STOCKPILING: what the stores look like now and why it’s complete nonsense
They’re everywhere on Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram and news sites: photos of empty shelves. People with stacks of toilet paper. The world has started stockpiling, and it looks pretty apocalyptic.
The result: a snowball effect. Because hey: if your Appie, Aldi or Jumbo is empty, you’d better stock up too, right? That was my thought when I saw all those photos and heard from friends that people were arguing in the supermarket. And sure, buying a little extra can’t hurt. If only so you have to shop less often and therefore spend less time in crowded spaces.
No worries, there’s enough
But people. Breathe in, breathe out, and above all, let’s not overdo it. There’s no need to stock up like a maniac on canned goods, pasta and bags of rice. The supermarket industry has already announced that supplies will continue as normal and that there is enough food for everyone to do their shopping every day.
“You should see it as a Christmas period in spring. In addition, the Netherlands exports more than four times as much as we consume here. So there is enough food available. For now, we’re really safe,” said Marc Jansen of industry association CBL to NOS.
Think of your fellow human beings
And apart from the unnecessary panic it causes: think of your fellow human beings too. If we all just buy a little more, people won’t miss out, there will be no irritation, people who don’t even have the money to buy more than one day’s worth of groceries will still have a chance at a decent meal, and what about people who aren’t mobile enough to visit five supermarkets looking for a roll of toilet paper?
The reverse applies too: calling each other ‘looters’ because someone buys an extra pack of toilet paper is ridiculous. Some people really do have to self-quarantine, and for them it does make sense to buy a little more in one go. For the other person’s safety too.
Dear people, of course, it’s a strange time. We don’t know what’s going to happen, and that’s more than a little scary. But above all, let’s not unnecessarily whip each other up, especially not at each other’s expense.
Also read:
