But experts say the run is likely to be less severe this time as stores and shoppers are more prepared. Subodha Kumar, a supply chain expert at Temple University, told The Daily Beast: 'People have already hoarded a lot of this stuff in their basements.'
Typical liberal rhetoric.
Being prepped is NOT hoarding.
It’s not too long ago in our world’s history that anyone who didn’t plan ahead was a fool and died from starvation.
It’s only recently that we’ve learned to live hand to mouth and consider well thought out preparations to be “hoarding”
An historical or traditional definition of hoarding in an older Webster’s of mine, I’d have to look it up to get exact, is something along the lines of an individual acquiring large unreasonable quantities, more than they can ever possibly use of an item, and further, depriving others of this needed good. Something like that. Sounds fairly reasonable.
This came to the forefront during World War I, the first world war, in America. I don’t believe they had the huge bureacratic ration system as was in place by WW 2.0, but they did read everybody the riot act and things like sugar and flour were in short supply.
Someone “hoarding” vintage bottle openers, or left handed crescent wrenches, or old newspapers, while maybe weird or eccentric, doesn’t deprive anyone else of anything, as there is no demand, so doesn’t meet this definition.
My first thought during the Spring and into summer, when things started to ease up a bit, was that any sane, rational person will keep on keepin’ on and immediately start preparing for Winter. Have enough calories, enough food value on hand, fo make it through for you and yours.
Prepping is survival.
You are right, everyone in previous eras was a prepper, stocking up so that they would have enough in months when supplies were less available.
That is natural.