COVID-19 impact

As of today, March 15, 2020 officially there are 73 COVID-19 virus cases in British Columbia, with two being identified in Interior BC region.
If in the beginning of March 2020 health officials were concerned about people coming back from China, lately virus cases were reported globally for total 156,400 confirmed cases. The virus spreads in geometrical progression domestically as well. 
There are 5,833 reported deaths from COVID-19 globally, with only one being in British Columbia. Top 5 countries with the most reported cases-China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain.
Canada ranks 20 on that list with 252 confirmed cases. Those numbers are probably skewed (my guess by 1.5), as not everyone reports their sickness.
I got my information from Center for Systems Science and Engineering
gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/

Media created a panic response from the masses: toilet paper disappeared from each supermarket. I actually don't have a logical explanation why exactly toilet paper? 
I have seen the video of people in Costco erratically running towards toilet paper isle and loading up. That created a response "Monkey see, monkey do".
As of yesterday shelves with non-perishable food, such as canned vegetables, fish, meat got emptied. Despite the announcement from the government officials that there is no shortage of food is foreseen. Well, Corona virus spread in Canada was not foreseen either, right?
Below is the picture from WalMart Center showcasing empty shelves, where canned food used to be.  Pictures above are from SuperStore.

Empty boxes where tuna once was.
It is probably wise to stock up on food items, planning for self isolation if you or any of your family member will be diagnosed with a virus.
Here is the shopping list that might be useful for stocking up:
1. Cold and flu symptoms reliving medication (such as Tylenol, NeoCitran), cough suppressing medication, nasal congestion sprays.
2. Water- you could get a water filter, bottled water.
3. Hot liquids: green tea, chicken broth.
4. Food. When you are sick, it is best to eat light and easy digestible foods like vegetable soups, rice with vegetables. With all the madness surrounding shopping, still buy two weeks worth of supply: bag of rice, bag of oats, frozen vegetables and meat, eggs, etc.
5. Cleaning supplies. It is a fact that virus is capable of living for several hours outside of a carrier. That means we have to be prepared to clean surfaces with disinfectants: Lysol, Bleach, Windex.
Last, but not least: stay away from crowded places like shopping malls, crowded stores. Remember to dress according to the weather- it is cold outside, so the jacket is mandatory.
There is no need to panic, historically there are ups and downs. It will turn up eventually!