Ok I put a sticky on this because I am sure you all are having experiences at the grocery store.

6:30 AM  King Soopers Colorado..I am standing in line with a full grocery cart and two women with carts each standing behind me in line.  They know each other.   LOL one says I am getting groceries for my parents.  They go on talking.  The she say how nice it is that I can do my own shopping, I am grey hair short fat little old lady.  The she says," I JUST CAME BACK FROM SWITZERLAND!  They don't have the virus there!"

Here I am in my N95 mask (thank God) and I say OH yes they do have Covid19 in Switzerland over 500 cases."  She just ignored what I said and went on talking to her friend. 

You can't fix stupid!!!! I was so glad I had a mask on!!!

You rock, FuMom, standing there in your mask!

Sad for the unbeliever.  It is incredible that people don't believe it is here and want to go about their daily routines like nothing is happening.  People are still  so unprepared and thinking this will go away in  a couple of weeks.

I was at Aldi a couple of days ago and a middle-aged man had a cart loaded with toilet paper and paper towels.  I asked him if he was going to stock up on a month or 2 months of food. He said "No, No one is buying any extra food, just toilet paper, paper towels and hand sanitizer. " Then he checked out..No food.

CindyLou wrote: I was at Aldi a couple of days ago and a middle-aged man had a cart loaded with toilet paper and paper towels.  I asked him if he was going to stock up on a month or 2 months of food. He said "No, No one is buying any extra food, just toilet paper, paper towels and hand sanitizer. " Then he checked out..No food.

You can't fix stupid...lol that is a funny but sad story.  You can't eat toilet paper!!!

I put this under the rant section but I am going to also copy it here...since it applies so well...

I'm certainly finding my ears are picking up every single cough and sneeze, even when they are aisles away. I'm also avoiding very busy aisles and returning a few minutes later when the rush has passed. I was looking at all the old ladies in the supermarket on pension day and feeling really sorry for them. 

On a positive note, my very elderly father needs a monthly prescription which he has to sign for. He went to collect it this week and the pharmacy now has electric doors so he didn't have to open them. Then at the counter, they had placed a long table in front of the counter to stop people getting too close to the girls working behind it. And the girl said to him, you don't need to sign today as we don't want you to touch the pen so I'll sign it for you. And she handed him the bag and he left. The bag being the only thing he touched in there. I thought that was great. They were really looking out for the old people.

Picking some last minute things up from the drugstore and the lady in front of me let a huge sneeze go all over the self checkout register touch screen! Made no effort to turn her head or cover her mouth! Then walked away. I was horrified, but the lady behind me asked if I was going to use that register...I told her to be my guest and I moved to the next one that came open.

People are so inconsiderate and disgusting!

QP

Toilet paper & paper towel section at a nearby Walgreens (Green Valley, AZ).  

Walmart in my small town is nuts.  Half of the store is empty.  The local collage is empty of students.  We stopped at dollar tree and Walmart.  lots of empty shelf space.  Unusual that Walmart had a  limit on TP and water.  Was only able to get 14 pounds of ground beef. Will use our tier two food to make up for the gap.   We enjoy eating out, but not under these circumstances. I hope people consider our seniors and disabled population when they prep.  We have spent over 900 dollars in the past two weeks on food and preps.  We hope to make it thru this thing.  

Well I did my last run to town yesterday - had to pick up a prescription for an elderly family member (had been warned to up qty and fill a couple weeks ago but...well, you know how it is) so unfortunately was in during afternoon (have been hitting stores here LATE to avoid ppl) and it was crazy.  Largest grocery in town (I took a dozen pics!) was crazy busy - about 3 bottles of 'green/colorsafe bleach left), no Lysol, no wipes of any brand, most rice gone, flour, yeast and sugar shelves empty, the shelf with powdered milk had maybe 4 tiny bags left, TP aisle decimated (just killing self laughing on that), freezer aisle bare, eggs completely gone (in a smaller city surrounded by farms!!!) just on and on.  There was a couple in the TP aisle and lady says 'WHAT is WRONG with these people'  - I said 'well the smart ones are getting ready to stay home anywhere from a couple weeks to a few months' (didn't say the really smart ones were ready to do that weeks/months ago!) she was stunned - told her and quite a few others who were mumbling about 'something wrong with people/it's just a cold' etc to go to you tube and search for Italian doctor Coronavirus, or watch Peak Prosperity videos, or get onto twitter and see the clips of docs/nurses breaking down after watching hundred die... they look at me like I have 2 heads!  

I guess at this point - that's a compliment, after all we all know '2 heads are better then 1'!!!!   

I'm a bit worried I might have exposed myself (family member is a much higher risk group then I am & loved with all my heart, so I took the chance)  'officially' there hasn't been a case of community spread here yet, I used hand sanitizer everywhere I saw it (& had gloves on) and didn't use public washroom - so praying I stayed clear of it. But I am glad I did go - I don't think I would have believed the 'emptiness' had I not seen it with own eyes.  So weird - you see the photo's of 'panic buying/empty shelves' in other countries, big cities etc and yet it doesn't seem like it's going to hit such a small place with that same level of ferocity... I guess what I'm trying to say is 'the brain knows it's coming, but the heart always hopes for the best and doesn't want to admit it'...  

Newbie, what general area are you located? I am thinking one more quick trip after taking some inventory.

My friend went to Costco in Jacksonville this morning. She wanted to get there before they opened.  

So did everyone else. 

Just talked to my stepmom, they just got home from Trader Joe's.  At the best of times it's a busy store (one of the busiest in the country), they said it was PACKED, that they've never seen so many people there.  Employees told them there were lines around both entrances before they opened.  

I was too stunned to ask them what they bought - she said they bought extra, and to let them know if I needed anything. Told her I was done shopping. She asked "when did you shop?" "I started 7 weeks ago". Silence.

It really does take time for it to sink in for people psychologically, sigh. I was at the same store with my Dad on Tuesday morning - and told him to stock up now, this should be your last trip. Sigh. Now they've exposed themselves to a couple of hundred people. (yes, they have masks. no, they didn't wear them)

Local news reported NO toilet paper anywhere in town.

THIS is why we prep.  

Just emphaziing your last line - THIS IS WHY WE PREP

Truer words could not be spoken.

