Quote Originally Posted by ApatheticNoMore View Post
But are the stores actually closed anywhere in the world? My understanding it is one of the few things open when they shut down Italy: grocery stores.

It smells of panic, it's true one could be home sick for awhile and not leave the house.

If one plans to hide out for a several months and not grocery shop and is stocking up NOW, it strikes me as counterproductive, as the virus is out there already, and the stores being so extra crowded is probably not going to help anything (I'm not saying don't eat, just it's crowds, it's a risk). And at this point it's the hoarding of toilet paper that is going to lead to people not being able to get toilet paper, though yes I expect that situation to resolve and more TP to be on the way eventually.
I agree that it “smells of panic” but I do not think it actually IS panic. The store rushing activity is probably a little overkill. But we don’t really know and that’s OK.