South Deltans for now don’t appear ready to start panic buying including toilet paper hoarding.
At least that’s what the Delta Optimist was able to gauge Monday as Ladner and Tsawwassen’s grocery stores were checked out to see their toilet paper situation and what people are saying about the coronavirus.
By early afternoon, the Walmart at the Tsawwassen Commons was completely out of toilet paper, although there were plenty of paper towels and other grocery items to be had including recommended items for stocking up such as canned foods and dried foods such as rice and pasta. Water was also to be had at all the stores.
The toilet paper section at Thrifty Foods and Save-On-Foods in Tsawwassen was a little thinned, but the stores still had plenty on the shelves.
The Ladner Save-on-Foods, London Drugs and FreshCo also had plenty and, while just having small packages, even the Dollarama had toilet paper.
Outside the Walmart, a shopper who was doing her regular weekly grocery routine described the toilet paper sellout as “crazy” but she was confident it was available at other local stores. However, she was frustrated that she may not get it on a sale price.
Walmart at the Tsawwasson Commons ran out of toilet paper, much to the annoyance to shoppers who could buy almost everything else at the store
Another shopper leaving the store said he was annoyed, calling the panic buying “unnecessary”.
Several outside the Tsawwassen Save-On scoffed at the panic buying and empty shelves elsewhere, saying there was no need go overboard with the stocking up.
One shopper admitted buying an extra package of toilet paper and a few items but said he didn’t see the need to buy as if it’s the end of the world.
Another laughed its doubtful stores will start closing down and that streets will become deserted.
Outside the FreshCo, Don Markland called the frenzied panic buying seen in some communities and stores like Costco “a load of rubbish”, saying that the same level of panic hasn’t been seen with other illnesses.
He also quipped the coronavirus isn’t diarrhea.
Jeff and Gaynor Owen also haven’t been panic buying, saying that while it’s always wise to have a few extra essentials, the world is certainly not coming to an end.
They added that while not deadly, the virus and its spread should also not be taken lightly, either.
They also agreed there’s easy precautions people can take to help prevent catching it, so they don’t intend to be hunker down indoors.
Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu last week denied she warned Canadians to stockpile food and medicine because of the coronavirus, saying her earlier comments were mischaracterized.
Hajdu said her message was for people to simply be prepared with enough supplies to get by if they or a family member can’t leave home.
