Empty shelves and long lines over coronavirus fears in the Victor Valley

VICTOR VALLEY, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Fears over Covid-19 or more commonly known as the coronavirus are leaving many stores in the Victor Valley with empty shelves and long lines as residents continue to panic buy.

Panic buying happens when consumers buy unusually large amounts of a product in anticipation of a shortage due to a perceived disaster. Panic buying is a type of herd behavior.

On Friday, Apple Valley resident Nina Blank decided to go shopping for her basic essentials in the Town of Apple Valley. Within a few hours, Nina stopped at Target, Walmart, Winco, 99 Cent Store, Albertson’s, and all of them were out of toilet paper.

Aside from the obvious shortage of products, people are also reporting very long lines that have taken 2-4 hours. Mothers with small children have shared on Facebook about not being able to find baby wipes.

Nina said she was scared by the way people were taking everything and it made her a bit scared. “It’s almost like we are going to be left without nothing and things are getting worse and worse,” she stated.

On Friday afternoon President Trump declared a National Emergency. “The action I am taking will open up access to up to $50 billion of a very important and a large amount of money for states and territories of localities in our shared fight against this disease,” stated the President during a press conference.

No cases of coronavirus have been reported in San Bernardino County.