Shopping List for COVID-19 Panic Buying

LAsashoryu on 27/02/2020 - 12:06

Apparently some people in Australia have started stockpiling for the end times that's somehow to be brought about by the low case fatality rate infection Covid-19.

So in the interests of maximising the survival rate of the Ozbargain community (think of a world repopulated exclusively by Ozbargainers), perhaps we should begin compiling a shopping list for the cost-conscious panic buyer.

What products should we be stockpiling?

I note toilet paper appears to be a valuable commodity in areas affected by the virus.

General Discussion COVID-19

Comments

  • Archi on 27/02/2020 - 12:10
    +47

    if things were to turn bad. I wouldn't be using my precious space to store toilet paper. you will have no use for it if you don't eat

    • Ti-au on 29/02/2020 - 08:45
      +47

      You forget about trading toilet paper for Spam and Aldi pasta or a gun to just shoot yourself from having to eat Spam and Aldi pasta.

      • blehgg on 02/03/2020 - 12:09
        +8

        Change of username required

        IHateSpamAldiPasta

        • Kangal on 02/03/2020 - 20:28
          +2

          Are Face Masks the new High Yield Investment ?

          • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2020 - 21:36

            @Kangal: You may aswell mention bikes while your at it…

            And yes phone is fine

          • ryurazu on 04/03/2020 - 09:20

            @Kangal: yes they are :D, especial if you are retailing.

          • Ti-au on 04/03/2020 - 15:31

            @Kangal: No toilet paper is, because people seem to be more worried about wiping their ass than food.

      • ryurazu on 04/03/2020 - 09:20

        sorry i just take that toilet paper if i had a gun, plus how much toilet paper to a gun?

        • Ti-au on 04/03/2020 - 15:33
          +1

          90 rolls = 1 hand gun.

      • kaleidoscope on 04/03/2020 - 21:31

        Lol 😂 is aldi pasta that bad? Unfortunately I cant try that as my local aldi was like ransacked of long life food items

      • Archi on 18/03/2020 - 14:17
        +2

        made the first trade with my neighbour. a pack of 5Kg rice for 2 trays of eggs.

    • shamid202 on 29/02/2020 - 11:58

      I just arrived back from Iran yesterday and people over there cant find face mask and hand sanitisers at all. basically you need to store hygiene stuff.
      food is available still no problem.

      • Magnastar on 29/02/2020 - 18:50
        +21

        RIP

      • alo1234 on 29/02/2020 - 21:02
        +23

        whereabout are you? Please let me know so I stay the hell away from it lol

      • daitro on 01/03/2020 - 00:25
        +31

        Please immediately self-isolate or take yourself to the nearest ER to submit yourself for quarantine.

        • WT on 01/03/2020 - 02:11
          +11

          this is a valid point, well you can be infected with zero symptoms and asymptomatic

          • shamid202 on 01/03/2020 - 11:30

            @WT: 4weeks prior my departure i got weirdest symptoms. I had a friend who his father was working with some Chinese groups, after i met him about 2weeks later i got sick, it wasnt flu but it wasnt normal cold either. i first got a mild sore throat then i got a bit shortness of breath then my lungs where really infected for a while. I had fever for 2days but under 38.5 usually. I had severe chest pain as well. I never had such an illness. however none of my family got that from me. I dont think it was corona. I also talked to my friend he told me that he got the exact same sickness from his father and his mother got it too.

            • buddylove on 01/03/2020 - 13:57
              +5

              @shamid202: Did you see a doctor when you had those symptons?

              https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
              "Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties"

              • ryurazu on 04/03/2020 - 09:27

                @buddylove: I do not understand this general health warning if you have cough and flu like symptoms. Really that's basically any cold….

                I avoiding anyone one with flu like symptom doesn't matter if they are Asian or not.

            • poor_me on 01/03/2020 - 17:32
              +1

              @shamid202: Coronavirus never crossed your mind? That's how it got so big in Iran. There was contact with at risk groups and you either shrugged it off or never suspected it.

