Hoarding stupidity

I usually go to Wal-Mart at 8:00am to avoid the traffic and crowds. There is normally me and a few other customers. Today it was crowded like it was noon. The store looked like it had been looted yesterday. People carts are piled high with water, toilet paper, canned goods, etc.

WTF is with these people? Do they think Wal-Mart (and all the others) are going to shut down for a few months????

I stood in line for 20 minutes with my 12 items.............

It appears that people are worried that the supply chain has been interrupted, and that re-stocking may be a problem. We don't consume much that does not originate in China or India, including the medications that keep some of us alive.

Last time I looked my toilet paper and bottled water didn't come from China or India. This is what they are hoarding the most. I didn't see any lineup at the RX counter.

Bob, RV is probably talking about the U.S. since that is where he lives now. Be well, RVG!

I don't see a reason to hoard either except being self-sufficient for the next couple of months is probably a very good idea. Avoiding tourists and travelers, crowds, confined public places and sick people also good ideas. But, TP? What's up with hoarding TP?

I thought we'd have no problem with water delivery until I realized there could be service problems if many of the delivery guys became sick and don't work.

I liked it where a local newspaper starting print blanks pages within their publication. With the state of many newspapers in Mexico (blood, guts and gossip rags), publishers may do the same, actually making something worthwhile for their readers.

Trailrunner wrote:Bob, RV is probably talking about the U.S. since that is where he lives now. Be well, RVG!

I don't see a reason to hoard either except being self-sufficient for the next couple of months is probably a very good idea. Avoiding tourists and travelers, crowds, confined public places and sick people also good ideas. But, TP? What's up with hoarding TP?

I thought we'd have no problem with water delivery until I realized there could be service problems if many of the delivery guys became sick and don't work.

The TP and bottled water in the US doesn't come from China or India either. I can understand stocking up on your meds. The young local water delivery guys will hardly notice any symptoms. A great number of people who are diagnosed positive are reporting the same thing. Barely noticeable........
They should be shutting down the LCS though.

Thanks for the warning, CB! I was planning to do my monthly shopping at WM next week, but I may skip that, depending on how the parking lot looks as i drive by on the way to Riberas for pet food, I can't get it in Tizapan anymore.

I got my wine, to hell with the TP.

This may be what's happening... grifters, gougers and others.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/he-has-17700-bottles-of-hand-sanitizer-and-nowhere-to-sell-them/ar-BB11blvS

It's fine that e-bay and Amazon have stopped them from selling BUT the products are still needed. How disgusting is it to profit from others' misfortune?

In my local Home Depot, a couple bought most of a truck load of hand sanitizers for profit. Very selfish! We hope they get stuck with them.

Or the couple in Australia who thought they had bought 48 rolls, but it turns out they accidently ordered 48 boxes, worth over $3,000 aus.

I was at the old Costco in Guadalajara Thursday. No parking places even thought you have to pay to park. People were double parked. I walked out of the store with nothing as it was a zoo with huge lineups.

Well about 3 weeks ago I went and bought enough non perishable foods to last me about 2 months. My thinking at the time and I already said it several times on this board that if China is locking down cities larger then Guadalajara then there is something more serious going on. Look at Europe now, the entire continent is pretty much in lock down. Also, keep in mind that a recession is coming. Just think about all the people loosing there jobs (mortgage payment, car payment you name it). How the hell are schools going to catch up. Think about it, we are a little over 3 months before graduations. The preparatorios will most probably not be open on Tuesday, Universities in Guadalajara are already closed. The Simapa guy I talked to today said that the Monday Tiangy will most probably be next. Feel free to down play this virus, the Chinese doctor who sounded the alarm was young and now dead. Anyway enough said its time for a nice cold Corona

Well thats good. I won't expect to see you at Wal-Mart next week.

BTW.....they have no issues getting food or meds in any of the locked down cities it just means no one in or out there except for delivery trucks.  Hoarders cause the issues.......

The supply chain often has nothing to do with foreign goods. WalMart introduced "on demand" inventory. I worked for a company that created the first viable on-line ordering system, which ties in with that method.

On-demand simply means having enough inventory in the chain, from the manufacturer to the warehouse to the retail outlets. When the unexpected demand occurs, this chain keeps things running smoothly. If suddenly every kid wants a new bike in springtime, the system is designed for that. But when everybody decides that facial tissues are the next big thing (to wit: empty shelves at Soriana today), the supply chain can't recover fast enough.

There is no reason for hoarding TP. It happens when people who are not prepared suddenly decide to go get prepared. They don't have a plan, they just go to the store (with a thousand other people who are just as clueless) and think "Man, if I have to sh*t, and don't have TP, that would be awful!" And they but enough for a few months.

People who are prepared have a small stockpile of key things (like meds, water, etc) all the time. When a crisis like this breaks out, it was obvious to go stock up earlier. I went two weeks back and stocked up with non-perishables.

The challenge here (and in other developing countries) is what happens to services when the pandemic hits. How long will the water keep flowing when no one shows up at SIMAPA? How long before a trash truck comes by? When (not if) will the power stop? And of course, for how long?

You can't really prepare for an extreme outcome, but you can set aside enough supplies to cover a week or so.

Everyone needs to read up on the virus. It really only affects those who are susceptible (elderly and immune suppressed). Nothing is going to close down for more than a few days, if even that. Not likely everyone who works for simipa or the CFE are going to be hospitalized. Most will show up to work with minor symptoms. Mexico won't do much to contain it IMO........they still say there are only 20 or so cases here. Not likley. There is more likely thousands but they don't have the ability to even test for it.

If you feel susceptible stay home, avoid others and wash you hands regularly. That is what the WHO recommends.

Hmmmm! Let us hope so CB.

Let's hope they develop a vaccine sooner than later. I hear there are a few RX companies getting really close.

but then....

https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2020-03-12/why-does-it-take-so-long-to-make-a-coronavirus-vaccine

CanuckBob wrote:Everyone needs to read up on the virus. It really only affects those who are susceptible (elderly and immune suppressed).

CB, I would take issue with your analysis of "ONLY"  For sure it appears to be striking the elderly more than the very young, but......

As far as the vaccine goes, this article about what the bastard in the White House is trying to do nearly had me have a stroke, I got so mad:
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/15/coronavirus-germany-tries-to-stop-us-luring-away-firm-seeking-vaccine.html

It is all about the money and glory for him.
I swear, if that s.o.b had a health emergency in front of me I'd forget all I learned about aiding a person.


\\\