My name is Diana Phillips, and it has been brought to my attention via social media and the internet that the grocery stores are running out of food. Now, I understand that people are scared but would like to inform you, and hopefully the community, that there are others in need of the supplies as well, and sometimes just as much.
The older population who cannot find themselves in a crowded market or driving on the streets with people under panic are susceptible to injuries, trauma, and stress. Aside from the elders, people who are not feeding into the panic and just need to go on their weekly grocery run are found having to make do with the 1 week+ old groceries they have at home. I, for example, go on grocery store runs about once or twice a week due to my busy school schedule and my husband’s work. We are down to 5 bottles of 16.9 ounce water bottles because the grocery stores do not have any. This is not only a problem within the community but in the country. Amazon’s soonest delivery date is Saturday, and they do not even have water bottles either.
I hope this hysteria can die down so those who are not overwhelmed by the virus but the lack of supplies in the market can calmly make their way into the stores like the civilized humans we are all supposed to be.
Best regards,
Diana Phillips
P.S. I apologize for any aggression, but when it comes to the safety of those who are most vulnerable, or those who do not feed into panic, it becomes an issue that needs to be addressed.
Letters to the Editor- Coronavirus and the supermarkets-Concerned citizen opinion
March 18, 2020