Elderly welcome early move

Dozens of elderly people across the country have been taking advantage of an initiative by a local establishment that allows them to avoid ‘panic buyers’, who have been flocking to supermarkets amid fears of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three branches of Massy Supermarkets have been opening their doors from 7 to
8 a.m. between Monday and Friday to give those considered ‘at risk’ for contracting the disease the opportunity to conduct their daily shopping free from crowded aisles, long lines, and jostling customers.

At Massy Holetown, security officers were stationed at the doors asking persons to give way to those who suffer from chronic illness or are elderly.

“We decided to try to open an hour early to accommodate those persons and reduce the likelihood of them having to interact with the younger generation, bigger crowds and increase the risk of them contracting the virus. It was an effort to help them feel safer to do their supermarket and pharmacy shopping,” said Managing Director Randall Banfield.

Earlier this week, Barbadians flocked to pharmacies and supermarkets across the country purchasing toilet paper, hand sanitisers and wipes after the island recorded its first cases.

According to Banfield, unusual buyer behaviour motivated Massy’s management to brainstorm and examine what people have been doing to protect themselves in other parts of the world.

“We have a group in the community who are more exposed, the risk for them is greater, the seriousness of the sickness for that group is more serious than the younger or more healthy generation and it is more practical in an environment that is a little less risky,” Banfield explained.

“We have it rolled out at our three biggest stores and consumers are very appreciative of what we’ve done and I am really pleased to see the understanding of persons who are not in that high risk group,” he added.

At Massy Holetown, the elderly shopped happily and in most cases indicated that they had no intention of panic buying, but were simply trying to do their normal shopping.

“When I realised my grandchildren would be on holiday, I knew i would have to put things in place earlier, so I came down instead of having to wait in long lines at Jordan’s or where I usually shop,” said Mary Maxwell.

“When I came, I saw a few people outside and he asked me if I’m over sixty and I told him ‘of course’,” she said laughingly.

When asked about her fears about the virus, Maxwell said: “I am not fearful. I trust in God and if I do what I am supposed to do, I will ride it [out] if I am supposed to ride it [out].
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb