Residents stock up on toilet paper at Kelowna's Costco, March 6.
Image Credit: Kathy Michaels
March 10, 2020 - 7:30 AM
Kamloops and Okanagan residents are experiencing a lot of toilet paper problems this week, in a bizarre response to calls to prepare for COVID-19.
There's no conceivable reason for the run on toilet paper, but people do strange things.
We asked "Have you witnessed any toilet paper-related strangeness this week? Also, were you one of the people stocking up?" You submitted your answers in our Facebook comment sections. Residents from across the valley have reported a shortage in toilet paper, hand sanitizer and masks.
READ MORE: iN VIDEO: Ready, set, flush: Costco toilet paper race in Langley gets social media close-up
Kelowna
"I made sure my prescriptions are stocked up and I know we have enough food. On Friday we will be shopping for a case (of TP too) because we need it," Vivian Evans said.
"I actually needed toilet paper a couple of days ago and there was some at my store (they had just brought out a pallet as I walked by). I felt dumb just buying a normal amount of toilet paper (one package) because people might think I was one of these morons. God forbid we have a real emergency sometime. Note how no one is running towards water, canned goods, pharmacy for prescription refills, etc," Scott John said.
"I actually did get made fun of in the parking lot of Superstore yesterday for buying a package of toilet paper. The gentlemen in question said I was ridiculous for hoarding toilet paper. Um, we were out and coronavirus or not, we are still pooping at my house," Amy Heidt-Barnet said.
"Ridiculous how much fear mongering is going on (it's) so stupid. By the way, I have a couple of cases in my storage for just such occasions. I could probably sell it to pay off my mortgage," Ruth Milner said.
READ MORE: Toilet paper frenzy: Kelowna residents clear out store shelves over coronavirus concerns
Vernon
"Today at Walmart there was TP and a sign that said 'Please take only two packages.' The only people I saw with large packs in their carts were older than 75. They must be scared. It's like the Y2K panic. Ridiculous," Helen Mayfield Hall said.
"Not stocking up and avoiding grocery stores till this stupidity is over with," Brenda Minto said.
"(I) was just at Costco and (there were) shopping carts full of TP. Ludicrous," Annie Ritchie said.
"People were stocking up at the Save-On in Lake Country. Personally I don’t get it, why?" Mary Monk said.
Kamloops
"We went grocery shopping at Costco on Saturday and needed TP because we only had four rolls left. We were there just after noon and they were out. Had to go back Sunday first thing so we could get some. Ridiculous! This is being blown way out of proportion. More people die of the flu each year than they have of coronavirus," Krista Tasker said.
"Ammo, gas, cash. All one needs in an apocalypse. I walked by the aisles loving my four-roll stock," Wendell Uglene said.
"If food systems are affected, we will be hungry and less toilet paper will be needed," Cam MacQuarrie said.
"If I run out, I'll use cut up cotton sheets I've been saving for rag rugs. Obviously I won't be flushing," Annette Marshall said.
Penticton
"I couldn't buy my regular purchase," Carol Lawrence said.
"Sure hope Kruger and other B.C. paper mills are ramping up production. Most of us non-hoarders will be needing some more," Elizabeth and Dan Van Os said.
Are you seeing any weird things going on at your local grocery store? Send an email to news@iNFOnews.ca and let us know.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2020