After Singapore raised its Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (Dorscon) alert to Orange over the novel coronavirus last week, we witnessed panic buying, which took our Government by surprise.

Why did this phenomenon happen?

I believe it was because civilians have no clear code of conduct for times like these.

It is clear that our Government's repeated pleas to "stay calm" and "play our part" did not work as kiasu (Hokkien for the fear of missing out) people emptied supermarket shelves and led others to panic, triggering a run on goods.

Socially responsible behaviour ceased and it was every man for himself.

That is why we need to develop and ingrain in Singaporeans clear rules of conduct for times like these, and roll out anti-hoarding and anti-profiteering rules when Dorscon alerts are raised.

We need to incorporate these rules into drills that must be conducted once in several years. 

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