General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAbout a hundred waiting for the supermarket to open this morning
People are trying to buy things that have been totally gone for a week or two. No hand sanitizer, toilet paper, or other daily basics.
I just needed some bananas, tomatoes, and milk so I had no problem. But what I noticed is that no one was stocking up on foods that will last long term: Canned hash, Spam, beans, soups, instant rice, etc. Foods like this can last more than a year and keep you alive. Remember the rule of three. A human being can live three minutes without air, three days without water, and three weeks without food. That's a law of nature that Trump can't make go away.
However, everyone was buying water like there was a category 5 hurricane coming in tomorrow. It's very unlikely that water will stop coming out of your tap due to this virus. I live in Florida and always stock up on gallon bottles of water just before the hurricane season starts (June 1). I save the old plastic gallon containers which I can fill with tap water in minutes.
(A suggestion. Buy a very small funnel. When your hand sanitzer is gone, refill the bottle with rubbing alcohol, bleach, or anything with a lot of alcohol or disinfectant in it. If you can't find alcohol in the stores, buy some cheap vodka with no odor.)
Nonetheless, a huge number of people waiting for a supermarket to open is on Trump. If everyone knew in January or February about the impending danger, people could have taken their time and stocked up more leisurely. This man is a menace to civilization and we all know he needs to go. Well, all of us except for his cult who still believe this is a hoax. The kindest thing I can say about them is fuck 'em. Their votes put this madman in power. And although they deserve what they get, their "Emperor" is fucking all of us. And each and every death due to this virus is on him.
at140
(6,110 posts)St Augustine, and it was busy at 9am opening, but all items were fully stocked,
and I did not witness in any panic buyers.
Cyrano
(15,020 posts)Flaleftist
(3,473 posts)I just went in for a few things. I had a craving for a BLT. It was a lot busier than normal. They were running 5 registers. They usually have 1 or 2 open. Produce was hit pretty hard as well as bread. I didn't look at soaps or TP.
at140
(6,110 posts)which was good because last week at the same time in morning, the checkout lines were longer.
I really like the re-modeling Aldi did a few months ago. it is brighter, spacious and better all around.
intrepidity
(7,240 posts)Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)...you won't care about the virus.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Not seeing any of that here in NC.
Cyrano
(15,020 posts)customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)I took a trip to the store yesterday, being careful to avoid being too long in the presence of anyone. I'd exhale while quickly passing someone in an aisle, when I couldn't actively avoid people.
Only the disinfectant wipes section was gutted, although there was a major dent in the supply of TP. Otherwise, everything else was available, I even got canned pinto beans on a nice sale with a digital coupon.
Oh, and a neighbor was moving, and sold me her propane grill, so even if the power goes out, I'll have a way to cook food.
TwilightZone
(25,342 posts)Most vodka doesn't have enough alcohol.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/05/us/titos-vodka-coronavirus-trnd/index.html
stopbush
(24,376 posts)Unless your neighborhoods population has doubled in the last month, the normal stream of products going to stores and out to consumers should be sufficient.
tavernier
(12,322 posts)Although almost every person has some TP. Im wondering if people are intending to wrap it around their face, mummy style, since masks are hard to find.
MissB
(15,800 posts)this morning just after opening. Its a smaller one so it tends to be less popular.
However, it was packed. I just needed a few perishable items since both my kids are heading home from college this weekend.
I also needed some whole wheat flour, and they had three 5-lb bags left. I grabbed one. I also needed just 10 lbs of regular flour and all they had left was one 25 lb bag. I felt bad, but I did grab it.
I passed by a few workers on my way through the store and they were shocked at how full the parking lot was. Im sure itll be worse later today.
Shrike47
(6,913 posts)MLAA
(17,163 posts)CVS - no sanitizer or rubbing alcohol
Second CVS - same, though on line indicated they has low stock of sanitizer
Changed strategy and went to less likely sources
Ace Hardware: out of sanitizer and alcohol, though would have 8 one gallon jugs at 8 am the next day. All they could get was 8. But my goodness they have all kinds of stuff in that store! Way beyond basic hardware items you would expect.
