# That Damned Virus - your most inspired panic buys? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 17, 2020, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655 "2020-03-17T15:05:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kovitlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/2bfe46/32.png) [@Kovitlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kovitlac)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/21 "2020-03-17T21:43:46Z")
I was pleasantly surprised to find that as decimated as the soup isle was at the local HyVee, absolutely no one touched my new favorite canned chili (ground turkey w/ no beans). Joke’s on you guys - that shit is delicious! I bought several cans! ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/22 "2020-03-17T21:55:28Z")
The local independent coffee shop roasts and sells their own beans and they are excellent - who knows how long they’ll be open (since they’re mainly a cafe) so I’ve got 4 bags of beans in the freezer now. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/23 "2020-03-17T21:59:21Z")
I’m beached at the moment. Mr.Wrekker did some panic buying. The word from my Mid-daughter reports he bought 10lbs of assorted dry beans (she went and bought beano)2 huge packages of paper towels, 10 cases of canned veggies, several 30pks of Budweiser. 3 handles of Jack Daniels. And, inexplicably a large bag of cotton balls. :smack: As I’m a hoarder, a preserver and a freezer. My pantry is usually well stocked. I hav’nt been there in a while. They may have eaten me out of house and home. IDK. ---
**Author:** ![nofloyd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nofloyd/32/2870_2.png) [@nofloyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nofloyd)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/24 "2020-03-17T23:40:29Z")
5 lb box of matzo crackers for $4. Hit that passover section for deals Ordered a case of olives from amazon I do love olives ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/25 "2020-03-18T05:14:21Z")
We planned on resurfacing our upstairs hallway “sometime soon.” I now have 300 sq ft of wood flooring in my garage waiting time to put in. I got it in anticipation of being stuck at home. Work at the moment is still requiring overtime for me and the kiddos. Might be a few weeks yet before I get started or I might have to take vacation in early summer to put it in. ---
**Author:** ![as\_u\_wish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@as\_u\_wish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/as_u_wish)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/26 "2020-03-18T06:03:14Z")
I bought three 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles. I should have purchased a backup card table for the pieces but I didn’t think of it. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/27 "2020-03-18T08:21:37Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Not exactly a panic buy… > > But I did head out on the weekend and bought a whole lot of veggie starter plants - probably more than I would have usually bought. Will be digging the beds this weekend, and putting in peas, broad beans, argula, spinach, mustard greens, and planting seeds for bok choy. Too early for carrots or beets or potatoes, but have the seeds for the first two ready to go. Now this makes sense. Stuck at home for 3 months, what ya gonna do? Gardening. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/28 "2020-03-18T08:37:58Z")
Hardly anything in stores. Had a hunt just for milk. So I’m doing some cold antipasto. Plenty of jars of artichoke hearts, mushrooms, roasted peppers and olives. I slice them up and mix with tuna. I’ll even add some dill pickle to it. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/29 "2020-03-18T08:58:40Z")
2 boxes of frosted cherry Pop-Tarts. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/30 "2020-03-18T10:09:12Z")
A couple days ago I read that someone was thinking of painting their nails a bright color to make sure they don’t touch their face, and I thought that was a great idea. Now, I haven’t painted my nails but once, at a party 20 years ago with a lot of alcohol involved, but I still may pull the trigger on this. I can’t decide between danger orange and hot pink, since hot pink would be more visible, but would be more likely to lead to awkward conversations, not because I’d have to explain that I don’t normally paint my nails, but because _I know nothing about nail fashion_ and would out myself as a noob. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/31 "2020-03-18T15:15:50Z")
Mixed success for my latest marginally inspired items. Scored a tube of ibuprofen gel (almost the only item left in the “Pain Medications” section of our local Tesco pharmacy). I reckon that if I’m on a bike, alone, in the middle of nowhere then I’m adequately self-isolated. That’s what the ibuprofen gel is for - the knees - and now I won’t have to go back to a pharmacy full of (potentially) sick people for quite some time. My plan to enhance subsistence curries (see OP) took a knock back, however. The Asian grocery I went to has restricted its hours and it was closed when I turned up. Damn - no brinjal pickle purchases today. I’ll try again tomorrow. But hey - we’re facing up to impending armageddon armed with a pair of scissors, a trampoline, jigsaws, books, cotton balls, poppers and lube (apparently) and all manner of (other?) treats. We’re in great shape! j ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/32 "2020-03-18T18:09:56Z")
This wasn’t really a panic buy, but I went out Monday at lunchtime to get some cannabis just because we were a little low. I bought 3.5 grams each of indica and sativa. Today on the news, I see lines of panic buyers at dispensaries in northern California, and am smug about my foresight (not really - it was just time to buy some and I lucked out with the timing). ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/33 "2020-03-21T21:54:44Z")
