Dozens of items sell out at Thurston County stores
Some Thurston County big box stores, likely inundated with people concerned about the spread of coronavirus, are selling out of certain items.
That was most evident in Lacey on Wednesday where Costco posted near the entrance a long list of things it no longer had. Among them: Clorox bleach, hand sanitizer, liquid soap, Lysol and all canned vegetables. Yes, all of them.
The Tumwater store appeared a little better off: A woman at the store said it did have toilet paper, water and paper towels.
Still, despite concerns about coronavirus — Washington state recorded its 10th death attributed to the virus on Wednesday — a number of shoppers The Olympian spoke to were not concerned at all.
Cindy Hadley of Olympia shopped at the Lacey store on Wednesday, picking up fruit for “juicing,” she said, and shoes.
“I got other things to think about,” she said.
Aaron Witchey of Chehalis bought dog food, wet wipes, ice cream and hot dogs. He said he had seen the sign about sold out items, but wasn’t that concerned.
Tom Fell, 82, of Olympia, who said he was picking up milk and liquor, simply said: “If I get the bug, who cares? What happens, happens.”
He had heard that Chinese restaurants were suffering because of coronavirus fears, so he said he planned to go out and eat Chinese food.
Greg Addison of Olympia said he was concerned about the coronavirus, but not worried, noting that those who are most affected are older and have some underlying health condition.
Coronavirus, known as COVID-19, 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 weaker immune systems.
So far, more than 94,000 cases have been reported worldwide, with about 3,200 deaths, the vast majority of them in China. In the U.S.,128 cases have been reported.
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services recommends these steps to prevent the spread of all illnesses:
▪ Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer if washing your hands isn’t an option.
▪ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
▪ Avoid contact with people who are sick.
▪ Stay home while you’re sick and avoid close contact with others.
▪ Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
To ask questions about the virus, call the state Department of Health call center at 800-525-0127 and press #.
This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
