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An Australian newspaper has taken it upon itself to help out citizens amid the country’s toilet paper shortage, as the global outbreak of COVID-19 sends citizens into panic buying.
NT News, a tabloid based in Darwin, Australia, has included in its issue today, March 5, eight extra pages — which can be ripped and cut out by readers whenever the need arises.
“BREAKING: WE ARE PRINTING A SPECIAL 8-PAGE LIFTOUT OF TOILET NEWSPAPER TOMORROW IN CASE YOU CAN’T FIND ANY AT THE SHOPS,” the news outlet posted on Twitter yesterday, March 4.
BREAKING: WE ARE PRINTING A SPECIAL 8-PAGE LIFTOUT OF TOILET NEWSPAPER TOMORROW IN CASE YOU CAN’T FIND ANY AT THE SHOPS #coronavirus #toiletpapercrisis pic.twitter.com/XHlarEWOV9
— The NT News (@TheNTNews) March 4, 2020
This alternative comes as Australian manufacturers and supermarkets scramble to handle the shortage of sanitary items such as toilet paper, hand sanitizers and masks. Prime Minister Scott Morrison meanwhile said he has already spoken to major supermarket chains, Woolworths and Coles, to try and alleviate the problem.
NT News, known in Australia for its humorous headlines and antics, did go through with the promised toilet paper alternative, which was designed to even look like the actual thing.
“YES, WE ACTUALLY DID PRINT IT,” the publication stated on Twitter earlier today March 5.
‘The NT News cares. That’s why we’ve printed an EIGHT-PAGE special liftout inside, complete with handy cut lines, for you to use in an emergency,” the front page read.
YES, WE ACTUALLY DID PRINT IT #toiletpapercrisis pic.twitter.com/jusP50ojYu
— The NT News (@TheNTNews) March 4, 2020
Australia has so far reported 43 COVID-19 cases of infection and one death. Globally, over 90,000 people have contracted the novel coronavirus while more than 3,100 have died. JB
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