I am very grateful I heeded my inner hinky meter almost a month ago and started stocking up.

I remember making a U-turn when I passed a Sherwin-Williams one day long ago (ha ha..not that long ago really, maybe a month ago) and bought boxes of N95 masks and goggles. The shelves had many on hand.

I remember buying lots of canned goods, tp, sanitizer, Clorox wipes, Lysol weeks ago, when no one else was. My neighbor, who I told to stock up at the time I did, went out for Lysol yesterday and couldn't find any. They go out to the grocery every day, so why she didn't listen to me back then....

I remember going out and buying some wire pantry shelves and feeling so proud of myself for 'building an emergency pantry" in my extra bedroom whilst no one was paying attention.

THIS IS WHY WE PREP

hoosiermom22 wrote: Newbie, what general area are you located? I am thinking one more quick trip after taking some inventory.

Central Alberta Canada - town is a population of about 18,000 with approx. that again is surrounding area, so about 36k.  Walmart, Superstore, dollar stores (2), all either empty or close to it (on items listed) the dollar stores were in better shape then the big box.  I didn't go to the other groceries in town (Safeway, SaveOn, Coop) as don't normally shop there - pricier stores but assume they will be close to the same if not yesterday then today, if ppl can't find what they want in regular haunts.

And yeah - I listened to my inner hinkey meter (never called it that b4!) as well, and bought all OTC, groceries etc as much as I could afford weekly basically since first reading on this in Jan...  It just stunned me how many people have NO clue... I've always been the tinfoil hat wearer - but it looks like the tinfoil amped UP the reception of message as so many without it, just never heard the message nor got the memo!

I think you're right about the tinfoil hat magnifying the message! LOL

I got curious, so looked back to see when I first started buying stuff. This crossed my radar on Jan 15th, and my first Amazon order was Jan 21st - Purell and masks. And with everything I read I just kept ordering more of other things.

KiminNM wrote: It really does take time for it to sink in for people psychologically, sigh. I was at the same store with my Dad on Tuesday morning - and told him to stock up now, this should be your last trip. Sigh. Now they've exposed themselves to a couple of hundred people. (yes, they have masks. no, they didn't wear them) THIS is why we prep.

Yeah - when family called and said they 'forgot prescriptions' on list earlier in week - my heart sank.  Only a few days of high  blood pressure pills left (insert column of blue smoke here!) and that is NOT a med I want to see anyone running out of if considering how high BP seems to be an issue  for this virus to really turn on it's 'aggression' for lack of better way to say it.  So now I'm even more dedicated to SIP for the 14 days (I'm thinking 30) of seeing no-one..in case.  Planned to be ok for months so doesn't really matter duration wise.

My wife had to go to Publix two days ago to pick up my final scrips for a 90 day supply.  She was masked and gloved.  She went by the TP section and noted that it was empty.  Cleaning supplies, all gone.  No Hand sanitizer. Most of the Over the counter cold medicen and pain/fever reducers were gone.  She then noted that their was NO ICE CREAM, at all.  That is one I thick is really out there. 

I said before and will say again, I do not think we will lose power or water.  We are going to be okay, it will just take a little time . 

Tabitha, those wire shelves are great, aren't they?  I've had them for years set up over a radiator (which is the size of a buick but is turned off).  I keep my paper, soaps, plastic trash bags, etc... there.  I bought a standing closet last year and I am so grateful I did.  It houses all my non-perishables and most of my freeze dried stuff.  It's like shopping in my own home!  

Kim, I hope your father ultimately listens to you and just stays home.  We all know on an intellectual level those shelves will be restocked within a week.  By then I hope people have stopped going crazy because they got what they needed last week and this week.  

FYI.  I came across this article this morning and though I'd share.  Evidently it's only those big rolls of commercial TP that come from China, but the majority of TP Americans used is made in the U.S.A.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/business/toilet-paper-shortage.html - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/business/toilet-paper-shortage.html  

You have to copy and paste the article people do not have membership to NYT.

If there’s one image that captures  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/nyregion/coronavirus-panic-buying.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(50, 104, 145);" title=" - the panic seeping through the United States this week, it might be the empty store shelves where toilet paper usually sits.

Shoppers, preparing for the possibility that the coronavirus could keep them quarantined for weeks or months, have been snapping up every roll they can find. The more images of stockpiling that emerged on social media, the more panicky buying that ensued. The result: The household staple has been consistently out of stock, whether at big box stores, at bodegas or on Amazon.

In an age of instant shopping gratification and same-day delivery, the idea that something so mundane could be unavailable seemed downright scary, and an ominous sign that a basic supply chain is under stress because of the pandemic.

But is there really a toilet paper shortage?

Major retailers say toilet paper hasn’t been out of stock in stores for more than a day or two, or even a few hours. Manufacturers, paper industry executives say, are raising production to meet demand, but there is only so much capacity that they can or are willing to add.

They want to satisfy panic buying without going overboard and creating a glut on the market when the surge subsides. 

Unlike some other products, toilet paper is not likely to be used more by Americans who are stricken with respiratory symptoms, even as the coronavirus spreads. 

“You are not using more of it. You are just filling up your closet with it,” said Jeff Anderson, president of Precision Paper Converters, a paper product manufacturer with 65 employees outside Green Bay, Wis. “What happens in the summer when demand dries up and people have all this extra product in their homes?”

Mr. Anderson’s business focuses on facial tissues, which are also in high demand, and he is paying employees overtime to work longer shifts. “We can’t make as much as they want right now,” he said.

Perhaps more than in its recent past, the paper industry seems well positioned to meet the surging demand. After decades of declining sales, as newspapers and printed documents lost out in the digital age, many manufacturers converted to making tissue products, like toilet paper and wipes. That means there is more manufacturing capacity that can be brought online.

But toilet paper is typically made to order. Because it takes up so much room, storing large quantities is not profitable, so the industry typically has only a few months of inventory on hand.

“There is not some big underground warehouse like in ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ where there is all this toilet paper sitting around in case it is needed,” said Dan Clarahan, president of United Converting, which sells manufacturing equipment to tissue companies.

In more normal times, toilet paper demand grows by only a few percentage points each year, mirroring population growth.

