- Fears over the novel coronavirus has prompted people around the world to clear supermarket shelves of daily necessities, especially toilet paper.
- The apparent stockpiling comes as governments and suppliers have warned citizens not to do exactly that.
- Photos below show how people around the world are stockpiling and dealing with the run on toilet paper - from armed robberies in Hong Kong to an Australian newspaper printing out blank pages to serve as toilet paper.
- Experts told CNN that panic buying could be a response to a feeling of lost control over the coronavirus, or a lack of clear direction from authorities.
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The spread of the coronavirus has brought with it panic-buying of food and household essentials, despite the attempts of governments to discourage stockpiling. But no item has made more headlines than the humble toilet roll.
From buying enough toilet rolls to make a throne, to printing out blank newspaper pages to serve as extra toilet paper, people have had a seemingly insatiable desire to stockpile - even though manufacturers say there is no shortage.
Panic buying spread across Hong Kong in February and spread to countries including the UK, the US, Singapore, and Australia, according to multiple reports.
Take a look at the photos below to see how people are stockpiling or dealing with the shortages.