Question

Hi everyone, I’ve been seeing in other groups that people are freaking out over the coronavirus to the point where some stores ( Costco , Walmart. ) shelves are empty. Is it true ? If so why do you need to stock food and supplies?  

Answer 1

So you don’t go out and deal with the public as much when it gets worse  

Answer 2

They are freaking out because they think that everything will be closed because some areas in Japan and China they have closed the schools and shut down stores in order to keep it contained but I don't I think we have to worry about that in the US . I don't even think it's going to get that bad

Comments

@phlox8142 And I think the main reason they closed in Japan is to try and prevent the spread in order to try and keep the Olympics.  

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We are FAR from that happening. FAR!  

Answer 3

Lol come on

Comments

@ting3518 I totally saw you unloading your supplies into your doomsday bunker today, don’t lie

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I just can’t with this.  PS: I grabbed some extra toilet paper for you guys too

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@ting3518 when you sat me down to tell me you were a doomsday prepper I thought you may be a little crazy but now I’m so thankful because I’m coming in that bunker too HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Answer 4

When I was at Walmart today there was literally no Clorox wipes left whatsoever. or any brand of those types of wipes. Also it looked like bleach was ready to be sold out as well.  

Comments

@promycelium they were almost completely out of garbage bags too. It was really strange.  

Answer 5

My husband just got back from Costco because we needed toilet paper and paper towels and he said the store was completely sold out. He said they were almost completely out of chicken, pork, etc. People are freaking out because of the media.  

Comments

@ahlgren my friend from VA told me that their Costco was sold out ( toilet paper, paper towel, water , pasta , pasta sauce , tuna . )

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I was at Costco earlier and nothing was sold out ‍♀️

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@miramontes I was there yesterday, Naperville Costco, and they were totally sold out of bottled water.  

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I was at Costco earlier . everything was stocked

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@ahlgren Thank you for that post I just finished up today posting a Nextdoor about masks All being gone You cannot buy them anywhere I work in healthcare we don’t even have any for residence in a hospital or for small children that are trying to fight lung disease and these people on their argue the fact with me that you can buy them anywhere bs they are sold out everywhere because of idiots hoarding them and selling them on eBay and Amazon five of them for $30 are you serious some people have them up for $1000 for a pack of 15 and we can’t even get one mask for a sick child I was at Sam’s Club last Saturday afternoon and people were literally fighting over sanitizing wipes the cashier said she never seen anything like it it’s like the end of the world and yet all these people on Nextdoor today were so rude and sticking up for these people Doing this crap the hell with these kids that are sick let’s just worry about the people hoarding all the crap because of the stupid stuff the media posts! Just unreal

Answer 6

People love to freak out. It makes them feel like they are a part of something important, and drama is enticing.  

Comments

@declaration they watch a lot of movies  

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@declaration . I have never been able to put that in words. You are exactly spot on.  

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@declaration you are spot on . it’s human nature too I guess just like gaping delay

Answer 7

You have to love the media. they love to sensationalize.  

Answer 8

I’m not worried either, but if I was, amazon prime is always there for me  

Comments

@thoroughbred except hand sanitizer on amazon right now is like $70

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@thoroughbred everything is getting very expensive in prime now . Amazon knows how to make money

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@carolinian850 Brown Amazon has removed over 1million products from their site because of people price gouging. People are jerks. Who the hell is going to pay $120 for a paper mask? Crazy

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@leoleod I know and it’s not going to protect them also .  

Answer 9

I wasn’t initially scared until I keep seeing stuff on social media and then reading more paranoid comments. Now I’m a little scared.  

Answer 10

Y’all the flu is scarier! The media hyped up everything! Don’t live in fear! It’s fine!  