Asked about the shortages, many retailers would not commit to a specific timetable for when the shelves would be restocked, calling the situation “fluid.” A retail analyst, Burt Flickinger of Strategic Resource Group, said big box retailers like Costco and BJ’s Wholesale Club have been able to restock most empty shelves within a few hours, or by the next morning, according to his survey of hundreds of stores across the country this week.

But it’s clear that the retailers, even those with experience in dealing with crisis-related demand before a hurricane or a blizzard, are being tested as demand surges across the country all at once.

Walmart said it was adjusting its supply routes to keep up. The company is picking up many high-demand products at factories and shipping them in trucks directly to stores, bypassing regional distribution centers.

The frenzied buying was even acknowledged Friday in the Rose Garden, where President Trump stood next to the executives of major retailers including Walmart.

“Toilet paper is not an effective way to prevent getting the coronavirus, but they’re selling out,” the health secretary, Alex M. Azar II, said.

People have been sharing images of toilet paper shortages and other empty shelves at Giant Eagle, a private grocery chain that has more than 400 locations and is based in Pittsburgh.

The chain said it had been working to increase the frequency of deliveries of “essential items” to stores and asked corporate employees to assist in stores, where other employees are stocking shelves and fulfilling curbside pickup and delivery orders.

All Giant Eagles have begun to temporarily limit toilet paper purchases to three packages per customer, Dick Roberts, a company spokesman, said in an email.

The vast majority of toilet paper consumed by Americans is made in North America. But about 10 percent of the giant rolls of paper that are used to make the rolls that end up in American bathrooms come from China and India. Those imports have been delayed because of the broader bottleneck of shipments from Asia, as the region begins to recover from the virus outbreak and factories come back online.

Joe Raccuia, chief executive of Morcon Tissue, which makes toilet paper in plants across the United States, said his supplier in Mexico had warned him about delays.

“It’s a matter of weeks, not months,” said Mr. Raccuia, who sells his toilet paper mostly to hotels and restaurants.

It’s not just toilet paper that people are stockpiling, of course. Weeks ago, there were shortages of hand sanitizer. By Friday, the panic buying had extended to bottled water and thermometers.

Popular thermometers, like those sold under the Vicks brand, were listed as out of stock on the websites of retailers like Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and Staples.

Even on Amazon, the options were grim. For example, a Vicks ComfortFlex thermometer that was listed for about $10 on Walmart’s website was being sold by two sellers on Amazon for at least $40, and could not be delivered for at least a week — a far cry from Amazon’s usual advantages on price and speed.

Amazon did not respond to a request for comment on Friday.

That's the NYT article. FWIW, they're wrong about people not using more.  Anyone not at work for 40+ hours a week is going to use more toilet paper than normal at home!

In northern va all the grocery stores are out of meat!!!???

WalMart Super Center in Sahuarita, AZ was wiped out of bread, Mexican canned goods (black beans are a fantastic prep supply), canned soups etc. 

We have a very large Hispanic population, and I'm sure they must be freaked out - if they are here without documentation, they must be terrified - what does "National Emergency" mean to them?  People kicking in doors? 

Many of the children were terrified, because their parents' fear was perceptible.   This brought back over 50 year old memories of when the Chicago area suffered a record-setting "big snow" in 1967!  My folks had me head out to the local small grocery store with my sled, which had a cardboard box taped on. 

At the store, I saw similar scenes to what we are seeing....folks buying fresh milk and bread in a panic state, mostly.  I was 12 years old and remember the fear like yesterday, that is why I've been prepping since that age.  

I work in the food & manufacturing sector, and these sectors are responding with increased production, shipping and stocking.   The US Government also controls a vast supply of consumables....not many know that there are about 1.4 BILLION pounds of processed American cheese on storage in US facilities!!  

https://fee.org/articles/why-does-the-federal-government-have-14-billion-pounds-of-american-cheese-stockpiled/ - https://fee.org/articles/why-does-the-federal-government-have-14-billion-pounds-of-american-cheese-stockpiled/

We won't starve.  However, our economy will take a massive hit, and disruptions due to social distancing and quarantine will hit all of us.  Hang in there, I'm always watching events.  Best, Chuck

You will not be alone in taking that economic hit.  Every country has that target painted on it.

My son went shopping at Meijer this morning around 9 am.. The lines were short.. so people had stopped the panic buying of the last few days.

But the water was gone. Only water that was left was the most expensive brands.  Sambucol and elderberry products were on the shelves. But the more well known cough and cold medicines were almost gone.

 No toilet paper or paper towels. Limit signs were  just posted above the empty paper product shelves. No hand sanitizer or bleach. Laundry and dish soap was ok.

The meat was almost all sold out, but he managed to get chicken drumsticks. The butcher was restocking chicken breasts.

Maybe this panic buying will come in waves as more bad news is announced.

If we all eat up all that cheese we will need a bunch of EX - LAX....LOL!

I saw real panic buying the day after our first large earthquake 10 years ago. No one saw it coming, it was a 7.4 and people were terrified. They were so frightened they were getting abusive with staff and each other. I guess it's fear. 

I was wondering if the smart move would be to go shopping late at night instead of first thing in the morning. There have been queues here waiting for the shops to open, but since they stock up throughout the day here (they get 5 delivery trucks a day at my local store), I'm thinking that 9pm would be a good time to go (the store shuts at 10pm). I've driven past late at night and it's always deserted.  What do you think?

Absolutely, the wife used to do the shopping, and always went 2-4 in the morning....place is always empty (at the 24hr stores)

https://www.theepochtimes.com/grocery-store-chains-change-hours-to-cope-with-shopping-frenzies_3272227.html - https://www.theepochtimes.com/grocery-store-chains-change-hours-to-cope-with-shopping-frenzies_3272227.html

KiwiMum - I've been going as late in the evening as possible for last few weeks (except for yest- yeash) and it's great!  Hardly anyone in store, shelves are stocked decent etc. I do heavy farm chores in mornings typically and nothing 24 hrs here so evenings have worked really well for me.

Oh and LittleJake - I did get a picture of the 1gal Ice Cream display yest as it only had a few tubs left - all common/popular flavours long gone!  I thought that was weird too - I guess 'comfort food' for some??? or maybe thinking if kids get sick - it's cold/soothing to eat/easy on throat?  Not sure.

