Home FEATURE Wiped out: What’s the obsession with stockpiling toilet paper?

Wiped out: What’s the obsession with stockpiling toilet paper?

by MyBonhamTexas
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While the obsession hasn’t quite taken over Fannin County, yet, many retail stores across America are reporting shortages on toilet paper as consumers stockpile amid concerns over the coronavirus.

But what’s the obsession with toilet paper? Hand-wash, Lysol, and sanitizer are a given, but why are people panicking over making sure they have enough toilet paper to last them months?

According to BBC, the toilet paper problem isn’t unique to one country; Australia, Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong are all experiencing toilet paper chaos and shortages.

It seems the obsession may have come after official guidance advised people to practice good hygiene and wash their hands. It was also suggested that people could prepare two weeks’ worth of food and water, as well as other household goods if they felt it necessary.

Apparently, many felt toilet paper was a necessity and then started the #toiletpapergate and #toiletpaperapocalypse. 

In America, stores like Cosvo have started putting limits on how many rolls a person can buy, and some are even having staff members pass it out.

However, according to many mental health and wellness experts, the obsession with toilet paper is a ‘copycat’ mentality.

Bill Prasad told KHOU, “This is very much at times a lot about copycat behavior. If you see someone in the store stocking up on toilet paper, you are thinking, ‘OK. I should do that. That seems to be a good idea. I’ll do it.” 

Prasad said it’s also about control.

“Stocking up on things may make you feel better because you feel like you are taking some kind of action. For some people, just washing their hands, they feel that’s not enough, they have to do more.” 

Associate Professor Nitika Garg from the University of New South Wales Australia told the BBC, “FOMO syndrome – or Fear Of Missing Out” – is in full force in Australia.

“They think if this person is buying it if my neighbor is buying, there’s got to be a reason, and I need to get in too,” she told the BBC.

So, while no one is really sure why or when toilet paper became an obsession amid the coronavirus pandemic, what are your thoughts? Have you stocked up on essential items, including toilet paper, amid all that is going on?

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