One or two other bloggers I follow have already mentioned 'hoarding' as one result of the fear of the corona virus spreading around the world just now. The same hoarding phenomenon is being reported here too now - even if I did not notice much evidence of it when visiting my supermarket earlier this week. However, I was not really out to buy a lot of things myself on that occasion, but only a few small items.
Since a few years back (when 'my' supermarket was first in town to introduce the system), it's been my routine to order groceries and other household items online with home delivery, twice a month or so. I then try to include everything heavy and bulky, and things that can be stocked for a while without going bad.
Combined with living alone and no car, this means I've got used to a certain level of 'hoarding' some basic stuff; especially in winter, when bad weather as well as a common cold or flu might make it necessary for me to stay in for a few days. Besides groceries and kitchen paper and such, I also try to keep a certain supply of medicines and toileteries etc. Even if one cannot be prepared for everything, it's in my nature (and upbringing) to try to be prepared for things I know may happen.
So far, I don't think fear of the corona virus changed my behaviour much compared to a normal winter (flu) season. Possibly I've also lately been extra careful to avoid going by bus - but actually I haven't really wanted or needed to go further from home than I prefer to walk anyway.
The number of confirmed corona cases in Sweden keeps rising now, though (it was thirty something this morning but has tripled during the day - including one case in my town now). It seems that so far everyone still either got it from visits abroad - especially northern Italy - or by close contact with someone else who in turn got it abroad. (But of course the more people who turn out to have caught it, the harder it must be to keep it under control.)
This morning I walked into town, and popped into my favourite tea shop to get an extra supply of two of my favourite teas... I also went to my local convenience shop and bought some extra eggs and bananas. Hoping this will tide me over until my next online order! ;)
What about you? Are you a hoarder / planner by nature, or do you wait until you discover the fridge or pantry is all empty? And how is the "virus situation" developing where you live?
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The image is a photo from when I was sorting through my kitchen cabinets back in January (and putting in new shelf paper). (Edited using 'colour reduction'.)
I like how you have food delivered, especially heavy items and that is an extra good approach in flu season, to avoid being among people in grocery stores. My food shopping remains the same thus far, but in light of the coronavirus I bought hand sanitizer gel, zinc lozenges, and face masks to have on hand, enough to share with my family. As the Girl Scout motto says "be prepared."
ReplyDeleteTerra, over here we are told that face masks should only be used by medical staff, because if worn by people not knowing when and how to use them properly (esp when taking them off), they can contribute to spreading the virus rather than protecting against it. Nevertheless, they seem to be sold out already at the pharmacies. (I heard on the news - I've not tried to buy any.) We're advised here to primarily wash our hands with soap and water, and use sanitizer gel if soap and water is not available. I did buy some extra wet wipes and one small bottle of sanitizer gel to keep in my backpack (which I use when I go out shopping etc).
DeleteI am definitely not a hoarder, my muum before she downsized her house was a little bit but no it doesn't work for me at all lol. Going through our house in preparation for our move we are finding all sorts of stuff we didn't know we had. As for the virus we get our shopping delivered to us every week and there have been no shortages so far.
ReplyDeleteAmy, I was perhaps exaggerating a bit when using the word hoarding. (English being my second language, I'm not always sure I get the nuances right.) I'm not really a hoarder in the sense that I just keep collecting stuff and never get rid of anything.
DeleteWell, I for sure like to keep very well stocked. But now I have been stockpiling stuff! Tons of toilet paper, paper towels, and non-perishable foods. Also lots of wipes. They are selling out fast. It has not been reported in our state yet, but is getting closer and closer. And we are in the age bracket for being affected the worst if we catch it.
ReplyDeleteGinny, you just made me buy some extra wipes today as well! ;) (Half kidding. They were on my shopping list for next week but I happened to notice they were sold at reduced price this week.) It's still really hard to tell what one might need (or when), isn't it, as no one can really say how it is all going to develop. I understand your worry. I certainly don't want to catch it either.
DeleteWhen it comes to provisions, I am rather careless. Like you, I live alone and have no car. Plus I eat at my client's canteen usually three days a week, and on my home office days or when I am at a different client's office, I prepare a sandwich for the day or buy something from the nearest bakery or so. That rather limits the amount of food I need to have at home for myself; I hate throwing out food, so I buy fresh groceries such as lettuce, fruit, veg and dairy products only as much as I am certain to consume before they go bad, and of course limited by what I can carry on foot.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I have changed about my behaviour in the wake of corona is that I rarely shake hands now. When it comes to public transport, I have no choice but using it nearly every day anyway, and I have always made sure to wash my hands as soon as can afterwards.
All the panic buying is ridiculous. People are so easily influenced and hyped up.
Meike, I don't like throwing out food either. Unlike you, though, I prepare and eat almost every meal at home, every day. So that of course makes a difference when it comes to planning. Since I started using online shopping, I think I throw away less, because then I only order what I need, instead of falling for cheap offers in the store - only to discover when I get home that I already had enough of that... ;)
DeleteI am not a hoarder, I think that refers to keeping things that have no use and addicted to keeping everything.. but I do keep things that I think we might need, especially the over the counter meds, I always have salves and bandages and cough syrup and pain meds and something for stomach problems. like Imodiun.. but only one of each. to me hoarding would be having multibles that will go bad before being used.
ReplyDeleteSandra, I don't really consider myself an extreme hoarder in the sense of just adding stuff and never getting rid of anything... But when it comes to everyday and medical stuff, I prefer to keep "one step ahead", as in making sure I don't suddenly run out of something important if I get sick and can't get out to the shops for a week or two.
Deleteforgot to say, the only thing the virus has changed for bob and I, are we are not eating out, I don't drink the coffee at the YMCA, and we wash wash wash our hands. we have 2 cases here so far
ReplyDeleteI am a person who always keeps a good supply of my basic provisions in the house. Partly because it's my nature; partly because i expect to be prepared to feed and cope with any visitors who just turn up on the day; and partly in case I fall ill or am otherwise incommoded. However the main reason stems from that days when I worked. I would arrive home and decide what I wanted to eat. I could virtually guarantee that I could provide myself with almost anything from a Thai curry to a spaghetti al fredo to a venison sausage casserole. I'm still a bit like that.
ReplyDeleteHowever, today, when I went to buy a single pack of something I just happen to have run out of I discovered there were none to be had anywhere. That rather surprised me. On Monday I might take a look at what basics are in short supply in that great metropolis that is Stornoway.
Graham, when I made another visit to the supermarket for a few items yesterday, I discovered that while there seemed to be no lack of fresh fruit and vegetables (eggplant, avocado and grapes were on my list), but they were all out of dried yeast.
DeleteOur supermarkets are often out of various things on my usual list so I'm never surprised.
DeleteI do not understand the buying of toilet paper for a virus that causes a chest infection. I bought tins of tomatoes, chick peas, and tuna, some pasta sauce, and pasta. We have enough for 2 weeks. We live in high density housing and share the lifts with hundreds of people. The cleaning staff here are not fantastic at their work, so we are being careful. As much as possible, we are getting out in the fresh air and sunshine. Good luck in your cold climate.
ReplyDeleteMLM I'd say toilet paper (just like food) is just another thing you really don't want to run out of if you have to stay in for a couple of weeks!
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