Our stores have been emptied,of rice, pasta,flour,etc....

Wife complaining,

she did say it was  silly to prep,

She dosnt know I got stocked up weeks ago,,

Still haven't told her....

I'll wait till things get real bad, it will be like Christmas lol

At our local store a man had a cart of toilet rolls, the shop assistant said only I pack per person per till,

He made his 3 year old, go through another till by himself with a pack.....SAD......very sad....

Our local Wal Mart closed at 3 pm due to low stock. That made me go   ! 

Carbon, my wife has always tolerated my prepping - I think she figures it keeps me out of trouble - but by Friday, she was a full on prepper to hear her talk. I know she's anxious (remember that moment when you first panicked? Mine was at a pharmacy years ago after looking for asthma inhalers at five other stores and finding none. I had a major anxiety attack thinking it was H5N1 and other preppers had got there first. Turned out they'd just taken it off the market because of the propellant. Duh). I saw her checking her phone at 4:30 am, and she got up shortly after saying she couldn't sleep. She went into the living room and started watching CNN, and she was still watching when I crawled out of bed a few hours later.

Yep - stores are being cleared out here, and a lot shut early tonight to try to catch up with restocking and slow the panic buying. They'll just be a bigger crowd in the morning, I'm sure. My "Oh crap, it's starting" moment was when I went to Walmart at 5:40 am on Friday, and it was as busy as you'd expect it to be at midday and the shelves were stripped clean of canned food, rice, etc. The cashier said it had been like that all night. I'm not stressing - we have enough to keep us going for quite a while, and the holes we have to fill will be with things most people aren't buying. I just feel bad for anyone starting to stock up from scratch now. It must be terrifying, especially with the speed this is escalating. Every hour brings more bad news. Stay safe, guys.

WOW, I am going Monday morning early to my local store to get just a few things, really I need stamps....LOL!  But I will get a couple of things if they are there.  Stories here are interesting but what I always imagined would happen if we had a Pandemic.  Why I prepped all these years.    I checked my Freeze Dried Foods tonight, it is all covered with plastic to keep dust off and I have more than I thought so I am not really needing much.  At least we will have electricity and water really a blessing!!!

Can you guys imagine people doing this and no electricity or water....a true disaster.

I finished up food preps back at the end of February.  Right now I'm having trouble obtaining weekly groceries.  I don't want to have to dip into my preps yet, but it's looking like I'll have to until this craziness stops.  If it stops.  I'm not sure it will.  

Almost every thing in my Amazon Fresh cart was deleted due to low or no stocks this morning.  The only things left was salad croutons (but lettuce was gone), a bag of MilkyWay fun bars , one lone package of diced ham and instead of two half gallons of milk, I'm limited to buying one.   

I just ran to my local Ralphs and it's closed. Instead of 5am-1am, their hours are now 8am-8pm. lots of people doing the same thing as me - trying the doors then leaving. The local Farmers Market should be almost set up at this time too, but the street is deserted. This get more surreal by the day. I don't mind admitting that this has me really scared.

I am so grateful for this site...you do not even know how much. I followed along for years, just a lurker, since I have a keen interest in emergent diseases. As soon as Wuhan started, and I saw the posts on here about "prepping" I went into full prep mode, something I have never done in the past. I guess I always figured that I would do it if I sensed a real threat....but you all were like the canary in the coal mine and I went full blast.

I honestly had no idea that the store shelves would get bare like this. Countless posts on my local Facebook groups of frustration...yelling at folks to leave some for others, moms not finding formula, diapers, wipes....others saying its all hysteria to make us spend our money....others saying they are going to do what they want to do and no one is going to make them stay in...not go out to eat...not set up play dates...why is the park closed?? whine whine....I NEED my store open 24 hours!! whine whine

So glad I grew up and experienced stores NOT open 24 hours, not open on Sundays even, one car in the family, no internet., no Netflix, 4 TV stations...because it really makes a difference on how you see things and how spoiled we have become.

FluMom wrote: WOW, I am going Monday morning early to my local store to get just a few things, really I need stamps....LOL!  But I will get a couple of things if they are there.  Stories here are interesting but what I always imagined would happen if we had a Pandemic.  Why I prepped all these years.    I checked my Freeze Dried Foods tonight, it is all covered with plastic to keep dust off and I have more than I thought so I am not really needing much.  At least we will have electricity and water really a blessing!!! Can you guys imagine people doing this and no electricity or water....a true disaster.

If you don't have to go out, don't! Why risk it if you have what you need????

You can order stamps by mail, either from the post office, or even from office depot. 

Jack, did you prepared ? I did and still needed to go to Walmart .  It is ok to be scared ,  We are all in the same boat.   

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6679505/woolies-to-hold-elderly-only-shopping-hour/?cs=14231Elderly 

U.S. Stores should take note.

KiminNM wrote: FluMom wrote: WOW, I am going Monday morning early to my local store to get just a few things, really I need stamps....LOL!  But I will get a couple of things if they are there.  Stories here are interesting but what I always imagined would happen if we had a Pandemic.  Why I prepped all these years.    I checked my Freeze Dried Foods tonight, it is all covered with plastic to keep dust off and I have more than I thought so I am not really needing much.  At least we will have electricity and water really a blessing!!! Can you guys imagine people doing this and no electricity or water....a true disaster. If you don't have to go out, don't! Why risk it if you have what you need???? You can order stamps by mail, either from the post office, or even from office depot.

My really very good friend's daughter called me and said they were going to Costco and Kings did I want anything.  Told her to get stamps at Kings and Feta Cheese any size where they had it.  I am in for the duration!  I am calling my accountant and telling him I will go in drop off my stuff and he can call if he has any questions and to mail my stuff back to me!! I am done!!  

Better yet, tell your accountant you'll  mail them ... OR scan them and email anything to him.her.  Instruct him to send forms back to you the same way.  That's how I'm handling it with my tax accountant!

I have a theory that people who panic buy won't be sensible with the stash

Much food will be wasted because they didn't check the expiry or eaten by the dog.

Better still, people will eat more.......because it's there !!.

I guess if we run out of money, you can't buy anything anyhow.

Sorry for being judgemental but I'm glad I have an ounce of sense.

