Toilet Rolls ???

[grandpajoe]

Now that the dust is starting to settle re Covid 19 disease can someone answer me this= Why was there a mad dash in early March for toilet rolls?? I have asked around and no one can be sure why folks were buying hundreds of bog rolls. WHY Cheers confused

[Mamyalynne]

It's seen as an essential item of everyday life, the alternatives make people uncomfortable.

It's non perishable so one can stock up without fear of wasting your money.

[tiggerblue10]

Because people didn't want to run out during several weeks of lockdown.

[Buenchico]

Why were people buying loo rolls?

Art, of course!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-52295494

[iluvmargie]

I have a friend who loves owls, I'd love to be able to make that owl for her.

[jno]

nobody was sure lockdown was going to last only three weeks (and it didn't) so they planned ahead. As Mamya says, it's not something you can have too much of, it'll keep, though you may need a few garden sheds to store it in.

[andy-hughes]

If you think about it, a toilet roll is one of the very few genuine daily essential items in modern life.
The thought of being without it makes people panic.

[maggiebee]

Sheer stupidity - I'm all right attitude.

[Mamyalynne]

I don't think Grandpajoe was coming from that angle, more - why toilet roll in particular.

There's always a sort of shopping list of items much in demand when the possibility of trouble rears its head and toilet roll is always at the top for the reasons I and others have given.

[woofgang]

its the single thing I always make sure I have enough of over christmas and new year....I don't stock pile or panic buy but I do check

[DTCwordfan]

The reason was the internet and folk picked up that Australia was facing a shortage with the virus.......Australia buys from China.

WE make our own but folk here, having heard of shortages, went on the rampage and it was completely unnecessary.

[bhg481]

I seem to remember that a newspaper forecast there was going to be a shortage, so people went out and panic-bought. In other words, it was a self-fulfilling prophesy.

[Vagus]

There was a tv programme just before lockdown about a battleship. The chap in charge of stocking it with food, etc, actually said the one thing he dreaded not having enough of and running out of was..toilet rolls.
If you run out of some food stuff then you can pretty much substitute something else, or do without. Not so with loo roll is it?

[jno]

just so, Vagus. Magnolia leaves are recommended, but try to find some in a battleship...

[grandpajoe]

Thanks everyone. Ridiculous panic buying would be my answer!!

[Mamyalynne]

You asked 'why' people were panic buying.

Still you got the answer you wanted.

[jno]

I don't think there was anything ridiculous about it. People were alert enough to foresee a stortage, and take action. Manufacturers, supermarkets and government did not and were caught out.

In the case of supermarkets it was because of their just-in-time business model which involves getting new products in as soon as previous supplies sell out - but not before. The model is pretty useless in case of sudden surges in demand due to emergencies, but that's not the fault of buyers.

[grandpajoe]

I knew that folks were "panic buying" but could not fathom out just why, bog rolls?? And, I still do not really know and never will do. I bought some extra rice and an extra packet of spaghetti . But the daily paper and the Sunday Express were designated to fill in for "Sir Izal"!!

[jno]

lol, I think I'd sooner read the Izal!

[Mamyalynne]

It wasn't just toilet rolls but I am surprised you cannot see why some hate the thought of not having soft paper to wipe with.

I know I could cope, as many others would too - but some find the alternatives uncomfortable to say the least.

[Mamyalynne]

I haven't had newspapers delivered for over 10 years :-)