Today's conundrum.

The food and supply chain industries state there are no shortages of food and basic supplies.

Everyone I speak to tells me they have not been panic buying.

Everyone I see interviewed in the media claim they have not been panic buying.

The retailers have curbs on the number of items one can buy of a wide range of day-to-day supplies.

Each time I visit the shop there is no fresh fruit and veg and no basic supplies.


My need is no more important than anyone else, I can cope, but what is going on? How are those who really need supplies or have difficulty in getting to shops coping?


And extra points for answering the bonus question. Is this the mark of a civilised society?

Perhaps one person's panic buying is another person's perfectly rational purchase of enough food to last a family of five for 3-4 weeks in lockdown?

And of course, fresh food from abroad might be in short supply for obvious reasons.

A mark of a civilised society? There's all sorts in all societies. Yes, we're a civilised society (most of the time). No riots, no looting, no rush to buy guns and we don't even make 8 year olds work in dark satanic mills anymore.

Anyone come across someone panic buying lenses? Ricoh says "we do not currently anticipate any disruption to the order of new products", but they would say that, wouldn't they?

Steve

Any greengrocers in the nearby area? There have been local ones here doing deliveries and as far as I’m aware they’re keeping up reasonably well with orders.

We're still allowed out to purchase essentials. Whether you'd want to go out is another matter There was a chap on the train a couple of weeks ago who probably had no more than an annoying cold but just one sneeze practically emptied the carriage

Maybe I'm being too rational about it but I don't (yet) see why the shelves are empty(*), and have been for two weeks now.

I cannot claim to have been panic buying lenses but I have purchased a fair few over the years


(*) Apart from popping corn, for which I am pleased as I do enjoy some freshly cooked pop corn. Ideas for alternative flavourings will be gratefully received.



Good idea, ta. We receive a weekly veggie and fruit box from a local farm who are excellent. They spent most of the winter battling one gale after another and now they are trying to meet a large and unexpected increase in demand from new customers.