              Sounds like you got it and somewhat got over it. Good for you. Whether you're still contagious or not is another matter.

              • Banj0 on 01/03/2020 - 17:41
                +9

                @poor_me: Sounds like they're taking the piss. Hope so anyway.

              • lint on 02/03/2020 - 12:40

                @poor_me: Those are pretty much common symptoms of respiratory illnesses. Without a diagnosis, it's a bit of a stretch to say it was probably COVID-19 rather than, say, the cold, flu or a combination of those.

                • ryurazu on 04/03/2020 - 09:29

                  @lint: i wonder if you can get a cold and COVID-19 at the same time?

                  • Oofy Doofy on 17/03/2020 - 13:35

                    @ryurazu: Of course you can. Some people have been found to have two flu's in their system when they've done testing.

              • berry580 on 03/03/2020 - 12:34
                +1

                @poor_me: That's how it got so big in the first place.

            • tommohawk on 01/03/2020 - 22:27

              @shamid202: How did you come to the diagnosis that your lungs were really infected? From what I've been reading, doctors have been using X-rays to determine this in patients, so it's really impressive if you can diagnose this by yourself.

            • taoz on 02/03/2020 - 20:04
              +3

              @shamid202: this attitude is why we are all at risk.

            • mrdng on 03/03/2020 - 14:35
              +3

              @shamid202: Can you please do self-isolation (i.e. don't get into contact with other people for 2 weeks, wearing mask…) if you develop another lung infection, please dial 000 and specifically mentioned that you're doing self-isolation for Covid-19.

              Don't think bad about it, it's just being responsible and help the general community by being pre-cautious.

            • Jason88 on 17/03/2020 - 11:16

              @shamid202: you're joking right?

      • LUCKYDUCKY on 02/03/2020 - 16:04
        +1

        If you flew with Qatar airways to Sydney..there's an article today that a lady on that flight tested positive to Coronavirus: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/an-…

      • ExpressCoffee on 04/03/2020 - 09:09
        +4

        troll spotted

    • muppet on 29/02/2020 - 17:21
      +6

      Just use a wet rag to wipe, then it can be washed and reused

      • Donaldhump on 01/03/2020 - 17:07

        Just use your hands and wash well, and a hose.

        Seriously if I ran out of big roll wouldn’t be the end of the world, rather have food

    • sarahlump on 29/02/2020 - 18:04
      +3

      Don't forget to stock up on the 'koolaide' incase times get unlivable.

    • cloudie9 on 02/03/2020 - 23:39

      Or just use water.

    • IVI on 08/03/2020 - 05:14

      Don't forget: You can reduce your risk of catching this puppy, eg, by getting things delivered to your door (Amazon, Coles, Woolies, etc.)

      Long before COVID-19, we were enjoying discount-prices, long after the week's deals ended, by ordering [over $300 / order, to Zero the shipping cost] food, etc. from Woolies.

      Coles has recently begun to offer home-/office-deliveries, w/ lower minimum spends (ie, to zero the shipping costs) - for "eBay Plus" members - if you buy it on eBay.

      (OTOH, only more costly items seem to make it to Coles' eBay shop, so you might do better buying in-store or for (always fee-free) pick-up at store.)

      Almost all of Woolies' line (except, eg, heavier items; above 250 Kg limit add shipping fee) are available for direct on-line purchase from Woolies (& Coles).

      (Coles' eBay offering seems more like a 24x7 shop in cities, where you pay more for 24-hr access, IMO.)

      It may take a Business Account to make it easier to order vast quantities of any item(s), eg, Heinz soups, when costing just $1.75 / 535g can.

      (That's cheaper than Coles' + Woolies' $3 frozen meals; for Oldies, it's even cheaper than [wet] cat food ;~)

  • sparkles on 27/02/2020 - 12:12
    +41

    Hand sanitiser and Spam. That's all you need.

    • Asashoryu on 27/02/2020 - 12:13
      +28

      Is this applicable only to pandemic scenarios, or does it apply more generally to everyday life?

