With the increasing media reports about COVID-19 or Coronavirus, the Lismore App decided to see if the panic has set in around Lismore.

I was surprised that the panic buying of basic grocery items like toilet paper was affecting our local supermarkets. Not only that but hand sanitiser and mask supplies are already non-existent. Is this "being prepared" or is this an overreaction through what is commonly known as Crowd Psychology?

A walk around the CBD gave a rather shocking view what the threat of the coronavirus can do to people.

First stop was Dan O'Connell at Chempro on Woodlark Street. Dan told me that they had two bottles of hand sanitiser left and they will be gone in a few hours.

Steph Bulmer at Blooms on Keen Street was next with the same story, no hand sanitiser and no masks. "We have them on back order," she told me. So, it was around to Helen Brand at Brands Pharmacy on Molesworth Street; same story with Helen hoping to find a new supplier.

The Goonellabah Pharmacy was next, same story and a phone call to the Nimbin Village Pharmacy painted the same picture.

Armed with that knowledge, it was then time to check out our toilet paper supplies.

Coles in Goonellabah, completely out. The amusing aspect here is that I was told people were lining up in the morning waiting for the morning delivery. For toilet paper!

IGA Goonellabah did have some on their shelves.

Hand sanitiser and masks are understandable, but not the bulk buying of toilet paper. So, why is this happening?

One theory is Crowd Psychology -- the phenomenon where people see or hear stories on the media or through friends and family then copy that behaviour, fearing there is something to the story whether it is based on fact or not. Basically, if one person is buying six large packs of toilet paper then there must be an important reason why and I had better not miss out.

The fact is that most of our toilet paper is actually made in Australia. The likelihood of us running out is minimal.

Quilton is made by ABC Tissue Products in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, while Kleenex is made in Millicent, South Australia.

Supply runs out when demand is well above what the normal levels of supply are on a weekly and monthly basis.

So, don't panic. Just keep to your normal buying habits and the toilet paper will once again return to the shelves.

Masks.

The Chief Health Officer for NSW, Dr Kerry Chant has said that masks are not recommended for healthy people but only for those people who show flu-like symptoms. The majority of people do not need to wear face masks.

The spread of influenza and the coronavirus is through close contact with an infected person through coughing, sneezing or contaminated hands. This is why only unhealthy people should be wearing masks. You cannot contract coronavirus through food, packaging or mail.

Hand sanitiser.

This is the product that can help people not contract the flu or coronavirus. Dr Chant has said that the "practice of good hand hygiene is important in not contracting the coronavirus". This can also be done through the regular washing of hands throughout the day.

Do not rush to buy bulk supplies of face masks, a few will do for when you may come in contact with healthy family members or friends if you are displaying flu-like symptoms. There must be enough to go around everyone in our community.

What should you do if you have flu-like symptoms?

The focus of NSW Health is on "containing the spread of the virus".

This means that if you feel the symptoms of the flu then do not rush to the doctor as we would normally do. You should contact your doctor and make an appointment, making them aware of your symptoms. They will advise you to wait in your car until a physician comes out to assess your condition and what the treatment should be.

If someone in your family has symptoms, do not go to work or school. Isolation is the best way to tackle a potential outbreak, according to doctors.

The mortality rate of the coronavirus is smaller than SARS in 2003. SARS' mortality rate was 9.5% while coronavirus is between 2 and 5%. The common flu has a rate of 0.1%.

To give this more perspective, people under 50 have a mortality rate of 0.2 to 0.4%. In 50-59 year olds it rises to 1.3%, 60-69 3.6% and 70-79 8%. The age group most in danger are 80+ people with a 14.8% mortality rate. People with health issues are also more susceptible than the average person.

The statistics suggest that if you have loved ones that are above 80 years of age and you develop symptoms of the flu, stay away from them. As would be the case in any normal flu season.

We need to approach the next few months with a great deal of common sense not panic.

The facts are that through good hygiene practices and isolation when displaying symptoms we will continue to live normal lives.

The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, runny nose, or shortness of breath. The most important step in protecting yourself from any illness, including COVID-19 is regular handwashing, especially before preparing and eating meals or drinking.

There is no need to panic buy grocery items.

There is no need to not continue our everyday lives and support businesses in our local community.

As of yesterday March 5, 2020 there were no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Northern NSW with 25 cases confirmed in NSW.

To stay up to date or to get more facts about coronavirus, go to the Health NSW website page https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx.

This page includes important information on flights with confirmed cases of coronavirus. There are a lot of people still travelling overseas, either for work or pleasure. If that is you, this page is definitely worth taking note of.