We all saw the Lockdown videos of very silly, selfish people stacking up toilet rolls to block their toilet windows. Or making an assault course for their jack Russell dogs or their cats.
But we also saw the pictures of very elderly, frail and vulnerable people. Stooped, looking despairingly at empty shelves and wondering what the hell they were going to do.
When shortages bite us in the way that we can expect they will do, many of the goods and foods that disappear from the shelves, will not quickly find their way back.
In fact, many of the foods and goods we take for granted today, will in time, be replaced by alternatives that are foods and goods that we actually need.
From the moment that things we need become short, people will react irrationally.
It is vital that those of us who can do so, remain calm when shortages really get going. That we keep see the bigger picture of what is happening in view at all times. That we remain mindful of the forces that are at work.
A big part of the necessary transition that we face, is the process of changing the way we think about life. The change will be about everyone caring for and considering ALL others, rather than facing every interaction and every situation and thinking about it in terms of how its outcome will affect us, alone.
Taking only what we need – for as long as we still have the choice – will mean that others return that favour or that they show the same kind of care – when we are all short, and we no longer have the choice of what we can eat, or what we have to help us survive.
Once rationing of the goods that are still available through existing supply chains gets underway, it is reasonable to expect that like social distancing measures, the supermarkets that remain open will quickly put rationing management systems in place.
Until time slots to shop, pick up or take delivery are in place, we will all help ourselves greatly by thinking about the times that we go to a shop, or what we can reasonably expect when we get there.
For instance, if everyone goes to the shops at the most obvious time, we will all end up queueing, and beginning to worry about how many others are waiting in the queues around us – in front and behind us in the lines.
With proper rationing in place, we will only be able to buy or collect the supplies that we have been allocated anyway. So why not box clever. Manage your visit so you can reduce the amount of stress?
DIY Politics UK 