Unbelievable facts
People around the world are responding to the new danger of the spread of coronavirus in an unusual way – by buying large quantities of toilet paper.
Videos of people fighting in supermarkets trying to grab rolls of toilet paper have spread on social networks.
However, few people, even those who stock up for the future, can find an explanation for this phenomenon.
Why toilet paper? This seems completely illogical because paper does not protect against the virus. Also, toilet paper is not an emergency product, such as bread or milk.
Read also: 30 things you must wash or clean in the next 30 days
So why do people buy toilet paper for coronavirus? There are several psychological reasons for this.
Why do people need toilet paper for coronavirus
1. People go to extremes when they hear conflicting information
© Billion Photos
Clinical psychologist Steven Taylor, author of Pandemic Psychology, analyzed people's behavior during the pandemic. He found that compared to past pandemics, the global response to the new coronavirus has led to widespread panic.
The new coronavirus scares people because it's new and not much is known about it. When we hear conflicting information about the risk this virus poses and how seriously we need to prepare, we tend to go to extremes.
When people are told that danger is imminent and all they need to do is wash their hands, these actions seem to us to be disproportionate to the threat, and we believe that such a danger requires special care training.
2. We respond to the lack of clear instructions
Mass quarantines have been introduced in many countries. People are buying toilet paper and other essentials to prepare for the worst.
If they don't receive promises that everyone will be taken care of, they are at a loss and sooner or later they wonder whether they should make additional supplies.
The greater the uncertainty, the more likely this behavior is.
3. There is a growing feeling of disgust
Very often, during pandemics, when people are at risk of an infection, our sensitivity to disgust increases. We are more often disgusted and try to avoid it.
“Disgust is a kind of alarm signal that warns us to avoid getting infected. So, for example, if we see someone's saliva on the railing, we won't touch it, we'll be disgusted. This protects us,” Steven Taylor said.
There is a close link between fear of contracting an infection and disgust. Toilet paper is the very tool that we associate with getting rid of disgust, being a symbol of safety.
© nomadsoulphotos
4. Panic buying leads to panic buying
Photos of empty shelves and carts filled with various supplies flooded news feeds and social media. People see panicking customers and they start to think there's a reason to panic, and they do the same.
As social creatures, we look for clues from each other about what's dangerous and what's safe. When we see a person in a store frantically buying toilet paper or buckwheat, this causes the effect of fear.
All these photos of empty shelves make us think it's time to hurry and buy toilet paper while we can. And what at first seemed like a far-fetched deficit becomes a real deficit.
Social media also plays a significant role in spreading fear of the new coronavirus. False information is easily spread, causing panic.
5. It's natural to stock up
At the same time, it is quite advisable to stock up on food.
Since the International Health Organizations strongly recommend staying at home and avoiding contact with others and crowds, it is only natural to stock up.
The new coronavirus is generating a kind of survival psychology, where we must stay at home as much time as possible, therefore, stock up on basic necessities, which includes and toilet paper. After all, if it runs out, it'll be hard to replace it with anything.
You'll be buying toilet paper sooner or later, but you may have to face long lines and some shortages.
Some experts advise keeping supplies of food, hygiene products and necessary medicines for at least two weeks in any case, but many do not do so and go to extremes.
6. It gives you a sense of control
Many people who buy toilet paper and other products think about themselves and their families first, not about medical professionals, sick people or ordinary people who may run out of toilet paper paper.
This is due to anticipation anxiety. People are anxious before an actual infection begins. They don't think about it as big as what the consequences of stockpiling toilet paper would be.
But most people do this out of fear. Preparing, even buying toilet paper, brings back a sense of control in a seemingly hopeless situation.
This gives them the feeling that they did their best and helps them think about things other than the coronavirus.