What should you really be stocking up on during the pandemic?

Mar. 17--Stores have been swamped with customers depleting merchandise faster than shelves can be stocked.

But, in the rush to stock households during the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus, COVID-19, did you actually get what you need?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers information to guide you and suggests storing a two week supply of food and water.

Prescription and nonprescription medication and other health supplies including pain relievers, stomach remedies and cough and cold medicine are smart choices to keep on hand. So are fluids that contain electrolytes and vitamins, according to ready.gov.

None of the COVID-19 preparation suggestions though are meant to strike panic shopping.

On Sunday, President Donald Trump asked citizens to stop hoarding groceries and to only buy what they need, assuring them grocery stores would remain open and the supply chain would stay healthy.

Scores of people piled up groceries last week and throughout the weekend, and when they happened upon empty shelves, posted pictures to social media and reached out to others online to find stores that still had inventory.

To allow more people to get the supplies they need some stores set limits on hard to find items like cleaners and toilet paper after sales increased in the wake of the virus making United States landfall.

" Do not panic" said Carbon County EMA Director Mark Nalesnik.

Use common sense

John Matz, EMA Coordinator for Schuylkill County, echoed similar statements when contacted Monday, adding that people should also make sure pets have the necessities, and should keep a list of the medicines they take as a precaution in case they need hospital care.

"People should use common sense, follow the guidance, exercise some social isolation and really that, with some common sense, we should be able to get through this," Matz said.

In a Sunday statement, Carbon County, which had no confirmed cases as of Monday, encouraged people to go about their business but avoid unnecessary travel and large social gatherings. It also encouraged the use of gloves and sanitizing wipes on not only hands but things you touch in public places.

"Don't go where there's lots of people for now," Nalesnik said.

Luzerne County EMA Director Lucy Morgan declined to comment.

"I think we just have to heed the advice that's been given out by state and federal government," Hazleton Fire Chief Donald Leshko said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that for the next eight weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the U.S. to halt COVID-19 from spreading.

He said while COVID-19 is uncharted territory, people should follow guidance from FEMA and the CDC and also check on the elderly and the home bound to see if they need something from a store.

"Stay calm and follow the procedures put out by the experts," Leshko said.

"Calm and rational reasoning," he said.

He said first responders continue to work throughout the pandemic and are following the same precautions they would on any other given day where they are exposed to a variety of dangers, including illness.

"Bottom line is emergency services aren't going to stop," said the chief.

While local businesses are doing what they can to provide services while keeping employees and the public safe, Leshko also gave praise as a first responder to Lehigh Valley Hospital for providing information on the virus and for their handling of testing and treatment.

Leshko also asked people sanitizing their homes and offices to read the labels on all cleaners to ensure they don't mix products together and cause themselves harm. Back in 2015, city firefighters responded to a call involving a man who experienced respiratory issues after mixing together two cleaners that warned against mixing it with other cleaning products.

Buyer beware

The rush to stock households may have compelled some to jack up prices on certain items but there are laws protecting consumers against that.

Last week, Attorney General Joshua Shapiro alerted Pennsylvania consumers and businesses about price gouging protections under Governor Tom Wolf's COVID-19 disaster declaration. He said if consumers see the price of basic goods skyrocket, they can contact his consumer protection line at 800-441-2555 or email at [email protected].

"As Pennsylvania continues to manage the spread of the coronavirus, merchants should be put on notice: you cannot use a public health emergency as a business opportunity," Shapiro said.

In a Monday Facebook post, Shapiro noted there were 744 price gouging reports made to his office.

"Thank you for keeping your eyes peeled, gathering information, and taking action to protect yourselves and your fellow Pennsylvanians. We'll take it from here," Shapiro posted.

More information on the coronavirus can be found at ready.gov, health.pa.gov, cdc.gov or the World Health Organization website at who.int.

Contact the writer: [email protected]; 570-501-3584

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