by Paphitis » Mon Mar 23, 2020 4:43 pm
Hoarding has almost become a necessity now in most countries because when you find something that is in short supply, you will buy it because you know if you don't, the hoarders will leave you wanting later on.
Most people are inherently good people and not selfish.
In my experience, the thing I have noticed here in Australia is that the hoarders seem to mostly be immigrants and migrants and people of lower socio-economic standing. Professionals like lawyers and Doctors, Police, Health Workers and other white collar professionals don't seem to hoard as much and also seem to have cooler heads.
The Indians are the worst. Followed by the Chinese. When you go shopping and there are specials on, they buy the entire shelf. Australians seem to buy what the need. Greeks and Italians hoard a bit more but not as much as Asians do.
Usually, it's the Asians and Europeans (Greeks and Italians) that expect a major crisis and start to panic buy. And some of it could be due to language barriers. they fear a lock down. And some of them think they won't be able to buy groceries. However, Australians are more likely to know that even during a shut down, supermarkets will remain open and people will be allowed to leave their houses only for shopping. That is what is happening in Italy and Spain.
Even under the worst scenario and the Government shuts everything down including supermarkets, Emergency Services will be conducting welfare checks on the population, house to house and will even drop off rations and essential supplies like medicine and food. they have said this will occur. They won't expect people to lock themselves in their houses and run out of food. They will especially be checking on the elderly.
Asians also think the shut down will last for months on end, whilst Australians know the shut down will be for 14 to 21 days.
There is the other side of the coin as well. Australians are naturally very laid back people, like the Italians and Greeks are. they are always out at restaurants, bars, at the beach and are very social creatures. Which raises the risk of the C19 spread more likely due to carelessness, whilst the Chinese and Indians have literally locked themselves in their houses and only come out to shop everyday and buy whatever they can.
I personally refuse to go shopping and I told my wife to not line up in the morning when the shops will open. For me, it's these people that will get the virus. It's ironic that the hoarders and preppers are actually exposing themselves more and risk getting C19.
latest situation here is that we are headed for a shut down. A total shut down. I'm in isolation till Thursday as I had my swab today and then I go back to work and have been issued with a letter as an essential services worker so I can cross state lines into certain states. Which also means I can come back home because the State I live in plans to shut its borders.
Schools are likely to close by end of the week, although the Government is trying to get the kids finisg=h thge term so that the kids and teachers can self isolate during the 2 week break which means they minimize disruption.
