Weekends are always a big time for shopping, and are expected to be even busier due to the coronavirus pandemic. That's why certain businesses are offering special hours for senior citizens and other at-risk customers to make sure they are able to get what they need.
Take one shopper at Waco's Target store. She qualifies for special shopping time, but had way too much shopping to do to make it to the store during its first hour open.
"I have elderly parents, so I'm shopping for them, and my children's home and our home and a girlfriend's home and my nephew that lives in L.A., so I've got a lot of people to cover," said a double-masked shopper who would only give her name as Diane.
Several stores have that special shopping hour, most notably Target, Brookshire Brothers, and Dollar General, which have seen big crowds.
”On the 17th when it started, we had a pretty big crowd outside. We didn't have a lot to offer because everything was gone,” said Candace Alexander of Dollar General.
Now with fully-stocked shelves, Alexander expects to have people lined up to get in this weekend. Customers say they plan to clear the way for the elderly and vulnerable.
"I always let them go first. If they're here, I'm always considerate because that's what we're supposed to do," said Joe Gutshall of Lorena.
Back at Target, Diane said after this shopping trip, she hopes she won't have to get back out for a while.
"I think we've all got to stick together on this, and everybody's got to be neighborly and do what they can for the other because that's the only way we're gonna get through this," she said.
Stores with special hours for seniors and those at risk for COVID-19 include Target, Walmart, Dollar General, Brookshire Brothers, Big Lots, and Whole Foods.
