Panic Buying Hits New York City Amid Coronavirus Outbreak Scare

The number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. has hit 103 triggering mass panic amongst the population as they are hitting the supermarkets in droves, clearing out shelves in order to stock up on food and medical supplies. The hysteria was further elevated after health officials confirmed that two people had died in the United States from coronavirus.

To date, more than 89,000 cases worldwide and over 3,000 fatalities owing to coronavirus have been detected, leading health authorities to warn Americans in advance for the domestic acceleration of the virus. The warning only served to trigger panic buying amongst the masses as videos of shoppers, from California to New York, have emerged in social media wherein they can be seen rushing to stock up on toilet paper, bottled water, disinfectant wipes and sanitizer from California to New York.

And the recent deaths two coronavirus patients in Washington state have further increased the panic. Pictures of empty shelves with supplies on high demand have been posted by people, showing how stores and pharmacies are now low on products available. From cough medicines, cold and flu medications, masks and thermometers to canned goods, bottled water, toilet paper, to non-perishable items like pasta, everything is practically flying off the shelves.

“I fully expect to find community spread. You can't have it in this many places on the globe and in this many places in the country and it not be in New York,” said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. As of now, at least 91 patients of coronavirus have been detected in the US. According to Cuomo, the deadly virus' entrance into New York's population of 19 million was a “matter of when, not if.”

But this panic buying of essential medical and health products may result in a shortage for healthcare providers, worsening the situation even further.

“Seriously people - STOP Buying MASKS! They are NOT effective in preventing the general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can't get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!” tweeted Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams. “The best way to protect yourself and your community is with everyday preventive actions, like staying home when you are sick and washing hands with soap and water, to help slow the spread of respiratory illness.”