“It’s Like Scenes From A Mad Max Movie” – Americans Continue Epic Run On Costco  

As concerns of a Covid-19 outbreak increase across the US, Costco stores across the country are experiencing the second weekend of Americans panic buying food, water, and hand sanitizers. 

We noted last weekend how the “great panic of 2020 is underway” as Americans made a mad dash to Costco stores and other big-box retailers to hoard supplies. 

Costco CFO Richard Galanti told investors during an earnings call last week that buying panic has “been nuts.” 

“We attribute this to concerns over the coronavirus,” Galanti said. 

Stock prices for Walmart and Target have also benefited from the spread of the deadly virus, as people preparing for a quarantine situation load up shopping carts with bottled water, canned soup, instant mac and cheese and everything else that they could possibly need to wait out the virus. But the panic-buying has been leading to shortages and leaving people on edge. –WaPo

On the East Coast, tens of millions of Americans woke up on Saturday morning and heard the news about 44 total confirmed virus cases in New York, with a majority in Westchester, a suburb of NYC. PIX11 News’ Cristian Benavides tweeted a video of the panic that is developing in NYC this morning. He shows a long line of cars waiting to get into a Costco in Astoria, a neighborhood in Queens.

Here’s another look at the line for Costco in Astoria that continues to grow. As New Yorkers stock up on supplies over coronavirus fears @PIX11News pic.twitter.com/KQ75Yz3J6r

— Cristian Benavides (@cbenavidesTV) March 7, 2020

ABC13 Houston reported, “We’re seeing extremely long line at the Costco on Richmond this morning. Many people are trying to stock up on sanity items and water amid the coronavirus fears.” 

Stamford Plus magazine tweeted a picture of a Costco in Connecticut with “much bigger than usual” crowds. 

The crowds in Costco in Connecticut are much bigger than usual for Saturday #COVID19 #coronavirusinCT pic.twitter.com/fDuUq3O6wL

— Stamford Plus (@stamfordplus) March 7, 2020

One Costco shopper was spotted in a hooded bio hazmat suit at an unidentifiable store.

Wholly freaking Geezuss!? “Attention Costco Shoppers, don’t bother looking for loo paper…” {is it Halloween already? borrowed from a friend, thnx2 photographer unknown} ??? pic.twitter.com/fIjTKAEsDZ

— Joan D. Rollins (@joan_rollins) March 7, 2020

One Twitter user said, “Costco employee just told everyone 2 toilet paper items each.”

Yeah, now it’s around the side of the building, Costco employee just told everyone 2 toilet paper items each… I’m. Just here for the cookies…#panickbuying #COVIDー19 #keepcalmandwashyourhands pic.twitter.com/UsgsJJBtbA

— Just shootin the newz (@shootinnewz) March 7, 2020

LA Times’ Laura Blasey said the Costco in Arlington, Virginia, looked like “the set of the new Mad Max movie” as hand sanitizers, masks, and rubbing alcohol were all sold out. 

Scenes from the Arlington Costco/the set of the new Mad Max movie pic.twitter.com/f21nlZjKM9

— Laura Blasey (@lblasey) March 7, 2020

Panic buying was also spotted at Costco in Beacon Hill, Boston.

@CBCCalgary this was Costco beacon hill on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/aioOIX9wzg

— Clarke Bellamy (@ClarkebYYC) March 7, 2020

More purchase limits on certain products were seen.

At the local Costco – limits as people are panic buying because of #COVIDー19
#SaturdayThoughts #SaturdayMorning pic.twitter.com/rbIqReRJuw

— Ali Mohammed (@StandwithAli) March 7, 2020

A Costco in Los Angeles this morning saw long lines wrapping around the parking lot. 

Who needs paper towels, toilet paper and bottled water…?! We ALL do…! ?@costco @KTLAWeekendAM #masshysteria #CostcoPanicBuying #costco #losangeles #ktlaweekends pic.twitter.com/x3Erq5hTrb

— David (@millennialdavid) March 7, 2020

“Costco is lit today” – more buying panic at another Costco tweeted one user. 

Costco is lit today. They be rationing the water and TP too. pic.twitter.com/5HKUFLEDMi

— Unbeliever (@quotesdeezy) March 7, 2020

Buying panic was also seen at a Costco in the UK.

Panic buying and stockpiling of toilet roll continues. These are the scenes at Costco in Farnborough in Hampshire today. #coronavirus #toiletpaperpanic #panickbuying pic.twitter.com/JLlZVVS7EH

— Adam Clark (@adamclarkitv) March 7, 2020

Another Costco in Canada with long lines — and the store hasn’t even opened. 

The Apocalypse is here….Yikes! This is at the Costco at Still Creek on a Saturday morning. And it’s still 25 min till opening. LOL pic.twitter.com/bYapV2GwCJ

— Dino Singh (@SinghDino) March 7, 2020

One Twitter user reported that a line spans “down one whole aisle and around to the next”  developed inside one Costco as people are waiting on today’s delivery of goods. 

The line at @Costco for water wraps down one whole aisle and around to the next. Store opened early, and they’re out, waiting on today’s delivery. #costco #panickbuying #coronavirusaus pic.twitter.com/BGb248kEdQ

— Sparta Chris (@Sparta_Chris) March 7, 2020

The rising fears of a pandemic as confirmed virus cases and deaths soar will only force more and more Americans to big-box retailers to hoard food and water. This soon could result in a shortage of goods.  

We warned you several years ago that Venezuela was coming to America. Who knew it would be caused by a virus.