Commonwealth Policy Center

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has brought on panic. People are raiding grocery stores and hoarding toilet paper, medicines, and disinfectants, leaving shelves bare. It should go without saying that panic isn’t helpful in times of crisis. Hoarding certain items might make you feel like you’re doing something but consider the impact it has on others. Rushing through the aisle and grabbing the last items on the shelves increases the level of anxiety. It also may leave your neighbor who comes to the store later only to find crumbs. Look, the supply lines will continue and the shelves will be restocked, but in such a time of crisis, cooler heads must prevail. It’s time to be calm and prudent, not contributing to more anxiety but consider our neighbors and those around us.