Shopping List for COVID-19 Panic Buying

LAsashoryu on 27/02/2020 - 12:06

Apparently some people in Australia have started stockpiling for the end times that's somehow to be brought about by the low case fatality rate infection Covid-19.

So in the interests of maximising the survival rate of the Ozbargain community (think of a world repopulated exclusively by Ozbargainers), perhaps we should begin compiling a shopping list for the cost-conscious panic buyer.

What products should we be stockpiling?

I note toilet paper appears to be a valuable commodity in areas affected by the virus.

General Discussion COVID-19

Comments

      • s99lim on 03/03/2020 - 14:01

        Recycling is probably the only option if supplies runs out, or it gets too expensive for most people.

        • Debuting on 03/03/2020 - 20:08

          Yeah, they don't have a choice sometimes. It's either steam the mask - reuse it somehow - put a piece of toilet paper on top of the mask before applying to face, or have no mask.

    • Cluster on 03/03/2020 - 12:18

      The mask will still catch bacteria from your breath. Drying it for a long time is unlikely to be safe.

      If you must recycle because you're desperate for masks, I suppose you could soak them in 70% ethanol solution and then air dry. I would still be reluctant to do this however.

    • netjock on 03/03/2020 - 17:53
      -1

      Women sanitary pads were scarce apparently in HK, make sense to stock up, ladies.

      I saw a photos of few men putting them on their faces because masks are scarce.

  • Turd on 03/03/2020 - 11:59
    +4

    I ordered 120 boxes of n95 masks just after the bush fires ended.
    30 have been delivered but another 90 are still to come, hope 3m can supply it.

    I also stocked up on dettol hand wash and sanitizers back end of Dec because coles gave me an offer, where for ever spend of $5 in healthy and beauty and get back $3.50.

    :)

    • axel32 on 03/03/2020 - 12:23
      -1

      You turd..

      • Turd on 03/03/2020 - 13:16

        Note: All my purchases where WAY BEFORE the panic.

        • axel32 on 03/03/2020 - 14:05

          I was just having fun with your username :)

          Edit: now that we are friends, can I have some masks? :P

          • Turd on 03/03/2020 - 14:05

            @axel32: oh lol :D

            I ordered some toilet paper too from amazon, coz it was cheap a few weeks ago. :D

    • Debuting on 03/03/2020 - 20:06

      I bought some face masks from USA. Pretty good stuff but only 35 in a small weetbix sized box… Not cheap. ;-(

      Which reminds me, almost all the weetbix was sold out at my local woolies and coles. Crazy! I could only get the small overpriced boxes. I have to turn in my ozbargain badge!

  • biozet on 03/03/2020 - 14:07
    +3

    most important thing in the list is remember to panic like crazy

    • netjock on 03/03/2020 - 17:54
      +2

      Panic is always more exciting than when the real virus arrives.

  • Squidmcsproggen on 03/03/2020 - 14:10
    +6

    i haven't smoked weed in 10 years but bought some yesterday to put aside.
    going into this happy

  • MementoMori on 03/03/2020 - 14:41
    +6

    About 50%+ of the people are coughing and sneezing in my inner Melb workplace. Very strange for end of summer/start of autumn.

    I suspect we all have it (i.e. it has spread much further and quicker than we are being told), however, it's more like a mild cold.

    Thoughts?

    Anyone elses workplaces all coughing?

    • ElWircho on 03/03/2020 - 15:01

      One of "conspiracy youtubers" reported that the accuracy of the tests is 30-50% according to korean newspapers, and people might get sick just by hearing they are positive, so yes… my thoughts are… no matter what, we gotta stay positive in this.

      • Turd on 03/03/2020 - 15:03

        Sing some songs of harmony and praise to the government. Will help.

        It worked in China.

        • 91rs on 03/03/2020 - 15:38

          Well they're not allowed to spread rumor otherwise you end up in jail!
          So praise be!

    • Cluster on 03/03/2020 - 16:23

      I've had two colds in both January and February. Both mild, but quite unusual as the weather was warm and I had less contact than usual with people. I rarely get colds during summer.

    • HappyXD on 03/03/2020 - 17:46

      a lot of hayfever going around

    • Debuting on 03/03/2020 - 20:05

      Possible… I've noticed a few more people sick than usual. However, the recent weather of hot and cold due to the rain and then a hot day; can cause cold-like symptoms although there is no medical diagnosis for it. In chinese traditional medicine there is a term for this and related medicine.

      Anyway, I have been spending all my time stocking up on items so I don't have to go out. I even put purchasing a property on the backburner in the meantime. I should really get something before it starts to rise again as it is a defensive asset. A lot more tourists also coming over and need to rent properties to get away from their hometown that might be infected. I've already been contacted by some relatives asking if there is a spare bed.

    • kyle on 04/03/2020 - 03:09
      +1

      Yes and lots of ppl coughing on trains according to my partner

  • hopper on 03/03/2020 - 18:29

    will this reduce price on samsung note 10 plus?

  • Kochigachi on 03/03/2020 - 19:12
    -1

    Yep, they're Chinese buyers.

  • zombie hunter on 03/03/2020 - 19:16

    salt is your friend
    salt the road kill to make last longer and
    the following
    https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/a-salt-coated-mask-that-kills-…

  • Debuting on 03/03/2020 - 20:15
    -1

    If you like eating fruit and can afford it in your everyday diet. You should be fine. I have concerns for those who are less well off and used to eating fast food and microwave/oven cooked supermarket food. A lot of that stuff is being cleaned out too.

    Does anyone think the same? Although I saw the videos in China about produce just being dumped. It's somewhat concerning in that sense, but praying it doesn't turn like that here in Australia.

    • PAOK11 on 03/03/2020 - 22:25
      +2

      Could fruit be dangerous with people touching it but not buying?

      • TEER3X on 03/03/2020 - 22:38
        +1

        yes, the fruit shop will eventually go broke.

      • Debuting on 04/03/2020 - 09:51

        Yeah, agreed; fruit might not be safe; they can be sterilised in hot water but that might damage the protective outer layer of the fruit. You could always peel the fruit, but that might be hit and miss in terms of infecting the underlying fruit. So I guess this is why in China they have been dumping produce from the infected areas. If anyone knows otherwise then do provide some extra information. I'd like to know.

        I'm not sure why I got downvoted, probably the statement about fruit being safe more than the statement on incomes. It's not a joke. Lower income families often have less or no fruit and vegetables in their diets. When those fruit prices start going up because there are no packaged foods available; you'll see the flow on effects on people's underlying health. You can't stockpile fruit either, but I didn't mention stockpiling it. I just stated to the effect that you'll be fine if you eat fruit and can afford it. It can be argued some people can't eat too much fruit, e.g. diabetics. That could be another reason. Again, we need comments to why something is wrong or right so we can discuss it.

        RIP woolworths news article mentioning brocolli is safe…

  • syousef on 03/03/2020 - 20:26
    +2

    I think people in my area have just decided to clean out the shelves of toilet paper. Nothing else. Just toilet paper. Perhaps they're expecting a different kind of illness?

    • Debuting on 03/03/2020 - 20:55
      +1

      My guess is a lot of people eat out and don't cook. So all they need is toilet paper. It's actually quite common for professionals to just to go out for meals. If the virus actually starts spreading in Australia, then I'm sure cooking at home will become hip again.

      I really don't understand the toilet paper thing too. It's strangely a luxury item in my opinion. Toilet paper is a pretty recent thing from what I've heard. 50 years ago there wasn't any toilet paper in the sense of a roll. It used to be like a sheet of grass from what I've heard from in Asia. You had to rub it before using it or it would prick you.

  • Debuting on 03/03/2020 - 20:31
    +2

    Since not many people are posting what is empty on their shelves. I'll list what was unavailable at my local store.

    Weetbix
    San Remo Pasta
    Toilet Paper (All Brands)
    Flour
    Arnotts Biscuits
    Rice (Jasmine in particular)

    Vinda Toilet Paper also cleaned out in the smaller stores… This is imported from China.

    I'm going out again tomorrow. I will take pictures next time.

  • Cluster on 03/03/2020 - 20:34
    +4

    I was in Woolworths shopping for the End Times this evening, and noticed the price of milk powder had risen from $5.70 to $8/kg. That's a huge increase. So I ventured over to Aldi and stocked up before they too raise the price.

    I have enough toilet paper to build a miniature ark already, so I'm good to go for COVID.

  • beefmaster on 03/03/2020 - 21:05
    +4

    Today I heard a fruit and vegetable store at Chatswood have most of their fresh food sold out. Those amature prepper is doing it wrong.

  • CheeryCheapskate on 03/03/2020 - 21:22

    Today caught me off guard. I'm getting heaps of reports of shelves being cleared due to today's "next level" report of person-to-person. A lot of my friends and family were checking out Woolies and Coles but plenty of life long food supplied were cleared. Costco toilet paper were getting sold out in a few sites. For once I'm happy that my wife hoards food as we have plenty before this incident happened! As for toilet paper, I don't know if it's critical but I've installed a smart toilet from a few years ago and it will come in handy now if toilet paper is hard to obtain. (I just got mine from Bunnings)

    I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes like Boxing Day sale all over again where people will line up before grocery stores open.

