My brother and I had planned to go to our local Walmart supercenter at opening (6am). We delayed going for various reasons, arriving around 7:30am. It turns out that there had been a considerable line waiting for the doors to open at 6am, and thankfully, we missed it, going right inside.
There was an above average amount of people in the store for the time of day, but nothing bothersome. The produce section was fully stocked. The meat section was hit hard but choices remained. Some of the interior shelves were hit the hardest. Plenty of frozen foods. No milk. No t.p. No paper towels. The canned meats and canned goods sections were also wiped out. As an FYI- This particular store receives their resupply trucks between the hours of 11am and 2pm.
I spent $176, which was about a third higher than normal, due to having to buy more oddities than classic meal staples. Ex: soy milk- about $3 for a half gallon. I bought 3. Cost... $9. Reality- $4.50 a gallon for “milk”. I also bought a number of things that would keep and added them to my home supplies. Beer, pasta, canned goods, meats to freeze, soup broths and stock, dry cereals, snacks, and condiments.
The day before, I shopped at a one off discount store, again buying some oddities, and other food stuffs that would keep for a period of time and were added to a food surplus that I’m building up at home. The cost was quite reasonable except for the paper towels, all items running me $133, which was $50 for the 12 paper towel rolls (commercial shop grade), $20 for a high grade bag of dog food, and $63 for fresh and canned food. I received 10% off ($13) for being a US Mil. veteran, spending $120.
I wouldn’t be too worried. I would go to the store at about the time the pharmacy opens.
If I were to go out today I would take latex gloves. Put them on when you leave the car. Take them off and throw them away before you get back in the car. There is a way to take gloves off without touching the outside. Put everything you buy in the trunk for a day and do it before you take the gloves off. You might get away with it.
Correcting a math error in my post- I ended up paying $6 a gallon for soy milk, due to there being zero other choices.