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Coronavirus madness: Experts explain the dramatic rush to the toilet paper

2020-03-19T06:13:29.386Z


The coronavirus pandemic is restricting many people's lives and driving many to buy hamsters. Why are the toilet paper shelves so often empty? Experts clarify.


The coronavirus pandemic is restricting many people's lives and driving many to buy hamsters. Why are the toilet paper shelves so often empty? Experts clarify.

  • The corona virus * has long since arrived in Europe.
  • The number of infected people and deaths is also increasing in Germany.
  • Toilet paper in particular is a popular product.

Munich - The corona virus keeps the world in suspense and controls the everyday life of many people. Europe has developed into the new epicenter. The situation in Italy is still drastic. The situation is also getting worse in Germany.

In addition to the increase in the number of infected people and deaths, people are concerned with another topic: buying hamsters.

Corona virus: why are the toilet paper shelves so often empty?

Schools have closed, borders are tight, social contacts should be avoided as much as possible. People buy hamsters.

But while in other countries goods such as medication, cigarettes or red wine are at the top of the list, one good in Germany is apparently in short supply: toilet paper. Why are toilet paper shelves all over Germany suddenly empty in times of the coronavirus Sars-CoV-2? And why aren't they quickly replenished?

Read also: Virologist contradicts federal government and gives risk groups completely different advice *

Coronavirus: Retailer Surprised by Rush on Toilet Paper

Apparently retailers were really surprised by the rush for toilet paper . In many supermarkets, sales are now limited to one or two packs.

In normal times , the demand for other products such as milk or pasta is higher, which is why toilet paper is less frequently ordered by supermarkets.

In modern logistics , according to a spokesman for the logistics association BGL to the editorial network Germany , replenishments will be delivered when the last rolls are sold. This mechanism came to an abrupt end with the coronavirus pandemic.

Food Minister Julia Klöckner "No supply shortages" in the coronavirus crisis

Minister of Food Julia Klöckner also tried to make it clear to people that there was no reason to buy hamsters. "We currently have no supply shortages in Germany," said the CDU politician on Saturday to the German Press Agency regarding the corona panic *.

Meanwhile, the Federal Association of German Food Trade (BVLH) also announced on Twitter that the retailers would work relentlessly to produce the food supply and replenish the shelves quickly. "The grocery stores are open as usual," continued the BVHL.

The dealers are constantly working with their suppliers to ensure the food supply and replenish the shelves quickly. The grocery stores are open as usual. #Hamster purchases #Corona crisis

- BVLH News (@BVLH_Berlin) March 15, 2020

André Schwarz , spokesman for the BGA foreign trade association , told the German press agency that supplies had become more difficult and that border controls could lead to delays . However, there is no need to panic . "The nationwide supply of goods is ensured," said Schwarz and further, "politicians have already taken countermeasures by relaxing the Sunday driving ban for trucks."

Coronavirus: Psychologists and experts explain the run on toilet paper

However, none of these statements prevent people from buying hamsters. "Toilet paper is the ideal product for hamsters because it is cheap, it lasts forever and it can be used bit by bit ," psychologist Dirk Baumeier told n-tv. According to Baumeier, you don't feel like you're making a bad investment, but you can still take rolls from the stock years later. "Hamsters are an ancient human need," says Baumeier.

Experts express another approach. According to Steven Taylor , professor of psychiatry at the University of British Columbia in Canada , toilet paper has developed into a “symbol for security” through the images on social media, as fr.de * reports. Another explanation for hamstering hygiene products in general could be our evolutionary aversion to things that disgust us, Taylor said. “I think that's one of the reasons people stick to the toilet paper because it's a way to avoid disgust.

Coronavirus hamster purchases: tendency towards zero risk

Health economist Farasatt Bokhari said: "My guess is that we want to have the feeling of control and at the same time have a limited budget." According to economists, the phenomenon of "zero risk bias" also plays a role. People live out a tendency towards zero risk.

Meanwhile, there is new hope for a corona vaccine. However, researchers warn of incalculable risks.

The corona hamster buyers are in full swing. Is another product actually sold out? Meanwhile, many people wonder what the symptoms of the coronavirus * are.

* tz.de and fr.de are part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network

List of rubric lists: © picture alliance / dpa / Hendrik Schmidt

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2020-03-19

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