Older Bridgeville residents don’t have to risk venturing into stores to get groceries or have prescriptions filled during the next few weeks.
The Bridgeville-Area Disaster Planning and Recovery Team has volunteers on-hand to assist elderly residents, according to a Facebook post by police chief Chad King.
“Even though the team is ready to respond, please remember that it’s just as important to look out for each other,” King said. “Please check on your neighbors, specifically the elderly as they are most at risk. Let’s do what we can to help one another.”
To get help, residents can contact the police station at 412-221-6052 or message King directly through the BVPD Facebook page.
However, judging by the past few days, some older Pittsburghers simply don’t want to stay away Giant Eagle, pandemic be damned.
At a time when the nation’s leaders are asking Americans to avoid public spaces unless absolutely necessary, these folks were in line to buy lottery tickets:
@KDKA @GiantEagle here’s a shot from Giant Eagle this morning. The same elderly we’re preaching to protect are snuggling in line for lottery tickets! Not a care in the world! What about the workers? Who is protecting them from these idiots/border line criminals?? pic.twitter.com/V0a2jfkh42
— Jack Deemer (@BHSof2013) March 19, 2020
During a health crisis that has hospitalized tens of thousands of people around the world, one older shopper scoffed at the idea of buying necessities online:
I went out for cheese its, Twix and ice cream. There was one old lady who threw a fit when one the giant eagle employee told her they were out of tp, guy told her to order from amazon, she screamed at him and told her she wasn’t using a computer to order toilet paper
— Layla’s Dad (@goalie522) March 15, 2020
Yesterday, in the parking lot of a nearby Giant Eagle, WPXI found a gentleman who said he was being extra precautious, but also really wanted ham and popsicles.
“You can’t stay in all day,” he said. “you gotta do something.”
Some younger people—who are also susceptible to severe illness from coronavirus—seem to be frustrated by the situation:
98+ year old Betty with COPD can limp into Giant Eagle for some goddamn half n half for her coffee but it’s my responsibility to distance myself from her, huh 🤔
— Brenden Bruce (@BrendenBruce1) March 19, 2020
As of yesterday, doctors have identified 12 cases of COVID-19 in Allegheny County and 200 statewide. Nationwide, 10% to 20% of coronavirus patients have required hospitalization.
If you or a loved on still insist on running errands every day, some stores are offering special shopping hours for senior citizens and immunocompromised people.
- Giant Eagle: Open from 6 a.m to 7 a.m. for people 60 and older, differently abled, or immune compromised
- Dollar General: The first hour of every morning is limited to senior citizen shoppers and the umm
- Target: The first hour every Wednesday is reserved for “vulnerable guests, including the elderly and those with underlying health concerns”
- Walmart: Holding an hour-long “senior shopping event” every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older or with underlying health conditions.
- Whole Foods – Is allowing customers 60 and older to shop before opening to the general public. For example, if a store opens at 9 a.m., seniors can start shopping at 8 a.m.