‘Just take it easy, just relax’: Trump warns against HOARDING over coronavirus as VIDEOS of shoppers cleaning out stores go viral
The White House has warned citizens against hoarding daily supplies in the wake of videos showing people fighting for products like toilet paper and hand sanitizer and panic-buying daily essentials until shelves are empty.
President Donald Trump on Sunday spoke with “more than two dozen” grocery store and supply chain executives and thanked them for their work as people flock to stores to stockpile on supplies over fears surrounding the spread of coronavirus.
Delivering his daily update on the coronavirus situation, Trump suggested Americans “just take it easy, just relax,” adding that the empty shelves all over the country are the result of "people buying anywhere three to five times of what they would normally buy.”
There is no need for anyone in the country to hoard essential food supplies. Just go and buy, enjoy it, have a nice dinner, relax, because there’s plenty of it
Though the White House said it is unnecessary for Americans to hoard daily supplies, the president told the store executives that stocked shelves with needed items will help Americans feel “safe and calm.”
Also on rt.com Long lines beset US airports with passengers reportedly waiting up to 10 HOURS to get through due to Covid-19 screening (PHOTOS)Keeping shelves stocked and meeting the public’s demand has become an increasingly difficult task for supply chain stores, though. Major grocery stores like Kroger and Publix announced on Sunday that they are changing their store hours to better meet demand.
“Publix will continue to focus on keeping our associates healthy – and our stores open and stocked – to serve and support all our communities,” Publix CEO Todd Jones said in a statement regarding the chain closing earlier in order to properly clean and stock.
Videos from US stores in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak show the effects panic buying is having on both consumers and workers.
This is insanity! pic.twitter.com/3QZxscrzyW
— Marc ⭐⭐⭐ (@Proven_Right) March 15, 2020
Some videos show customers taking supplies like paper towels straight off of the pallets before they are even stocked.
people are scrambling out here like it’s the end of the world @SamsClub to get paper towel 🤯anyone else have a similar shopping experience? 😭 #coronavirus#CoronaOutbreak#CoronavirusPandemic#covid19pic.twitter.com/DziYaiKEUd
— Eric Quach 🚀 (@EricQuachSpeaks) March 14, 2020
Others show lines of people ready with their carts waiting outside before the stores open.
NSANE! 😲 FOX5 viewer Katrina Maves shared this video of the lines to enter Costco in Henderson this morning as the store opened.Costco says sales at its stores are up as shoppers race to stock up on various items as the coronavirus spreads.➝https://t.co/qcrWp7lrRipic.twitter.com/ihU7aIh0IX
— FOX5 Las Vegas (@FOX5Vegas) March 6, 2020
The line at Rouses wraps around store at 7:30am.@WWLTV#coronavirus#stockinguppic.twitter.com/5x0N9IZsgI
— karen swensen (@karenswensen) March 14, 2020
Many face empty shelves when they arrive.
So I went to the grocery store because I wanted to snack on something and this happened...#coronaviruspic.twitter.com/VoxW27k4lz
— 🎴 MΞNTO (@CryptoMento) March 14, 2020
So I just went to the grocery store during today’s episode of coronavirus panic pic.twitter.com/TenTEPtlVq
— amanda (@shes_the_manda) March 14, 2020
A Trip to Walmart in 2020. #coronaviruspic.twitter.com/2mTZlrXvjX
— Mr. Berg (@Berg_Science) March 14, 2020
While the panic buying is in direct response to the coronavirus, it is in opposition to the ‘social distancing’ politicians have been promoting through Twitter. Putting yourself in a group of people to get supplies likely increases your risk of being exposed to the virus, especially since grocery store employees are now coming into contact with more and more people.
How I’m going shopping from now on😂😂😂 #CoronavirusPandemic#coronapocalypse#CoronaOutbreak#COVIDー19#coronaviruspic.twitter.com/qevqFKnxNT
— taztv410 (@taztv410) March 14, 2020
Kroger even confirmed on Sunday that two employees – one at a King Soopers store in Colorado and one at a Fred Meyer's store in Washington state – have tested positive for coronavirus. The chain said they worked with state governments and health officials to properly sanitize those locations.
If you like this story, share it with a friend!