SLO County shoppers can’t find necessities as new wave of coronavirus stockpiling hits
Costco regulars and people prepping for a COVID-19 quarantine waited in the drizzling rain, forming a line that weaved through the parking lot just before the San Luis Obispo store opened at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
When the door rolled open, it was organized chaos.
Members went in one-by-one rather quickly as an employee shouted directions and a San Luis Obispo police officer waited on standby per Costco’s request, according to the department.
People who wanted toilet paper or bottled water — which was nearly everyone — were instructed to move to the left after entering; all others went to the right. A line of Costco employees gave out one toilet paper package and two cases of water per membership — not per person.
“Personally, I came to get some essential stuff, stuff like cereal, but then I hear they were rationing toilet paper and I didn’t want to run out, so I guess I joined in on the hysteria,” San Luis Obispo resident Thomas Rehder said.
There have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases in San Luis Obispo County, but there have been 1,629 confirmed cases and 41 deaths in the United States as of Friday, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As concerns grow and operations close, shoppers are stocking up. But retailers cannot keep up with the sudden demand.
Along with limited toilet paper and bottled water, Costco had no Clorox wipes or Children’s Dimetapp Cold Relief on the shelves.
“The line went smooth; I can’t complain,” San Luis Obispo resident Diana Jeffries said. “I’m just hoping that it doesn’t last that long.”
Similar shortages at Target
Just across the way San Luis Obispo resident Melissa Laity and her two young sons stood in one of Target’s many empty aisles.
Posted on the completely empty shelves was a sign that read, “Due to high demand and to support all guests, we will be limiting the quantities of toilet paper and flushable wipes.”
“This is crazy,” Laity said. “I really need toilet paper.”
But the toilet paper was not Laity’s only concern.
San Luis Obispo’s Target was out of most cough and congestion medicine, all paper towel products, bottled water, and nearly all hand sanitizers, among other items.
Employees at both Costco and Target declined to comment on the shortages.
“Everybody is freaking out about this. Should we be worried that stores will close?” Laity said.
It’s not an unreasonable concern, as some stores have done just that.
While places like Target, Smart & Final, Costco and others have taken steps to keep shoppers from stockpiling high-demand items, Apple announced Saturday that it will close all retail stores outside of China, including the store in downtown San Luis Obispo.
“Our retail stores are closed until March 27,” a sign hung on the Apple Store door read. “We are committed to providing exceptional service to our customers. ... We look forward to seeing you soon.”
Coronavirus awareness tips
Novel coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease, is spread through contact between people within 6 feet of each other, especially through coughing and sneezing that expels respiratory droplets that land in the mouths or noses of people nearby.
The CDC says it’s possible to catch COVID-19 by touching something that has the virus on it and then touching your own face, “but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”
Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath, which may occur two days to two weeks after exposure. The disease is especially dangerous for the elderly and others with weakened immune systems.
