Water was sold out, paper towels were sold out, hand sanitizers are out of stock.
Face masks have been out of stock for weeks. I haven't seen them in any supermarkets.
Houston hasn't had any cases yet. But people are stocking up. It's pretty obvious. I tend to go to this supermarket cos it's along the way to pick up my wife, so I can just buy some stuff for dinner on my way to pick her, and it's near where we stay so we can just go and walk around during the weekends.
On Monday, after the boil water alert was lifted, people were still buying bottled water.
There were people buying 2 cartons, there were people buying 10 cartons.
I didn't go to Sam's club today to stock up. I just wanted to get some stuff for today's dinner. But as I walked in, the guy at the door was announcing to people entering... "No more bottled water, or paper towels"...
You get the picture....
Now, the shelves aren't empty. Sam's club is like IKEA. It's huge, with pallets of stuff stacked on high shelves. Think of the flat pack area in IKEA, but this time all canned food, and other kinds of non-perishables.
But right in the middle, where usually there are 3 pallets of bottled water for people to load their shopping trolleys, is a large empty space.
Shelves where the toilet paper and paper towels are, sat empty...
It is what it is. This is normal human behaviour.
We have done this since we were cavemen. We care for our own security.
If we are afraid that the future is uncertain, we WILL want to do what we can to minimize any risks.
Maybe there won't be a lack of supply in the months to come... BUT... what if there IS?
Better to stock up first than to really panic in future.
Humans were hunters and gatherers.
Then we started domesticating animals and farming so that food supplies can be more consistent.
This is part of our survival. We want stability and security.
The Government can say that they have ample supplies and there's no need to panic...
But what if they are lying?
What if the crisis is larger than they expect?
How would the citizens know? We don't. And I think... I'd rather not leave it to faith.
I do what I can. If there's really no shortage. Ok fine... but what if there is?
For me, stocking up is part of my life. I do it for finances. I also do it for food and other supplies.
So during this period. I'm not too concerned. I also don't need to join the queue to buy stuff.
But I can understand why people do it. Cos they are concerned. They are concerned about their own well being and their future security.
And... I think it's reasonable behaviour.
But for me... I rather be prepared BEFORE the scramble.
Not during the rush. And of course, I don't want to be unprepared if any problems arise.
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