Panic, just sheer panic everywhere. That's the reality of working retail right now.

Regardless of the fact that we only have 24 confirmed cases in the whole country.

As of just now we have one virus related death for a person with underlying health issues and even then we don't know how much of that is from the virus or if it was on the cards anyway.

Now I'm not saying that the virus isn't serious as it has caused a lot of deaths worldwide already but taking everything into account the sheer level of panic and hysteria is ridiculous right now.

Should we take precautions? "Absolutely."
Should we avoid potential contamination? "Wherever possible."
Should we buy a reasonable amount of supplies in case of self quarantine? "A couple of weeks extra is smart."

Should I run to the stores and fight an old lady over my 20th packet of toilet paper that will keep me going until the next world war? "Probably an over-reaction."
What about a trolley of pasta and rice. Surely we need to fill the spare bedroom for the coming apocalypse? "Again, doubtful. While there will be some supply issues from affected areas and shortages of certain products just eat something else for a while. We will have those products again."

But the shelves are empty. That means I need to buy as much as possible when it's on the shelf. Get ahead of the other people.
"I can only speak for my store but we actually have lots of stock. The problem is that people are being so stupid in trying to buy everything that we don't have the structures to get it into stores with staff levels and delivery schedules. It's become a self fulfilling prophecy that people are buying so much extra food, we are running low on food in the shops. If people weren't being so greedy and unreasonable then there would actually be plenty for everybody. It's almost like greed and selfishness are bad and hurt others around you. Who knew?"

Now I'm just a lowly retail manager trying to keep our store full while everybody around me tries to take as much as possible but like everything in life, if a few people hoover up all of the resources then the rest will suffer. It's the same in terms of money and business while the reality always has been that there is enough for everybody if people are willing to share the love. Give everybody a chance to get their supplies and only take what you actually need.

The sad part being that so much of this will go to waste as people are buying far more than they can actually use out of fear and greed. This is all driven by the media with more reckless reporting just like every other issue in the world right now.

I might not know much but I do know that some things will never change and people are one of those. Throughout life, there are some who will take everything that they can while the rest suffer. If it's not large corporations or governments then it's the ordinary people. Hopefully we all get through this virus safe and sound but if we can show a little common sense and respect for everybody else we will get through it a lot easier in my opinion.

Every week for the past month has been crazier than the last with our turnover far exceeding Christmas time which is the busiest time of year in retail. Spare a though for those of us dealing with thousands of possible contaminants. Understaffed and under payed while trying to keep stock on the shelves for everybody else. All I ask is that you be polite, don't be selfish and remember that we are all trying to do our best in tough times. Thank you.