The National Medical Director of NHS England said Brits should be "ashamed" of themselves for ransacking shelves during a pandemic.
Stephen Powis said people should think of struggling NHS staff before panic buying and that people should be "ashamed" of themselves for reducing a critical staff member to tears.
Mr Powis was referencing a social media video that went viral, showing a nurse called Dawn who was crying after she was left unable to find any fruit or vegetables for her family.
He said people across the UK should be "ashamed" and labelled the scenario "unacceptable," urging people to remember "these are the very people that we all need to look after" in the weeks to come in order to survive coronavirus.
During the daily press conference at Downing Street, Mr Powis, said: "I would like to make a plea on behalf of all my colleagues in the NHS, nurses, doctors, paramedics and many, many others who are working incredibly hard at the moment to manage this outbreak of coronavirus," he said.
"It's incredibly important that they too have access to food, to those essential supplies that they need.
"Frankly we should all be ashamed that that has to happen – it's unacceptable.
"These are the very people that we all need to look after perhaps us or our loved ones in the weeks to come."
Coronavirus panic buyers urged to 'be responsible' and 'respect' staff
During the conference, Environment Secretary George Eustice also urged panic buyers to "be responsible" and respect staff to ensure "you and your neighbour.”
He said: "We recognise that this is a challenging time and there are many things the Government is asking the nation to do differently as we work together to fight this pandemic.
"Be responsible when you shop and think of others.
"Buying more than you need means others may be left without."
The call for peace comes after a tumultuous week for supermarkets who experienced food, toilet paper and hand gel shortages.
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