@LogicFTW: But then the more serious global supply chain disruption will kick in

Most big manufacturers use Toyota's "just-in-time" strategy. Materials and parts arrive just in time to be fed into production, and no big stockpiles are maintained. It's very cost-efficient, but supply chains have become so vast and complex, that if any link is broken the whole thing collapses. They experienced that on a smaller scale after Japan's earthquake-Tsunami disaster. We'll probably experience this soon as shortages of spare parts for electronic devices and vehicles.

We're now seeing the first signs of panic. People are emptying store shelves of things that are unlikely to be affected, such as toilet rolls. Opportunists are already offering overpriced toilet rolls on e-Bay. The opportunities for exploitation are rife. In Japan after the first oil shock in 70s, people became conditioned to expect shortages. Trading companies took advantage by deliberately holding back supplies of various goods to create panics--first gasoline, then toilet paper, soy sauce, sugar, salt, even cabbages...

The most dangerous effect of the COVID-19 outbreak is panic. And panic is a religious phenomenon named after the god Pan. Human beings are vulnerable to panic, and it leaves us open to exploitation by politicians, religions, and unscrupulous businesses.

@LogicFTW

"Yes that includes cars and tv's. Most all "electronics." But eventually it will effect just about every single thing you can think of, if factories world wide stay shut, and continue to shut down as the virus spreads"

Ah, well, I bought a brand new car last year. Have two big screen TV's; bought the last one on Ebay about 2 years ago. The Imac is 4 years old, and humming away . Laptop about 2 years old. Also bought on Ebay. Phone, 2 years old, also Ebay. Stove and Fridge a couple of years old ---I'm sure you get the idea. I rarely wait for a thing to break before I buy a new one.

What can I say. I love new tech and shiny new things. Today a burr coffee grinder ,bought locally.

With a bit of luck,I should be OK until the virus epidemic ends. Unless of course it gets as bad as the great flu epidemic of 1918. In that case I may be cactus.

@ Daniel

So sorry to hear of your terrible disaster. In your place, I'd be distraught and enraged at the morons .

"Do you guys have recommendations on how to approach people about this or should I just vent here instead? Grrr"

That's tough one. I don't suppose you can simply shoot them?

I don't even try with such morons on line. I guess you could just swear at them EG " you are an ignorant, inbred ,redneck cunt . I hope you never breed". Of course that may simply make said inbred feel martyred.

Seriously; Isn't Tennessee in the heart of the bible belt? Not sure it would be safe to rant at them in person and would change exactly nothing .

Perhaps better to just rant here, all you want.

@ilovechloe

Oh how a love a cynic .(because they're like me)

In 1974. I was working in town.

One lunch time I was leaving the building and ---bump--''walked into Alvin Wangelemurtzel , erstwhile schoolfriend and mathematical genius who was now a doctor. Turned out he had just come down from Darwin, where he worked ,in Darwin Hospital . He looked ghastly, as if he hadn't slept for a week.This turned out to be true. He told me that the actual death toll from Tracy was in the thousands, not hundred.,

.Now I realise this anecdotal, and I can't prove it

.---It was from that day that I began to develop a healthy contempt for politicians of all flavours . Whitlam was in office. I was stunned by the mendacity; I voted for that bastard.

As for this virus; I'm being as careful as I can, but have not yet begun to isolate myself. "I've been told" That people in my age bracket have a 7% chance of dying if we catch the virus.

"Most governments are reacting, rather than being pro-active. You cant be reactive in cases like this, because by the time you react, it is already too late."

It is almost always thus with most governments. Notable exceptions seem to be dictatorships, who maintain ever alert police,,secret police and army, to protect them from their citizens'. Also from other countries, about whom they are [understandably) quite paranoid.

On this occasion our government has been slightly proactive, going into pandemic mode before it has been declared .

The WHO has warned to be prepared for a pandemic. That frightens the crap out of me. Apart from sensible precautions what does one do?

What exactly is that fortress of incompetency, sycophancy, and paranoia, Team Trump, doing I wonder? Telling we the people everything is under control? The scary thing is that millions of dumb crunts will believe them.

It has occurred to me every survivalist in the US especially will be laughing up their sleeves.

PS what are you doing with a picture of Clint Eastwood ?

@CyberLN

Thanks for the link.

One school in Sydney closed today because a student tested positive for the virus

Locally: Needed to go shopping yesterday. The supermarket opens at 6.30 AM,. I went at around 8, not at all busy.

I SAW PANIC BUYING of all things; TOILET PAPER. One woman had a trolley full ????????

There was no rolled oats or hand cleanser. What's wrong with those people?

My 450 lb mate is isolating . If he catches the virus he could die. At present, I'm carrying on as usual, avoiding crowds as usual. HAVE been washing my hands a lot more.