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Posted on 03/13/2020 11:21:49 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
There has never before come a time when I felt the need to ponder the fate of toilet paper. But here we are: the year is 2020 and the wealthy United States is running out of toilet paper.
As it turns out, toilet paper was invented by the Chinese in the 1st Century. By the 6th Century, it was in widespread use. The toilet paper roll with easily detachable squares was patented in 1891.
But in March of 2020, American retailers ran out of toilet paper because the Chinese coronavirus fear seized the sanity of our people. We have finally come full circle with toilet paper: the Chinese giveth and the Chinese taketh away!
Are Americans behaving rationally? It depends on how you look at it. For some, toilet paper hoarding is a rational decision made after pondering the origin of toilet paper manufacturing and realizing that production will be stalled for quite some time (yes, all manufacturing roads lead to China). For others, it's just following along, "see it, do it" mentality. And then there are the ones who see competition for resources and engage so that they are not left behind.
According to a psychologist who spoke with NBC, "[toilet paper hoarding] is about taking back control in a world where you feel out of control." Another psychologist advised NBC that toilet paper panic buying is a result of Trump's administration sending mixed signals to the people (I am still waiting on this psychologist to tie in the particularity of toilet paper to Trump.) Needless to say, none of these experts explained anything helpful.
I reached out to Dr. Michael Lynch for clarification on this issue, a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist with over 30 years of experience and a 24-year career as an active-duty Army officer. Dr. Lynch explained that the human psyche is funny in that when we sense a crisis, we feel the associated need to stock up on toilet paper. This is not the first time that we rushed to stockpile the TP. Dr. Lynch advised that whenever there is a snowstorm, people similarly hoard toilet paper. Apparently, what seemed to be idiosyncratic behavior was, in fact, entirely predictable. So it's not Trump; it's us.
The reason why stores and online retailers are running out of toilet paper is that the sense of crisis isn't limited to a small geographic region that is experiencing a storm; it affects the entire nation. Retailers and suppliers did not predict the panic that has struck the world and did not adequately increase supply and production.
Eventually, supply chains will catch up, and demand will slow down. But for now, Americans just can't spare a square; we don't have a square to spare!
I have a shower. I’m good.
Huh, I didn’t realize that so many people hadn’t installed the shells yet.
RE: I have a shower. I’m good.
Where do you out them before you flush them? :)
If everything goes south, the least of my worries will be wiping my butt.
So many people are going to end up with clogged toilets LOL..my Mom tried going to Ralphs she oculdnt get into the parking lot..for what..TOILET PAPER..how much do you need to wipe your own behind..just get some copies of the New York Times, toilet paper, same thing
Not really. We're just moving it from store shelves and warehouses to our garages and storage closets. As soon as people are confident that they can buy it whenever they need it again, sales will plummet and store shelves will sit full for many months.
This is about to become a ‘humor’ thread;)
True story from this morning - I was down to one roll so I went to my local store for TP, coffee, bread etc., just routine stuff. There were dozens of people all stocking up on TP - nothing else!!!!!
I couldn’t believe the sense of panic/urgency.....
We have to point the finger at the MSM who seem to be unable to find any other news items - it’s all Corona Virus!!
Any volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, bad highway accidents, murders, suicides, mass shootings??????
God bless.
I’ll just poop in my neighbors yard. and drag my butt on the grass.
Like their mangy, wormy mongrel use to do in our yard!
Shower heck. I have a pressure washer with a curved nozzle. Just need to hook up one of those automatic sensors.
I wasn’t feeling well so I went to the doctor and she told me I tested positive for Covid-19. I told her that can’t be correct, I have more than 300 rolls of toilet paper.
Well, Canada and Mexico will make out like bandits.
Costco US’s TP is made in the USA. I know. I used to sell wood pulp to tissue manufactures who provided Costco.
Granted, the quality of the news on each is the same, but the Times isn’t nearly as absorbent. And the ink ... smears.
So the Times isn’t even particularly useful as bumwad either.
It’s okay for padding boxes if you’re moving. And makes great kindling. Other than that though ...
Old socks are useful in a pinch
It seems like some of the hoarders are actually profiteers looking to turn around and sell TP (of all things) on various marketplaces. I think Amazon and eBay have already started to put curbs on the price-gougers.
my toilet is less than 5ft from my shower...
How long until public restrooms have to close up due to their supply getting swiped by lefties?
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