Caution Urged While Preparing for Virus
Local Shoppers Snagging Up Cleaning, Paper Supplies
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WHEELING -- As government officials across the country call for drastic measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus, locals said people should heed to using a voice of reason when it comes to preparation and shopping for various supplies in response to the situation.
Local shoppers this week were quickly snagging up a variety of cleaning and paper supplies at many area big box stores in response to the spread of the coronavirus on a national level. A sign hanging on a cleaning supply shelf at the Lowe's store in South Wheeling posted, "Due to current high demand, select products are limited to 10 per customer, while supplies last."
Dugger's Market Owner Doug Hlad said Friday he believes this is a time to figure out what the facts are to better deal with the situation from a business standpoint as he said many people seem to be in a "panic mode" right now. Hlad said many of their customers are expressing how they feel about the news of the spreading coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
No cases of coronavirus have been reported in West Virginia as of late Saturday, although two people in Belmont County are confirmed to have the disease.
"They're generally afraid of what's going on, so what we're trying to do is just be that voice of reason," Hlad explained. "I've talked to my staff about the facts, and not so much focus on the fear," he added. "We don't want to run out. Fortunately our suppliers … are great suppliers, we've been able to get more supplies. We ran out yesterday, but we're restocked this morning. So what we're urging people to do is -- just get enough, don't hoard. What we don't want to do is, 'I have a bunch of supplies and my neighbor doesn't', that's not going to help everybody. … So we're all in this together … let's get what we need and not hoard the supplies," Hlad commented.
Hlad said while they have always maintained a "sanitation protocol" in the store, they have "stepped it up" more than ever before as a way to make customers feel safe about patronizing the 29th Street business.
"I think one of the things that is most important, is to keep our customers safe and keep our employees safe. We started a sanitation protocol in the store more-so than we've ever done. … For instance, the pin pads, after every customer we're wiping those down … when somebody gets their coffee we're wiping that area down," Hlad explained.
He said they are using a disinfectant that kills over 99% of viruses and bacteria.
"We did extensive training that started yesterday, and we have more shifts coming on today to let them know these are the important things we need to do to keep us healthy, to keep the store going, and more importantly to keep our customers feeling good and safe about coming in here," he added.
Two women exiting the Family Dollar store in Elm Grove, who both declined to be identified, said they were just buying some basic cleaning and paper supplies for themselves and other family members. They both echoed Hlad's comments about using a voice of reason throughout this ongoing situation and people need to purchase supplies in moderation.