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Is it ethical to stockpile groceries during the coronavirus crisis? Is it ethical to stockpile groceries during the coronavirus crisis?
Yes, it is ethical to stockpile groceries Yes, it is ethical to stockpile groceries
No, it is not ethical to stockpile groceries No, it is not ethical to stockpile groceries
Stockpiling is a storm in a teacup Stockpiling is a storm in a teacup
Stockpiling ensures that your loved ones are provided for Stockpiling ensures that your loved ones are provided for
When everyone else is doing it, it is only reasonable to follow them When everyone else is doing it, it is only reasonable to follow them
Stockpiling is driven by one's instinctive need for survival Stockpiling is driven by one's instinctive need for survival
Vulnerable people are more likely to stockpile due to anxiety Vulnerable people are more likely to stockpile due to anxiety
More vulnerable people who need essential items are not able to attain them More vulnerable people who need essential items are not able to attain them
Creates a massive sense of panic in an already unstable society Creates a massive sense of panic in an already unstable society
Nationwide shortages are caused by people stockpiling resources Nationwide shortages are caused by people stockpiling resources
The more paramount issue is contagion inside the stores The more paramount issue is contagion inside the stores
Hospitals are the real problem; stockpiling is simply a consequence of this structural issue Hospitals are the real problem; stockpiling is simply a consequence of this structural issue
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Is it ethical to stockpile groceries during the coronavirus crisis?
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Yes, it is ethical to stockpile groceries

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Vulnerable people are more likely to stockpile due to anxiety

In the UK the elderly have expressed increasaed anxiety in regards to accessing essentials due to the coronavirus pandemic. Indeed, the number of people who report their well-being as affected due to this increased consistently with the age demographic in the UK. Does this mean we are to blame them as equally as we blame others for stockpiling? Should we not allow vulnerable people with a lack of access to stockpile for their own safety and peace of mind?
Office for National Statistics UK
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Context

The Office for National Statistics released a report on how the Coronavirus pandemic impacted elderly citizens in the UK. While the elderly did not report their finances or well-being were considerably impacted, there was a significant correlation between age demographic and anxiety around accessing essentials.[1]

The Argument

Clearly, this anxiety in elderly people is caused by the widespread stockpiling happening in the UK. But this is exactly why we should not condemn stockpiling in all of its forms. If elderly and vulnerable people have limited access and opportunity to buy essentials, then shouldn't we condone their behavior?

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Premises

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/ageing/articles/coronavirusandthesocialimpactsonolderpeopleingreatbritain/3aprilto10may2020
This page was last edited on Tuesday, 18 May 2021 at 21:21 UTC

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