Americans Are Panic Shopping for Hand Sanitizer and Face Masks

Americans have started preparing for and anticipating the spread of coronavirus, and as of today, they have been going up and down, storing, supplying and buying hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, toilet papers, etc.

Queues upon queues are seen at every shopping mall where hand sanitizers, nose covers, and toilet papers are available.

Different pictures of shops like CBS, Walgreen and many other drug shops are on social media whereby empty shelves of sanitizers and other protective devices are sold. Throughout the country, there is fear and the lack of ability to keep up with the demands of sanitizers.

Now grocers are working to prevent shortages and preparing for a rise in demand for disinfectants, hand sanitizer and long-lasting items such as pasta and canned food. Americans are ramping up orders from suppliers.

Doug Baker, Chairman and CEO, Ecolab said: “It does feel like there is a little bit of panic buying going on”. He continued: “Retailers are trying to follow the bouncing ball as quickly as they can”

For the four weeks now, sales of hand sanitizers increased 73%, also thermometer increased 47%, and also medical nose cover or mask increased 320% compared to that of last year, according to Nielsen Research.

Coronavirus has been spreading for past weeks, and buying of groceries coupled the panic accompanied is now prevalent in most nations. Unlike a hurricane or natural disaster, which is usually a regional event, Coronavirus is now worldwide.

Worldwide, the relentless spread of the pneumonia-like virus is now up to more than 3,000 deaths and it has set off the kind of panic-buying normally reserved for natural disasters and it’s making shoppers crazy.

In most countries included, citizens are panicky and emotionally unstable. The treatment, quarantine protocols, and unavailable cure for the disease are making everyone panic the more.

The amazing part of it is that, even before this first confirmed case, many pharmacies in the city said that they had been out of sanitizers, antibacterial wipes, and masks for weeks.