Like many Aussies, I was doing the weekly grocery shop at the weekend and I could get everything on my list - except one thing: toilet paper (and we seriously need some, we're down to the last roll!).
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I know people are feeling anxious and uncertain about what's happening with the spread of this virus.
But panic buying toilet paper isn't going to solve the problem.
So let's take a moment to talk a little about what might be useful (or not) in keeping you healthy.
First of all, antibiotics aren't going to help you out here.
Antibiotics work against bacteria, not on viruses, so just like they do nothing for the flu, they won't prevent (or cure) COVID-19.
There's also no evidence that taking extra vitamins or other supplements will do anything to protect you, so save your money - you can spend it on toilet paper once it's back on the shelves.
Secondly, face masks - should we be wearing them?
Probably not - unless you are sick, caring for someone who is sick, or have advice from your doctor to wear one.
If you're sick, a face mask will help contain droplets from your coughs and sneezes, and protect those close to you.
But in general, for just going about our day to day business, masks are not required.
Let's leave them for health care professionals and those that really need them.
So what can you do? Start with washing your hands.
And I mean properly wash them, not just stick them under a tap for a few seconds.
Use soap, and wash for a good 20 seconds (the suggestion is the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday ... but singing birthday songs alone in the bathroom seems a bit sad, so I prefer the chorus of Lady Gaga's Shallow).
No soap and water? You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel.
You might have heard that these don't work against viruses, but guess what - sometimes people on the internet make things up.
Used correctly, they will destroy viral particles - just make sure you get one that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol.
If you're coughing or sneezing, you should catch it in a tissue or into your elbow, wash your hands, and try and avoid other people - just as you would do if you had a bad cold or the flu.
Don't panic. And if anyone has any toilet paper, I could really use a roll or two.
Dr Mary McMillan is a lecturer at the School of Science and Technology, University of New England