  • Dr Prepper on 03/03/2020 - 22:37
    +1

    A crematorium

  • chrisd262 on 03/03/2020 - 22:45
    +1

    Today I saw a trolley with lots of Vegemite!!!

  • Turd on 03/03/2020 - 23:06

    Was just at local coles and they restocked some flour, can tomatos, ALOT of bastami rice, some medium grain but no jasmine, pasta was half restocked as well.

    Obviously no hand sanitzers as these have been gone for 2+ months.

    No toilet paper though yet.

  • syousef on 04/03/2020 - 00:03
    +2

    Joke posts on Gumtree and Facebook selling toilet paper for hundreds or thousands of dollars. Soon to be followed by real posts of toilet paper being sold at 10x the price.

  • imcold on 04/03/2020 - 00:46

    Cheap bulk bags of salt and flour all gone. Only overpriced brands left. Same deal for 1.5 litre bottles of water. Other stuff was reasonably well stocked.

    As for hand santizer I felt there was supply issues as early as late December, I tried to order a bottle for the chemist warehouse shopback?/Cr? promo, waited 1 whole week, had to cancel that part of the order.

    • Turd on 04/03/2020 - 08:26

      Yes prior to Xmas there was heaps of stock. I myself already stocked up then. Now they are nowhere in existence. Better to make your own with IPA and water

  • 1bug on 04/03/2020 - 01:16

    Hand sanitiser or soap: What's better to protect against coronavirus?
    https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/hand-sa…

    I'm opting for soap.

    • stringbean402 on 04/03/2020 - 07:20
      +2

      Inside the house sure. Not very feasible to use it while out and about though.

  • congo on 04/03/2020 - 01:24
    Merged from Coronavirus - What Should You Stockpile?

    Hi,
    With the Coronavirus become rampant in China and spreading across Iran, Korea, Italy, when should we start to stockpile food and bear essentials?

    Is there a checklist of things we should be stockpiling?
    - Pasta
    - Rice
    - Mask (what type)?
    - Spam
    - Frozen pizza
    - Medicines like Panadol, cough syrup?
    - Salt
    - Sugar

    Anything else?

    • bobbified on 04/03/2020 - 01:39
      +5

      and bear essentials?

      Yes, you should consider your pets' needs too.

    • Tech5 on 04/03/2020 - 01:40
      +2

      "Essentials"
      "Frozen pizza"

    • Ughhh on 04/03/2020 - 01:56
      +8

      People will have to start stockpiling, not directly because of the virus, but because of hoarders clearing the shelves!

    • jimbobaus on 04/03/2020 - 08:19
      +5

      You do not need to stockpile anything.
      Or you could always join the masses and become part of the stupidity that is running rampant.

      Supplies are going to remain fine, there is at the moment an adjustment as suppliers increase production to catch up to the idiots who are clearing shelves

      • ElWircho on 04/03/2020 - 08:46
        +1

        Not trying to be negative and just out of curiosity….how are supplies gonna remain fine if big parts of the producers/couriers/shop staff are sick and won't come to work?

        • jimbobaus on 04/03/2020 - 08:55
          +3

          TP is made in Australia (Adelaide)
          Most medications are made here with packaging coming from Brazil

          SARS was worse and look what happened when that hit?
          This is bad for sure but the media is making it into more than it is.
          People need to be smart but not stupid.

          The chances of you catching it are pretty slim unless you happen to be stuck on a cruise ship or live in Wuhan.

          People need to chill out !

          • ElWircho on 04/03/2020 - 09:10

            @jimbobaus: Thanks, I hope you're right.

            • Bargain80 on 04/03/2020 - 11:09
              +1

              @ElWircho: it's not the end of the world.
              people only need to buy little bit extra, not hoarding 1 year supply.

          • Andard on 04/03/2020 - 12:38
            +1

            @jimbobaus: holy shit a voice of friggen reason finally.

            Even if you catch it there's a 95-98% chance you will recover.

            This seriously is insane - saw the TP shelves cleared at my local coles.. the panic is way more scary than the virus.

        • cerealJay on 04/03/2020 - 12:16

          It's like the flu, which kills hundreds in Australia every year.

          If there's no need to stockpile because of flu, there's no need to stockpile for coronavirus either.

