One customer talks on the phone while another in a mask looks down an empty toilet paper aisle in Walmart as concerns over coronavirus rise in our state, Friday night in Chehalis.
Shoppers stock up on water, toilet paper, and other supplies at Shop'n Kart Friday afternoon in Centralia.
Alesha McDaniel points to shelves full of toilet paper at Shop'n Kart Friday afternoon in Centralia.
Shelves full of toilet paper are on display at Shop'n Kart Friday afternoon in Centralia.
Kimber Russo, 6, shops with her brother and mom after schools were ordered to close, while at Shop'n Kart Friday afternoon in Centralia.
Alesha McDaniel talks about supplies in front of a full toilet paper display at Shop'n Kart Friday afternoon in Centralia.
Customers leave Shop'n Kart with arms and carts full of toilet paper and water Friday afternoon in Centralia.
Girl Scout Evi McCormick says, 'Sales haven't slowed,' as COVID-19 concerns rise while posted up at Shop'n Kart Friday afternoon in Centralia.
Toilet paper awaits loading into trunks of shoppers at Shop'n Kart Friday afternoon in Centralia.
Customers shop for water, food, and other essentials as concerns over coronavirus rise in our state, Friday night in Chehalis.
Aisles of cleaning supplies and toilet paper are seen empty as concerns over coronavirus rise in our state, Friday night in Chehalis.
Walmart shoppers wait in long lines to purchase groceries as concerns over coronavirus rise in our state, Friday night in Chehalis.
Empty shelves of canned goods sit on display in an aisle in Walmart as concerns over coronavirus rise in our state, Friday night in Chehalis.
Baby supplies such as diapers, formula, and wipes were also running low as concerns over coronavirus rise in our state, Friday night in Chehalis.
Kelsey Jones looks for baby supplies in Walmart with her husband and four kids as concerns over coronavirus rise in our state, Friday night in Chehalis.
A customer wears a mask while shopping for produce as concerns over coronavirus rise in our state, Friday night in Chehalis.
A customer with a cart full of multiple boxes of Kraft Mac-N-Cheese wait in line to check-out as concerns over coronavirus rise in our state, Friday night in Chehalis.
As concerns over the novel coronavirus rise, businesses are taking measures to keep shelves stocked as community members anxiously wait in long lines to purchase essentials.
“You never know when there is going to be an issue like this,” said Alesha McDaniel, CEO of Fuller's Shop'n Kart. “If they close everything down, I can come and eat here if I had to.”
In the past week, stores throughout Washington have seen residents stockpiling goods such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer and cleaning products.
Some businesses have responded by rationing supplies in an attempt to evenly distribute goods to their customers. Baby wipes, formula, and diapers were among other items running low in area stores. Canned goods have also been flying off the shelves.
Grocery stores saw an influx of shoppers after Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement closing schools on Friday.
“Everything's closing. My kid's school closed down, which causes problems with daycare and work, people are just scared; it's crazy,” said Kelsey Jones, while shopping with her husband and four kids. “We're just stocking up on what we can and making the best of it.”