      • swagneto on 02/03/2020 - 18:48
        +1

        it's the ozbargain staple

    • ego22 on 27/02/2020 - 12:23
      +72

      dont buy actual commercial hand sanitizer.
      just buy 5l of 100% isopropyl alcohol. ebay for $30 fee postage (most deliver withing 3 or 4 days)
      and $3?? distilled water 5l from bunnings or woolworths.

      mix them both together and u have 10L of hand sanitizer for $33
      (if u want it stronger u can mix a 70% isopropyl alcohol)

      put it in a pump bottles around the house, in the cars. spray bottles to disinfect surfaces doorknobs ect.
      thats all it it.
      commercial hand sanitizer is a scam
      u can half it and share it with family members and friends.

      • orangetrain on 27/02/2020 - 12:26

        What about regular alcohol? How low alcohol volume before it's as effective as water?

        • scrimshaw on 27/02/2020 - 12:41
          +14

          Ethanol and Isopropyl alcohol have the same disinfecting properties. You can use either. A common concentration is usually between 50 to 70%, but anything less than 50% generally means it's a lot less effective

          • [Deactivated] on 27/02/2020 - 12:54
            +4

            @scrimshaw: Also, because it is not suspended as a gel, it evaporates or run off significantly more than gel sanitizers.

            • Diji1 on 27/02/2020 - 13:42
              -2

              @[Deactivated]: That's why you use a tiny amount of it.

              • [Deactivated] on 27/02/2020 - 19:37
                +5

                @Diji1: Too small an amount and it does nothing. Contact time with the alcohol is a major component to the effectiveness.

          • macrocephalic on 03/03/2020 - 10:35
            +1

            @scrimshaw: Also note that stronger than 70% is also less effective. The sweet spot for disinfection is 70%.

            • IVI on 08/03/2020 - 05:18

              @macrocephalic: .
              At 100% isopropyl alcohol, my skin dies
              (we get small spills from a spray-bottle)

              Is that still happening to folks' skin at ~70%?

          • misterpotatomato on 05/03/2020 - 11:19

            @scrimshaw: Scrimshaw used 30% Isopropyl Alcohol mix!

            … It's not very effective.

        • trapper on 28/02/2020 - 17:48
          +3

          Regular alcohol is expensive, you can lick it off your hands though I guess.

        • Musing Outloud on 03/03/2020 - 20:07

          Drink Beer you dolt!

          Or just wash with soap and water. The pH kills the germs just as well as alcohol.

          • IVI on 08/03/2020 - 05:23
            -1

            @Musing Outloud: Wash, yes, but for how long?

            Reminds me of the old Woody Allen movie:

            • "Whatever Works"

            in which main character sings
            the "Happy Birthday" song
            while washing his hands,
            to insure it's "long enough"

            (Sorry. I know Woody Allen is
            under a "Me Too" censure, but
            the movie came out B4 I knew
            of the claims against him.)

            PS The Real Q is: When will microbes
            begin to Evolve into something, that
            can Survive good ole Soap + Water…?

        • ronyh on 05/03/2020 - 12:14
          +1

          A guide from WHO for 10L: https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf?…
          Scroll down to METHOD: 10-LITRE PREPARATIONS.

      • eug on 27/02/2020 - 12:47
        +1

        Will it dry your hands out compared to hand sanitizer gel with moisturisers? Or does the water take care of that?

        • ego22 on 27/02/2020 - 12:56
          +2

          those are the 2 basic ingredients in making a hand sanitizer. all others are optional.
          most people add a bit of aloe vera gel and/or vitamin E oil to not dry out your hands.
          there is so many different things u can add to make it how u want.
          just look up different recipes people make online

          but all it really is is isopropyl and distilled water.
          my skins and my familys skin dosent dry out to easily. so we just just those 2 ingredients and have been for years.

          • eug on 27/02/2020 - 13:11
            +5

            @ego22: Well.. it will always cost money to get someone else to do something for you. I wouldn't call it a scam - after all, I wouldn't call all restaurants scams. :)

            I occasionally just use 100% isopropyl on my hands from a spray bottle as I have quite a bit that I use for cleaning and preparing surfaces. I find it a little drying though. I do find a gel more convenient to use too, as it doesn't flow everywhere.

            • kufudo on 01/03/2020 - 16:09
              +1

              @eug: 100% doesn't do much. It needs to be around 70% to be effective.

          • Alex10 on 02/03/2020 - 13:38

            @ego22: what about demineralised water instead of distilled water? I've looked up woolies and bunnings and they have demineralised water but no distilled water.
            Thanks

            • gimme on 03/03/2020 - 08:44
              +1

              @Alex10: Just use tap water. If you can drink it you can wipe your hands with it

            • brokenglish on 03/03/2020 - 16:20
              +1

              @Alex10: Bunnings' demineralised water is steam-distilled, so it is the same in this case.

              Klearwave is steam distilled which is the purest form of demineralised water.
              https://www.bunnings.com.au/klearwave-5l-demineralised-water…

              To demineralise, the water passes through ion exchange resins to replace the ions with hydrogen and hydroxide.
              To distill, the water is boiled then condensed. The process can be repeated to obtain purer sample.

      • striker5950 on 28/02/2020 - 23:10
        +3

        throw in a cheap david Beckham perfume for a nice smell?

        • DeepPocketsShortArms on 01/03/2020 - 15:51

          That's my go to aftershave. Been stinking like David for years. It's a great smell.

        • dwillia on 02/03/2020 - 10:04

          surely that's an oxymoron

      • crentist on 28/02/2020 - 23:15
        +15

        But I don't want some 10 litre bucket of hand sanitizer. I want a million of those tiny bottles.

        • superveggies on 05/03/2020 - 10:24
          +1

          Back in the good old days people knew how to have just a few small bottles and refill them….

      • Ti-au on 29/02/2020 - 08:42

        Actually IF you get the Corona Virus, its a good idea, because victims seem to re-contracting it.

        So you will need to spray inside your house after you have it.

      • dufflover on 29/02/2020 - 13:19
        +6

        5l of 100% isopropyl alcohol. ebay for $30 fee

        pfft, every OzBagainer should already have at least one bottle of the stuff already.
        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/387741

        • resisting the urge on 01/03/2020 - 20:55

          I've only used 50ml so far.

          The one bottle should see us through this and the next few outbreaks

        • phrank on 01/03/2020 - 13:05
          +1

          I noticed it says "wash hands thoroughly after handling" on the label.

          Compared to the products marketed for use on hands, is there actually any difference? E.g. the stuff they add to make it undrinkable.

          • dufflover on 02/03/2020 - 15:00

            @phrank: The stuff pure is a skin and lung irritant (and poisonous).
            Alcohol wipes for skin and wounds is only around 70%.

      • Oofy Doofy on 02/03/2020 - 19:27

        Commercial hand sanitiser is provided by businesses willing to make it by economy of scale with convenient packaging and easy dispensing ready to go, in a gel base to extend exposure your skin to disinfect (and to moisturise instead of dry your skin out)

      • judani on 03/03/2020 - 18:44

        Hi thanks for the tip I ordered the isopropyl alcohol last night and bought the distilled water today. Is there anything else I can put in the mix so our hands don’t dry out too much? I bought small spray bottles from the reject shop. Woolworths don’t sell distilled water. Got it somewhere else. 😊

        • WT on 08/03/2020 - 12:14

          vegetable glycerine

          edit you can get it from the supermarkets or chemists but its prob cheaper at a vape store

    • Charlie Sierra on 27/02/2020 - 13:17
      +5

      What about spam sanitiser and hands? Will they be of use?

      • Ferretface26 on 28/02/2020 - 09:40
        +5

        Time to hit up the second "hand" store, am I right? (sorry, dad joke)

      • Musing Outloud on 03/03/2020 - 20:09

        Only if you Spamalot!

    • dandosr on 28/02/2020 - 15:10
      +1

      That is exactly what my dad stocked up on….

    • bmerigan on 28/02/2020 - 21:59
      -5

      Hand sanitiser is antibacterial not antiviral. Doesn't help in this situation.

      • Tonyh87 on 28/02/2020 - 22:34
        +8

        Hand sanitiser does kill most viruses aswell, including coronavirus. 70% is a more effective concentration to say 95% as 70% coagulates the protein at a slower rate to the higher concentration, allowing the alcohol to penetrate the entire cell before it is blocked by the coagulating protein, therefor killing the cell more effectively

        • Raq on 29/02/2020 - 07:59
          +18

          A small note: Viruses don't have cellular structure (thus no cell).

          They have a protein coat instead (capsid).

          Unless you're taking about the hand sanitizer killing your skin cells on contact.

          In that case the hand sanitizer should rather be called hand destroyer :)

          • Tonyh87 on 29/02/2020 - 11:16
            +4

            @Raq: Thanks for the correction

            • Kangal on 02/03/2020 - 20:19
              +1

              @Tonyh87: Another correction, its usually 66% Isopropanol.
              At 95%-100% concentration it does kill better, especially bacterial spores*. However, it can sometimes cause the cell to coagulase without disrupting the lipid membrane, which doesn't do irreparable damage but instead inactivates the cell without destroying it. These cells can rejuvenate and become activated later on when conditions change. Not to mention at this concentration the solution evaporates too fast, so it might not have enough time for action to kill the cells. Also some bacteria have cell walls that aren't exactly hydrophilic or hydrophobic, so this in-between solution allows it to dissolve effectively (eg/ mycobacterium).

              The best solution seems to be three-step treatment of:
              1) soap (removes most of the microbes)
              2) alcohol (destroys most of the microbes)
              3) and bleach or H-peroxide (kills surviving strains).
              …However, addition of "abrasion" (1A) and "high temperature" (1B) factors may be useful/required depending on the surface and its conditions.

              PS: Instead of 66% IPA, usually 70% Ethanol is more widespread due to cost and ease of dilution.

              • Tonyh87 on 02/03/2020 - 23:00
                +1

                @Kangal: Its more like added information rather than correction I would say

              • Musing Outloud on 03/03/2020 - 20:12

                @Kangal: Microwave, electric or gas oven for 1B level treatment?

                • Kangal on 05/03/2020 - 23:48

                  @Musing Outloud: Let's say you discovered a thick-greasy growth of what you suspect is concentrated infectious microorganism on a hard surface. And let's say this happened in a PC2 (BSL-2) "Clean Room" where DNA/PCR may be of concern.

                  In that case, here's how you would handle it.
                  1) PPE, Notifying other staff, and closing the door/isolation

                  2) If there's some liquid nearby, assume it is also infected, carefully blot and absorb it using a paper towel.
                  3) Now it should be dry but "dirty", if sensible, you can now wipe area with soap to cut through any protective grease
                  4) If that wasn't very effective, you can use a rough sponge, or even gumption, being careful to dispose everything into biohazard bins directly.
                  5) The initial steps only removed the microbe (ie cleaning), say 95% has been discarded, now begin the steps of destruction.

                  6) You can use >70'C hot water (if sensible) carefully to limit spread of area. This will inactivate many cells, make the environment unfavourable to continue multiplying, and kill the initial population (which is 40%-80% from that remaining 5% population).
                  7) Now you can use 66% IPA, and wipe the area. Then follow up with a second round by soaking it in there and leaving it for 5 minutes. You've now killed 60%-100% from that remaining 5% population.
                  8) Some people have suggested using Acetone, but that's not ideal to use in high amounts in closed up/non-ventilated areas. Plus its expensive. However, there are other alternatives such as Virkon and Oxy-San, and these should be used after alcohol to add to the effectiveness (eg 30%-100%). And those few stages will decimate the population (ie sanitation).

