DOZENS of senior citizens and concession card holders are rising early and beating the rush at major chain supermarkets across the Limestone Coast this week as part of a national response to panic-buying linked to the coronavirus outbreak.
Large groups formed outside Coles and Woolworths stores in Mount Gambier yesterday, giving some of the region’s most at-risk the chance to buy essential supplies.
The major retailers have introduced the temporary measures to support the shopping needs of the elderly and people with disabilities, opening their stores exclusively to these residents from 7am to 8am.
Social media users applauded the initiative on The Border Watch Facebook page yesterday, calling for calm among shoppers.
Praise was also directed to employees who in some cases are re-stocking shelves into the earlier hours of the morning.
Making the most of the initiative yesterday morning, Penny Bowles, 77, believes the shopping hour had not made it any easier to stock up on household essentials including toilet paper and disinfectant.
“It was a little bit better than yesterday morning, but I still have been unable to get any toilet tissue,” Ms Bowles said.
“I really think everybody is overreacting and people are panicking over nothing.
“People my age are more susceptible, but every year I get my flu shot and pneumonia shot every five years … I am not worried.”
Ms Bowles revealed she has had to substitute for products she could not buy, including swapping hand sanitizer for mouth wash and toilet paper for tissues.
The elderly resident said she spoke with staff who stated everybody was doing the best they could with what stock was available.
Veteran Marcus Eccles-Smith was also among the crowds yesterday morning, stating he was deeply concerned about the virus and its potential impact on the community.
“It concerns me greatly that we will not be notified if the virus comes to Mount Gambier as residents have the right to know,” Mr Eccles-Smith said, revealing he was at-risk due to a low immunity level.
“It may cause panic but it is important for people like me to know and make the choice to go outside or not.”
While the lines are expected to continue outside supermarkets in the coming days in-line with demand for household essentials, Ms Bowles urged shoppers to remain calm and considerate when purchasing goods.
“My late husband told me, there were only two people in the world, the needy and the greedy,” she said.
“The needy soon become greedy and what is happening now is an excellent example.”
