Editorial: Be prepared but sensible

Enough with the stockpiling of toilet paper, please. There is a fine line between being prepared, sensible and taking precautions and being hysterical.

ENOUGH with the stockpiling of toilet paper, please.

Supermarkets across the country are being raided by panicked shoppers terrified coronavirus is going to leave them stranded at home for days or weeks.

Shelves have been stripped of pantry items and hand sanitiser and toilet roll has become one of Australia’s most cherished commodities. Today we report that dentists fear they will need to close due to the selling out of face masks.

Indeed, a stoush between shoppers was overheard at Campbell St Woolies yesterday when a woman filled her shopping trolley with loo rolls convinced Tasmanians were about to be quarantined any day now. Her actions shocked and dismayed a young lad who, after some words were exchanged, was forced to turn to kitchen towels as his only salvation.

Today’s Mercury cartoon by Chris Downes.

For the record readers, kitchen towel is not an acceptable replacement for toilet roll. The last thing we need is for Tasmania’s old sewerage system to fall victim to this panic buying epidemic.

We’re not downplaying the significance of coronavirus. Clearly this week, the crisis hit a significant new level.

Not only was the first case confirmed in Tasmania, in NSW there have been the first few examples of cases in which the virus has been transmitted from person to person.

Initially, the virus in Australia was being viewed as something introduced, which the government hoped to control with border and travel restrictions.

However, the latest development will inevitably lead to a change in tack from authorities.

Australian experts are saying it’s only a matter of time before more and more Australians are impacted.

An outbreak would lead to lives lost.

CHINESE STUDENTS TO BE KEPT IN ‘PREVENTIVE ISOLATION’ ON RETURN

The government, health authorities, businesses and organisations are all putting in place pandemic plans and preparing for the worst.

Global markets are preparing for a downturn as the virus spreads and Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is in the final throes of finalising his government’s financial stimulus package to alleviate the economic pain being caused by the coronavirus.

Authorities are giving daily advice to people on how they should personally protect and prepare themselves. And it’s important advice to listen to.

Yesterday, it was confirmed that the man who tested positive to the virus in Launceston visited a supermarket while infected.

The risk to anyone at that supermarket is low but the public has been informed so that, if need be, they can take precautions.

For people who have been travelling overseas or who have symptoms, we rely on them to seek advice from healthcare professionals and to do the right thing. Everyone needs to take personal responsibility to ensure we contain the spread of this virus.

But there is a fine line between being prepared, sensible and taking precautions and being hysterical.

Bulk-buying toilet paper and face masks is being entirely hysterical, especially given there is no expert advice suggesting it’s any sort of way to prepare.