Panicked New York shoppers stock up at Costco amid coronavirus fears

Hundreds of on-edge shoppers packed a Brooklyn Costco on Sunday to stock up on water, rice and other supplies amid fears of a coronavirus epidemic.

Panicked purchasers — many of them wearing face masks — jammed into the Sunset Park warehouse, eagerly grabbing cases of bottled water in case they’re forced to quarantine at home as the virus spreads in the US.

“The corona virus has them panicked… they think the world is coming to an end,” the store’s manager, who would only give his name as Jerry, told The Post.

“This is great for business though!” Jerry added, noting he expects the wholesaler could rake in over $1 million on Sunday.

Workers said they were having to constantly restock the water aisle, where shoppers were silently lined up, waiting their turn to grab bottles.

A male employee said he’d put out 48 pallets of water by early afternoon — and that they were being cleared within 10 minutes.

One 44-year-old Brooklynite, who would only give his name as Felix, said he was buying 11 cases of Poland Spring water “in case we get stuck inside.”

Another male employee said the situation was worse on Saturday.

“This is because everybody is scared about corona and they’re stocking up on water and rice,” he said.

New Yorkers weren’t the only ones in disaster-prep mode over COVID-19.

A Costco in Oregon ran out of toilet paper for the first time in its history and there were reports of long lines and wild scenes at stores in other parts of the hard-hit West Coast and in Hawaii.

Image Source:*Gregory P. Mango

Source:nypost.com