Unfortunately, it is. And it's going to get worse.
Had the people in charge started to prepare for this back in Dec and Jan, when it first started, we would not be in the position we're in now. The signs were there, but the administration ignored them.
With the capabilities of this country, had we started back then, we could have had a huge stockpile of the necessary equipment and medical supplies ready and on hand. Instead we're scrambling to play catch up.
As far as panic buying, it's just human nature. Over a period of time people tend to get complacent. Every hurricane approaching South Fla, people would buy like crazy, wiping out stores. When the storm didn't hit, many poo-pooed and when the next one approached, many didn,t prepare. When one did hit, many were left with nothing to keep them going.
Not saying to panic buy, for crying out loud, prepare BEFORE an event hits. We started stocking up back in Jan, and our kids/grandkids also did. I doubt many of you went through the shortages during the 1963 missile crisis
or the shortages during several outbreaks of the 70's and 80's. There was wide spread buying, and it sometimes took weeks for stores to restock, because back then the supply chain was much less developed than it is now.
I just hope that you and your families come through this without becoming ill. This is NOT going to end in a few weeks, it's probably going to be a long term event, and even when it winds down, there will be a ripple effect that will be with us for.....well, who knows.
Wife and I, due to our ages, will be curtailing our outside travels and associations, keeping it to just a few close friends. We can't even visit our grandkids as they might pass something along to us. Kids always have the sniffles, but might be immune to this, but could easily pass it along.
Whether you may think that this is some made up event, or you are one who takes it seriously, I hope you all come out of this OK
Climbing down off my soapbox now...
Grumpaw