Toilet paper woes: Ace shuttler speaks out against hoarding

When rumours began circulating three days ago of a possible lockdown to curb the Covid-19 pandemic, panic buying and hoarding began. 

Among the victims of this behaviour was former national shuttler Lee Chong Wei.

Taking to Facebook last night, the former world number one said he visited a supermarket on Monday to buy a bit of supplies.

The last thing on his shopping list was toilet paper and that's when the drama started.

"Oh my, many aunties dashing (around) the store with overflowing shopping trollies. The anxiousness creeped in as if my first Olympics years ago. Situation was crazy.

"Fortunately, I managed to gather (the goods in my) wife's list, except for one. The toilet paper! There were people pushing trolleys with 10 bags of toilet paper!

"How many (backsides) one needs to wash with that many? Toilet papers are important during previous pandemic period due to unclean water and psychological effect," mused Lee.

Lee said a friend, whom he identified as Nazir, approached him at the supermarket and offered a pack of toilet paper.

"Magically, a gentle voice from behind greeted (me). 'Lee, you can take this pack. I took two just now and you know I don't use it to wash'.

"It was Nazir, a friend who stays nearby. We laughed and joked a little. Noting more trolleys sprinters ambushing the store, I sped off as soon as I could, knowing that the pandemic is highly contagious," wrote Lee.

The badminton legend then advised fellow Malaysians to only buy enough goods to weather the two-week movement control order as well as to stay home.

"My friends. I know we are facing an unprecedented crisis. Please do store food. But don't store like there is no tomorrow.

"More importantly, stay home! Treat it as though you yourself are carrying the virus, don't go back to your hometown to your parents. Stay home! If you don't, your love ones will die!

"We Malaysians are better than this. I know Malaysians and the whole world will win this war. And it will be easier if we work together.

"Lastly my upmost appreciation the frontliners like the doctors, nurses, hospital staffs, supermarket cashiers etc. You risk your lives so we can live ours. Chong Wei bow to you guys. Thank you," he wrote.

- Mkini