xandreu wrote: ↑Wed Apr 21, 2021 11:09 pm We're less than a week into the lock-down and just two or three days into the concept of red-zones. Do people really live so day-to-day that they're already worried about their next meal? I hesitate to ask because I'm sure that there are those that do and I don't want to sound like I'm ignorant of their problems but c'mon... seriously. Doesn't everyone keep a small sack of rice somewhere in the house for these types of situations? Some dried foods? Oats? Noodles? Is the situation really that desperate already for some?

John Bingham wrote: ↑Wed Apr 21, 2021 11:52 pm

xandreu wrote: ↑Wed Apr 21, 2021 11:09 pm We're less than a week into the lock-down and just two or three days into the concept of red-zones. Do people really live so day-to-day that they're already worried about their next meal? I hesitate to ask because I'm sure that there are those that do and I don't want to sound like I'm ignorant of their problems but c'mon... seriously. Doesn't everyone keep a small sack of rice somewhere in the house for these types of situations? Some dried foods? Oats? Noodles? Is the situation really that desperate already for some?

For us foreigners and the more affluent locals it isn't such an issue as we can afford to get stocks in and get deliveries. The street I live in is relatively affluent, but not far away it's a different story.

Many locals do live day to day here. If you look at the maps of the Red Zones you might notice that these are areas where a lot of migrant factory workers live, usually with many sharing a very small apartment. Other people depend on hawking snacks and drinks. There isn't much storage space in these apartments and there is more likely an ice box than a fridge. They will likely have a plastic lidded bucket with a few kilos of rice in it, but with people's appetites for rice this may not last. There might be a few packets of dried noodles. Some supplies are hung on strings off the ceiling beams because otherwise rats will spoil them. A few spices, some salt, pepper, MSG and a jar of prahoc, maybe even some dried fish. Everything else is bought at the market fresh in the mornings. The main markets have been closed so expect the local ones to run out very soon. So yes, people really do live day to day.

xandreu wrote:We're less than a week into the lock-down and just two or three days into the concept of red-zones. Do people really live so day-to-day that they're already worried about their next meal? I hesitate to ask because I'm sure that there are those that do and I don't want to sound like I'm ignorant of their problems but c'mon... seriously. Doesn't everyone keep a small sack of rice somewhere in the house for these types of situations? Some dried foods? Oats? Noodles? Is the situation really that desperate already for some?

Personally I could do with shedding a kilo or two. The thought of a week or two with no access to food would be a medical benefit to me rather than anything to stress over.