Comments

@polemoniaceous87499 EXACTLY

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@polemoniaceous87499 while I don’t disagree with media over hype, statistics do show this to be about as contagious as average influenza, but with a higher death toll more similar to the Spanish flu. Saying that, we also live in an area less likely to have full blown pandemic quarantines and such. We have access to hygiene products. People just need to wash their hands and stay home when sick. ‍♀️ the issue here is more of a supply chain issue. There is a ton of stuff made in China that isn’t getting made or not in quantity. Stocking up doesn’t solve that except for the people who stocked it. I am not concerned but I did buy a few days of rations (and Tp) in case our area does get cases that I can stay hauled up quarantined from myself (my son has had some repitory issues in his life and gets things easily so it’s more thinking of him). But I didn’t stock in a panic but just i like to be prepared. And after living almost 20 years in the gulf, I learned once they say the hurricane is coming people flip and panic and stores go empty in hours. It’s all non perishable so will get ised eventually regardless.  

Answer 11

Compare the number of people who have died from the flu to the number from Corona. No way can a virus live through a trip from China.  

Comments

@mcdonald I told someone today that so far this season: 3000 from coronavirus have died 20, 000-40, 000 from flu have died. They blocked me. I’m a party pooper.  

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@declaration lol! People are weird.  

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This  

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Yet people don’t get the flu shot!  

Answer 12

I guess what the media is trying to do in creating paranoia in people is working. ‍♀️ in two years it will be another Strain or virus  creating the same paranoia

Answer 13

Don’t listen to the media- they want the story to put out there. I personally talked to a physician at the ER and he said the same about the hype. Wash wash wash the hands.  

Answer 14

The CVS on 119th is out of hand sanitizer  

Comments

@rhizopod yess we are. A customer told us there is a lady goi g around buying them all. Said she got 50 cases from Costco

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@aerometer16 holy cow!  

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@rhizopod sanitizer isn’t a replacement for soap and water! ‍♀️

Answer 15

I would follow the situation reports from the world health organization. This is indeed worthy of our attention as numbers don’t lie. The virus composed of a group of viruses, can live on a surface for at least 48 hours. possibly longer. Also darn near everything we buy comes from China, so yeah, bleach, hydrogen peroxide and cleaning surfaces probably should be something you may want to be doing more of until this is mitigated. Don’t live scared, but don’t be foolishly smug about this situation.  

Comments

@lupien sure. But no reason to instill fear. Live with precaution as we do in “flu” season.  

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Thats cool but the sruff come from china takes longer than 48 hours to get here. have u ever ordered from wish lol

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@aerometer16 coronavirus gets expedited shipping.  Boats don’t drive themselves. Virus hosts help out.  Not fonna lie though when I was taking all this cash at a girl scout cookie booth, the thought crossed my mind that someone’s money was gonna have diseases on it. Haha. I still took the money.  

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@lupien Most (not all, but most) things shipped from China would not have the virus in a live state. The bacteria would die at sea. There are some possibilities of it making it over with shipments as you cannot control all variables of course. But, this is way hyped up. The CDC has reported few deaths. Most are individuals 80+. Remember, rural China does not have the same access of medical care we do.  

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I have not yet found a credible source that has determined the vitality of the viruses (not bacterial - that’s a different micro organism)  

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Money totally grosses me out! And I actually have a slight phobia of using public eating utensils. what if they weren't properly washed/sanitized?!?! Think of how many hands and mouths touched them.  

Answer 16

I spend about 100 hours a month in aircraft plus time in/out of the airports and I'm NOT worried! Wash your hands and stay home if you are sick.  

Answer 17

I can confirm No TP at Costco Said they’ve sold out last 3 days!  

Comments

@systematize66 that’s true! Life in, life out. That’s the way it goes. Everyone dies of something!  

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@systematize66 go to Aldi- they have the best toilet paper. Seriously. I don’t do a lot of shopping there just because i don’t have the patience for it. But i do go for their toilet paper.  

