In retrospect, Scott Bennett wishes he had been a much bigger hoarder.

Back in January when COVID-19 was wreaking havoc in parts of Asia and Europe but still a distant threat to Canada, the Cambridge resident noticed a trend in the news: panic buying and hoarding of sanitary supplies was rapidly spreading in affected communities.

Simultaneously, it was clear to him that the people who would be the most vulnerable in a pandemic — the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions — would be the least likely to make it to stores before the shelves were emptied.

So the 21-year-old real estate agent made a promise to himself: if virus ended up spreading to Canada, things ought to be a little different in his community. He wanted to be ready. Unprompted, he started slowly stocking up on hygienic supplies.

“At the time, I jokingly thought the worst-case scenario would result in me being stuck with a lifetime supply of hand sanitizers and Lysol wipes,” he said on Monday evening. “Right now, I really wish that was the case.”

Now that the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted Premier Doug Ford to declare a state of emergency in an effort to slow its community spread, Bennett wishes he had stocked up even more supplies when it was still possible. A couple of weeks ago, he posted on his Facebook page that he had put together about 100 sanitary supply kits. Anyone in the Cambridge area who had tested positive or was at risk of contracting COVID-19 and was running out of these supplies could just send their address and Bennett would drop a kit at their doorstep, free of charge.

Each kit contains hand sanitizer, antibacterial hand soap, non-latex gloves and disinfectant wipes. All in, he estimates each is worth about $16.

“I have received hundreds of requests for the kits,” said Bennett, noting he can feel a sense of desperation from people reaching out to him for help. “The government is recommending that we wash our hands, use hand sanitizers and disinfect surfaces regularly, but with sanitary supplies being cleared out virtually everywhere, people begin to feel a little bit helpless.”

As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to grow, people from all walks of life have stepped up to offer support, spread positive vibes and commit acts of kindness.

Social media aficionados have even coined a new term for the trend: “caremongering.”

In apartment buildings, those who are less at risk are volunteering to go grocery shopping for those who are in self-isolation or quarantine. Others are offering to purchase medical supplies for those who are unable to leave their homes.

A man in downtown Toronto recently offered to buy lunch for staff members working at his condo building, as a token of appreciation.

Bennett said he’s quickly running out of his supply kits but has started negotiating with local retailers to stock up with more and continue distributions whenever possible. Since his Facebook post, he says he’s had offers of assistance in making and delivering the kits. There have been requests from communities outside of Cambridge as well.

“A few stores have agreed that when they get a new shipment, they’ll give me a call first so I can purchase the supplies needed before they are sold out,” he said.

Going through this experience has given Bennett another reason to be thankful for his own health. He says some of the people he’s met “have broken down in tears” when he showed up with kits.

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“The entire experience has been very rewarding, however I regret not having purchased more supplies back when they were still readily available,” he said.

“My business can only be as healthy as my community is and at times like these, with shortages of essential sanitary items, it’s important that we all step up and make sure those who are most vulnerable in our community have access to the products they need the most.”