WHO would have thought that in the 21st century we would be facing a shortage of toilet rolls?

No one under-estimates the severity of the coronavirus crisis, of course, but what is it with all of this panic buying?

I can talk with authority on this particular issue having tried without success over the past few days to restock on loo rolls at supermarkets and corner shops in both Bexhill and Brighton only to be greeted with a succession of empty shelves.

I spoke to a cashier at Morrisons in St James’s Street who admitted that queues had begun forming an hour before its scheduled opening at 8am. When the doors opened there were plenty, but within a short space of time they were all gone.

Fortunately, I still have four left and at present things have not become critical because at present I live on my own as my flatmate is on an extended break to visit family in Australia.

Common sense simply has to prevail but if panic bulk buying continues then there will be no option but to apply restrictions on the number of each essential item which can be purchased.

Yesterday I filled my car with petrol for the simple reason that the tank was below a quarter full.

When I went to pay I asked the cashier if they had any toilet rolls. He snorted with derision.

“You’ve got to be joking mate,” he replied. “We ran out a week ago and cannot got any more supplies.”

As I turned to leave, he added: “It is good you have filled up your car. It will be petrol shortages next, you mark my words. Our sales of petrol are rocketing. How long before that runs out too?”

He certainly has a point. If this madness continues then we will all be left facing bare cupboards.

In times of crisis countries need strong leadership. Prime Minister Boris Johnson always talks a good game but he was a bit slow out of the starting blocks when it came to dealing with coronavirus.

As the pressure on him grew he suddenly went all statesmanlike and began issuing decrees ad infinitum.

What he should be saying is “don’t panic people, we will get to grips with this”.

Alternatively, he could issue, free of charge, four toilet rolls a week to every individual in the country, delivered to your door.

Now that would be both impressive and decisive.

But of course that won’t be happening. As long as there are a ready supply at Number Ten then why should he bother about the rest of us?

This is the thing with politicians. There is one rule for them and another for the general populace.

Don’t do as we do, do as we say. It has always been that way and will continue to be so.

But then the rest of us are not doing ourselves any favours either.

Wild rumours continue to circulate on social media, sparking widespread panic.

This is merely counter productive and needs to be nipped firmly in the bud.

Quick update... another visit to Morrisons and once again I return sans toilet rolls. I am now down to three at home and there appears little hope of replenishing my meagre stock any time soon. Well, let’s look on the bright side, at least I have a full tank of petrol but as I face a 60-mile round trip to work each day that is not going to last very long either.

How long will it be before we have the Army on the streets? You think that is far fetched? Well don’t bet on it.

If you are self-isolating then being at home isn’t going to be much fun either. For starters, there is no sport and the terrestrial television channels offer nothing but reality shows and endless repeats.

Try and order supplies online and you will discover that most products are unobtainable or deliveries have been suspended.

Hand sanitiser is among the most highly-prized items and no wonder. There isn’t any unless you want to spend an exorbitant sum on Ebay.

As one journalist put it a while back... the country is going to hell in a handcart and we are all being taken along for the ride.

What we need to do is take a deep breath and adopt some of that famed British bulldog spirit.

Let’s all remember that classic line from Dads’ Army... “Don’t panic Mr Mainwaring”.

Panic will only exacerbate an already increasingly worrying situation both in the United Kingdom and indeed across the globe.

Apparently it is also vital to keep stress levels down. Right then, where’s my yoga mat?