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In the enforced stay@home regime I reached out to elderly neighbours in our ‘Over 55s’ estate to offer help with shopping or errands. In a conversation with one lady, I discussed the ridiculous situation of panic buying and hoarding, stating that “I refuse to join in!”. I said it was crazy how some items like toilet paper were flying off the supermarket shelves.
As the weeks went by, watching TV news of toilet paper wars, I became a bit anxious. Each time I shopped, I furtively glanced down the aisles in anticipation of sighting that elusive stuff. Each day more infections were announced; worse…. more deaths. How long would this COVID-19 situation last? The words ‘loo paper’ didn’t make it to my weekly shopping lists for fear my husband would think I was losing it. Would I make the supreme sacrifice, take advantage of my privileged position as an elder to join the 7am supermarket throng? No, too risky, I told myself.
Even though we had sufficient supply but becoming somewhat fixated, on the 16 March I took to eBay. The Australian suppliers had run out so I ordered from a Taiwanese vendor. Six weeks later, with no delivery and finally sighting the damned rolls in Aldi, I quickly grabbed a pack, feeling quite victorious, …………….even though we still had sufficient supply!
By the middle of May with no goods in sight, I found that the supplier was no longer listed on eBay. Not expecting any compensation, I cancelled the order but was then surprised to receive an immediate email advising of a refund. Ten minutes later, the postie was at the door with a delivery ………you guessed it! The Taiwanese toilet paper. The tiniest rolls I have ever seen! All's well, that ends well I guess.
As the weeks went by, watching TV news of toilet paper wars, I became a bit anxious. Each time I shopped, I furtively glanced down the aisles in anticipation of sighting that elusive stuff. Each day more infections were announced; worse…. more deaths. How long would this COVID-19 situation last? The words ‘loo paper’ didn’t make it to my weekly shopping lists for fear my husband would think I was losing it. Would I make the supreme sacrifice, take advantage of my privileged position as an elder to join the 7am supermarket throng? No, too risky, I told myself.
Even though we had sufficient supply but becoming somewhat fixated, on the 16 March I took to eBay. The Australian suppliers had run out so I ordered from a Taiwanese vendor. Six weeks later, with no delivery and finally sighting the damned rolls in Aldi, I quickly grabbed a pack, feeling quite victorious, …………….even though we still had sufficient supply!
By the middle of May with no goods in sight, I found that the supplier was no longer listed on eBay. Not expecting any compensation, I cancelled the order but was then surprised to receive an immediate email advising of a refund. Ten minutes later, the postie was at the door with a delivery ………you guessed it! The Taiwanese toilet paper. The tiniest rolls I have ever seen! All's well, that ends well I guess.