> What gouging does in an emergency is allocate the needed supplies to where they are needed the most
This statement is disconnected from reality.
The concept you're thinking of is that the supplies will go to the people who will pay the most for them.
Who will pay the most for them is unrelated to who needs them the most. It has more to do with who has disposable income.
If everybody is panicking, then the goods go to the panicking people who have the most disposable income. This has absolutely nothing at all to do with where the goods are most needed.
E.g. the ultra wealthy can easily outbid hospitals for PPE. You are free to argue that the ultra wealthy need PPE more than hospitals, but it's going to be a hard sell.
This statement is disconnected from reality.
The concept you're thinking of is that the supplies will go to the people who will pay the most for them.
Who will pay the most for them is unrelated to who needs them the most. It has more to do with who has disposable income.
If everybody is panicking, then the goods go to the panicking people who have the most disposable income. This has absolutely nothing at all to do with where the goods are most needed.
E.g. the ultra wealthy can easily outbid hospitals for PPE. You are free to argue that the ultra wealthy need PPE more than hospitals, but it's going to be a hard sell.