And they've taken it to an interesting - if not slightly disturbing - level, posting a picture of a cake they had made to look like a surprisingly realistic loo roll.

"We are supporting a local cake maker today for Friday's morning tea," said the post on the Newcastle City Police District Facebook page.

"With so many life challenges at present, go about your weekend as best you can, taking the advice of NSW Health and use of social distancing."

Topics has wanted no part of the panic buying that's been going on across the country in recent weeks.

But we were starting to wonder last week what was going to happen when the toilet paper supply ran out at our place.

Luckily, we picked up a packet of loo roll at one of the corner stores in town - there were heaps sitting on the shelf.

The bloke behind the counter said it had taken three weeks for the order to arrive, so we are trying hard not to be too dirty about the $9 it cost for four rolls - desperate times, and all that.

Newcastle's police commander Brett Greentree published a piece online late last week about a trip to the Wallsend shopping centre.

Superintendent Greentree spoke to retailers about the challenging situation the coronavirus has put them in, with supply of certain groceries falling well short of demand given all the panic buying.

"I appreciate that when we feel threatened and feel unsafe, our instinct is to batten down the hatches," he wrote.

"However, that's a game that guarantees there will be winners and losers. If we can find a way to see beyond ourselves we might just find a way through this together."

Well put, Superintendent.

Meanwhile, Newcastle NBA export Ben Simmons' Philadelphia 76ers have confirmed that three players have been diagnosed with coronavirus.

Team management would not confirm the identities of the infected players on Friday, but the club said in a statement those who had COVID-19 were "in self-isolation and will be monitored closely by medical professionals".

Newcastle's Yoga Loft studio is starting online classes from today for any members who don't want to venture too far from home given the coronavirus situation.

Streamlined classes will continue running at the studio with extra hygiene precautions in place.

But anyone who is a direct debit or pre-paid member - or people with a class pass - can do the downward-facing dog in the comfort of their own home while still getting expert instructions.

There will be three sessions Monday to Thursday, two on Friday and one each on Saturday and Sunday.

Details about class times and how to register and stream are on the Yoga Loft website.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken to Instagram to deliver some health advice from his backyard spa. "Stay away from the crowds and go home and then we can overcome this whole problem, this whole virus, in no time," the former governator of California said in the video, cigar in hand. "You've got to go and follow those orders."

The final two episodes of 'Australian Survivor' will be on Channel 10 tonight and tomorrow night. The remaining castaways will plead their cases to a jury of former tribe members in an effort to convince them why they should be awarded the $500,000 prize money and the title of Sole Survivor.

Some TV medical dramas have been handing over props to US hospitals to help fight the coronavirus outbreak. Entertainment Weekly reported last week that Fox's 'The Resident' donated face masks, gloves and gowns to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. 'Gray's Anatomy' has also donated medical gear.