Understanding and Managing Pandemic-Related Panic Buying
TAGS: pandemics, covid-19 ·Authored By: Steven Taylor
Life during a pandemic is often associated with panic buying groceries and other related supplies for the home. The nature of pandemic buying during the COVID-19 pandemic became a source of frustration for many citizens alike and community leaders unable to control the mass purchasing of supplies. In light of considering social learning theory along with the behavioural immune system and recent research, evidence proposes that pandemic buying is triggered when people are advised to self-isolate as part of public health efforts to minimize the spread of infection. Past research indicates that panic buying lasts for approximately 7-10 days and tends to be seen more commonly with individuals experiencing more significant levels of fear. As a result, observation of anxious shoppers leads to fear contagion and signals to others that there is potential that they should also be concerned or will at the very least need to secure supplies in excessive. This widespread fear is encouraged by sharing grim images of bare shelves and videos of chaotic shopping experiences, leading to short-term scarcity of essential items from the fear of shortages. For example, individuals who fear infection tend to be more likely to experience feelings of disgust, and toilet paper is a product used to minimize feelings of disgust which later became a target for panic buying by those fearful of becoming infected with COVID19. Mass purchasing also extended to other types of individuals who were motivated to buy highly desired products in excess for selfish reasons or at the expense of others. The use of “don’t panic” messaging by community leaders was largely ineffective; therefore, alternative forms of messaging are recommended.
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