Coronavirus panic and hoarding leads to Costco limiting purchases again

Costco has issued a warning to shoppers that purchase limits might be in place for certain items.

The warehouse store did this at the start of the pandemic, when people panicked and hoarded supplies like toilet paper and paper towels.

Now that coronavirus cases are increasing again, that’s happening again.

The Centers for Disease Control reports as of September 1, the 7-day average of COVID-19 cases in the United States was up almost three percent from the previous 7-day average. That average is more than 107% the peak seen on July 20, 2020.

Pictures from social media show empty shelves at Costco.

Yes, Virginia. We are back to the 'no to or paper towels at Costco' phase of the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/GzM6JWZw6c

— Andy Diehl (@idahodiehl) August 31, 2021

My dad just sent me this photo from Costco today. We are back to another Toilet paper shortage
👁️_👁️ pic.twitter.com/j4TFOyyfi7

— 🪼Angelfish 🌊 Little Mermaid era (@Berryveryart) August 31, 2021

Proctor & Gamble, the biggest supplier of toilet paper for the United States told the Wall Street Journal it’s upping its toilet paper production because of higher demand.