Answer 18

Well i was just at shorewood Walmart and can say the shelves are empty. Bread, juice boxes, all the basics my kids need for lunch are empty. It was kinda ridiculous in my opinion. Even my 9 year old asked what is going on! ‍♀️‍♀️

Comments

@funderburk6 but it’s also the 2nd of the month. The 1st store are usually wiped out. Like the 1st thru the 8-10th day

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@polemoniaceous87499 yeah that’s true. I just went in for basics and honestly wasn’t surprised shelved were empty. I mean it is Walmart. But the thought of coronavirus never even crossed my mind. Guess I don’t worry about things! ‍♀️

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@funderburk6 girl same. I work in car sales. I got people coming in everyday all over. I shake a lot of hands. I have sanitizer at my desk and wash my hands all day and lotion up Bc I’m gettin dry lol!  

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Walmart's shelves are usually a little bare after every weekend until about Wednesday when they re-stock it seems. Was there earlier and it only seemed a little busier then usual at that time. Some stuff that had been out of stock for weeks were actually stocked though so I was happy. I heard a lady ask about masks and they said they still had them in stock.  

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I feel like the Shorewood Walmart is always empty of everything

Answer 19

I don’t see a problem with being proactive. I’m not going to freak out over it but I will keep an eye on what’s happening in Italy and what our cdc is saying. If I buy a little extra food that I would usually buy anyway and nothing happens we will eat anyway. To be completely dismissive to me isn’t the way to go either.  

Comments

@pons7 exactly my feelings

Answer 20

Walmart in Oswego has plenty of food. All shelves were full

Answer 21

We went to Walmart tonight and bought stuff not because we are scared of the coronavirus, but because people are clearing off the shelves and I want to make sure we have food and toilet paper. LOL ‍♀️

Answer 22

The issue is with the supply chain. SOOO many things either come from China or have components that come from China.  

Comments

@clements39287 bingo! And Chinese New Year always halts manufacturing every year. While most companies know to stock up, this is something that was not expected. We are going to feel this about 3-4 months from now.  

Answer 23

Media is over reacting, just like they did with other viruses we have had in the past.  

Comments

@edition This is a week old. There have been 4 deaths and some novel cases through community spread.  

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@steric8 , I realize it is a week old. I am sure the number of people getting the flu and dying has increased as well as the coronavirus statics

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@edition Excellent point. I agree with those above who have said there's no need to panic, but as there have been cases "close" by, it's probably good to be aware and prepared! Thanks for sharing!  

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@edition yep Scare tactics. Plus the election is coming up. Just the way the media works

Answer 24

I also just saw on the news that the Home show was cancelled at McCormick place and that the workers and restaurants will lose so much money with the cancellation.  

Comments

@seldom2 I just saw that too , even my husband’s company they cancelled an event this weekend because of the virus . My son was so sad when we told him , it was supposed to fun mainly for kid’s

Answer 25

21, 000 kids die daily from starvation. Just ironically food for thought.  

Answer 26

The only reason I would think to stock up on food and supplies at this time would be because of the hoarding and panicking. And that there will be limited supplies on items.  

Comments

@rinaldo yess

Answer 27

Because people are uneducated.  

Answer 28

More people pass from influenzas but you don’t hear that

Answer 29

It’s the supply chain issue. We are so dependent on China. Our company uses China for manufacturing and all factories have been closed for seven weeks past Lunar New Year. They are just getting back to work this week and only partly. And if the US starts closing things down? There will be shortages, it’s inevitable. Stocking up on shelf stable food, medicine for fever and congestion, and staples like toothpaste and toilet paper isn’t a bad idea.  

Comments

@sarto Maslan Drover Finally an intelligent response !  

Answer 30

So like. i should probably go get groceries since I’m out of my basics?!  

Comments

@sancho24369 kinda thinking the same thing  

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@harijan0 Palicka-Ehm my husband asked what’s for dinner tomorrow. I told him chick fil a. Then he asked about wed and I told him I’d let him know ‍♀️

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@sancho24369 same

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@ivie45349 we can starve together lol

Answer 31

Also who’s having me over for dinner when y’all bought all the chicken and there’s nothing left for us non planners?! Lol

Answer 32

WHO reports that as of February 28, there have been nearly 84, 000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide and fewer than 3, 000 deaths. In contrast, the CDC estimates that from October 1, 2019, through February 22, 2020, in the U. S. alone, there have been at least 32 million cases of influenza and 18, 000 flu deaths.  

