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Reporter's Diary: Grocery store shortages

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With the number of confirmed cases growing to more than 585, Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker ordered Illinois residents to stay home until April 7, at least for now, as a way to slow the spread of the virus. Illinois was among three states to do so today, including California and New York.  All total, one in five Americans are now mandated to 'shelter in place'.  


Grocery stores have been hit with shortages after hoarding of certain items deemed essential to self-isolating at home. Now, it seems, stores have had enough.

At the Schnucks in Champaign, Illinois, signs were posted telling customers to limit their purchases of wet wipes and toilet paper.

Photo credit: Sky Chadde, Thursday, March 19, 2020
Photo credit: Sky Chadde, Thursday, March 19, 2020

And Lowe's in Danville, Illinois, posted signs saying some items had a limit of 10 per customer.

The red sign reads, "Due to current high demand, select products are limited to 10 per customer. While supplies last. Thank you for your business." Photo credit: Pam Dempsey

-- Sky Chadde, Gannett Ag Data Fellow


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