Pandemic, it's funny you'd say that about wastage.  I was talking to a grocery store manager and she said that she couldn't believe how much they'd sold, that trucks hadn't been able to come in in 2 days (no one at loading docks to load to get truck on road???!!!) and people had already been being rude (downright ignorant) demanding product...in polite quaint lil old Canada!  She commented that some of the ones she'd watched grabbing produce etc - that there was no way they could eat it all before spoiling and it would just be wasted.  She looked 'smooth on the surface' but you could tell nerves were wearing thin talking to her - I feel sorry for all working direct with public right now (esp retail), not just due to the fact they are at much higher risk of catching this, but also because they have to put up with peoples bs 'entitlement' issues.  

I tend to say it like I see it - glad I wasn't there when she was getting swore at etc, I would have likely put a foot into it all, and opened my mouth.  Any & every time I've dealt with her she's been a nice lady, very professional and doesn't deserve that.

Oh and on another side note - a Walmart that opened at 9 am was 'sold out' of TP by 9:05 according to a sign on door, and some one I know who stocks shelves at WM said both the last 2 nights loads arriving smaller then expected (much smaller!).  

We all knew this was going to happen, people fighting over TP,  food they will never use purchased (no forethought), people being rude to the grocery store people.  I believe that is why we all Prepped for this event.  I did not want to be in huge infectious lines trying to get anything, so I am sitting here for the next 4 months able to have almost anything I need especially after my garden is going.  Fresh veggies I have to wait for but other than that I am in good shape.   WHY because I prepped!  People stuck their heads in the sand and now they DEMAND what they want like little babies!  I feel sorry for the people who work at all the stores they do not deserve this! 

What a great idea - Seniors only shopping times!

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/grocery-stores-hold-seniors-only-hours-during-coronavirus-pandemic/ar-BB11hga3?ocid=spartandhp - https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/grocery-stores-hold-seniors-only-hours-during-coronavirus-pandemic/ar-BB11hga3?ocid=spartandhp

Wow.. check out the line to get into Costco.

https://mobile.twitter.com/lopp/status/1239676109731647491 - https://mobile.twitter.com/lopp/status/1239676109731647491

Glad I prepared. 

WOW!  Let's all join the contagion line.....

Technophobe wrote: WOW!  Let's all join the contagion line.....

WOW!  My thoughts exactly!  And to read the comments - one guy says 'it's preppers who cause this, the stores are still open everything as normal'...some still can't see this...wow...just WOW.

ME163 wrote: Jack, did you prepared ? I did and still needed to go to Walmart .  It is ok to be scared ,  We are all in the same boat.

We’re good, but I’m still picking up what I can. Despite me telling them for a month and a half to stock up, my in-laws didn’t. They’re seniors with a ton of pre-existing conditions, and when I was over there on Sunday, they told me they were fine for food and could “probably last 12 days”. Yep, not even two weeks. I told them it was not enough, so they said they’d run down to Costco and get more. You can imagine how that went.

So... now I’m last minute prepping for two more mouths. I’m actually finding a lot bouncing between stores, but I wish I didn’t have to at this stage.

Overhead this evening in my local Vons - “In six weeks there’s going to be a bunch of f*****g idiots with too much food”

That may have a grain of truth in it.  They will be effectively starving, but with more pasta than will feed an army and enough loo roll to mop up a large lake.  IDIOTS!!!

There having real trouble stocking shelfs here in Aroura and  Burbs! Stock in the am gone by PM!They have to get these down or There well be hungry people here!!Good thing i found these site and followed its advice.Thanks to the Old timers who helped me u know who u are lol

If you want a loo roll here you have to go to Asda between 3 and 4pm - in person!  Delivery comes in at 3, sold out by 4.  

Forget it if you are SIP.  Online orders are filled out early AM.  No paper products at all by then.  Thankfully, we have stores in the barn and I'm buying vast quantities of napkins - still available, as the hoarders have not woken up to that yet - to stay ahead of the curve.  TP is definitely rationed here.

Graywolf wrote: There having real trouble stocking shelfs here in Aroura and  Burbs! Stock in the am gone by PM!They have to get these down or There well be hungry people here!!Good thing i found these site and followed its advice.Thanks to the Old timers who helped me u know who u are lol

Hey Graywolf,  FluMom here I am also in Colorado...I have not been out to a grocery store since 3/12 and my Kings was very empty on can goods.  I have no idea what it looks like today!   I hope we do not have hungry people at least my close friends know I will help them if they need anything.  People are NOT going to starve at least not in the next 2-3 months.   Truck are moving food is being made at canneries so I am not worried.  80% of the people will be just fine and fine fast so everything will keep running.    

I am so glad you are ready and staying at home.  If Albert's Forum has helped you I am happy that is why we have all been here for so many years!  

Got back from Walmart last night.... Almost all of the food is gone.  Restockers told me that store hours are being changed and that they limited us to one item of water.  got another jug of distilled water for my gf .  She needs it for her C pap.  Had to go to Dollar tree for a few items but it was cool.  Dollar tree is one of the only places in town with anything.  Ammo is all gone at Walmart.  Got a lot of it 2 months ago.   It is going to be hell for those who are not prepared. 

ME163 this is why we all have been prepping for all these years...IT'S SHOW TIME!   We all knew the grocery stores would be empty and people running around like mice trying to protect their very vulnerable families.  Sorry, I told you so to so many friends and family who are now without.  Why I planned with rice and beans and plastic bags to put out if they need food.  Packed all that in mylar tubs with O2 absorbers 10 years ago.  

Technophobe wrote: That may have a grain of truth in it.  They will be effectively starving, but with more pasta than will feed an army and enough loo roll to mop up a large lake.  IDIOTS!!!

They took the pasta but left the sauce 😅😅😅

I saw an ugly scene on YouTube at a supermarket in London. At opening time, an army of trolleys trying to rush through a narrow doorway. I mean it was chaos. Screaming, shouting, pushing. No thought to social distancing. I mean it was chaotic shere ignorance on a selfishness level beyond reasoning of the herd  mentality😥

We all knew this would be what would happen in a Pandemic...we all knew it.  That is why most of us are safe in our homes and have plenty of what we need.  It is sad...but hopefully stores will get restocked in the U.S. don't know about other countries.  I put away beans and rice for my good neighbors if things get really bad.  They can survive I also have plenty of spices to give to them to add flavor.  Have tons of baggies to pack this all in so I can leave it outside before I call them to come and get it.    

