Donald Trump tells panic buyers to stop hoarding food and goods, insisting Americans ‘take it easy’ as coronavirus death toll in U.S. tops 60
- Donald Trump told American consumers Sunday to stop buying and hoarding necessities as fears of the coronavirus outbreak rocks the nation
- ‘Relax, we’re doing great. It all will pass,’ he said. ‘You don’t have to buy so much’
- The president gave a press briefing as the death toll from coronavirus in the U.S. reached 63 and nears 3,500 cases
- Shoppers have rushed stores stocking up on nonperishable food, toilet paper bottled water and cleaning supplies
- Retailers and grocery stores have seen shelves go empty due to panic buyers
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Donald Trump insisted Sunday that people stop panic buying food and goods as coronavirus death toll in the U.S. hit 63 and cases neared 3,500.
‘We’re going to be so good,’ Trump claimed in a press conference at the White House Sunday evening.
‘Relax, we’re doing great. It all will pass,’ he added.
‘You don’t have to buy so much. Take it east. Just relax,’ Trump said, adding that President and CEO of Walmart Doug McMillian said during a conversation earlier in the day that people were buying more than they do at Christmas time.
Donald Trump told American consumers to stop buying and hoarding a bunch of necessities as fears of the coronavirus outbreak rocks the nation
Trump said he spoke with the top industry leaders of various retailer and food stores about coronavirus as people panic buy food and goods to stock up on necessities like toilet paper and bottled water.
‘They’re going to work 24-hours round the clock keeping their stores stocked. I would like to say people shouldn’t go out and buy – we’re going to all be great.
‘They’ve actually asked me to say, ‘Could you buy a little bit less, please?’ I thought I’d never hear that from a retailer,’ Trump quipped, lightening the mood in the press briefing room.
The president said the federal, state and local governments are all working with these retail leaders, including Walmart, Costco, Publix and several more, to ensure there are no shortages of goods and food.
‘We have no shortages other than people are buying anywhere from 3-5 times what they would normally buy. It’s going to be there for a long time,’ he assured. ‘There’s a pent up demand, that’s incredible.’
He also claimed that he told these CEOs, owners and presidents during his call earlier in the day that they must remain open to keep supplying to American people.
‘They’re committed to remaining open during this crisis. Totally open. They have to stay open. Those stores have to stay open. They supply our country,’ he said of the stores.
‘The stores are stocking up at a level that’s beyond Christmastime. And it’s great. It was very reassuring speaking to these people. They have it totally in hand,’ he said.