Amid all the frenzied stockpiling emptying our supermarket's shelves all over the world, many people are struggling to provide properly for their families.
And, after a desperate mom took to social media to share her dismay over the lack of diapers available for her daughter, people all over the world are calling for serious change.
Keep scrolling for the full story, and to watch the heartwrenching video for yourself...
We are in the midst of a medical crisis.
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The deadly coronavirus, or COVID-19, as medical experts are referring to it, has taken our planet hostage, and is showing no signs of letting go anytime soon.The virus primarily affects the respiratory system.
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And common symptoms include fever, coughing, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties.But, in more severe cases...
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And in patients who are elderly and have existing health issues, the virus can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.Over 200,000 people all over the world have now been infected with the virus.
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208,471, to be precise. And, devastatingly, a staggering 8,312 more have been reported to have died from the illness.World leaders have been left with little choice but to bring their countries to a total stand-still...
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And many have banned large and crowded events, and any travel to and from infected countries.And it didn't take long for the virus to reach us here in the States.
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Our first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Washington in late January after a citizen returned from a trip to China.And, since then, the numbers have been rising at a frightening pace.
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Since the first COVID-19 patient in Washington, there have been 7,636 more confirmed cases across the country and 117 deaths.Several cities have declared states of emergencies...
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And, last week, President Trump declared a national emergency to combat the coronavirus pandemic, freeing up $50 billion in federal funding and promising a screening website and drive-by tests.And, with all of this...
People have been urged to avoid large, crowded areas...
But, amid all the panic and hysteria...
Many panicked shoppers have been taking to supermarkets to stockpile on supplies.
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In apocalyptic scenes all over the world, supermarkets have been overcrowded with people frantically stocking up on soaps, sanitizers, toilet rolls, canned goods, and other non-perishable foods.People seem to think that buying 3 years' worth of toilet paper will protect them from the virus...
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Oh, alongside thirty cans of tomatoes. Because that makes total sense...It's getting completely out of hand.
People have been literally emptying supermarkets' shelves of their products, forcing large companies to put regulations in place to prevent people from buying too many things. Yeah, this is the world we're currently living in.Some shoppers seem to forget that other people also need to buy these items...
This is an old man at the grocery store, looking at his grocery list and realizing nothing is left. To all those wh… https://t.co/sttrWQXDB4— nfmk (@nfmk)1584361838.0
People with families to provide for have also been hit hard.
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Many parents have found themselves struggling to provide for their children as a result of the frenzied stockpiling.It's one of the sadder realities of panic buying...
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That those who need it the most are the ones who are left with nothing.And one desperate mom has now taken to social media to share her complete and utter despair.
Lauren Whitney, who has 4 children to care for, was out at her local Walmart to buy some diapers for her youngest daughter.Doesn't seem like too much of a challenge, right?
Well, normally, it wouldn't be. But, thanks to the selfishness and thoughtlessness of those who are stockpiling, Lauren found that there weren't any diapers left.She filmed the ridiculous scenes to share with her friends.
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Where she said: "To all you crazy people buying out all the diapers." She then gave a sarcastic smile and standing alongside the sparse shelves.But then, heartbreakingly...
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Lauren becomes too overcome with emotion and bursts into tears."How am I supposed to diaper my child?"
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"If I can't afford to buy twenty at a time like you can?"After being accidentally posted onto TikTok, Lauren's video was quick to go viral...
please stop this unnecessary panic buying. look at who you’re affecting. please stop this unnecessary panic buying… https://t.co/gxsceOdZE6— queen quen (@queen quen)1584384443.0
"I took the video intending to keep it in my drafts, but accidentally uploaded it and logged on an hour later to see it went viral. I debated taking it down, but decided it needed to be seen," Whitney told BuzzFeed.
No mother should ever be reduced to such stresses while providing for their children.
@quenblackwell this is terrible, america is so embarrassing— mikal (@mikal)1584384543.0
Lauren hopes her video sends the right message.
She explained:
"I'd love for people to realize that all this panic-buying and hoarding is making it hard for lower-income families or families on a budget."