Your say: A poem about panic buying and a clamp down on "idiots"

Whilst various types of food have been disappearing, it seems that the most sought-after item of all is toilet paper, to the extent that some customers have even ended up in fighting over it.

I went to the local supermarket

To buy my weekly supplies,

But things had been quite crazy -

Empty shelves there met my eyes

All the toilet rolls and tissues

Had simply vanished - disappeared -

Just because of some new virus,

Which a lot of people feared

Farewell rolled oats, and white rice,

As well as other types of food -

For panickers had grabbed the lot,

Which, to me, was downright rude

Whilst I understand the panic buying,

And people caught up in that caper,

I really wish, for the love of God,

That they'd leave me some toilet paper!

Andrew Guild, Collie

In these days of panic buying and uncertainty it was uplifting to be shown so much thought by a local vendor.

On learning that I was purchasing fish for my mother, who was celebrating her 85th birthday and who would not get a cuddle from her family members due to social distancing, Tim, from Scales and Tails gave the fish to her as a gift.

This business suffered during the recent upgrade to Estuary Drive so this act was gratefully appreciated.

Janine Kenny, Eaton

Some very encouraging news amid the COVID-19 pandemic is that butchers remain open for business.

In exceptional times like these, our national food supply is a fundamental priority and Australians know that butchers aren't just an important service, they're an essential service.

When retail support is so critical, there's no easier way to help a small business than to stop by your local butcher and pick up something for dinner.

You'll be helping a small business operator, their employees and their suppliers, including the 35,000 people working in Australia's $5.3 billion pork industry.

Butchers share our industry's priority to protect the ongoing wellbeing of staff and customers, and to ensure a consistent supply of quality Australian produce.

At the farmgate, our producers are doing their bit by maintaining the supply of high quality, locally grown pork. That continuity is ensuring supply chain jobs are retained and means we're delivering affordable, fresh pork to retailers right around the country.

Even at a time when household budgets might be stretched, there's a wide range of versatile cuts of fresh pork and other meats to choose from to create healthy, family-friendly meals.

Pork producers are proud to be part of Australian agriculture and now is as good a time as any for all Australians to share in the pride of what our country's farmers, across all commodities, have to offer.

Are you a dog or cat owner in the Greater Bunbury Region? Looking for something to fill in time while staying at home?

The South West Catchments Council is running a pet ownership survey until April 20th. We are looking to hear from owners about how they manage their pets as outdoor and indoor animals.

The survey responses will help us develop a series of workshops, videos and publications to help the community with the conflicts we often see in the Bunbury region between pets and critically endangered western ringtail possums.

Survey participants will go in the draw to win a $100 voucher to a Bunbury pet store of their choice.

The survey can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/GreaterBunburyPetSurvey until April 20th 2020.

There are a series of vet clinics and pet shops also hosting this survey. Find out if your favourite vet or pet store is participating by visiting our website: swccnrm.org.au/bunbury-pet-owners-focus-for-survey/

This project is supported by the South West Catchments Council, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.

Jaya Vaughan, Threatened Species Project Manager

The State Government has listened to calls from the WA Police Union to implement tougher penalties for individuals who threaten frontline workers such as police officers with COVID-19.

The Criminal Code Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Bill 2020, introduced into Parliament this week, amends The Criminal Code (WA) to introduce higher maximum penalties for the offences of serious assault and threats committed in the context of COVID-19.

WA Police Union President Harry Arnott said persons who claim they are infected with COVID-19 and threaten, deliberately spit, sneeze or wipe bodily fluids on emergency services workers will now face serious penalties, including prison time.

"We lobbied the McGowan Government vigourously in relation to this issue. It is pleasing to see this Government in particular the Minister for Police for leading the charge to protect the men and women serving on the frontline of this COVID crisis," Mr Arnott said.

"These are significant penalties and will act as a major deterrent which in turn will assist to protect our police officers on the frontline.

"Our frontline workers, the police officers, nurses, ambulance officers and other vital workers, do not deserve to be threatened by idiots claiming to have COVID-19 in the current climate."