V1=C2V2. (The concentration of your starting alcohol) times (how much of it to use) equals (the concentration of the final mix) times (the volume of the final mix).
So for your mix, (.99)*(667mL) = (X)*(1000mL), X = .6603 or 66.03%, using a 1L batch as an example.
And, in either case, you should follow their useage instructions, which calls for 3mL of hand rub (about half a teaspoon) rubbed on all hand surfaces for about 20 seconds. This includes the fingertips, thumbs, and under the nails, so be aware of how you're rubbing. This would result in about a ~3Log reduction of enveloped virus load on the hand surfaces (~99.90% gone), which is about the same effectiveness as handwashing, surprisingly, at least when dealing with fairly clean hands to start with. If you've got crud on your hands ("visibly dirty") then soap and water takes a clear lead.
(Also I have no idea how all hand gels react to alcohol, so things may get weird in your mix)
Thank you for the feedback!
They called for pure aloe vera gel so whether or not there has been anything added to that could cause issues, no idea.
Happen to have all the WHO formula ingredients on hand, tomorrow i'll make mix.
dave
Quote from: somnif on March 16, 2020, 11:16:02 PM
Quote from: CodeMonk on March 16, 2020, 08:14:20 PM
Hand sanitizer and rubbing alcohol is out everywhere, and washing with soap and water may not be convenient (out and about, in your car, etc.), but while looking, I think I have found an as yet, untapped resource...
Mouthwash
Most of it has alcohol in it.
Might make your hands sticky, but its an option.
No no no, don't do that. You need 60%+ alcohol to have any real effectiveness, and even the booziest of mouthwashes tops out around 30%. Plus, that stickyness could make you more likely to actually pick stuff up.
ok then.
I didn't buy any.
I did find a small hotel room sized bottle of hand sanitizer amongst the rest of my stuff that is still boxed up from when I moved.
My daughter just got a job as a cashier at a supermarket and she was cashing people out when they announced that the TP was out again and she asked "why do people need TP I thought corona virus gives you a fever and cough?" and a customer in line said " they all found out we have 7 cases of the virus and everybody's sh***ing themselves" lol
Quote from: snz728 on March 17, 2020, 02:08:25 AM
My daughter just got a job as a cashier at a supermarket and she was cashing people out when they announced that the TP was out again and she asked "why do people need TP I thought corona virus gives you a fever and cough?" and a customer in line said " they all found out we have 7 cases of the virus and everybody's sh***ing themselves" lol
Bwahahahaha
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Having bought the same brand, packaging and number of rolls of toilet paper for many years, have never paid any attention or given a thought to what it might say on the packaging. Now scrounging around for some have discovered the contained 'number of rolls' printed in huge print on the package is the number actual rolls multiplied by the number of plies per roll...
dave
Yep, it's slightly confusing and implies math. You're pretty sure they're taking advantage of you but you aren't sure how.
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The TP-Apocalypse has, reportedly, come to Wanganui. (No Corona in-city yet, but everyone follows the news.)
Personally, I'm not changing my shopping habits. I'm waiting 'til the weekend. By then, at least, the shops will have had several trucks arrive with more stuff :D
A few guys at work were talking about how they should get some homebrew kits (for while they're in quarantine.) I guess I'm ahead of the curve 8)
Last night's new diy project...
https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf
Only made 100ml which was just right for the two bottles i filled.
(https://i.postimg.cc/bYB2LTqY/IMG-E1659.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/htbbt5d4/IMG-E1684.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
dave
How long do you think the public can keep up this buying frenzy? This junk ain't going away anytime soon.
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I have a strong suspicion that a lot of kids are going to get very, very sick of pasta, a lot of adults will try and figure out how to cook pasta for the first time in their lives, and a lot of dustmen are going to wonder why their dustcarts have so much pasta in them.
Quote from: jimilee on March 18, 2020, 06:38:41 PM
How long do you think the public can keep up this buying frenzy? This junk ain't going away anytime soon.
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My guess? It'll probably only be about 7-14 days depending on where you're located before it dawns on people this is around for the long haul and hoarding wont protect them, but it'll feel like an eternity. A lot of people will probably end up catching it, recovering and then feeling slightly ashamed of themselves, I hope.
Some rationing is starting to be introduced here, limits of 3 of any items, it's a shame it was needed, even though it wasn't surprising. But I think the worst of it is starting to die down now anyway, although I still expect some shortages due to people buying stuff they actually need but couldn't get.
Quote from: alanp on March 19, 2020, 04:09:26 AM
a lot of adults will try and figure out how to cook pasta for the first time in their lives
Who the hell doesn't know how to cook pasta? I'm not saying it's high class cuisine but even students can make pasta and ketchup and well, kids love ketchup.
Well here in Oz things are quite mad. Where I am, chest freezers and garden sheds have sold out because people are using them to hoard their stuff. I shit you not.
Thankfully the supermarkets have reduced their hours to allow for more re-stocking time and the first hour of every day is for pensioners/vulnerable customers only. After 5 attempts, we managed to buy half a dozen rolls of toilet paper, some meat and pasta this morning.
After 3 days of searching I managed to buy some potatoes today! Hooray! ....I feel that getting unreasonably excited about potatoes is my Irish blood showing. But, this means I can make my curry now, so huzzah.
I'll admit, I only wanted a few, and had to buy a 10lb bag. I legitimately feel bad about buying groceries I am going to use over time rather than buying the bare minimum, this sucks. :-\
Although hoarding is unnecessary and potentially harmful, sensible stocking up is useful in this situation. If you are just getting started with the virus in your area, expect restaurants and bars to eventually close and social distancing to become the new normal. If you can skip a future grocery store visit or two, that would probably help out a bit.