Cops called to Costco to deal with shoppers ‘irate’ over coronavirus shortages
Police were called to a Costco in Chino Hills, California, after customers became “irate” over product shortages tied to the coronavirus, authorities said.
Deputies responded on Thursday to a report of disturbance after a large group of shoppers became upset that products -- paper towels, water and toilet paper -- were unavailable, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Cindy Bachman told McClatchy News.
Someone inside the store called the police and after deputies interviewed customers, they determined no crime had happened, according to Bachman.
“We’re all seen similar issues going on in the last few days and they weren’t happening a week or two ago, so it would be an assumption on my part to say that it was related to the outbreak,” Bachman said.
There have been shortages due to coronavirus at Walmart, Costco and other stores, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Dr. James Cherry, an infectious disease expert at UCLA, told the Los Angeles Times that aside from having some necessities for emergencies, stocking up isn’t necessary because of the coronavirus outbreak.
“I think going out now and stocking up on all kinds of stuff, that doesn’t make any sense to me,” he said.
Coronavirus has infected more than 98,000 people and killed more than 3,300 worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the U.S., there are more than 200 confirmed cases, with 12 deaths.
