Panic is from fear. But not of the virus.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday rallies the nation for the fight against coronavirus, calling on citizens to observe a 'janata curfew' by staying indoors on Sunday between 7 am and 9 pm as an expression of resolve to emphasise the need to reduce public interaction to the very minimum." "The PM also assured citizens that there would not be any shortage of essential items like food, milk, medicines and urged people to not resort to panic buying." That is exactly what happened. "The coronavirus scare had led to panic buying in  the past few days but on Thursday local markets across the capital witnessed a rare frenzy. Anxious people were propelled by rumours of markets closing down and the spectre of shortages crowded grocery shops and pharmacies. Ignoring clarifications by the Government and traders' associations that there was no shortage, they bought in bulk." I was looted, said a tired shopkeeper with a big smile on his face. Why don't people believe Modi? Firstly, because there are shortages. "One of the biggest challenges healthcare workers are facing in dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak is shortage of hand sanitisers and protective equipment, such as masks."  Even at the premier teaching hospital AIIMS, Dr Purva Mathur, professor of laboratory medicine at the hospital is preparing large amounts of sanitiser by mixing "Ethanol, Hydrogen peroxide, Glycerol and distilled water that are easily available in the market and the process of mixing them is clearly laid out by World Health Organisation". Secondly, Modi is not the only one with absolute power over our lives. Delhi also has a state government, with Arvind Kejriwal as Chief Minister, and politicians do not like to be seen to be second. The Delhi government has shut all malls, schools, cinema halls and restaurants. All markets will remain closed for three days, starting today. "The markets in Delhi will remain closed on 21, 22 and 23 March," a release from Confederation of All India Traders said. "In Maharashtra, authorities invoked the Epidemic Diseases Act on Friday to shut down corporate offices and impose a fine of Rs 1,000 for spitting in public in major cities of the state." "The 1897 law, introduced by the British to combat Bubonic Plague, has been described as the most draconian colonial legislation. It gives full protection to authorities for any action taken, with a provision that says, 'No suit or legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything done in or in good faith intended to be done under this Act." Modi is remembered for suddenly extinguishing all Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 banknotes on a whim in 2016, when citizens had to queue for hours to withdraw own money from banks, and for forcing everyone to provide fingerprints and iris scans by saying it was for providing services. It is being used to trace and harass taxpayers. People know that, like the British, our elected masters have complete control over us. We fear them. Hence the panic buying.