# Coronavirus--I don't get it.\[hoarding toilet paper\] **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 8, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107 "2020-03-08T16:25:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/61 "2020-03-10T16:04:50Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Ever try to wipe your ass with newsprint? The Sun King Louis XIV had his \*derrière \*wipped with warm fluffy chicks. Then he gave them to the servants who would raise them to be proper chicken or hens and they ate them. Beats newsprint, that is sooo Sowjet Union. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/62 "2020-03-10T16:11:27Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > My theory is that people start to panic when the local news media say coronavirus has hit the local area. And you probably don’t have cases yet in the area you live. If that’s the case then this will send my locality into a tailspin! [The End is Nigh!!](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/health/2020/03/10/drive-thru-coronavirus-testing-centre-set-up-in-wolverhampton/) ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/63 "2020-03-10T16:14:19Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > So does anybody here have any good toilet paper recipes to share? 🙂 > […] Oh, yes, I [have](https://www.der-postillon.com/2020/03/corona-quarantaene.html)! It went viral in Germany (and thus is in German, but understandable). ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/64 "2020-03-10T16:20:53Z")
The last thing I want is fecal matter sitting in a bucket when a virus may be fecally transmitted. Second to last is fecal matter in my shower, tub, washing machine, or on my or my guests’ hands that are inadequately washed. YMMV; I choose toilet paper or a bidet. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/65 "2020-03-10T16:25:03Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > My theory is that people start to panic when the local news media say coronavirus has hit the local area. And you probably don’t have cases yet in the area you live. Based on the fact that I just see the same 2-3 photos posted over and over with nothing to indicate when or where they were taken combined with the fact that I do see empty or nearly empty shelves where the hand sanitizer is normally displayed my theory is still straw-man beating. Not to mention all the posts I see from around the country from other people who also report not seeing any empty TP shelves in their areas. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/66 "2020-03-10T17:53:18Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > Based on the fact that I just see the same 2-3 photos posted over and over with nothing to indicate when or where they were taken combined with the fact that I do see empty or nearly empty shelves where the hand sanitizer is normally displayed my theory is still straw-man beating. Not to mention all the posts I see from around the country from other people who also report not seeing any empty TP shelves in their areas. My remarks on Sam’s Club TP are regarding virtual shelves. I was compliling a list for Click 'n Pull, and thought I’d get a few packs of TP. “Out of stock” both in my nearest Club and online. They do appear to have plenty of what I call “gas station TP,” which is that Gawd-awful one ply nastiness that is as soft and absorbent as waxed paper.:eek: ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/67 "2020-03-10T18:00:47Z")
> [@susan](#): > > The last thing I want is fecal matter sitting in a bucket when a virus may be fecally transmitted. Second to last is fecal matter in my shower, tub, washing machine, or on my or my guests’ hands that are inadequately washed. YMMV; I choose toilet paper or a bidet. Unless you intend to follow the TP or bidet with 70+% alcohol wipes (yowch) or a twenty-second soap-and-water butt wash, your shower, tub, and washing machine will get a trace inoculation of feces. Which is why handwashing after the fact is so important. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/68 "2020-03-10T19:11:16Z")
The normal positive feedback loop of a run on something just gets enhanced with toilet paper for a few reasons: 1. It’s very shelf-stable, so there’s little cost to buying too much of it. 2. There aren’t many good substitutes. Unless every store is completely out of food, you’ll be able to find _something_ to eat. 3. It’s bulky, so it’s more noticeable that a run is going on, which causes more people to join in. Looks like some brands are out on Amazon, but plenty are in stock, so I wouldn’t be too worried. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/69 "2020-03-10T19:20:51Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Unless you intend to follow the TP or bidet with 70+% alcohol wipes (yowch) or a twenty-second soap-and-water butt wash, your shower, tub, and washing machine will get a trace inoculation of feces. > > Which is why handwashing after the fact is so important. Well, yes, but not as much as a bucket o’ poop rags. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/70 "2020-03-10T19:31:00Z")
I bought a big pack of TP. It’s important for sanitation. Water, food, shelter, heat, TP, those are the essentials. Why not have plenty of TP, it won’t go bad. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/71 "2020-03-10T19:51:07Z")
I was born and raised in southern California. Supply lines there are often disrupted by earthquakes. I was stationed in Okinawa and Hawaii. Supply lines are often disrupted by typhoons and hurricanes. After I was discharged, I moved to Arizona. Supply lines are often disrupted by wild fires and/or floods. Got married and moved to Texas in time to learn that supply lines there are also disrupted by hurricanes and flooding. It just seems to be common sense to have a couple of weeks of supplies available at all times because supply lines only appear to be unbreakable, but in reality are very fragile. Toilet paper and kitty litter are almost as important as food, and more important than alcohol. All that being said, shelves in the local stores here in Houston are mostly full. I am seeing a lot more people using wipes and hand sanitizer now, though. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/72 "2020-03-10T20:26:56Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > It just seems to be common sense to have a couple of weeks of supplies available at all times because supply lines only appear to be unbreakable, but in reality are very fragile. But they are buying a lot more toilet paper than they need for a couple weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/73 "2020-03-10T20:29:37Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > But they are buying a lot more toilet paper than they need for a couple weeks. In a post-apocalyptic world, he that hold the toilet paper holds the key to control. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/74 "2020-03-10T20:37:13Z")
Once before a hurricane, we were caught out and I had to resort to buying Seventh Generation toilet paper. It was painful and it was like having bedbugs…we couldn’t get rid of it! For months, I’d grab a roll out of the closet to refill the holder and it would be the stupid scratchy stuff. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/75 "2020-03-10T21:55:05Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > In a post-apocalyptic world, he that hold the toilet paper holds the key to control. Of particular note, have you noticed something that all of these panicked buyers aren’t clamoring for? Gold. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/76 "2020-03-10T21:56:05Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Of particular note, have you noticed something that all of these panicked buyers aren’t clamoring for? Gold. Have you ever tried to wipe yourself with gold? ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/77 "2020-03-10T23:06:49Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Have you ever tried to wipe yourself with gold? It helps to warm up the one ounce coin in your hands first. The part that really hurts is flushing. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/78 "2020-03-10T23:24:10Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > My friend pointed out something to me last night. She said what’s the point in buying toilet paper for a 2-week long quarantine? If you’re going to be stuck at home you can just hop in the bath or use a wet rag after you go. I know someone made fun of the rag idea upthread but if you’re home alone (or alone with your family) and not entertaining guests, asking them to use a rag…what’s the bother? You are either going to have to have someone wash out that rag - not a pleasant task - or you’ll run out of rags. If you just hop in the bath/shower and wash your butt you’ll need to clean out the bath/shower. So… either you stock up on TP or look forward to some additional cleaning tasks. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/79 "2020-03-10T23:51:26Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > You are either going to have to have someone wash out that rag - not a pleasant task - or you’ll run out of rags. > > If you just hop in the bath/shower and wash your butt you’ll need to clean out the bath/shower. > > So… either you stock up on TP or look forward to some additional cleaning tasks. None of those sound particularly onerous tasks to me, but I guess it depends on your poop squeamishness. I was elbow deep in shit with my two kids just a few years ago, so I have no issue with poop. The only issue would be if the water supply was killed off. Otherwise, no biggie. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2020, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107/80 "2020-03-11T00:08:19Z")
I’ve read this virus may be passes in feces. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-i-dont-get-it-hoarding-toilet-paper/849107.md?page=5)