                  9) To ensure extermination of any surviving strains (ie disinfection), you can use Hypochloride (bleach) or even better Hydrogen Peroxide (acid). This will denature proteins as well.
                  10) These chemicals are harsh so they must be applied quickly, and cannot be used on all surfaces. This should kill 80%-100% of the 5% population.
                  11) If you tally the numbers conservatively; you would have blotted, scrapped, and wiped 80%-95% of the microbes from the surface. Your initial sanitation would have killed 40%-80%, followed by another 60%-100%, and maybe even another 30%-100%. You should have killed 99%-100% of the microbes by this stage, you would be very unlucky to have survivors at this point but it isn't unheard of. The final extermination should have killed all of it microbe, you're effectively at >99.99%, ~100%.
                  12) To make sure cleaning was done adequately, you would do a 10cmx10cm moist swab of the environment, and plate that onto Nutrient Agar and incubate for several days. You would also do a few extras of the room but at different locations. You can then confirm that the Clean Room is indeed fit for purpose. You can also run PCR test of the site if it is deemed desirable.

              • Zachary on 05/03/2020 - 22:06
                -1

                @Kangal: Just dunk your hands in a container full of petrol - that kills and cleans anything….just makes sure you're not near a flame source… Side affects include having a nasty obnoxious smell afterwards…..

    • bobs burgers on 01/03/2020 - 19:35

      Hand spamatiser

    • Oofy Doofy on 17/03/2020 - 13:39

      I'd say corned beef and potatoes, because you can make corned beef hash, and that is delicious and calorie dense.

  • JIMB0 on 27/02/2020 - 12:12
    +61

    Eneloops.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/02/2020 - 12:24
    +24

    Time for a new prepper thread?

    (I love prepper threads.)

    What products should we be stockpiling?

    1. 4 weeks of canned food (1,500calories/pax/day) and water (15l/pax/day).

    2. Condensed milk and instant coffee - stores for a long time and good source of dirty energy.

    3. Pure ethanol (you'll need a license to acquire) and bleach.

    4. About 100l of diesel and 50l petrol.

    5. A tonne (metric, not figurative) of firewood.

    6. (Frowned upon but legally acquired) firearms and ammo.

    7. First aid kit. I advise having an Epi and Salbutamol, and a shrapnel removal and suture kit.

    • Archi on 27/02/2020 - 12:43
      +36

      if things get that bad, all you need #6 and all the above would be acquirable

      • [Deactivated] on 27/02/2020 - 12:51
        +7

        I don't think so. If things get that dire, we would have a social collapse. I don't think my aresnal is anywhere near potent enough to go offensive against rogue law enforcement turned marauders.

        Defensive? Yeah they can try.

        • Archi on 27/02/2020 - 12:52
          +7

          I don't think my aresnal is anywhere near potent enough

          time to up the game

          • [Deactivated] on 27/02/2020 - 12:58
            +3

            @Archi: No chance. No legal means of acquiring automatics nor do I intend to keep one. They're only essential for offensive scenarios.

            Defensive, there are many better alternatives. Caltrops come to mind. Two nails and the shittiest welding skills are all that is required.

            • Diji1 on 27/02/2020 - 13:43
              +3

              @[Deactivated]: You think ninja toys are better than firearms for defense?

              • [Deactivated] on 27/02/2020 - 14:20
                +7

                @Diji1:

                You think ninja toys are better than firearms for defense?

                Automatic firearms in specific.

                In defensive scenarios, you do not control when a confrontation occurs so traps are better than firing bullets which will be in limited supply.

                (And caltrops are not throwing stars).

            • Chandler on 02/03/2020 - 14:15
              +1

              @[Deactivated]:

              Two nails and the shittiest welding skills are all that is required.

              Having trouble seeing this being a good caltrop. 3 nails? Yeah… 2? I'm gonna need to see an @MS Paint diagram.

              Edit: upon further reflection, I suppose two bent nails would do the trick.

              • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2020 - 14:26

                @Chandler: Lol. Yeah. Just bend them. Even better is to twist them. Get two long nails and put the in a vice. Get a big pair of plyers and twist a couple of rounds. Spot weld and you're done.

                You could make hundreds a day.

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