There are people pushing the idea that it's basically the end of civilization as we know it, so you better stock up on food, water, and gas...oh and also make sure to buy their emergency kits for only $249.99 before the government declares martial law.

My mom has been texting me a lot the last two days worried about having to collect containers to fill with water before it gets shut off and all that because of a video she saw. She linked me to the video, and I had to explain that the guy's a nutjob who's trying to sell products by scaring people. But that didn't help because then people around her were posting pictures of empty shelves and stuff at the stores. So then she started worrying about needing to buy more food so she doesn't starve. She was already freaked out because she got quarantined with the individuals she takes care of, and one of them had a cough yesterday, so she really started panicking, and then the Facebook posts pushed it further.

I've been trying to calm her down, but I really don't know what to say at this point. The messages stop for a while, and then she sees something new to freak out about. I'd turn my phone off entirely if I didn't think it would make her panic more if I stopped responding.