covid 19 panic-induced hoarding

[Bill_in_VA]

Wow, just came out of walmart and have never seen anything like this. There was NO toilet paper and I walked back up front to the service desk and asked if they had anymore anywhere else. The girl gave me a very rude “NO” with a look of disgust that I would even ask her for toilet paper. That was the longest walk back to the bathroom with my pants around my ankles.

[gunnertwo]

Good thing my coffee was in the cup and not my mouth...

G2

[kurusu]

Lol

[Sergio Natali]

Here we've got a bit of a problem with this Coronavirus, in any case Italy favors the health of its people and adopts a safeguard technique; the United Kingdom instead seems to favor only the "economic side" by paying the price of the death of a large number of people.
Italy is a great country, our economy ranks second just behind Germany and way ahead of France and UK, and now we are fighting with all our strength against a sneaky virus and against even more subtle nations (France, Germany, Austria). We will get out of it well, with a greater bond towards our Nation , sometimes mistreated. We must, despite some inevitable mistakes, applaud our rulers (without looking at the political color), not listening to the few who're rowing against in a reckless way, considering the difficult moment.

All the best to all the Luger enthusiasts!

[Kiwi]

E-mail received from a friend in Australia
----------------------------------

I heard that a patient in Melbourne was diagnosed as suffering from Coronavirus today.

He was told that he would be immediately placed in an isolation room and fed on a diet of flounder, pizza and flat bread.

He asked the doctor whether that diet was going to cure him.

The doctor replied, “No. BUT they are the only things that we can slide in under the door!”.

[calibrator]

I'm glad to see a sense of humor here.

I also hope that the folks here are aware of what this is actually all about.

It's not a laughing matter, ...

[Curly1]

[WG dog]

No toilet paper at Walmart.

It's like the Great Depression.

"Brother, can you spare a roll?"

[Edward Tinker]

Here in Washington, as of today - restaurants and theaters are closed for 3-4 weeks, colleges and younger are closed next six weeks.

I went to Yokes (like a safeway) and besides TP, aisles were empty - no tomatoe sauce - no spam, no eggs, only one brand of mile, no butter - was amazed - never seen a store so empty (not counting the pictures I've seen of commie countries).

I am sure there is plenty of hype - and hoping it is - but washington has the highest number of infected folks and the most deaths...

[HerrKaiser]

People are losing their minds in a panic, and the governments at all levels repeatedly ramping up restrictions on a daily basis is only inducing it further. It puts people like me in a giant catch 22. I am appalled by the hysteria, but also fully aware that if I do not get supplies I may well have to go without for an extended period of time, and thus I end up participating from an extension of game-theory.

On Thursday Ohio announced that schools would close and be online only for 3 weeks. By Friday, that went to the rest of the semester/spring. It was also announced that all gatherings of 250 people or more would be banned.

On Sunday, that was reduced to 100 people, and all bars/restaurants, etc would close sit down dining facilities, takeout or delivery only.

Today, only 50 people and all recreational venues are shut down effective an hour ago. New CDC guidelines from 3 pm say only 10 people, I imagine that decree comes tomorrow and after Ohio's primary, the state will likely go under de facto quarantine.

I have a few associates who are Army Lts, both announced that their training this weekend has been cancelled and one went so far as to say that officers above him told him that by Thurs we can expect a statewide quarantine similar to Italy. He said the national health care industry was notified of national quarantine in 2 days. All non-essential interstate travel to be stopped and people will work from home as available.

I cannot corroborate any of this, but I trust him and he is a straight shooter in several regards.

What do you expect people to do with such a drastic ramping up of all these measures?

Stay safe friends, I hope I am wrong about this but I would have told you that you were batsh*t crazy if at this time last week you told me where we are today. I have no idea what the situation will even look like in 1 week.

[Norme]

Dear Quintin,
I'm sorry that you find all these new restrictions burdensome but I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation. If a young man like yourself contracts this new corona virus you can expect a full recovery in a few days. For elderly folks like my wife and I, aged 75 and 81 respectively, this would likely mean a death sentence, given the shortage of test kits, E.R. beds and ventilators. Yes, we take this very seriously.
Norm

[HerrKaiser]

Norm,

Apologies if I came off that way as I am not underestimating the severity of the illness, nor am I really upset with all the closures and precautionary measures taken (except the gym, I noticed 2 weeks ago that my jeans were getting a bit snug and had been hitting the weights and treadmills rather vigorously). It is not that I think the alarm is unjustified in and of itself, I just think the general populace that is not gravely affected by this are not thinking or acting rationally.

The 18-50 year-olds are driving the panic hoarding at the expense of the public at large and particularly the at-risk groups, such as yourself. My complaint is that I am currently stuck in a situation where I am not in a panic, but I must play my cards as if I am in a panic because otherwise there will not be any food for me to get ahold of thanks to others' panic hoarding. That the measures to combat this pandemic get more restrictive each day instead of just jumping to this point on Friday when restrictions were widely announced just fuels more peoples' panic and clears the shelves faster, putting myself in deeper binds regarding food acquisition.

I have a few books for my classes to continue to catch up on, a thesis to finish, and jobs to apply for. Much less all 3 volumes of Gortz and Sturgess to read through, tons of netflix shows that I am behind on, and video games that are always new. I can afford to reasonably be a home-body for the next 4 months and not have all that much to personally worry about regarding entertainment, even without sports. My biggest concern is that my fiancee, an LPN in Toledo, will come into contact with the virus and the consequences of it. Her immune system isn't as strong as mine.

