Local stores running out of toilet paper and other essential items thanks to coronavirus fear

BIG LAKE— Valley residents like Lynzette Alexander are having a tough time finding toilet paper and other essential items at local grocery stores thanks to the ongoing concerns and hoarding over COVID-19.

She normally just goes to the Big Lake Three Bears, but like all the other places she checked, they were out while she was shopping.

“Normally I’d come here and that’s it but they were out first thing this morning,” Alexander said. “I’ve been told it’d be this place and this place; and I’d go there, and nothing.”

Alexander walked to her vehicle with a cart full of groceries March 13, but she was missing the thing she was looking for all day, four rolls of toilet paper. She said that she searched most of the day but she couldn’t find one roll to take home.

Alexander only leaves the house about once a month. She said that too many people are hoarding essential items like toilet paper, depriving people who need it the most like elderly and disabled residents.

“I didn’t realize people were panicking so bad over something we have no control over. If it’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen,” Alexander said. “I mean, it’s a scary thing but I think if people just continue to practice good hygiene and everything… Is it scary? Oh yeah. But, am I overly concerned? Not a whole lot.”

Local box stores like Palmer and Wasilla Fred Meyer are reportedly running out of stock on a regular basis, missing items like water, hand sanitizer, and of course, toilet paper. Residents are reporting long lines forming around stores hours before they open.

“We believe that everyone deserves to have access to fresh, affordable food and essentials, especially in times of uncertainty. That’s why our teams are working so hard to keep our stores clean, open and stocked. That’s why we took the precautionary step on March 2 to limit the number of cold, flu and sanitary products per order…so everyone can have access to the items they need,” Fred Meyer officials said in a statement released by the corporate office. “And that’s why our supply chain teams are working to ensure that the food, medicine and cleaning supplies our customers need are reaching our stores as quickly as possible and are available through our pickup, delivery and ship services.”

Another Big Lake resident, Amanda Lee said the mass panic will ultimately cause more damage than the virus itself, noting that services are closing with big hits to the economy on the horizon.

Lee was shopping with someone whose business sees 70 percent of its customers during the tourist season. Lee said that in the wake of all these cruise ships staying docked and people canceling their vacations, that’s cause for concern.

“That’s not money coming into the state. That’s not money going into her pockets, so how is she gonna feed herself?” Lee said.

The Fred Meyer corporate office is not accepting interviews at this time but they sent out a general response to the public, informing them they would take precautionary steps such purchases on items like cold and flu medications and cleaning supplies.

They also provided some tips that can applied to any store, its employees and the customers.

“Here are the steps we’re taking to protect our customers and associates in our stores: Cleaning commonly used areas more often, including cashier stations, self-checkouts, credit card terminals, conveyor belts and food service counters, and cleaning shelves when restocking products. Sanitizing restrooms more frequently and restocking with supplies, including soap, paper towels and hand sanitizer. Adding extra hand sanitizer at cashier stations, food service counters, and all Pharmacy, The Little Clinic and Starbucks locations. Wiping down shopping carts, baskets and equipment. Partnering with our suppliers to replenish high-demand preparedness products. Continuing to provide our customers with free disinfectant wipes at our store entrances to sanitize their shopping carts or baskets. Following best practices for safe food handling, as always.

For our associates: Encouraging our associates to closely monitor their health and well-being. Providing hand sanitizer and tissues in break rooms and meeting rooms. Asking our associates to stay home if they, or someone in their household, are sick. Providing financial support from our Helping Hands fund — a company-sponsored employee assistance fund — to associates who may be directly affected. Suspending business air travel for associates through March 31 and recommending virtual meetings.

For our customers: Encouraging our customers to follow the CDC’s suggested hygiene practices to reduce the spread of the virus. Recommending that our customers also practice safe food handling at home.m In everything we do, we’re guided by our values and our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit. We strive to make decisions that balance the safety of our associates with our commitments to our customers and communities. And above all else, we’ll be there for our communities when they need us most.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com