Supermarkets Are Launching Senior-Only Hours During the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Here’s an article from time.com

National chains including Stop & Shop and Dollar General have announced senior hours, as have many regional chains such as Zannoto’s Family Markets in San Jose, Calif., DeCicco & Sons in New York and Vista Supermarkets in El Paso, Texas. The announcements come as retailers across the country struggle to keep shelves stocked with food, sanitation products and other household goods like toilet paper — despite pleas from officials against hoarding and “panic buying.”

Stop & Shop, a grocery chain with more than 400 locations across north eastern states, said Monday that it would open stores early to accommodate people age 60 and older from 6:00-7:30 a.m. daily. Dollar General, which operates more than 15,000 stores in 44 states, will dedicate each store’s first hour open for business to seniors.

“During these unprecedented times, Dollar General is diligently working to meet the ongoing needs of our customers and communities,” Todd Vasos, Dollar General CEO, said in a public statement Monday. “We are proud to live our mission and provide customers with everyday low prices on the household essentials that are used and replenished most often.”

Other retailers, however, have said they would not implement senior hours and are instead encouraging online orders and curbside pickup. Popular Texas grocery store chain H-E-B told CNN Business that it made the decision not to implement senior hours after speaking with health officials.

Felicia Wu, professor of food science and human nutrition at Michigan State University, tells TIME that, no matter what, there are risks associated with going out into locations where many people may gather.

Source: Time.com

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