I think shysum is making the case that the magnitude of threat represented by the pandemic != the same magnitude of that represented by WWII. Thereby seemingly endorsing that rationing now is unjustified.
I don't buy into it necessarily; temporary rationing seems an appropriate response so long as it is guaranteed to be temporary.
I can sympathize with his concern of embracing authoritarianism in exchange for safety; I do abhor the practice, but in this environment, rationing is by far the least intrusive measure in ensuring the widest swath of people maintain access to a minimum reasonable level of supplies.
If people want more, let them negotiate with the manufacturer for additional output after existing orders have been met.
A self-imposed limit per customer enforced by retailers should be sufficient. No need to start getting the government into the business of looking for hoarders.
