Toilet rolls, pasta and drugs: how Coronavirus panic-buying is having a knock-on effect on Chichester and Bognor residents

Toilet-rolls are being bough in bulk by some worried shoppers

Fears over Coronavirus have caused members of the public to bulk-buy super market supplies but concerns have been raised about the knock-on effect.

The parents of a five-year-old boy with ceoliac disease are struggling to find gluten-free pasta. It is one of the only food their son, Russ, will eat because his autism and sensory issues.

Mum Loella Harris said: “It’s so hard to get wheat and gluten free food because people are buying everything and anything.

“Over the weekend, I went to Tesco to try and get some pasta.

“I saw one lady with her husband grab about eight to ten bags of gluten free pasta, while saying to her husband ‘it’s gluten free, but who cares. Pasta is pasta and I need it’ .

“When I politely asked if I could have a bag for my son, she said ‘no! I need this pasta because of Coronavirus. You’re lifestyle choice doesn’t matter’.

“I mentioned that coeliac isn’t a choice and she said ‘a small bit of wheat and gluten will not kill him’.”

“Please be considerate and don’t buy more than you/ your family need. There may be others who have to go without or people who do not have such a broad choice about their diet.

“Think about others as well and think ‘how would I feel if I was on a medically restricted diet and couldn’t get food because of bulk buyers’”.

In Bognor Regis, Emily Hardy-Wallace, 35, takes paracetamol for a medical condition.

Shortages of the drug in supermarkets have left her worried.

She said: “It’s hard as I can’t go out on my own due to my anxiety so can’t do much at the moment. I am hoping to speak to my GP see if they can help me

“I’ve asked friends and family to get some if they see any and that’s all I can

“Due to allergies and other health issues it’s the only over three counter medication I can safely take and I am on it daily due to health issues.

“I don’t really want to ask my GP for some as they are cheap enough to buy but at this rate maybe my only choice.

“If I don’t get any then I may be forced to take my stronger medication more often which is something I don’t want to do.”

Emily said she is concerned she may not be able to get the drug prescribed and that, if she does, it will cost her more than £9 a box.