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No need to stock up on food, toilet paper during coronavirus pandemic, experts say

Rob Handfield, a professor of operations and supply chain management at North Carolina State University, says there's no need for people to buy more than what they need.

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By
Ken Smith
, WRAL anchor/reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. — On Tuesday afternoon, the shelves at grocery stores in Raleigh were picked over but not totally wiped out.

Katie Henderson said she’s frustrated by what's she's seen at grocery stores lately, especially when it comes to toilet paper.

“Just two days later we went back and there was no toilet paper,” she said. “Thank God we had some.”

Rob Handfield, a professor of operations and supply chain management at North Carolina State University, says there’s no need for people to buy more than what they need.

“You can go back to the store – they are going to replenish the store on a daily basis,” Handfield said. “They have products in the warehouse for all these goods. They are not going to run out anytime soon."

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People should stick with their shopping routine and not hoard supplies, he added.

Henderson said she’s especially worried about the elderly not being able to get the supplies they need.

“There’s a lot of them that can’t get out there and shop,” she said. “They’re so scared that they don’t even want to leave their houses.”

Henderson said her daughter recently went to 10 different stores, looking for baby formula.

Her husband ended up making a plea on Facebook, and they eventually got some from a family member.

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