A couple of observations: 1. If you believe you're be out of work for a period of time, then you purchase what you can now, while you have some dollars. Coupled with outright panic, that would empty shelves...yet also give insight into whether this is shoppers' hoarding or simply purchasing while they can.
2. At this point, the bare shelves are more about stores being under-staffed to re-stock as quickly as sales are depleting. A Kroger in Woodstock set daily sales records last Thursday and Friday...and it's unlikely that's the only location in the area...county...state...nation. The store manager was stocking as fast as he could. A store chain in Seattle (C-19 ground zero) needs 2000 workers. Applicants were told to please interview...and plan on working shortly afterwards...as in...minutes!