Not a panic buy, just happy coincidence: Toilet Paper and Paper Towels! About two weeks ago I noticed we were down to a couple of rolls of toilet paper, so I put it on my weekend shopping list. At the grocery store, sheleves were full. I hemmed and hawed between the 24 roll pack and the 36 roll pack, but decided I had enough room in the grocery cart to fit in the 36 roll pack. Then the paper towels. They weren’t on my list, but I had room, so what the heck, might as well get some. So a six pack of paper towels. Mrs Piper thinks I have god-like intuition, but it was just my last ordinary shopping trip before . . . The End of Days! [cue spooky music] ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/34 "2020-03-22T00:18:42Z")
I bought some tuna fish to make sandwiches but then when I went to the mayonnaise aisle, all they had left was organic mayonnaise which cost twice as much. So I guess organic mayonnaise is the only thing I’ve bought that wouldn’t be on my regular shopping list. ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/35 "2020-03-22T01:43:12Z")
I bought a really nice office chair for home. I had promised one to myself for Christmas, but never got around to it. Amazed one of my work colleagues by buying it on the spot as we were talking about it at work, quick internet purchase and picked up from the warehouse the next day. Two days later work from home came in. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/36 "2020-03-22T10:55:35Z")
How about an apartment? OK, it’s a panic rental rather than a panic buy, strictly speaking, but similar idea. On Monday Trep Junior, who is a key worker (NHS) and was commuting by train into London, announced: _I’ll catch it, that’s inevitable; but you could die from it._ And with that he moved out. (He had moved back in a little while ago, for a variety of reasons - it’s a long story.) He moved in with his girlfriend (also NHS keyworker) in her shared house, which is not ideal, but they have already found an apartment (flat - I’m assuming I’m using the correct word for the US) and will move in shortly. On Friday evening we packed the car with his stuff and drove into London with it (while that’s still allowed :eek:). And we took some shopping that Mrs T had done for them. (I don’t know if you’ve seen the now-familiar news story - keyworker gets off a long and exhausting shift, goes to the store to find that there is no food. They tried 5 stores with no luck on Thursday\*). They took the stuff from the car as we stood 2 meters away, and then we left. Strange times. j PS: for your next panic buy, Mrs T recommends an [Alice band](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_band). \*- amusing aside - stores generally have rapidly made arrangements for over 70s to have exclusive shopping for an hour every morning. NHS keyworkers were also granted the same exclusive shopping rights, so that for an hour each day those at most risk of catching COVID-19 and those at most risk of dying from it were being forced to mingle. It’s being sorted out. ---
**Author:** ![Grey\_Tama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@Grey\_Tama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey_Tama)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/37 "2020-03-22T13:43:28Z")
When all swimming halls were closed earlier this week, I did not want to abandon my recently re-aquired affection to swimming, so I bought a wetsuit. (In these latitudes, open-water swimming with just a swimsuit is pretty much reserved for July-August) Hmm, I also have a bicycle and like to run, so with wetsuit I could sign up for some triathlon event (once they are again possible to arrange) ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/38 "2020-03-22T13:57:48Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > … I did actually buy some silver water, and I ALMOST bought a silver generator. > > I might still buy a silver generator… It’s entirely possible this post was a whoosh, but just in case it wasn’t, The Mayo Clinic says [this about silver](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/colloidal-silver/faq-20058061): > [@](#): > > Manufacturers of colloidal silver products often claim that they are cure-alls, boosting your immune system, fighting bacteria and viruses, and treating cancer, HIV/AIDS, shingles, herpes, eye ailments and prostatitis. > > However, no sound scientific studies to evaluate these health claims have been published in reputable medical journals. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has taken action against some manufacturers of colloidal silver products for making unproven health claims. > … > > Rarely, excessive doses of colloidal silver can cause possibly irreversible serious health problems, including kidney damage and neurological problems such as seizures. > > Colloidal silver products may also interact with medications, including penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen), quinolone antibiotics, tetracycline and thyroxine (Unithroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid) medications. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/39 "2020-03-22T14:02:50Z")
Dupe post due to excessive server timeouts. ---
**Author:** ![Bert\_Nobbins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@Bert\_Nobbins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bert_Nobbins)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655/40 "2020-03-22T19:47:04Z")
An armful of strong Belgian beer. No-one was deprived; the refrigerators were full. The shop closed 5 hours later, probably forever. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-damned-virus-your-most-inspired-panic-buys/849655.md?page=3)