coronavirus (Covid-19) could spread in Kenya, after news that three more people tested positive for the disease.
As cases of the virus rise globally, people are rushing to stock goods like hand sanitizers, canned foods and toilet papers.
As at Sunday, the World Health Organization (WHO) had documented 142,539 cases of Covid-19 from 135 countries. Another 5,393 people have died from the disease.
As soon as Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe broke the news of the first confirmed case, Kenyans went into panic-buying.
Fights have broken out, trolleys piled high, pushing city supermarkets like Carrefour to limit the number of sanitisers a person can buy.
Masks were the first to go. Then, hand sanitisers. In fact, many pharmacies in Nairobi have run out of supplies for hospital-grade sanitisers. Now, the new coronavirus-panic-buyers are snatching up … toilet paper?
There is no shortage of videos capturing the mass hysteria as shelves are cleared. Canned goods, water bottles and pasta shelves have similarly been emptied.
The difference this time is that people now see Covid-19 as a real threat, one that will last for months, and they may not have confidence in the authorities to contain it.
Insufficient information on the new coronavirus is also playing a factor in people’s response, while current measures taken by the authorities do not seem to have reassured the masses.
It’s important to stock up on some things, experts say. But hoarding unnecessary items can deplete the supply for everyone else. People should not panic, but if the potentially deadly illness — lands you in quarantine, it is well-advised to have a sensible supply of food, water and other essentials.
Download our app from play store and get updates everyday for FREE. Press the button below.
![](https://malimwengu.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/app-download-google-play.jpg")
