Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source
There's no toilet paper or hand sanitizer, but here's what we're not buying | TribLIVE.com
Coronavirus

There's no toilet paper or hand sanitizer, but here's what we're not buying

Shirley McMarlin
2474498_web1_gtr-liv-notbuying5-032020
Shirley McMarlin | Tribine-Review
It has a waffle crust, for pete’s sake. Does it even belong on the pizza shelf? That’s where shoppers left it.

Call it stocking up or panic-buying, the first wave of coronavirus-driven shopping seems to have subsided.

While toilet paper is still on the endangered species list, a survey of Greensburg-area supermarkets, big box stores and pharmacies reveals limited supplies of paper towels, napkins and facial tissue. The demand for canned soups, canned and frozen vegetables, pasta and sauces and bottled water also appears to continue unabated.

Overall, though, store and pharmacy shelves are more full than empty. You should be able to get most of what you need, or even just want — and if not the exact item, at least an acceptable substitute.

Our store survey showed that, while certain items have been flying off the shelves, others have been left behind. Here are a few of those lonely orphans.

People must be baking, just not with these products.

2474498_web1_gtr-liv-notbuying8-032020
Shirley McMarlin | Tribine-Review
Wheat flour is in short supply, but there’s plenty of almond, cashew, brown rice and quinoa flour. Even walnut flour — that’s a new one for us.

Someone probably would buy this if they could reach it.

2474498_web1_gtr-liv-notbuying3-032020
Shirley McMarlin | Tribine-Review
This gallon of spring water probably would be gone like every other gallon, had anyone been able to reach it.

What self-respecting dog wants this?

2474498_web1_gtr-liv-notbuying6-032020
Shirley McMarlin | Tribine-Review
Fido didn’t want this turkey and pea kibble and, honestly, we don’t blame him.

Wash your hands with something else, I guess.

2474498_web1_gtr-liv-notbuying2-032020
Shirley McMarlin | Tribine-Review
Nothing left on the liquid hand soap shelf but these two items — is the scent too sweet?

There wasn’t much oatmeal, but there was this.

2474498_web1_gtr-liv-notbuying1-032020
Shirley McMarlin | Tribine-Review
Maybe this shipment just came in, otherwise why would there be so many boxes of Cheerios on the shelf? Still, stocks of sweet cereals were pretty low.

Here are a couple of other well-stocked areas. We highly recommend visiting the produce section and the Mexican food aisle — that’s some good eating, and the choices are abundant and appealing.

2474498_web1_gtr-liv-notbuying4-032020
Shirley McMarlin | Tribine-Review
With your favorite Mexican restaurant closed, now is the time to try making your own tacos, enchiladas, tamales and more. The ingredients are waiting on the shelves.

Fresh is still best.

2474498_web1_gtr-liv-notbuying9-032020
Shirley McMarlin | Tribine-Review
Canned and frozen vegetables and fruits are still in high demand, so don’t forget the fresh options. The bins were full at every store we checked.

As for the home hair color, all we can say is that desperate times can call for desperate measures. Let’s hope the toilet paper shelves are this full soon.

2474498_web1_gtr-liv-notbuying7-032020
Shirley McMarlin | Tribine-Review
There’s a meme going around saying we’ll know everyone’s true hair color in a few weeks. That doesn’t have to be the case if you color it yourself. Lots of shades to choose from.

Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley by email at smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .

Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.

Get Ad-Free >

Categories: Coronavirus | Editor's Picks | Lifestyles | More Lifestyles
Content you may have missed