Elderly Woman ‘In Tears’ At Empty Supermarket Highlights Panic Buying Crisis

Countries around the world have witnessed unprecedented panic buying at supermarkets and pharmacies due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Aisles have been stripped bare every day as many try to get enough food to last them through a two week self-isolation.

However, there have been some people who have been greedier than others.

PA

As a result, loads of shoppers have been left to get whatever is left and, in some cases, leave nearly empty handed with no idea how they'll get their groceries.

That was highlighted in a heartbreaking picture of an elderly woman in Australia standing in front of cleared out shelves that used to hold canned foods.

Channel 9's Seb Costello shared the picture on social media of the devastating reality that is facing many people across Australia and the world.

He reported the woman was left in tears at the bare aisles.

Seb Costello/Twitter

Supermarkets around the country have introduced dedicated shopping hours, usually during the first hour of business in the morning, for elderly and vulnerable people to get their groceries.

However, some have alleged that there is still not enough stock for everyone to get what they need.

This week, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison issued an impassioned plea to Aussies to stop unnecessarily buying supplies.

"On bulk purchasing of supplies: Stop hoarding. I can't be more blunt about it. Stop it. It is not sensible, it is not helpful and it has been one of the most disappointing things I have seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis," Mr Morrison said.

"That is not who we are as a people. It is not necessary. It is not something that people should be doing.

PA

"What it does is it is distracting attention and efforts that need to be going into other measures, to be focusing on how we maintain supply chains into these shopping centres.

"There is no reason for people to be hoarding supplies in fear of a lock down or anything like this. As I have said, we're putting in place scalable and sustainable measures.

"I am seeking Australia's common-sense cooperation with these very clear advisory positions. Stop doing it. It's ridiculous! It's unAustralian, and it must stop, and I would ask people to do the right thing by each other in getting a handle on these sorts of practices."

As a result of the panic buying, pharmacies have been instructed to make children's paracetamol a behind-the-counter medicine and things like Ventolin and paracetamol will be limited to one unit per person.

Topics: Viral, News, coronavirus, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie