As toilet rolls and flour became precious commodities in the nation's supermarkets, it became obvious that stockpiling was happening, as people bought more than they normally would as a result of uncertainty.
The gaps on the shelves triggered thoughts that this would spread to other items, even though this was beyond the experience of most consumers.
One of the areas particularly linked to this was the demand for food.
However, some people have been stockpiling for years in anticipation of some other issues.
They are called ‘Preppers’, and geography Bradley Garrett, who is writing a book on this phenomenon, has written a good piece in ‘The Atlantic’ - suggesting that we will all be doing some prepping next. I think we will be mindful of what we have in our homes, and be more aware of being ready perhaps.
Doomsday Preppers go beyond toilet rolls, and include medical kits, gas masks and weaponry on their shopping list, along with haz-mat suits.
Bradley's new book on this theme is out in August.
It may be of interest to many geographers, as with his previous writings.
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