Home Depot: None
Dollar Tree: Had no expectation, but remembered my sister had bought some really, really good fig newtons there. As expected no hand sanitizer or alcohol in sight. But alas, did get the Newtons. Saw a manager as I was checking out and asked about hand sanitizer. She said we are just unloading the truck, just a minute. She returned with a box of those small mini bottles. Hurray!
Cyrano
(15,020 posts)MLAA
(17,163 posts)Cyrano
(15,020 posts)I've had lots of bleach on my hands while house cleaning and it never bothered me.
But ask your doctor.
Since you don't have test strips you will have to go by smell.
A regular size spray bottle will need maybe a teaspoon of bleach. The smell should be distinct but not overwhelming. If it barely smells like bleach you need to add more.
Your shooting for 100-200 ppm.
HockeyMom
(14,337 posts)Of course, totally out of TP, hand sanitizers, etc. People had carts filled with cases of bottled water, soda, and huge bags of chips! Great food stables there, people. I lived into Florida for 10 years and know all about what you need to prepare to a hurricane. Need coronavirus gets into the water system? lol
Stupid elderly me just bought food for a week. Cashier said to me, "Not HOARDING yet?" We both laughed and the woman behind me with her overflowing cart of JUNK food gave us a dirty look.
Our development's (not 55+) canceled their St. Pat's Dinner "per CDC recommendations. Somebody tested positive? Don't know. Now I will have to go back to the store for another dinner, but getting low on cat food and litter. NOBODY is talking about Pets at all. They don't need to eat too? Stay inside and don't walk your dog? Pet diapers????? Maybe they need TP for the animals too????
RobinA
(9,877 posts)Montgomery County, where yesterday the governor pretty much shut down the county. I had to go to the grocery store last night to get a prescription and the place was a mob scene, with 20 carts at each register. I looked to see what people were buying, since he specifically said grocery stores would remain open, and it was water, toilet paper and snacks. Now, maybe that's all that was left in the store, I don't know, but it seemed odd to me. Yeah, I'll stand in line for 30 minutes to buy five bags of cheese doodles.
Flaleftist
(3,473 posts)So if anyone really needs bleach and can't find it, chlorine can be used as a substitute. But keep in mind it is much stronger, requires more dilution and you need to be careful with the fumes as well as getting it on your skin. If panic buying like this continues, that may be the next thing to go. Hardware stores and, of course, pool stores will have it.
Dem2
(8,166 posts)Hermit-The-Prog
(33,029 posts)I'm glad I didn't take that photo. My coworker has literally been food shopping 3x in the last 2 days.
Starting to think she's got the obsession.
clutterbox1830
(395 posts)ismnotwasm
(41,919 posts)Shit.
I think Im going to try and find out for my area
Squinch
(50,773 posts)me I was being hysterical.
gibraltar72
(7,486 posts)Cyrano
(15,020 posts)Trump kidnapped them at the border, put them in cages and then ignored them.
It's hard to see the whole picture today, but in the not to distant future, we will find out how much blood Trump has on his hands.
Who can doubt that Trump is as dangerous as the virus itself. And even if most of us didn't vote for him, America will have a lot to answer for.
maryellen99
(3,781 posts)Hubby wanted to go after work today but Im glad I talked him into going. TP shelves were bare as well as hand sanitizer and wipes. The chicken section in the meat dept was wiped out. But we were able to get what we wanted/needed. There was also a weird vibe while shopping.
Cyrano
(15,020 posts)It's ugly, it's brutal, it's deadly.
And it's even worse when we have a brain dead non-caring beast in charge in the White House.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I don't have any and don't plan on getting any. If for some reason I need to leave my apartment and go to the lobby/basement to get a package or mail, I will just use a Clorox wipe to touch anything. Almost everything else I need is being delivered and can be wiped down w/ Clorox spray/wipes as well.
PasadenaTrudy
(3,998 posts)Do what you can. Those of us who drive a lot, like here in SoCal, may not be able to get to soap and water all day. I carry sanitizer in my purse and in my car.