Haunting image of paramedic staring at empty supermarket shelves

A photo of a paramedic standing in a supermarket, surrounded by empty shelves, is the latest haunting image demonstrating the despair being felt as a result of panic buying during the coronavirus pandemic.

The image - which has been widely shared on social media including Facebook - originated from the UK.

It comes just a day after Sydney-based DJ Helena Ellis posted a photo of an elderly man looking at empty bread shelves in IGA in Hurstville.

She said she gave him a bag of hotdog buns from her own trolley.

This latest image is particularly heartbreaking considering how stretched emergency services have been around the world as COVID-19 continues to spread and claim lives.

The photo is said to have been taken at around 7pm on Tuesday and shows the female paramedic holding a basket, looking at the empty shelves, seemingly dejected.

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There are now calls for special shopping hours set up for the elderly and disabled in the UK and Australia be expanded to include front line staff working tirelessly during this unfolding health crisis.

In Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged Australians to stop the panic buying and the hoarding of food and medicines as the coronavirus continues.

"Stop hoarding," he said on Wednesday. "I can't be more blunt about it. Stop it," Mr Morrison said as he addressed the nation on Wednesday.

"That is not who we are as a people. It is not necessary. It is not something that people should be doing."

Rationing of items such as toilet paper and medications is expanding and there has even been a suggestion that police and security staff should be posted at supermarkets to help prevent hoarding.

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