Almost a year ago to the day, as the first cases of COVID-19 began to appear in Quebec, locals began to start panic-buying toilet paper in Montreal, along with other pandemic essentials like hand sanitizer and cleaning products.
We knew little about the virus then and had no idea what we were in for, so naturally, panic and fear prevailed. But looking back one year later, isn't it kind of amazing that we were all doomsday preppers for a week?
Editor's Choice: The Massive Pick-Your-Own Tulip Fields Near Montreal Are Coming Back This Season
From pharmacies to grocery stores, shelves were emptied of toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
MTL Blog | Website
It was the same all over the province; panic set in as the government banned large public gatherings.
MTL Blog | Website
The situation prompted Mayor Valérie Plante to tell everyone to chill out.
MTL Blog | Website
The stats don't lie. According to Statistics Canada, sales of hand sanitizer and toilet paper spiked by 639% and 241%, respectively.
MTL Blog | Website
Despite the panic, toilet paper supplies were never really in peril, but that didn't stop some people from trying to price gouge you on Kijiji.
MTL Blog | Website