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Panic Buying in Banbury
08/03/2020
Shelves cleared as coronavirus concerns sets in
Shop shelves in many Banbury supermarkets were cleared over the weekend as panic buying took hold in the face of the increasing number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the UK.
Supplies of paracetamol, toilet rolls, pasta and baked beans were amongst the items people were seen buying in quantity in Banbury. UHT milk, hand sanitisers and soap were also in short supply. Our main picture shows one aisle in the Banbury branch of Waitrose on Saturday lunchtime.
The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Tesco nationally began limiting the amount of certain items customers could buy to ensure they had enough supplies. Meanwhile the Tesco website is showing some items as unavailable.
The government is urging people not to panic buy. Speaking on BBC’s Question Time, Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health said: “The Government has supplies of the key things that are needed, and, within the food supply, we are absolutely confident that there won’t be a problem there. And, crucially, we are working to makes sure that if people are self-isolating, they will be able to get the food and supplies that they need.”
The plundering of the shelves is annoying some people. Writing on Banbury FM’s Facebook page Sue Furssedonn said, “It’s incredibly selfish. Shops should limit the quantity of those items that are being panic bought so that those who may be at real risk can also buy what they need. Shops have done it successfully before”.
Patsy O’Sullivan said, “I can understand the elderly and vulnerable purchasing a bit extra so they can limit their time mixing in big crowds and limiting their chance of getting infected, but the hoarders of the everyday Joe public is a tad questionable. Hopefully following the science behind the findings and just being clean will hopefully contain the virus. We seem to be fairing pretty well at present”.
Patsy Rolfe said, “Totally over the top and selfish, people at risk not be able to buy hand gel because of other people be greedy and company’s now making money on this by putting prices up. I have no clue what the toilet roll thing is about total madness”.
On Saturday the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Britain rose to 206. It is understood there are now four cases in Oxfordshire, with the Oxford Mail reporting that one of these is an Oxford University student.
The advice from public health England remains:
- Wash your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds using soap and hot water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, or after being in public areas where other people are doing so. Use hand sanitiser if that’s all you have access to.
- To reduce the spread of germs when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your sleeve (not your hands) if you don’t have a tissue, and throw the tissue away immediately. Then wash your hands or use a hand sanitising gel.
- Clean and disinfect regularly touched objects and surfaces using your regular cleaning products to reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.
- If you have been in contact with someone with coronavirus or have returned from an affected area identified by the Chief Medical Officer as high risk and you are feeling unwell with a cough, difficulty breathing or fever, stay at home and use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service or call NHS 111.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam