Clark County Commission: There's no food shortage, no need to panic buy
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Long lines at grocery stores and empty shelves. Coronavirus fears have shoppers cleaning up shop across the valley.
Despite the empty shelves, the grocery business is picking up to meet demands. But county officials are saying to stop the panic buying.
"If everybody will just stop and take a breath. Get the basics, make a plan," said Marilyn Kirkpatrick with Clark County Commission.
Grocery stores across the valley are working overtime to restock overnight. But the next morning, long lines await doors to open.
“I don’t want to see people waiting in lines at 4 in the morning when they should be at home getting other things done,” Kirkpatrick said.
Clark County Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick alerting the public that they are working hard to collaborate with warehouse distribution companies. Shelves are being stocked so everyone can get what they need.
“We have many people within our community who are on a fixed income or they don’t have the ability to stock up,” Kirkpatrick said.
County officials gathered Sunday to say there's no shortage of food. It's just a matter of dealing with demand.
“it’s ok to buy two weeks-worth of supply, but it’s not ok to buy a month,” Kirkpatrick said.
With 92 percent of Clark County’s products coming from out of state. Local distribution and trucking companies say this isn't unfamiliar.
Comparing today’s impact to the yearly Christmas rush, minus the expectation.
"We got the assets, we got the drivers, we got the ability to make the adjustments necessary to meet the demands. It just takes a little time to get them all in place,” said David Brower, Vice President of risk management for True Line Corporation.
With business picking up dramatically, wait times at distribution centers have nearly doubled and deliveries are increasing daily.
So while the county, carriers and clerks work around the clock to stock your local shelves. County officials ask customers to thank them, take what you need and know supplies will be there.
"Again there’s no need to panic,” Brower said.
