Readers are probably aware that as I write this, the world is struggling to contain a very serious epidemic, the so-called COVID19, or 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak.

What you might also be witnessing is that people all over the globe are panicking, and hoarding. Reports from all corners of civilization include shelves being completely empty of items like toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

Does it really have to be like this? Does humanity really need to stoop so low that, once again, we only think of ourselves? Does your family really need 20 gallons of milk, 15 bottles of rubbing alcohol, or 50 boxes of tissues?

The overarching message of hoarding is, of course, “I matter, and no one else does.”

Maybe grade schools and nursing homes need extra soap and paper towels, but oops, panic-stricken first-worlders bought it all. Maybe, just maybe, people in crowded cities actually need hand sanitizer, and can’t get it because it’s all been sold to tools like you.

Are you sitting on 60 boxes of face masks for no reason? Go right now to the homeless shelter and donate all that you don’t actually need.