Costco and Coronavirus Panic-Shopping

[Sugarcubesea]

Maybe try calling your local warehouse and ask? They should be able to check around, if they don't have any. You can find the number on the Costco.com website, under Find a Warehouse at the top of the page.

Dave

Dave:
Thanks so much

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Just buy from a regular grocery store, Walmart, CVS or Walgreens...

Both the CVS and Walmart near me are also out of TP

 

[CalGalTraveler]

LOL, Perhaps they should called this the Costco-virus...

 

[Steve Fatula]

People keep talking about the rates being off because presumably there are people who are infected that never get sick (I haven't seen any actual analysis of this).

I quoted the World Health Organization, did not provide my own opinion on that. And, I quoted death rate in another province in China as well and cited sources. But I agree 100% that it is totally unknown what the final numbers will be. My personal opinion is it will be well under 3%, that part IS an opinion. I've also seen the WHO state that in their opinion it spreads far less easily, but I believe that's also preliminary. For me, I will keep up with actual studies and data from reliable sources like WHO, but, in no way shape or form will I worry about it. Please DM me if you want to respond.

 

[VacationForever]

Both the CVS and Walmart near me are also out of TP

What about the regular groceries like Publix, Safeway, Albertsons, Ralphs...?

 

[Panina]

Influenza (its various strains) has been around forever, and the current season is almost over. You are comparing statistics (and aggregate numbers) from the past year, despite COVId19 only having landed her in the past few weeks.

People keep talking about the rates being off because presumably there are people who are infected that never get sick (I haven't seen any actual analysis of this). In any case, the flu death rate is equally uncertain as it is not known how many get it and have no symptoms or mild symptoms (either due to vaccine or prior exposure/illness) and are not known to have contracted it. Death rate for flu and COVID19 are BOTH based on people who have sufficient symptoms to go to a doctor and be tested.

To those who think flu (death rate) is worse than COVID19, I propose the following test: (we'll both be guinea pigs for the sake of the common good). Let's have you expose yourself to COVID19, and I'll be exposed to influenza. Let's see how it turns out.

One needs to prepare for the worse but usually it doesn’t happen and one needs to keep that in mind.

Best not to be exposed to either, I lost my dad to the flu. If your immune system is compromised imo both the flu or coronavirus can kill you. Healthy most likely you will heal.

 

[Panina]

Was in Sams Club today, like a Costco, it was busy with lines. Many wagons were overflowing. Noticed an elderly couple with a case of toilet paper, water and cleansers.

Not related to shopping but went to my dentist yesterday. It is a large practice, usually waiting room filled. I was the only patient in the waiting room. I was told many people are cancelling.

 

[clifffaith]

This was posted yesterday. Has nothing to do with the price being asked, which I didn't realize until folks trying to sell their regular inventory started mentioning it because they also wrongly figured it was aimed at price gouging. Guess it was easier to block the products outright rather than police prices.

Effective immediately, eBay will block new listings and start to remove listings that sell:

• Masks including N95/N100 and surgical masks
• Hand Sanitizer/Gel
• Disinfecting Wipes

 

[wackymother]

I went a-hunting for toilet paper today. None in Target, none in Staples, and both were like ghost towns. We went to TJMaxx and it was empty too--and ours is usually a huge insane madhouse. In desperation, I finally ordered toilet paper online from Staples, and it's supposed to be delivered on Monday.

BTW, stores are out of rubbing alcohol bc you can make your own hand sanitizer with rubbing alcohol and aloe. I heard a rumor that liquor stores are seeing a lot of vodka going out the door, bc you can make hand sanitizer with vodka, too. (Plus it's handy for drinking your fears away.)

 

[pedro47]

Costco in Newport News,Va was fully stock early this morning with Clorox wipes, Lysol disinfected spray, Clorox bleach, bottle water, and plenty of toilet tissues.

 

[Firepath]

What’s with the TP hoarding? Doesn’t Corona virus mostly have respiratory symptoms? I have heard that some people start out with GI symptoms, but it’s not Dysentery.

