People have a lot on their minds.

So far, there have been 29 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in New Jersey. In anticipation of the virus spreading, schools have closed, major performances and sporting events have been canceled, churches are holding virtual services, and the governor has asked that all large-scale gatherings be shut down.

On top of that, New Jersey officials have recommended people have a 14-day supply of food, water and other essentials like medications, to be prepared for a possible quarantine.

But, shopping is no easy task.

At grocery stores across Garden State, the shopping frenzy has been real. Many stores are racing to restock inventory, as popular items such as toilet paper and soap go flying off the shelves. Stores like BJ’s are checking people’s membership cards at the front door. And long lines accompany the mayhem.

“It’s missing too much stuff,” Granit Sinane said this week after going shopping in Hudson County. “I went to check. (There’s) no bread, no eggs, no meats, nothing. I don’t know what happened ... Maybe I’ll try tomorrow.”

People waiting in long lines to get into the Costco in Edison. (David Cicero)

In supermarkets and grocery stores this week, we were met with many empty shelves, with some key items being bought up quickly by eager shoppers. A quick trip to a few New Jersey grocery stores showed high demand for items like paper towels, toilet paper, face tissues, soap, sanitizers, disinfectants, and cleaning supplies. Food-wise, shoppers are looking for pasta, canned pasta sauces, canned meats, soup, oatmeal, Ramen noodles, and water.

The surge on shopping has led some chains to limit how much people can buy.

“We are seeing an increase in demand for products such as disinfectant cleaners and wipes, bar and liquid soaps, water, paper products, cough/cold and over the counter medicines," a representative for ShopRite told NJ Advance Media Wednesday.

"We are also working with our suppliers to do our best to keep these items on the shelf. In an effort to ensure supply of these products remain available to as many shoppers as possible, especially those who need it most, we are limiting purchases of these items to two per customer.”

People bought up canned goods, oatmeal, toiletries and more quickly, amid coronavirus concerns in New Jersey.

There’s no indication that stores will close amid the coronavirus spread. Even in countries like Italy, where the coronavirus outbreak is much worse and most non-essential travel is banned, grocery stores and pharmacies have reportedly remained open.

But, people are still seeking out alternative options.

Shipt, Instacart, and online retailers like Walmart.com and Amazon have all reported that those looking to avoid the lines and crowds of shopping in person are turning to them.

“We’re continuing to see a surge in demand across the Instacart platform as consumers increasingly turn to our service to get the fresh groceries and household essentials they need," a company representative said.

"As part of that growth, consumers are also using the product in new ways to meet their needs — buying and searching for new health and household products, building bigger longer-lasting baskets, and opting into new ways to receive their orders, whether in-person or left at their door.”

People are panic buying items like water and toilet paper.

People bought up canned goods, oatmeal, toiletries and more quickly, amid coronavirus concerns in New Jersey.

People wait at the door before 8 a.m. for Target in Milltown to open as the coronavirus spreads thoughout New Jersey. Friday, Mar. 13, 2020. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

People bought up canned goods, oatmeal, toiletries and more quickly, amid coronavirus concerns in New Jersey.

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Tennyson Donnie Coleman may be reached at tcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @TennysonTV. Find him on Facebook. Have a tip? Let us know at nj.com/tips.