today's panic buying, 20200311

Big Box Home Improvement Retail Operation put about 8 cases of a spray disinfectant on prominent display, at regular price. 

It began disappearing 2, then 6, cans at a time.  BTW we were notching off calls and requests for toilet paper.  By closing, we had about 70. 

Then one female customer loaded the entire remaining stock of disinfectant---maybe 3 cases---can by can into her cart and approached the cashier next to me. 

The partner was appalled.  "You know you're just hoarding this.  Other people might need some."

(HQ has taken the position that we'll not put limits on any product under these circumstances because it might signal panic or elicit complaints of price-gouging.)

The customer's simple reply:  "I don't care." 

Our partner needed some calming down.  We couldn't offer it.  We admit, we've never been good at that.  We also regard price as a signal, communication that must not be impaired, as sacrosanct as the freedom of speech.  My employer should consider pricing products according to shifts in supply and demand.  Such a shift has been staring us in the face, and if we don't respond to it, our suppliers surely will.  This alone ill-equips us to calm down our distressed partner watching the opportunism of human nature. 

Instead I told her about Gray Goose Nan's attempt to undermine the Hyde Amendment in the Federal coronavirus spending bill. 

Say what you will about the argued right to abortion, but the people have spoken that they do not approve of Federal funding for it, and when we discuss Federal funding for elective medical procedures, we're not talking about rights.