This is real guys we are all ready so don't feel guilty that we have and others do not.  It is what it is!

My son went to the local Meijer store early this morning. NO rice of any kind. NO meat except for  6 packages of  chicken thighs, NO Sambucol except for a few packages of the tablets. NO salted butter. NO pasta except for Rotini. NO canned meat or tuna. But they had oysters and crab.

Shelves were all half emptied of  other foods. He found 6 cases of his favorite water, so he got 2..the limit... He bought the last 2 jars of peanut butter. They are real low on flour and sugar.

 The store was open 24/7 and will now be open 8am - 10 pm. 7-8 am for seniors only  on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

This is AMERICA!  We WILL restock shelves it will take time but think about it, 300,000,000 people trying to stock their homes!!!  We knew this was going to happen some day that is why we are home and ready for most of us.  Some of you new people just got caught in a bad time to try and do what we have done for years.  I wish all of you the best in getting your stores in!

Newbie1A wrote: Pandemic, it's funny you'd say that about wastage.  I was talking to a grocery store manager and she said that she couldn't believe how much they'd sold, that trucks hadn't been able to come in in 2 days (no one at loading docks to load to get truck on road???!!!) and people had already been being rude (downright ignorant) demanding product...in polite quaint lil old Canada!  She commented that some of the ones she'd watched grabbing produce etc - that there was no way they could eat it all before spoiling and it would just be wasted.  She looked 'smooth on the surface' but you could tell nerves were wearing thin talking to her - I feel sorry for all working direct with public right now (esp retail), not just due to the fact they are at much higher risk of catching this, but also because they have to put up with peoples bs 'entitlement' issues.   I tend to say it like I see it - glad I wasn't there when she was getting swore at etc, I would have likely put a foot into it all, and opened my mouth.  Any & every time I've dealt with her she's been a nice lady, very professional and doesn't deserve that. Oh and on another side note - a Walmart that opened at 9 am was 'sold out' of TP by 9:05 according to a sign on door, and some one I know who stocks shelves at WM said both the last 2 nights loads arriving smaller then expected (much smaller!).

the main supermarkets are rationing products now. Still the trolleys arrive enmass. I'm hearing now that there's a run on freezers at some stores in UK...I mean, where does it end✨♥

Another story emerged of an elderly gentlemen in London, in a supermarket. A younger person told him that he didn't need food because he, Quote, ' would probably die of Coronavirus' unquote😥

Pandemic wrote: Another story emerged of an elderly gentlemen in London, in a supermarket. A younger person told him that he didn't need food because he, Quote, ' would probably die of Coronavirus' unquote😥

That younger person needs a kick in the a$$ - with a steel toed boot at full force!  How ignorant can you get... Hoping the gentleman has family or a neighbor or someone who can help him so less likely to get exposed!!! A holes, sorry - but that type of ignorance burns my tail feathers!!! 

You think that is bad wait till you see this next generation coming up...they are rude at 7 yrs old....not just one or two a lot of them are rude and uncaring.  I blame the parents they are not involved in their kids lives they are on their phones and social media and the kids have NO manners or caring because their parents are not training or loving! 

Don’t forget that this situation is extremely fluid. The stores will begin to have trouble restocking the shelves when enough of the workforce faces mandatory SIPs and food production, packaging and delivery become an issue.

It has been interesting to see how the stuff runs out. Then the government blames people for hoarding. I think people are mostly just buying a lot and that is what they should do. I dont get why they focused on toilet paper. I got caught without a few things. We have just one thermometer. I use the wal mart app then just pick it up. Only have to deal with one person. Lots if stuff unavailable. 

Not a grocery experience except in the fleeting thought that I "might" stop in a store when I went out today.....didn't happen...

I dropped off a couple of bags of provisions on my son's porch this morning. His wife is at home working, she is a therapist and is doing all of her appointments online now (telemedicine) but son is still working in his shop he runs. He is doing contact less delivery now, they lock the doors, customers call in, then they fill the order and put it outside, they tell customer to go sit in their truck (mostly trucks and vans) and then get out and get the stuff after they go back inside. He loves it..lol...he runs a building contractor supply store - so its all contracts with companies, not the general public.


Was my first time driving in the car since last Friday. Saw people walking and jogging alone, saw one person walking with a mask on. Others walking dogs. A couple of ladies walking together but they seemed to be apart some distance between them.

I was seriously too chicken to stop anywhere...1) I dont really need anything and 2) I couldn't help but think that the store would have coughers that would freak me out, or any food places...the virus could be on cups or the wrapper or whatever. I'm just not going to chance it.

Got a huge Amazon order in today too...unpacked everything outside with gloves that I changed frequently, then I clorox wiped all the surfaces of the products  and threw the boxes over my fence until trash day. 

Well people are hoarding TP...lord how much do you need!  I have had lots for years in my shed but that is long before this virus.  Just keep a lot just in case well we are now in Just In Case!  I do not consider myself a hoarder,  I have 2 large old boxes of Tide, I use pods now but my son needed laundry soap...it is expensive so I gave him one of the old Tides.  Having a lot of stuff does not mean you are a hoarder it means you are thoughtful.

I agree with you 300 Million people are trying to be ready for at least 2 weeks of SIP and maybe more so the Grocery stores are going to be empty...it is what it is!

I went into a store BCF, which stands for boating, camping, fishing, in OZ. One staff member came up to greet me and was standing next to me. I noticed her weezing. I said you don't sound well as i stepped back. She said yes I have a chest infection. She says don't worry its not corona. While stepping back further i asked when was she tested... She said no i haven't been tested, but its not corona.  Okay... literally drop items and leaving the scene. 

I could see her face as i left. She was upset. like i didn't believe her..

As i walked out the store i noticed another woman sweeping the floor. She was sick a hell. Very obviously sick. She was blocking my path. What do i do???    Pac-Man! No power pellets in sight! Damn!  Exit ASAP

They all watched me zig zag out the store. Probably laughing...

Why I am totally SIP.  People are going to be sick and work...just the way people are!

Rumour has it that our local food shop (only one on the island) will close its doors next week, and go to internet shopping.  

