While the major port strike on the East Coast and Gulf Coast could threaten Americans’ supply of bananas, it likely won’t directly cause a toilet paper shortage — but that hasn’t stopped consumers from panic-buying the product.

During her lunch break on Tuesday – the day 45,000 East Coast port workers went on strike – Shayna Turbovsky went to the grocery store to stock up on meat, rice, beans, bananas and toilet paper. She also filled up her gas tank and plans to keep it topped off.

Toilet paper shortages in stores across America are giving folks nightmarish reminders of the pandemic era. But the lack of toilet paper isn’t a direct result of a major port strike Tuesday. It’s because of panic buying.

President Joe Biden ratcheted up pressure on US port employers and shipping lines to restart talks with striking dock workers, warning that the unfolding strike could turn into a “man-made disaster.”

Strike – first by port workers on US east coast since 1977 – threatens to shut down ports from Maine to Texas