          • Oofy Doofy on 04/03/2020 - 16:36

            @cerealJay: Around 1% catch the flu annually, and around 1% of those die. In Australia

            So a few thousand people per year, die.

  • Bourb on 04/03/2020 - 05:36

    It looks like Toilet Paper will be the new 'gold' if anything drastic ever happens to the human race!
    Hoard it , barter with it, it will eventually replace fiat and crypto as the currency of the future!

    • Skramit on 04/03/2020 - 08:22
      +3

      Psst, hey kid, wanna buy some wipes?

      • cerealJay on 04/03/2020 - 12:18

        Literally shove wipes where sun don't shine.

        • Skramit on 04/03/2020 - 12:22

          Ahh thank you, that feels better.

  • snajper on 04/03/2020 - 07:15
    +1

    This panic is caused by various media outlets that report doom and gloom about everything. One fine example is news dot com dot au. Every single economic or corona story is super gloom and doom oriented.
    Their super negativity kills consumer confidence etc…..

    • Killerbala on 05/03/2020 - 12:34

      Australia's consumer confidence was heading to the dungeons even before COVID-19. Media is doing what the Govt instructed, so they can blame the flu for the low interest rate, wage growth, ridiculous housing prices, inflation etc.

  • RSmith on 04/03/2020 - 07:47

    Lol at people hoarding toilet paper!!! If shit hits the fan, toilet paper would be the least of their worries.

    Went to coles this morning to buy bread etc. People are going nuts and still filling up their trollies with toilet paper

  • smartazz104 on 04/03/2020 - 08:17
    -2

    Just buy the same stuff you did when SARS was a thing, oh that's right you didn't panic back then.

  • Bid Sniper on 04/03/2020 - 08:39

    2% mortality rate, normal flu 0.1%, WTF is wrong with people, you have a 98% chance to survive, you have a greater chance dying from a car accidents.

    going to stock up on hot chocolate, tissues and video games

    • Turd on 04/03/2020 - 08:52

      It's just like the flu, 10k people die in usa a year from it. They say.

      Don't worry let your elderly enjoy this virus. 2% will die only. All is well.

      Lets sing songs and dance to keep harmony up

      • smartazz104 on 04/03/2020 - 10:01
        +1

        The point, a more fatal illness is basically ignored year after year but this new flavour of the month is whipping people into mass hysteria, because they've been told to panic.

      • Bid Sniper on 04/03/2020 - 10:45

        And? Old people die everyday from nornal flu whats different?

        From a statistical view of all dangers in average persons life, this is very low. Much less than commute to work or going out into the city at night.

        Just media and social media went into overdrive turning this into the zombie apocalypse.

        Its stupid.

      • Jikx on 04/03/2020 - 11:10
        +1

        Mortality in the the 85+ range is… 15%.
        if it infects 30% of the population, then even with a "2%" mortality rate, that's a lot of extra dead people.

      • Bargain80 on 04/03/2020 - 11:11
        +2

        2% is overall rate.
        for elderly, it can be as high as 10%.
        for young healthy people, it's less than 0.5%.

        • congo on 04/03/2020 - 17:25

          We are in contact with a lot of elderly people.

    • ryurazu on 04/03/2020 - 09:41

      unless it mutates then shit could be literally flung on to the walls, i guess that's why they need all that toilet paper.

    • Turd on 04/03/2020 - 10:35
      +2

      WHO has revised the death rate of COVID-19 to 3.4% globally

      https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/03/who-says-coronavirus-death-r…

      • Bid Sniper on 04/03/2020 - 10:53
        -2

        2% higher affecting old people.

        People dont like boomers and seems higher powers agreed.

        Now time to profiteer on fancy toliet paper on ebay.

    • Cluster on 04/03/2020 - 10:54
      +1

      Have you ever been to a casino? They have a 2 to 3% odds advantage over the player, and manage to make most people walk out with no money most of the time. 48% chance of doubling your money. That tiny margin is all it takes for casinos to make massive profits.

      If you have a 2% chance of dying every time you get a cold, say, 5 times a year, after a few years your odds of dying are actually quite high.

      • Bid Sniper on 04/03/2020 - 11:01

        Yep aware of that statical spike with casios. Trickis play once and walk out. Maybe go cheap buffet then leave.

        You do have 1 to 2% chance of dying from normal flu anyway.

        But needs to be in context, those odds are for old people and those with weak immune systems. 2% of the general population includes those would die from a normal flu anyway.

        Normal people isnt a concern. As i said daily commute, workplace accidents and accidents at home when tallies is higher % of deaths in the population.