I had a look at the range of goods offered by the shop for internet shopping and they are extremely limited.  For example the wife is lactose intolerant and only one kind of standard milk is being offered which will produce explosive stomach problems for her (we have some powdered milk, but not enough).  

It will be interesting at how our eating habits will have to change  

Edwin, get her some pills on the internet. Not necessarily these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Best-Naturals-Natural-Lactase-Enzyme-3000-FCC-ALU-180-Tablets/173545718328?epid=23023553094&hash=item2868218238:g:uUQAAOSwZJJbo6ET - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Best-Naturals-Natural-Lactase-Enzyme-3000-FCC-ALU-180-Tablets/173545718328?epid=23023553094&hash=item2868218238:g:uUQAAOSwZJJbo6ET#

or drops

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Colief-Infant-Drops-15ml-Lactase-Enzyme-Drops-for-Baby-Calming-Colic-Relief/133340334639?epid=19033520041&hash=item1f0bb40a2f:g:48wAAOSwdi5eT6SA - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Colief-Infant-Drops-15ml-Lactase-Enzyme-Drops-for-Baby-Calming-Colic-Relief/133340334639?epid=19033520041&hash=item1f0bb40a2f:g:48wAAOSwdi5eT6SA also not necessarily this version.

That is what I do for hubby.  (Also intolerant)  I keep the drops in my kitchen and put a few in things like butter and cheese before cooking.  Then he just eats with the rest of us.

ok, I am laughing at this one.  Why, because I grew up with one channel on TV ,  One store to buy food at and it was only open 5 days a week, You had to drive 1 hour to get to a town of any size and the store was only open from noon to 8 at night.  It was however, a wonderful place to shop at.  I got  free candy and a soda from the owner.  He had a cat named king who would not let me go and he had live chickens.  He would let me play with the toys in the store and gave me matchbox cars once a month.  He served in Ww2 and was injured by a mortar attack.  He had an artificial leg.   he was so funny.  

My online grocery delivery service cancelled my order yesterday because so many of the items I requested were out of stock.

I decided to hazard to the local grocer this morning and take out some extra cash, just in case. I'm glad I did considering the "pause" was announced after I got back. The only thing they were pointedly out of was bread. There was one lone sad looking bag of tortillas on one shelf.

Meat was picked over, but I was able to pick up a few pounds of ground sirloin and everything else on my list.  Because they were low on staff there were no deliveries, so I put back the bag of flour and kitty litter.  I just couldn't carry it.   But the store had pasta, rice, canned soups and veg.  The canned meats section was well picked over, but there were a few items left.  Cake, brownie and muffin mixes were lacking, but there was still some there.  Their freezer section was full.  They still had paper towels, napkins, tissues and toilet paper.  Their produce section looked strangely untouched.  I guess people are forgoing fresh fruit and veg and going for non-perishables.  

My local Vons store has a new addition to the line outside. They have a police officer on duty 😳

Yep, I bet police will be needed in a lot of spots now.

WitchMisspelled wrote: My online grocery delivery service cancelled my order yesterday because so many of the items I requested were out of stock. I decided to hazard to the local grocer this morning and take out some extra cash, just in case. I'm glad I did considering the "pause" was announced after I got back. The only thing they were pointedly out of was bread. There was one lone sad looking bag of tortillas on one shelf. Meat was picked over, but I was able to pick up a few pounds of ground sirloin and everything else on my list.  Because they were low on staff there were no deliveries, so I put back the bag of flour and kitty litter.  I just couldn't carry it.   But the store had pasta, rice, canned soups and veg.  The canned meats section was well picked over, but there were a few items left.  Cake, brownie and muffin mixes were lacking, but there was still some there.  Their freezer section was full.  They still had paper towels, napkins, tissues and toilet paper.  Their produce section looked strangely untouched.  I guess people are forgoing fresh fruit and veg and going for non-perishables.

If you can manage a backpack, it may be more convenient for heavier items or a rolling bag/cart.

I can't hoosiermom.  I had a mild stroke about three years ago that left me with severe balance issues (thank heaven cognitive skills were completely untouched!) I can't carry anything over 10lbs or push anything too heavy (like a rolling cart) without becoming a fall risk.  I took my nifty dandy rollator that gives me a lot of freedom for shopping.  I can carry bags on the seat, off the handle bars...  But the two heaviest items totaling 15 lbs with the other things was just too much for me.  Its okay.  I have 15lbs of flour in stores.  I thought I'd pick some up because my upstairs neighbor is a GREAT buy who helps me out with some things will receive regular care packages of home-made bread and rolls now that we're all home.  

Not sure why I picked up kitty litter.  I have five months stash at home already.  There's always Chewy!  

I decided to suit up and check out the Safeway at Ocean Beach here is San Francisco. Shelves were stripped. The produce section was empty but some things were being restocked. Frozen meat gone, cheese and yogurt were gone,  Meat section empty but some limited restocking was happening. Seafood counter was empty. There was plenty of chips and bread but paper products were gone.

The part that had me shaking my head was the people. There were a few young and middle aged people wearing masks, but large numbers of elderly people who seemed completely oblivious to the risks with no masks, hand sanitizer, or any precautions. Maybe 20% of us had masks and gloves.

Took some pictures and will upload them when I figure out how to get them from my phone to my computer lol. That is the last time I will go out to any store for the next 3-4 months or so.

QP

WitchMisspelled wrote: I can't hoosiermom.  I had a mild stroke about three years ago that left me with severe balance issues (thank heaven cognitive skills were completely untouched!) I can't carry anything over 10lbs or push anything too heavy (like a rolling cart) without becoming a fall risk.  I took my nifty dandy rollator that gives me a lot of freedom for shopping.  I can carry bags on the seat, off the handle bars...  But the two heaviest items totaling 15 lbs with the other things was just too much for me.  Its okay.  I have 15lbs of flour in stores.  I thought I'd pick some up because my upstairs neighbor is a GREAT buy who helps me out with some things will receive regular care packages of home-made bread and rolls now that we're all home.   Not sure why I picked up kitty litter.  I have five months stash at home already.  There's always Chewy!

Good neighbors are such a blessing! So Thankful you have such wonderful ones. Wish you lived closer I would absolutely help you with heavy loads or whatever. Take care! 

