Run on toilet paper is just the tip of the iceberg

If you think the run on toilet paper is just an American thing, think again.

On March 10, Business Insider reported: “The spread of the coronavirus has brought with it panic-buying of food and household essentials, despite the attempts of governments to discourage stockpiling. But no item has made more headlines than the humble toilet roll. “From buying enough toilet rolls to make a throne, to printing out blank newspaper pages to serve as extra toilet paper, people have had a seemingly insatiable desire to stockpile — even though manufacturers say there is no shortage.”

The publication wasn’t talking about the toilet paper raid on U.S. supermarkets, it was describing panic buying overseas. In Japan, binge buying went too far and shoppers in Tokyo were limited to one packet of toilet paper per person. In Hong Kong, the scarcity was so dire that an armed gang robbed a shop of just 600 rolls.

What’s the reason for the run when toilet paper isn’t known to have any virus-blocking properties?

Steven Taylor, a clinical psychologist and author of “The Psychology of Pandemics,” believes COVID-19 has scared many people because there is little information and no vaccine, yet. He also believes social media has heightened the tension.

“People, being social creatures, we look to each other for cues for what is safe and what is dangerous,” he said. “And when you see someone in the store panic-buying, that can cause a fear-contagion effect.”

President Trump has warned against hoarding and asked Americans to buy just what they need. He and business leaders keep assuring residents supplies are plentiful and retailers just need an opportunity to catch up. So far that hasn’t stopped people from squirreling away goods.

For example, the problem is not our nation’s toilet papermaking capacity, it is sudden surge buying. Paper mills, such as Georgia Pacific’s plants at Camas and Wauna, Ore., can produce huge volumes of toilet paper, even stockpile inventories, but getting it to retailers overnight is a logistical nightmare.

Currently, GP is working through its excess stock and increasing production.

When consumers stockpile, they don’t really need more; they’ll just end up working through extra rolls later over time.

Since toilet paper and paper towels are too bulky to warehouse in unlimited quantities, papermakers project production with cushions for natural disasters. However, the coronavirus is unlike anything we have experienced.

Drastic measures are ramping up which are causing closures of schools, churches, businesses and government offices. Major events are canceled and rationing hopefully, won’t come.

Whether it be supplies of daily necessities, medicines or protective clothing, we need to have to patience, understanding and a desire to work together. We have a long and difficult road ahead and hopefully we will start seeing a dip in the infection curb within the next six-to-eight weeks.

The toilet paper shortages is only the tip of the iceberg.

— Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. Email him at [email protected].