Posted on 03/04/2020 4:11:32 PM PST by nickcarraway
As fears of a coronavirus pandemic sweep across the nation, Americans have been buying up face masks, hand sanitizer and oat milk at skyrocketing rates.
Sales for medical face masks in the U.S. jumped 319% in the four-week period that ended on Feb. 22, according to data from the consumer research firm Nielsen. Household maintenance masks sales were similarly up 262% in that same period.
Hand sanitizer sales spiked 73%, though Nielsen predicts that the demand for sanitizer hasn't even begun to peak. Sales of thermometers were up by 47%, and aerosol disinfectant purchases climbed 32%.
The data also indicated high demand for shelf-stable items amid COVID-19 concerns, as Americans prepare to hunker down in the event of a widespread quarantine.
Shelf-stable pantry items are moving briskly, with oat milk sales increasing more than 300% in the one-week period ending Feb. 22. Fruit snacks, pet medicine and dried beans rose about 10%, as sales of first-aid kits, supplements and bottled water also rising during that span.
High consumer demand for face masks and hand sanitizer has rattled health officials, who've warned that a run on those products outbreak may be misguided.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doesn't currently recommend for healthy people to wear a mask to protect against coronavirus.
Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams implored the public to stop buying masks in a tweet Saturday, writing they are "NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can't get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!"
Medical professionals and the CDC still recommend old-fashioned hand washing with soap and water over hand sanitizers. If soap and water aren't readily available, then the CDC recommends opting for an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Not all that surprised.
Oat Milk?
I bought enough Jack Daniels to last through two seasons just in case
That too works as a hand sanitizer.
I was wondering the same thing!
That was my question.
A good prepper would just buy their own oats and milk them.
Geez Louise.
You should be good, then. LOL!
>Oat Milk?
Didn’t know oats had udders.
Why oat milk? There’s canned milk, boxed milk, almond milk ...
Nobody I know is doing this.
Good grief....buy soap...make a clorox spray instead of those wipes...
Bunch of bleeping morons.
Hand sanitizer isnt for you to bathe with. You should already have hand soap at home if you are an ADULT, making the sanitizer unnecessary for 99.99999999999% of needs. A tiny bottle, used correctly, will last you months.
These people also dont have thermometers?
And bleach isnt meant to be used out of the jug. A cup in a spray bottle with NORMAL WATER will last ages.
Would be awesome of the morons screaming for people to “stockpile” this stuff took two seconds to teach people how to use them. There would be plenty to go around.
Buy a case of shotgun shells and you can get whatever you need.
Old joke.
These people are akin to sheep.
I was going to comment on the oat milk, too. Cow’s milk is so nutritious, wht not buy dry milk or evaporated milk?
Oat Milk?
It’s only 80 proof...40% alcohol. CDC says 60% is minimum for effectiveness. Even Wild Turkey doesn’t go there.
saw a reporter ask someone on twitter to contact her about oat milk.
first I have heard of people hoarding it. I Have seen it refrigerated but havent paid attention to the Almond milk aisle.
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