Presently, everything is in too much flux with the emerging pandemic, to make realistic calls on what may actually happen in the near future. At any rate, this post is mostly observations how it all feels right now. Believe me, I especially feel for those experiencing difficulties in their efforts to observe social distancing. Even though - at 65 - I've had ample time to adjust to relative social isolation, it can still be depressing at times. While there are plenty of ways to cope, it will take time before each individual can determine what works best for them.
Meanwhile online, a do something/anything impulse is going into hyperdrive. Despite the proposed fixes and "solutions" of various observers, much about the pandemic will doubtless remain outside of anyone's control. And even if outcomes could somehow be effectively managed, who would determine, what the most important societal priorities actually are? As Diane Coyle noted in a review of Dark Data, "sometimes the uncertainty is irreducible, as we are learning now." An old song comes to mind, "Que Sera Sera", whatever will be, will be.
Much of my grocery stockpiling took place a few weeks earlier, once I realized the early stage asymptomatic aspect of COVID-19 would likely lead to community spread. Fortunately where we are, I can still venture out for fresh grocery items. I finally bought a sturdy wagon which makes it possible to fill up water jugs when I'm out walking. That's a lot easier than having to rely on the old truck sitting in the garage, which is nearing the end of its useful life. I'm also surprised what a relief it is, to be able to bring the wagon inside the store, in part because no wiping down of grocery cart handles is necessary.
Even now, some public officials remain reluctant to discuss the asymptomatic nature of COVID-19 spread, despite its importance. I also found cause to question some of the public official complaints about hoarding. Granted, a few people are going out and buying too much toilet paper at one time. Nevertheless, plenty of grocery store hoarding is quite rational, given the fact no one knows how long it would be best to remain relatively isolated. Indeed, given the amount of conflicting information in the news, I appreciated this defense of toilet paper hoarders from Marketwatch. Too many warnings from the authorities are incomplete and often devoid of appropriate context.
Also, some of the usual arguments about price gouging don't readily apply, since current circumstance could go beyond the simple one off effects of hurricanes or natural disasters. Rather than raising prices on the most sought after items, grocery chains are generally more inclined to use such items as "loss leaders" to encourage other buying while the customer is in the store. It's only as more people have become aware of impending social distancing, that store shelves are temporarily emptying before they can be restocked the next day.
Hence time considerations are important for what we ultimately pay. By the time I finally decided to get extra bottled waters, so had everyone else. So now I'm more likely to pay full price for bottled water, as the less expensive loss leaders and their pricier substitutes are both flying off the shelves. As supply chains become further disrupted, some grocery stores might need to revert to basic offerings (less product variety) for a longer period of time than is generally necessary with one off interruptions.
Some of my own initial anxieties dissolved into relief, once people where I live began to realize the reality of the pandemic threat. Being in a relatively rural area, we didn't have the panic shopping which led to completely empty store shelves, such as more heavily populated areas have experienced. What gives me hope, however, is that earlier skepticism and denial appears to be giving way to a broader understanding that we are all in this together. Now that's a really good feeling, for if it can be preserved, it might just help us through many of the uncertainties which lie ahead.
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