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Two major store chains announce seniors-only hours amid coronavirus pandemic

by Anagha Srikanth | Mar. 17, 2020

the front of a dollar general store

Story at a glance

  • People older than 60 and those who are immunocompromised are at high risk for contracting COVID–19.
  • Crowded public spaces, including grocery stores, are more dangerous for the high risk population.
  • Some stores are setting aside special hours for high-risk patients to shop, so they are not exposed to the general population.

As Rebecca Mehra was walking into the grocery store on March 11, she heard a woman yell to her from a car. Mehra walked over to find an elderly couple, who cracked the glass to ask her for help. They were in their 80s and at high risk for the novel coronavirus, the woman explained, nearly in tears, and had been sitting in the car for almost 45 minutes, afraid to go into the grocery store.

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Mehra, who tweeted about the experience on March 11, bought their groceries and placed them in the trunk. It was a heartwarming story amid concerns over so-called “panic-buying,” but also an unfortunate reality for people who are older than 60 or immunocompromised.

“This is such a trying time for so many people, particularly elderly folks, so I was glad I can help and glad I could inspire tons of other people to do the same,” she told CNN. Her story had been retweeted more than 100,000 times on Twitter and received more than 500,000 likes by the morning of March 17.

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Now, two major retail chains have announced special hours for high-risk patients to shop. Dollar General announced the first hour of each shopping day would be dedicated to senior shoppers starting March 17. More than 16,000 stores across the country will also close an hour earlier for employees to restock shelves, as well as for their health.

Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO, said in a statement, “During these unprecedented times, Dollar General is diligently working to meet the ongoing needs of our customers and communities. We are proud to live our mission and provide customers with everyday low prices on the household essentials that are used and replenished most often.”

Stop & Shop, a chain of more than 400 supermarkets in the northeastern U.S., announced they will open earlier and only allow customers who are 60 and older to shop between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. using a designated entrance starting March 19. The company had previously announced an earlier closing time as well and has temporarily suspended pickup services, but are continuing their home delivery service for customers.

 

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