“We have dried goods, preserved goods, pasta, things for the freezer … just buying a bit extra, so that if things get really bad we can avoid the shops. If it’s no more lethal than the common cold, then we’re not too worried. But if people are advised to be cautious, we’re in a position to do that," Mr Upsher said. “Since older people are a bit vulnerable – I’m a little over 80, she’s a little under 80 – we’re playing it safe." Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Supermarkets were busier than usual late last week, while Woolworths revealed there had been a rush on non-perishable food and grocery items. "We’ve seen a sharp increase in demand for long-life pantry items and household staples in recent days, which has led to partial stock shortages across some of our stores," a Woolworths spokesman said.

He told The Age there were good supplies in the distribution centres so any stock shortages would be temporary and the company was working to shore up supply chains. Online discussions are sharply polarised with many accusing those advocating preparation of "fearmongering". People who are building up their supplies are often too embarrassed to talk publicly and some are even trying to do it on the sly because their partner thinks it is silly. Belinda Hughes, a skincare specialist who lives in Melbourne’s CBD, said her cupboards were usually bare but the threat of a COVID-19 outbreak had changed her habits. “I was buying things I don’t normally buy. Stuff my mother used to keep in the pantry,” Ms Hughes said. “Keeping pasta sauce and pasta and rice, just making sure you have enough olive oil, just pantry staples.” Ms Hughes went through the bushfires over summer, which she said made her a bit more aware of how badly things can get in an emergency.

“Supplies ran out really, really quickly,” she said. Loading Professor Ben Cowie, an infectious disease specialist at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity at the University of Melbourne, said Australians needed to find middle ground between panicking and complacency. While COVID-19 was unlikely to be severe in most otherwise-healthy people, he said it was not just another type of flu. Professor Cowie said "social isolation" was a useful tool in a viral outbreak that involved minimising going out in public, especially to places with sick people such as doctors, pharmacies and hospitals.

He said people should get vaccinated and buy personal medications and it was "actually reasonable" to buy extra cans of vegetables or packets of cereal as a contingency. However, he said people who cannot afford extra food should not worry. "In an advanced country like Australia with good primary health care and good health system, I don't think people need to go and fill their cellar with tins," Professor Cowie said. "I don’t think we’re discussing a large-scale, preparing-for-nuclear-winter type response but reducing the need to go and get routine supplies is a rational response." Chief medical officer Brendan Murphy said he didn't believe stockpiling was appropriate at this stage. "I think we are a very well-prepared country. We know that people stockpiling masks caused an issue with mask supply and we don't support that," he said. Pharmacist Irene Vonghack, of Botanical Pharmacy South Yarra, said the business had sold hundreds of masks and sanitisers and she had noticed people stocking up on vitamins and immune support medication.

“People have been asking questions. I try to say, ‘in Australia we are fine, as long as you handle your personal hygiene’,” she said. Russell, who lives in a share house in Caulfield North and did not wish to give his last name, shares groceries with his housemates and said they had been stockpiling canned goods, pasta and non-perishables. "Our housemate, Tom, approached us and said, 'I don't think we should panic, but I think we should take it slightly seriously," he said. Russell said his housemate was in remission from cancer, so had a weaker immune system. They decided to buy an extra four or five things each time they shopped. "We're not actually concerned, but we're more thinking, why not?"