Fear for low running supplies causes public to take chances
Despite the lock down people are still wondering the streets and flooding supermarkets. Here's what some members of the public had to say.
BURGERSFORT – Still on day three (3) of lock down, many people are seen wondering the streets. Lines at supermarkets are getting longer by the day where in fact they are supposed to get shorter. Steelburger/Lydenburg News’ journalists went to the streets to see what is going on out there and what is the force behind people still leaving their residences.
The paper interviewed three individuals in three different lines asking them why they are still outside, standing in cues and doing shopping. All of their answers had one thing in common. They are scared if they do not buy what they need now, that goods will run out and they will be left stranded. Two of these individuals also claimed that they only received their salary two days after the lock down, forcing them now to do the necessary shopping.
“Not everyone gets paid on the 25th. I only got my wage on Friday afternoon. I have no other choice but to take my chances on the streets. I also cannot afford a mask, so I am using my shirt as a cover for my mouth and nose,” claimed a man we spoke to in a line waiting to enter a supermarket.
The panic for goods running out is a real concern. Upon entering one local and one out of town supermarket, it was clear that the shelves could not be restocked fast enough. This might be a delay due to panic buying before the lock down. Although all major supermarket brands have assured the public on various social media platforms that they should not panic and that shelves will remained stocked.
Upon visiting a pharmacy in Burgersfort, reporters were notified that they are indeed out of stock of some items, but that new stock is scheduled to be delivered soon. Asthma inhalers is something that was cleared from the shelf’s withing three days according to a pharmacist. Pharmacies in Steelpoort however are still well stocked up.
