In the early days of the pandemic, why did it seem like everyone was rushing to buy all the toilet paper?

It was really strange to me. I had never heard of toilet paper shortages during the time of other pandemics or even natural disasters, so it didn't make sense to me. I think I recall some news article about how China was closing factories so there would be less supply. I think that was part of the explanation. But it was also so strange because it seemed like everyone was thinking that toilet paper was the main way to prevent the spread of the virus.