T he societal reverberations of the pandemic were as eerie as they were unexpected. One of the vivid Covid moments that etched itself into my memory came one day when a local music teacher confided to me through a bright blue face mask and behind the back of a conspiratorially raised hand that, "There is going to be a delivery today. Getting there about 11am." Music teachers are not usually clandestine plotters, but the pandemic had made conspirators of us all. He was telling me that the local independent supermarket would be getting a delivery of the commodity that had become like sugar during World War II, something that was rationed due to its rarity: toilet paper. I felt like a Cornish smuggler being told to meet a brigantine at midnight. Sadly, the music teacher's intelligence proved to be faulty, and no toilet paper consignment floated ashore. The whole toilet paper imbroglio during Covid was tragic, yet vaguely comic at the same time, and it raised questions as to what toilet paper means to us and how have we come to use paper to wipe ourselves in the first place.
A human foible
The first thing to acknowledge about the use of toilet paper is that it is a distinctly human thing. An important part of our evolutionary progress was the decision to walk upright. Being able to walk with hands free offered humans advantages, but everything comes at a price. One of the costs of erect posture is that the area used to release faeces is compressed between thighs and fleshy, muscular buttocks meaning that we are more likely than other creatures to foul ourselves when we defecate. Hence, we have come up with the idea of toilet paper but not before a lot of trial and error and, importantly, not universally.
Sticks and sponges, pottery and paper
Cleaning of the bottom can be carried out in numerous ways that have varied according to local customs and climate throughout history.
Bu hikaye WellBeing dergisinin Issue 213 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye WellBeing dergisinin Issue 213 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
YOGA FOR IMPERFECTION
Life is messy and we all make mistakes, but by embracing imperfection, we can begin to accept all parts of ourselves.
Creating the foundations of ritualist self-care
As a busy mum of a three-year-old and expecting another baby, finding time for self-care often feels like a luxury.
Are you doom spending?
If \"doom spending\" has become your go-to for coping with stress, you could be making withdrawals from not just your bank account, but your health too.
THE POWER OF music
Most of us enjoy music. But science shows music is central to being human and its effect on us is far more astonishing and impactful than we realise. Music is fundamental to life.
SYNTHETIC FOODS
Synthetic, or genetically modified, fake meats and the like attempt to mimic real meat in both looks, taste and texture. But how much do we really know about the production process and how do they affect the environment and our bodies?
Embracing the power of nature
Menopause is more than just a biological change, it represents a significant life stage that can present numerous challenges - from hot flushes and mood swings to fatigue and sleepless nights.
Jan Fran
From a young age, Jan Fran's deep curiosity and keen interest in social issues sparked her journey into the world of journalism. As an accomplished journalist, media commentator and broadcaster, Fran's passion for storytelling has always been driven by a desire to explore, question and shed light on the world around her.
Helping teen girls thrive
Statistics reveal that many more teen girls are struggling with mental health issues. What's going on with them? More importantly, what can we do to help them flourish?
Your ageing eyes
Your eyes work hard for you every waking minute. It is no surprise that how your eyes age will be determined by how you protect them. Eating the right foods can go along way towards ensuring that your eyes stay healthy for a lifetime.
The bottom line
During the Couid pandemic, we were shocked to see people fighting in supermarkets over toilet paper and to see empty shelves that had once held roll after roll. The reasons behind the run for toilet paper during this time reflect the unique place that it holds in our psyche and are deeply rooted in our history.
