Hogan, Elrich advise residents
to remain calm and informed
Bethesda residents are not hitting the panic button over the deadly COVID-19 coronavirus yet. There have been no confirmed cases of the virus in Maryland yet, but a few patients have qualified for testing. Stores seem to be well-stocked with virtually every item, including the milk, bread, and paper goods that people often clear out in a panic. The only panic buys I have really seen so far are of hand wipes, gloves, masks and respirators at CVS Pharmacy, Lysol and other disinfecting wipes at Safeway on Arlington Road, and rubbing alcohol bottles, meals that do not require refrigeration, Cup Noodles, and a few specific brands of peanut butter, water and bread at Giant (but there were still plenty of both on the shelves as of last night, and more on the way as stores continue to restock).
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Lysol disinfecting wipes cleaned out at
Safeway |
Purchases seem to be strategic and based on expert advice stressing the need for wipes, masks and gloves. A notice is posted at CVS regarding the shortage of masks and gloves, and that shortage already extended to major online retailers earlier last week. But to this point, I haven't seen the shelves stripped as we have during weather events since I began reporting on Bethesda in 2006. In such a highly-educated community, residents appear to be following credible information and remaining calm.
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Bottled water at Giant in the
Westwood Shopping Center |
We can also learn some interesting trivia about the preferences of Bethesda residents. JIF is the peanut butter brand of choice of shoppers at the Westbard Giant during emergencies, and the creamy variety in particular. Plenty of Peter Pan and Skippy peanut butter remain on the shelves, as does Chunky JIF. Shoppers there also overwhelmingly prefer Nissin's Cup Noodles ramen cups over Maruchan's. A handful of packs of Shrimp Cup Noodles, and a stray beef and chicken pack remained Saturday. Maruchan varieties were fully stocked.
Giant shoppers like the beef varieties of Hormel's non-refrigerated entrees, except for the Dinty Moore beef stew. Even at 2 for $4.
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| Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) |
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has spoken with Vice-President Mike Pence (R) to coordinate the state and federal response to the coronavirus outbreak. Bethesda residents appear to be following Hogan's advice not to panic, but to take this seriously and to continue to stay informed.” Hogan paid an in-person visit to the state's emergency command center in Reisterstown last Thursday, and is submitting a $10 million coronavirus response package to the General Assembly for approval. He urges residents to rely on
Maryland's official coronavirus information website.
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Montgomery County Executive
Marc Elrich (D) |
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) says "Our primary focus is to ensure that people are educated and informed as this situation unfolds." He is directing residents to the County's own
official coronavirus website for ongoing information and prevention tips.