Comments

@calm20 Ann there’s been a pretty drastic delay in testing results for COVID-19. I believe in Washington it was 6 weeks.? So this virus that’s is easily and quickly transmissible will have drastic peaks as testing improves, especially in large populations.  

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Correct but if you figure out the percentages only 0. 0005% have died from the flu whereas 0. 035% have already died from COVID-19 so it still is a much greater chance to die from this than the flu. Not saying we should panic but this isn’t comparing apples to apples.  

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@lupien I took that straight out of an evidence based journal. It was released today. Also, I have had the corona virus. It is not a new virus and is less deadly than the flu. But you don’t hear about how many are testing positive for the flu.  

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@calm20 Ann I’m strictly quoting the sequencing test results. Please see for yourself.  
https://mobile.twitter.com/trvrb/st...03426

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@lupien ‍♀️

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@calm20 Ann science is not media. To each their own ‍♀️

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@calm20 Ann Influenza is a coronavirus. The common cold is a coronavirus. SARS is a coronavirus. Swine flu is a coronavirus. COVID-19 is not necessarily a new coronavirus, but it is new to science, as well as worldwide populations. As of right now, there have only been 4 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in IL - are you saying you're one of those 4 cases?  

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@calm20 Ann if you do the math on the numbers of deaths you posted, you will see that a higher percentage of people who catch the covid19 have died v the flu. And the R0 factor for flu and corona are about the same. So this is a deadlier virus going around than we have been used to. The Spanish flu was the deadliest in history with about 1/3 of the world getting it and 10-20% of those who got it died. I am not saying to panic, but this is definitely something to pay attention to, take note, be preparedr and wash your hands you filthy animals.  

Answer 33

There is always Amazon prime people!  

Answer 34

So your all saying my teacher immunity isn’t safe?  

Comments

Are we ever safe? lol. I have had 3 illnesses this year (up from last year)

Answer 35

There is no hand sanitizer anywhere as well as face mask. but people they dont protect you! There is no seal so its pointless

Comments

Hand sanitizer of 60% alcohol or above helps, but the masks don't.  

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@aerometer16 They DO help. Covid19 is passed through droplets. a mask is going to prevent you from breathing that or prevent someone’s cough droplets from spraying through the air. They aren’t going to be 100% but if it’s that or wearing nothing, common sense tells me to use one or have someone who is affected use one.  

Answer 36

I noticed yesterday a lot shelves were empty at Walmart. I have a boutique and I have been receiving emails from my vendors due to the Corona Virus Supply is low, and they are trying to more products from other countries instead of China. I personally feel, this virus is not as bad as other pandemics like H1N1 in 2009, although the fact it hit China first makes worse for us. We shouldn’t depend on one country so much for supplies. I am hoping with the warm weather the virus slows down.  

Answer 37

It's only to prevent going out when the virus really hits. I did stock buy extra supplies so I won't be out much. Just home and work.  

Answer 38

I was at Walmart last night and noticed a ton of stuff not stocked. It was more then usual for them. Didn’t think about the virus until I saw this post.  

Answer 39

Initial panic creates more and more panic. If the panic continues, there might not be enough supplies in stores for those who really need them at some point of time. Those who have stocked up on essentials and are selling them for huge profit, are responsible for creating a panic! I hope Amazon removes them as sellers. I would not want to buy anything from them when this is over.  

Answer 40

Update: I went to Costco and just got back . It was crazy like there is world war 3 tomorrow ‍♀️

Answer 41

Ready. gov now contains a topic titled, “Human Coronavirus — Know the facts about Coronavirus. Public health is everyone’s responsibility. ” That website redirects to recommendations for how to prepare for a possible pandemic. DHS recommends storing a two-week supply of water and food. Officials also urge Americans to make sure they have all needed prescription medications filled for that time period. I guess this is why everyone is stocking up? I cannot get hand sanitizers anywhere.