COVID-19: You will probably be OK in a couple of days. If we get it, we may not make it a couple of days.

Protecting seniors during Coronavirus 

Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
March 17, 2020

I have been reading a lot of comments on Facebook that come from a very selfish attitude. It seems there are a lot of people who do not think COVID-19 will be bad for them, so they want to just go about their daily lives. This video sums up what seniors are facing!

‘Go home!’: Mel Brooks and son Max share a comedic PSA on the coronavirus.
In a comedic video plea to the public to limit actions that could continue the spread of the #coronavirus.

So, yes, if you get it, you will probably be OK in a couple of days. If we get it, we may not make it a couple of days. If you can go shopping for your elderly parents, or neighbors, please do it!

If you are grabbing all the toilet paper, paper towels and cleaners...STOP IT!

Seniors are having a hard time trying to avoid crowds but it is even worse when we try to go shopping. Discovering what we need is sold out, we end up going to different stores, and usually end up going home without what we need.

I just got off the phone with Market Basket in Rochester NH. They are not offering senior hours. The great thing going on right now is that a lot of stores are helping us out.

UPDATE Market Basket has decided to do senior hours! Yahoo!

BOSTON (WHDH) - Market Basket announced Wednesday that it will be holding “senior-only” shopping hours to protect older customers from getting the coronavirus.

Starting Thursday, the grocery store chain says it will initiate senior shopping hours specifically geared to accommodate the needs of customers 60 years of age and older.

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m., Market Basket will only be open to those who are 60 and older.

UPDATE
New Hampshire Hannaford not doing senior hours either. I found that out when we went there to pick up some things they did not have....(good update below)

Here is a list to get you started and I will update as soon as I find more. If you find one, not on the list, please leave it in the comment so that more people will know where to go...and in turn support them when this virus is done!

Dollar General

Beginning Tuesday, Dollar General is strongly encouraging that the first hour of operations each day be dedicated solely for the shopping needs of senior customers, who are one of the groups most vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus. In keeping with the company’s mission of serving others, Dollar General wants to provide the at-risk customers with the ability to purchase the items they need and want at the beginning of each day to avoid busier and more crowded shopping periods, according to a news release.

This list is from Newsweek

From March 19, Stop and Shop's 400 locations across New York, New Jersey, and New England will be open from 6 a.m. until 7.30 a.m. exclusively for customers over the age of 60.

Houston, Texas
Food Town is opening the doors for older shoppers from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. at its around 30 locations in Houston. The early opening is reserved for shoppers aged 65 and over and the store will require a state-issued ID or a Texas driver's license.

Southern California
The Northgate Gonzales Market will open its 41 Southern California stores an hour early for senior citizens. Senior citizens will be able to shop between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. and the stores will then be open to the public from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City announced that it will work with local grocery stores to set aside exclusive hours for "elderly residents, people with disabilities and pregnant residents" between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. from March 17.

Lorain, Ohio
The Apples Grocery Store on Meister Lane will open at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for senior citizens, the Flinger's Market will open at 6 a.m. for senior citizens and the Walmart will open at 5 a.m. for seniors on March 17.

New Mexico State is offering help

New Mexico State Dept asks seniors to call 1-800-432-2080 if you are unable to access groceries

UPDATE

Publix announced Thursday that it is designating Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 7 to 8 a.m. as senior shopping hours for customers age 65 and over.

Officials said the change in hours will begin Tuesday, March 24, and continue until further notice. Publix Pharmacy will also open at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to serve the senior population.

Walmart

All Walmart stores across the country are also adjusting their hours. Starting March 19, new store hours will be 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Stores that already open later than 7:00 a.m. will open at their normal time. The changes are to allow employees more time to stock shelves and clean.

Winn-Dixie

Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of local Winn-Dixie stores, announced that they would be designating a special shopping hour to seniors and high-risk customers. Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., seniors can come to any Winn-Dixie to stock up on their essentials. They join a growing list of companies that include Walmart and Dollar General that are trying to help senior citizens get through the outbreak.

Add these from WBUR News to the list too

Several supermarket chains, including Shaws, Star Market, Price Chopper and Whole Foods, are reserving special early morning hours exclusively for seniors and other shoppers who are at greater risk of becoming infected with the coronavirus.

Shaw’s and Star Market locations are opening every Tuesday and Thursdays 7–9 a.m. for customers over 60.

Whole Foods Market locations will open one hour early for vulnerable shoppers before opening to the general public.

And every Wednesday morning, Target will dedicate the first hour of their business day to elderly customers and those it calls"vulnerable guests" with underlying health concerns.

Glad to see the list growing!

UPDATE
Hannaford joins growing list of retailers offering senior-only hours

Hannaford is joining the growing list of retailers opening early for seniors 60+.
The store says starting March 24, they will open Tuesday through Thursday at 6 a.m.

General hours are also being changed to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.