        • Cluster on 04/03/2020 - 14:39
          +3

          Mortality rate is 0.05% to 0.1% in developed countries. I don't know where people get 2% for the common flu, as it's the wrong value by an order of magnitude.

      • ihbh on 04/03/2020 - 12:35
        +1

        If you have a 2% chance of dying every time you get a cold, say, 5 times a year, after a few years your odds of dying are actually quite high.

        Some wonky logic here. These are independent events unless each time you catch the cold it reduces the strength of your immune system.

        • Cluster on 04/03/2020 - 14:38

          These are of course independent events. I didn't say they weren't. But if you keep playing a game where the chances are 1 in 50 that you will lose it all, your overall chance of going bust after a period of time is high.

          If you stand at a roulette wheel and play black only, or red only, or odd numbers only, you will eventually lose all your money. "But I only had a -2% EV of going bust on a spin!" Yep, that's how it works.

    • Oofy Doofy on 04/03/2020 - 16:58

      2% of those who report being unwell and seek help are dying. Lots of people catch it and don't seek help because they aren't that bad, or don't really suffer any symptoms. Mortality rate is overblown in this circumstance. Better number crunching is putting this preliminary at around 1% and over time it's likely to get closer to the mortality (more evidence) rate of seasonal flu.

    • c64 on 05/03/2020 - 09:03
      +1

      the mortality rate might be 2%, but you still don't want to get it if you can avoid it. it will severely disrupt your life if you contract it.

      • Bid Sniper on 05/03/2020 - 09:06

        Most people have mild symptoms, thats why its spreading so quickly.

        Unlike Ebola where symptoms where server, high mortality and fast acting, so easier to contain and spread less.

        Huge first world stockpiles of TP will help

  • Splashtash on 04/03/2020 - 08:44
    +1

    Thing is the average jo prob worries that all the hoarders will take it so they then grab a few extra which leads to even less stock

    • happirt on 04/03/2020 - 12:50
      -1

      just go into the kitchen section and get paper towels or personal section for tissues

  • ryurazu on 04/03/2020 - 09:16

    WHY toilet paper???? please explain

    • Bid Sniper on 04/03/2020 - 10:49
      +1

      $#itty situation

    • Bargain80 on 04/03/2020 - 11:24

      only 1st world problem of western countries.

    • Turd on 04/03/2020 - 11:48
      +3

      Sorry my fault.

    • happirt on 04/03/2020 - 12:47

      a lot of people are shitting their pants

    • mattythecapybara on 08/03/2020 - 17:50

      It's bulky, supermarkets carry little to spare, so it's easier for them to run out of. Then add in a bit of panic. There you have it.

  • Crownanchor on 04/03/2020 - 12:04

    So this may explain why the price of pasta increased in price recently. Many of the $1 pastas such as Woolworths, Coles, and the one at IGA have gone from $1 to $1.20 and they were previously selling for $1 for years.

    Also you can see the demand for toilet paper on ebay, and the prices have increased in the last couple of days. Funny that you buy get a bulk lot with click and collect, and collect at Woolworths C&C.

    • Turd on 04/03/2020 - 12:13
      +1

      Funny that you buy get a bulk lot with click and collect, and collect at Woolworths C&C.

      Your order will be canceled due to insufficient stocks.

    • netjock on 04/03/2020 - 12:15

      Pasta maybe the fact Australian dollar's dropped quite a bit from 1:1 with the USD. The cheap pasta comes from Italy.

      Locally made pasta they might be able to keep the price constant.

      • Crownanchor on 04/03/2020 - 12:39

        Was thinking that was a good point about the Aussie Dollar, but its Australian made, so maybe to do with bushfires/drought.

        • netjock on 04/03/2020 - 12:49

          I know what you are talking about, the $1 pasta. That is too rich for me.

          I buy the 65 cent Aldi pasta which is now 79 cents. Everything seems to have moved by about 20 cents lately. Even more if they are not on half price special.

          Might have to start rationing my pasta. Weight it and slowly shrink it down so I don't notice I am actually eating 15% less.

          • happirt on 04/03/2020 - 12:53

            @netjock: u need to weigh in cooking cost. best is angel hair pasta cooks in 2 mins. less gas and time cost.

            • netjock on 04/03/2020 - 13:03
              +1

              @happirt: Good tip!

              Now I need to precision cut the pasta to use the least amount of water. A few hundred millilitres here and there adds up to a lot in the long run.

  • happirt on 04/03/2020 - 12:45
    +1

     

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