In that regard, I was in Kroger this morning (Richmond, VA area) to get food that my wife is able to eat (restricted diet because of Huntington’s Disease). While there, I was able to talk to a number of store employees who confirmed that panic buying is still going on. Everyone of them said that most customers who shared a reason stated that distrust of government, not fear of the Chi-Com virus was behind their panic buying. Before any of our hysteria lovers jump in, I am well aware that this is anecdotal evidence which did not come from a double blind, randomized study.
All these "shelter in place" stories. Some people take the WEORDS as they are intended to be used, which is shelter in place. So if the government enforces what they literally said instead of what they meant (restricted contact), the panic buyers are, in their minds, prepared for being sheltered in place.