 

[VacationForever]

What’s with the TP hoarding? Doesn’t Corona mostly virus have respiratory symptoms? I have heard that some people start out with GI symptoms, but it’s not Dysentery.

People are stocking up essential goods in case stores run out or they get home quarantined. Just like food, one needs TP and water.

 

[Brett]

Costco in Newport News,Va was fully stock early this morning with Clorox wipes, Lysol disinfected spray, Clorox bleach, bottle water, and plenty of toilet tissues.

no problem with TP and bottled water with Kroger in Hampton Va.

I guess there are different panic rates with "essential goods" compared to other parts of the country

 

[alwysonvac]

 

[Panina]

Wow, the panic can have ramifications worse then the Virus. If this continues people can get hurt, the stress of panicking can cause illnesses emotionally and physically such as strokes and heart attacks. We will never know those numbers.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

What about the regular groceries like Publix, Safeway, Albertsons, Ralphs...?

None of those stores are in my area. I am happy to report that a few of my team went to the Costco near our office this am when it opened and myself and my employees now have TP

 

[amycurl]

Went this evening. Not a whole lot of panic shopping, but I did notice that a lot of the "reserve" stock on the upper shelves was just...gone. It really opened up the store; changed the whole look of the place, LOL.

I also noticed that they had posted that each employee would get one free slice of pizza or one free hot dog per shift, which was very kind, since they've discontinued sampling. But I feel terrible for the non-Costco employees who did the sampling. They're out of a job, at least in the short-term. (But then again, they probably didn't have health insurance or paid sick time, so were some of the most likely folks to work while sick....)

There were lower supplies than normal of things like wipes and Clorox, but still some available. That would be more reasonable to stock up on, IMO. (Because sanitizing surfaces more regularly, like washing your hands, is one of those reasonable precautions to take.)

 

[CPNY]

Went this evening. Not a whole lot of panic shopping, but I did notice that a lot of the "reserve" stock on the upper shelves was just...gone. It really opened up the store; changed the whole look of the place, LOL.

I also noticed that had posted that each employee would get one free slice of pizza or one free hot dog per shift, which was very kind, since they've discontinued sampling. But I feel terrible for the non-Costco employees who did the sampling. They're out of a job, at least in the short-term. (But then again, they probably didn't have health insurance or paid sick time, so were some of the most likely folks to work while sick....)

Yeah i was shocked when I saw the pasta shelves empty in Costco lol. Has anyone seen last man on earth? Fox should bring that back on the air lol

 

[geist1223]

That’s the positive view. The negative view would be that many more people, in the US at least, have it and don’t know it because there aren’t enough test kits to test everyone that needs it. The final answer will probably end up somewhere in between. But, an effective vaccine won’t be available for at least a year according to the CDC, so the numbers may actually get worse before they get better.
Harry

Or the symptoms are so minor they do not even notice or think it is a chest cold.

 

[geist1223]

Oh no some Costcos are cancelling free samples. What will I do for lunch?

 

[amycurl]

I thought it was all stores, but it may still be on a store-by-store basis. There were none there this evening (between 6:30-7) at my store, but that tends to be an "off" time for sampling, anyway.

The Cutco knives *were* there, which are tempting in their own way....

 

[pedro47]

The non Costco employees who passed out the sampling products are now wiping down tables, the chairs in the food court areas, the grocery carts, and the freeze doors & glass in the refrigerator areas in Newport News, VA.

 

[Brett]

Oh no some Costcos are cancelling free samples. What will I do for lunch?

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Oh no some Costcos are cancelling free samples. What will I do for lunch?

I haven't seen the samples suspended yet in the Costco I use. But, discontinuing sampling could be a good idea as the crowds around the sample tables sometimes plug things up and it is hard to get thru when pushing a cart.....



.

 

[DaveNV]

I haven't seen the samples suspended yet in the Costco I use. But, discontinuing sampling could be a good idea as the crowds around the sample tables sometimes plug things up and it is hard to get thru when pushing a cart.....



.

They're doing the cleaning and wiping down and whatever so they don't lose their wages while sampling is suspended. Costco is taking care of their people, even though WDS staff aren't technically Costco employees.

Dave