Aww!! Thank you Hoosiermom  

Good neighbors is a blessing. Being a good neighbor is crucial at these times. He and I discussed "circling the wagons" over the phone yesterday. He's presently in self imposed quarantine. His ex's b/f tested positive and he's been around the kids. He's taking no chances of spreading it in case he turns positive. So, he told me, put my trash by my door and he'll take it out. I told him I'm baking and will text him when I leave a care package for him outside my door. With the next care package, I am going to include a half dozen surgical masks to reduce him possibly infecting others if he gets cabin fever and needs to take a walk outside.

It's at times like this communities need to pull together.  No man is an island.  

My friends help us and we them.  Even without this bug, we aid one another all the time.  

You are so right!  My preps are mostly aiding Myself, Eirinn and Hubby at the moment, but the rescources are there for many more.

Surviving is easier as a group - physically and mentaly!

https://www.cleveland.com/nation/2020/03/woman-claims-shes-ill-intentionally-coughs-on-pa-grocery-stores-food-police-say.html - https://www.cleveland.com/nation/2020/03/woman-claims-shes-ill-intentionally-coughs-on-pa-grocery-stores-food-police-say.html

This is sad grocery store news.

WE all need to be looking out for each other not making it harder.

ventured out to grocery store this week during the senior high risk set aside time. Thinking this would be the best time,  NOT. It was very crowded. More crowded than it  would have been  during normal business daytime hours pre covid 19.  YOu could not stay 6 feet apart as the store isle are not wide enough for you to even pass. and it was like always multiple people in each isle. It was extremely stressful just trying to shop.  The store did have cashier sneeze guards in place and "wait here signs" on the floor at register.  Announcement were made to maintain 6 feet away or two grocery carts lengths apart from each other but that is a joke when the isles are not wide enough. 

From my recent post (Gestalt #17) by monotreme 2 April 202

(btw...myself personally has not stepped foot into any place of business since Friday March 13-after reading here and elsewhere of crowds, people not obeying rules, etc. I just am too wary to do so)

"Shop until you drop, literally

In many areas of the US, and indeed the.world, some form of social distancing is in place.

But there is one big exception: grocery stores.

Preppers buy food before a crisis, not just because they are concerned about shortages, but because they want to reduce their risk of exposure to infectious agents.

I fear that shopping for groceries may be a weak link in our attempt to slow the spread of virus.

 Grocery store clerks are almost certainly getting infected given the number of people they are exposed to. And shoppers are likely getting infected by each other and grocery store clerks.

To avoid this, it would be best if people ordered their food online or by phone, had it collected by an in store shopper, and put by the curb for safe retrieval by customers."
*******************************

Easier said than done in some places.  

Agreed many areas in the country don't have delivery options from local grocery stores and ones that offer pick up/ delivery there are general limited or no pick up times available. Or if they have a pick up time it can be week or more, not everyone can wait that long.

I agree the grocery store is very likely possibility for coming in contact with covid 19.  Maybe they need to limit number of customers in store at a time but have heard that people are waiting outside in lines to enter in stores that have done this and not keeping their distance while waiting to enter. 

Well I was thinking about going to the store another time for fresh milk since this looks like it's going to last a lot longer than originally thought. But changed my mind when I listened/watched the emergency city council meeting of the larger town near mine (my town is pop. 1200). They were saying our area was not going to peak until about April 21,22, about a week behind NY. That between now and then we should only go out for essentials/food and think twice if you really need it. Because right now you put yourself at a risk of dying. 

Had a friend go to Costco today around noon, 90 minute wait to get into the store.

Penham wrote: Well I was thinking about going to the store another time for fresh milk since this looks like it's going to last a lot longer than originally thought. But changed my mind when I listened/watched the emergency city council meeting of the larger town near mine (my town is pop. 1200). They were saying our area was not going to peak until about April 21,22, about a week behind NY. That between now and then we should only go out for essentials/food and think twice if you really need it. Because right now you put yourself at a risk of dying.

I decided yesterday to break into my powdered milk stocks instead of going out for fresh over the next month.  Same with eggs.  I'll use the powdered eggs I store for just such emergencies.   I'll just have to live without fresh fruit and veg and eat canned.  (which I hate!!!)  I think your decision is a wise one, Penham.  Stay safe and healthy!

Witchmisspelled, I forgot I had some individual UHT cartons of white and chocolate milk. Later today I will probably have to break into my powdered milk too, but I think I will mix some of the UHT cartons with to make it taste a bit better. I still have 4 dozen eggs and a bunch of powdered so I'm good there. 

Well my powder eggs were too old so just ordered one can.  I don't use many eggs.  So now I have a lot of old eggs and milk alternate to throw out.  Oh, well I just missed the Pandemic by 7 years for some of my food to be "good"...LOL!  Oh well!

Do you all have Oberweiss Dairy in your area? I am using them to get butter and a few other things (I dont do milk) although I have a few cans of evaporated for any recipes that call for milk.
We also have a local farm-to-table that delivers to our area...and I have a standing order for milk from them to go to my son's house (he is the big milk drinker!) along with fresh greens to us both for salads, etc.
Then there is the local farm stand which is drive up and buy...they have a prebagged box of fresh fruit and veg and you can add farm eggs to it.

I guess I am pretty lucky here. I am looking also at ordering from Schwans in the future if i am going to be in this house for many months. I did a grocery pickup from Kroger last week, but had to wait a week for a time slot...and I just like the other options better. I will not go in a store as much as I love to shop at Aldi...not taking chances.
My 89 year old cancer survivor father though is still roaming the stores in Northern Virginia...smashing my head....I called my mom and asked her what in the heck is he looking for?? What do they need? I have 5 siblings out of 8 living streets away from her...I got on their cases too...like put whatever he needs on thier porch...mom says they need nothing...i am like, then he doesn't need to go out just to "look around"...and of course he won't wear a mask, even though they have them from the hospital (pt. masks) Also thier church called and said they would bring over anything they needed...but mom declined...ugghhhhh...I told her, if it was only him that he was endangering then so be it..but it was her and my disabled sister that he was endangering too...and mom says "your dad is careful, in fact he is probably the most careful one in the store" ohhhhh vey!!!