Coronavirus fears have shoppers stocking up on water, wipes and toilet paper

One CVS ran out of hand sanitizers, face masks and Diet Coke.

Lysol wipes were cleaned out at a Kroger. One Costco store almost ran out of bread. Another Costco was out of toilet paper and water.

All across metro Detroit, coronavirus fears are rising and consumers are stockpiling everything from Gatorade and cleaning supplies to baby formula and medicine.

Though the virus is far from reaching epidemic numbers in the U.S., many metro Detroiters say they aren’t willing to take a wait-and-see approach. And so they’re playing it safe, stocking up on food and other supplies to make sure they’re ready for a potential health disaster.

Carrie Owens of Warren headed out to the Madison Heights Costco on Monday to pick up toilet paper and the Kirkland brand of water.

The store was packed, she said, the toilet paper shelf was bare and there was only about a half pallet of water, the Ice Mountain brand, left. That Costco store was also out of Clorox wipes, she said.

“An employee told me that people were buying mass quantities of toilet paper and water,” Owens said.

Owens then called the Roseville Costco to check whether that store had toilet paper.

It did, but only 158 packages. By the time Owens got to the Roseville store, she said, the shelves were nearly empty of toilet paper but she managed to get two packages. Normally, she would buy one.

As of Monday, there were six confirmed deaths in the U.S. from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. All of the deaths were near Seattle.

A survey of 1,051 adults by Insider Data, found 22% are stockpiling food. Shoppers are clearing shelves of toilet paper, water and disinfecting wipes in anticipation of a possible outbreak and quarantines, according to Business Insider.

On Facebook, shoppers are posting pictures of long lines and signs posted of items that stores are out of.

A call by a reporter to the Madison Heights Costco store on Monday found that it indeed was out of all brands of toilet paper and water. An employee, who would not give their name, said more will be coming in Tuesday.

Both Kroger and Meijer said they've had no issues with keeping items in stock and plenty are in the pipeline.

More: Coronavirus live updates: 4 more die in Seattle area, bringing US death toll to 6

More: The old, sick are most vulnerable in coronavirus outbreak. Here's how to keep them safe.

A Meijer spokesman said they are seeing increased sales of hand sanitizer.

On the Kroger App on Monday, the grocery chain issued an alert stating: “Due to high demand and to support all customers, we will be limiting the number of sanitization, and cold- and flu-related products to 5 each per order.”

Although officials are cautioning against people panicking, Robin Danto, an MSU Extension educator in Oakland County, said in general it's recommended people have a three-week supply of nonperishable food and water as part of emergency preparedness. You should also have shelf-stable foods that require no cooking or refrigeration, Danto said. And a working can opener.

Grosse Pointe Woods nurse Courtney Paquette said she’s doing “absolutely nothing” and blames the media for what she believes is “causing fear and panic” over the coronavirus.

“Corona is not a new virus, it’s just a new strain that the media has decided to blow up,” said Paquette, who believes people are needlessly panicking. “Look at this —the grocery stores are running out of food like it’s Y2K or something.”

On Facebook, Paquette suggested that if people want to guard against bacteria or viruses, they should forgo stockpiling on goods and do the following instead:

Wash your hands after using the restroom and before eating, and when you get home from school/work.

STOP EATING CRAP — eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.

Get outside, even when its cold, for fresh air and movement

Drink W.A.T.E.R.!!!

Get SLEEP

But others aren't taking any chances.

Grosse Pointe mom Renee Mason Sherry said she stocked up on some extra cases of water and some cold and flu meds, as recommended. And then there's the vacation that got ruined.

"I did cancel a cruise that we were suppose to go on next month as I thought that might turn a little crazy," Sherry said. "Last thing I want to be is locked in a cruise ship room with my three girls for days."

Rochester Hills mom Rachel English is being equally cautious. She's pregnant with twins, and has a toddler at home. So she stocked her pantry with canned goods and Gatorade, "in case there is food contamination."

"I’ve definitely stocked up on some basics as they’re due soon," Lynn said, referring to her twins, whom she made an extra shopping trip for on Monday.

She bought more formula, just to be safe. And kids' medication.

High school teacher Cristina Agnello is equally prepared. She said she and her friends went to Mister Bulky food store in St. Clair Shores on Sunday to stock up on staples. She bought flour, rice and dried beans.

"It doesn't hurt to be ahead a little bit," said Agnello, who also bought extra soap and hand sanitizer — a backup for each sink in her house.

"There's so much unknown, especially about the novel cases" Agnello said of the virus, adding: "I'm really worried about the government's response. There hasn't been enough coordinated effort."

Danto, who works in disease prevention and management, food safety and nutrition for MSU Extension, said she has been fielding calls from people who want to know how much food to have on hand and food safety.

"They are very concerned about the food supply being safe because the virus was originally traced back to a market," Danto said. "They are concerned that it can be spread through food supply and ours is safe."

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are not recommending people stockpile food in case of a quarantine because of coronavirus. However, they do have a recommendation on creating a stockpile of food items in case of general emergency.

Here is a sampling of pantry and freezer items to have on hand in case of a quarantine, according to MSU Extension and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services:

Frozen foods: Fruits and vegetables that can be individually portioned out as opposed to thawing and cooking a big package of something. For example, freeze chicken in portions that will make one meal. With frozen fruit chose fresh frozen or those packed in fruit juice, not those packed syrup.

Dry goods: Pasta, rice and any other grains that you eat on a regular basis and have a long shelf life. Once you open the package, you should be able to seal it back up tightly and it will keep.

Canned meats: Tuna, salmon, chicken, ham, beef

Canned beans: Lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, black beans and refried beans.

Snacks: Nuts and peanuts, peanut butter, and almond butter

Soups, broths and canned vegetables are also good to have on hand. Be mindful of the sodium content of these canned products and choose low-sodium, reduced or no-salted added version.

Water: 1 gallon per person per day.

Grains: Crackers, tortilla chips, pretzels, granola, granola bars, protein bars, couscous, grits and instant oatmeal.

Fruit: Canned peaches, pears, pineapple, fruit cocktail, applesauce, dried plums, dried apples, dried apricots, dried raisins, dried cranberries, dried blueberries and dried banana chips.

Contact Susan Selasky: 313-222-6872 or sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.