"Panic at the Plunger: The Great Toilet Paper Rush in the USA"

FOMO on the loose - In the year 2024, as whispers of an impending hurricane stirred the air, John and Sue felt the urgency to prepare. With the storm's path still a mystery, they joined the throngs of anxious shoppers at the local megastore. Their shopping basket, once empty, was soon overflowing with the one item everyone seemed to be after: toilet paper. John and Sue weren't the only ones; the aisles were crowded with others, each pair of hands grabbing rolls by the dozen, eyes wide with the fear of the unknown. The calm before the storm had turned into a frenzy of white, fluffy panic.

Why does toilet paper in America fly off the shelves during times of crisis?

Toilet paper tends to fly off the shelves in America during crises due to a combination of psychological, logistical, and historical factors:

1. Panic Buying: During crises, like the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, people engage in panic buying. There's a psychological response where individuals feel the need to stockpile essentials due to fear of shortages, uncertainty about the future, or the desire to exert control over one situation amidst widespread chaos. Toilet paper, being a non-perishable household item that people use daily, becomes a focal point of this behavior.
2. Media Influence: Once images and stories of empty shelves begin circulating, it creates a feedback loop. Seeing others panic buy can lead to more people doing the same, driven by the fear of missing out (FOMO) on securing their own supplies.
3. Perceived Scarcity: Retailers might limit purchases to manage stock, which can inadvertently signal scarcity, prompting more buying in response.
4. Logistics and Supply Chain: Initially, there might not be a real shortage, but the sudden spike in demand can overwhelm supply chains. Toilet paper manufacturing is somewhat specialized, and while there's plenty for normal consumption, the supply chain isn't immediately elastic to sudden demand spikes.
5. Historical Precedent: The 1973 toilet paper shortage in the U.S., triggered by a news report about a potential shortage, set a cultural precedent for how Americans might react to perceived crises involving household goods.
6. Shelf Life and Usefulness: Unlike food, toilet paper has an indefinite shelf life, making it an ideal item for stockpiling. It's also universally needed, enhancing its status as a "must-have" during emergencies.
7. Misunderstanding of Supply: There's often a misunderstanding about where toilet paper comes from; much of the commercial (restaurants, offices) supply was separate from residential, so when commercial use dropped, it didn't immediately translate to more for households, further exacerbating perceived shortages.
8. Social Proof: People see others buying large amounts and feel they should do the same, leading to a herd mentality.

In summary, the combination of human psychology, media portrayal, logistical challenges, and historical behaviors creates a perfect storm where toilet paper becomes emblematic of crisis response in America.