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'Inherently selfish': The dark side to the bulk-buying toilet paper frenzy

Australia’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, like the virus itself, has gone global.

Footage of shoppers jostling for packs of toilet paper and endless images of empty Woolworths and Coles shelves have flooded social media, making the news abroad including in the US and UK.

While the chaotic scenes have been lambasted and even mocked online, it hasn’t stopped the wave of shoppers stripping shelves bare as mass hysteria sets in.

Some shoppers have been pictured with trolleys full of toilet paper, while some long-life food products have also sold out.

And while sections of the public perceive the matter trivial, the removal of key essentials is having a damaging effect on vulnerable demographics.

The bulk buying reached the point where supermarket giants have been forced to implement toilet paper purchase restrictions in order to protect certain customers.

A Woolworths spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia the move was to ensure more shoppers had access to the essential products.

Pictured is an elderly woman wearing a facemask in Coles next to an empty shelf.
Shoppers have stripped supermarket shelves bare, leaving the vulnerable empty handed. Source: Getty

The Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS) expressed its dismay over the tactic, reminding the public such behaviour would leave those on low incomes without essentials as they simply can’t afford to bulk buy.

VCOSS CEO Emma King told Yahoo News Australia that the practice was “inherently selfish”.

“People on low-incomes don’t have the ability to buy in bulk, and when they get to the shops the shelves are bare,” she said.

“By buying a trolley load of toilet paper or 40 bags of oats, you’re making it harder for others to get what they need.”

Foodbank Australia, the nation’s largest food relief organisation, echoed the same sentiment.

“There are special groups of people in our community who do not have the ability to shop on a regular basis, and when they do, they really need the essentials, like toilet paper to be available,” it explained on its Twitter account.

Dozens of people on low incomes, as well as those receiving Centrelink payments, have taken to social media revealing by the time they had been paid they were unable to purchases the essentials they needed.

Many explained they were also limited to how many supermarket trips they could take, and without their own vehicle, weren’t able to hop from supermarket to supermarket in search of products.

“I, a disability pensioner, went to buy loo paper on my payday,” one man explained.

“The supermarkets I can bus to are all out. 3 days later, still none. I am down to my last roll at home.”

Images of elderly shoppers struggling sparks anger

Some even documented the struggles of others, particularly the elderly, who were unable to purchase their desired products.

One shopper shared an image of a man in a Perth Coles store resorting to buying tissues with the toilet paper aisle cleaned out.

Pictured is an elderly man buying tissues next to an empty shelf in Coles.
An old man struggles to purchase toilet roll at a Coles store. Source: Facebook

“I offered him the very few toilet rolls that I had as I couldn't bear to see him go without,” the woman said on Facebook.

“Shame on all the people who have been buying in bulk because it's affecting so many people who aren't fortunate enough to do so.”

Another shopper said she witnessed an elderly lady crying because another Coles store had run out of toilet paper.

Ms King said the community had a responsibility to help others less fortunate, and the restrictions others face should be considered.

“Stockpiling isn’t a joke, it’s having a dreadful impact on so many in our community,” she told Yahoo News Australia.

“It’s grossly unfair and people need to calm down. As a community we need to make sure there is enough for everyone.”

Currently in Australia there are 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus and two deaths.

Health authorities have warned people they will need to self-isolate at home if they contract the virus.

Coronavirus cases in Australia as of 9am on Friday. Source: Yahoo News Australia
Coronavirus cases in Australia as of 9AM on Friday. Source: Yahoo News Australia

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