Panic buying continues in NJ on day 3 of port strike

NEW JERSEY (PIX11) — Wednesday marked the third day of the dockworkers strike , shutting down every port from Maine to Texas. The International Longshoremen’s Association said the strike will continue until its members receive fair wages and protections against automation.

The strike has prompted people across the East Coast to stock up on toilet paper, paper towels, and bottled water. Shoppers reported a line to get into Costco in Wayne, New Jersey, on Wednesday morning. The store reportedly sold out of toilet paper and paper towels within 30 minutes of opening.

“I drove past and the line was all the way to the Five Below in the back,” said Kim Vanderhave, who said she had no problem buying toilet paper and paper towels from Foodtown.

“I think it’s just panic,” said Vanderhave. “Everyone’s afraid because of COVID. They’ve been through this already.”

But not everyone sees the need to panic, pointing out that some of the goods being stockpiled are ones made in the United States.

“I don’t think you need to panic buy,” said Costco shopper Cheryl Prescott. “A lot of this stuff, we have here in this country.”

On Monday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned residents against going out and stockpiling supplies , saying it wasn’t necessary.

There is also concern about imported medical devices and supplies. Many are imported from China.

Marianne DeRosa works for Wellcare Surgical Supply in Fairfield and said she has had a few conversations already with vendors and distributors.

“They’re telling me that maybe down the road, if it lasts, we will have shortages of the imported stuff,” said DeRosa. That includes walkers, surgical gloves, and wound care.

Right now, DeRosa said the store’s stock is fine, but she is not sure what it will be like in a few weeks.

“We’re very concerned because we need to supply our customers, facilities, and nursing homes,” said DeRosa. “So yeah, it’s a big concern to us if we can’t get products.”

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