[wlyon]

Well said Norm!! I have no problem with the restrictions. Especially if the other choice is getting sick myself (83) or passing it on to someone else. Folks this is a real crisis. Even our President finally woke up ? If changing our lives for a few months saves lives have at it. This is too serious to be complaining about a few changes . Stay healthy and God Bless Everyone. Bill

[HerrKaiser]

I am not denying any of these serious risks to all of our health, but there are equally dramatic effects on the younger population that has nothing to do with purely getting sick. This isn't me seriously complaining that I cannot go to the gym, or that I cannot go to the movies, or other such trivial matters.

Rent is still due every month regardless, my landlord has not stated any relaxation on this. Given the huge amount of job layoffs and sudden lack of places hiring from these new restrictions, there are no jobs available to me to earn income after May 15 with my university stipends ending at that point. My fiancee is a nurse, but works in a drug detox clinic where she sees VERY high risk populations for the virus, she also has a weakened immune system and is therefore an "at risk" population herself. She only recently graduated and got this job and thus lacks full insurance benefits. We do not have the space in our apartment or the money reserves to have built up extensive food stores, and now there is hardly any food to even be found at the stores to replenish our relatively meager stocks. That, and they're hoarding the hygiene products that can best protect both myself and others from the virus should we happen to get it. So long as she can continue to work, we should be fine.

But after my income source dries up in 2 months, we will be living nearly paycheck to paycheck as only her income would have to account for all our bills including added student loan repayments. If she gets the virus, it will bankrupt our savings and emergency rent money for the treatment on top of severing our biggest and most stable, possibly our only, source of income. Lord forbid it get any worse than that given her immune system. My family is not inherently wealthy in their own right to be able to for certain wire me the money to not be homeless should we lose our income, especially as their work schedules are affected by this too. I am, quite possibly, staring starvation and homelessness in the face if she gets sick, and there is little that either her or I can do about it.

[Proofed]

I think of this forum as a place to go when you want to temporarily lose yourself in something that has a very special interest. Everyone needs relief now and then.
I dont think this is the place to discuss the nightmare we face (all of us everywhere). There are endless places to discuss problems and current events. Can we keep this place free of the dark side.

[calibrator]

I don't visit here anymore for Luger advice as I did 10+yrs ago.

Sure I like looking at the pretty ones, however I come here now more in a sense of Family ties. I've met members face-to-face, and have had good interactions through PMs with others. I now come mostly to see how ya'll are doin'.

As with any Family Member, I want to see what's best for them all. In today's world of Micro-managed Media coverage, you don't always get the facts. My "Hobby" for quite some time has been delving into alternative news sources in order to have a more informed picture of things that are NOT EVER mentioned by the MSM.

I enjoy sharing what I've found with those close to me. The 3 guys I work with have been infected by my Hobby, and we swap whatever new info we've recently found on a daily basis, it's gratifying !

As Firearms enthusiasts, there are many issues that affect us directly. Living in a padded bubble, may be comforting to some. I however want to go into each new day with an understanding of what I may actually face. The full-court-press IS on to take your "Semi-automatic Magazine-fed" weapons. Do you think there will be an exception for Lugers ??? Most here would be accused of having a "Vast Arsenal" of Military Grade Weapons by the MSM.

Do you know that the Mayor of New Orleans has just decreed that sales and TRANSPORTATION of weapons is now illegal ? It's coming to a town near you soon. Keep your eye on Virginia !

I look at this thread, and I see the concern of a Family about it's members. Also, I now know more about the lives of the folks behind the Avatars. Having an Adult interaction about topics should NOT be scary, or unsettling. The key-word is "ADULT" ! No one is forcing anyone to click on a thread, much less read it once they find it onerous. Censorship has it's place, such as keeping pornography away from children. Here in the USA, the Majority often suffers due to the whims of a Vocal Minority.

I do dare say, ... that traffic on this site would double, if there were a sub-forum where members could share their concerns about, ... whatever. The Owners of this site, and the Moderators have the last word about it's character, PERIOD !

[calibrator]

Hey QM !

Just now noticed you live in Ohio. I read about your situation/concerns with regret (I no longer use the word "Sorry").

I went to high school in Cuyahoga Hts (graduated in '71). Alcoa, Republic Steel, Lincoln Electric and many others were part of our tax base. We had the BEST of everything as a school system. Don't know how things are there now, since they all seem to have closed and moved to China.

I joined the USN in '75, got out in '79, and couldn't find a decent job in Cleveland, mostly due to Affirmative Action demands. I moved to AZ in '91. Best decision I ever made as regards quality of life, and freedom. NOT having to shovel my rain is a MAJOR plus IMHO !

When I talk to young guys these days, I really do try to push them into thinking about joining the Military. My ex-SIL joined the Army when he was 35, and it turned his life around greatly. I often regret NOT staying in for the full 30 yrs.

Plenty of jobs here in AZ, go on Craigslist to check. I see a lot of help-wanted signs around town. I think you have to be kind of a Masochist to live in Ohio. Of course, you do have Lake Erie. I wish you and your GF well ! The decisions you both make in the next 2 months will shape your future. Don't let Fear, Panic and a sense of desperation guide your hand.

[Lugerdoc]

For those for whom the Cronovirus has or will cause economic problems, just remember that your FA collection is a source of savings. If necessary, you can offer items here in the For Sale section without fee or commissions. Also the above mentioned changes to state &/or local laws regarding gun ownership. sales etc, may cause some sales and with many localities limiting that attendance of public events, including gun shows, the Forums provide a good alternative. TH

[DonVoigt]

There are plenty of sites where folks can go to talk about things other than lugers;
I for one find this forum a good place to visit, and enjoy the situation where we just stick to the subject of lugers and related information.

JMHO.

[Vlim]

Be like Otto and Hermann. Quarantine yourself.