TUCSON, Ariz. -- There has been yet another death in Washington State and a second case of coronavirus in Arizona.
Now, stores are selling out of painter’s masks and hand sanitizers.
KGUN9 went to the Ace Hardware store on Kolb Road and 22nd Street, where there were empty shelves, and customers leaving empty handed.
Staff members, like Christine Bong, say this kind of shortage is a first in their history of being in business.
“They’re buying as fast as we get it,” said Bong.
She is the Department Head of Tools at Ace Hardware. Bong says she’s never seen anything quite like this.
“We’ve never run out of hand sanitizer. Even our big jugs are gone,” she added.
Bong says the same thing goes for painter’s masks.
“I can’t even keep them on the shelf for my painters and my lawn and garden people, because everybody has just gone a little crazy on the masks,” she told KGUN9.
However, even though they don’t have any hand sanitizer or masks they do have disinfecting wipes. These not only kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, but they also help protect you from the coronavirus.
“Our Lysol's are labeled, the OdoBan is labeled, and our simply green has now got the label on it too so that you can keep yourself clean, your family clean,” said Bong.
Staff members have also taken precautions. She says they are now wearing gloves, bringing in personal hand sanitizers, and greeting each other in a creative way.
“We’re also foot bumping because nobody wants to touch anything,” she told KGUN9.
She says while they are all sold out of certain items, all this coronavirus talk is hurting their business.
“Only because people don’t want to come...they’re afraid,” said Bong.
She says people are afraid of coming in and getting sick.
The CDC recommends folks wash their hands and disinfect frequently touched objects, regularly. It also advises that people avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.
