Australian newspaper prints extra pages to help out in Coronavirus #ToiletPaperEmergency
By Lucy Turner on Thursday, March 5, 2020
An Australian newspaper has printed an extra eight pages to be used as toilet paper after coronavirus fears prompted customers to bulk buy supplies, leaving some supermarket shelves bare.
It has been dubbed #ToiletPaperEmergency or #ToiletPaperApocalypse on social media – and so the Darwin-based NT News has gone one step further by printing an eight-page insert in its editions, to help out those who may be caught short.
A shopper passes empty shelves usually stocked with toilet paper in a supermarket in Melbourne on March 5, 2020. – COVID-19 coronavirus fears have triggered runs on several products, including hand sanitisers and face masks, with images of shoppers stacking trolleys with toilet rolls spreading on social media. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
The newspaper is known for its cheeky headlines, however, its editor said this one was “certainly not a crappy edition.”
“We are a newsroom known around the world who understands the needs of our readers,” Matt Williams, NT News’ editor told Guardian Australia. “Territorians … are in great need of toilet paper right now as we had to deliver what they needed.”
AAAANNNDDD HERE IS WHAT THE PAGES LOOK LIKE 👇 pic.twitter.com/107JbNepUr
— The NT News (@TheNTNews) March 4, 2020
The stunt comes after Aussie supermarkets, including Coles and Woolworths, have been besieged by shoppers clearing their shelves of loo paper and hand sanitiser.
The Twitter hashtag #ToiletPaperEmergency – featuring images of people attempting to stockpile massive quantities of paper, empty supermarket shelves and those trying to profit from reselling rolls – has become the top trend in Australia.
