Tape, plastic sheeting supplies in demand locally after terror alert
Bob Corbin can only sit and stare at the empty shelves that, until last week, were stocked with duct tape. The assistant store manager at Lowe’s in South Union Township, Corbin said his store has been out of duct tape for days, and none is expected back in stock until Monday at the earliest.
And, with a dwindling supply of plastic sheeting to support his belief, Corbin said many local residents have heeded the words of the federal government in preparing for a possible chemical or biological attack.
Ever since the government raised the nation’s terror alert from yellow to orange, the second-highest level, more than a week ago, sales of duct tape and plastic sheeting have been brisk. And at Lowe’s, price stickers are the only indication that duct tape belongs on that particular shelf location.
Corbin said most stores were caught off guard by the government announcement and were ill prepared to handle the demand that ensued from the warning.
“We’ve seen all of our duct tape sold over the past couple days, but our home office has notified us that they plan on beefing up our stock to meet the demand,” Corbin said. “We get trucks two or three times a week, so we should have some soon.”
He said some people are buying cases of tape rather than one or two rolls at a time, fearing that no other locations will have a supply.
“If they don’t need it, they can always bring it back,” he said. “Some people would rather feel secure than to not have anything at all.”
Lowe’s still had plastic sheeting available in two different colors, varying weights and lengths,
while Wal-Mart still had rolls of duct tape on its shelves as of Friday afternoon.
Plastic sheeting was nowhere to be found at Wal-Mart, though more was expected to arrive.
Meanwhile, Tom Miske at the California Army-Navy Surplus on Route 88 said business has been busier than usual, primarily with the sale of gas masks, chemical suits and MREs (meals ready to eat).
The store deals primarily with buyers and e-commerce, but Miske said people are willing to fork over $35 for the chemical suits, $55 for MREs and $95 for gas masks.
“There’s no doubt that the alert has increased our business,” he said. “We’re out of a few things, but we still have most of what people want.”
Miske said the store has not used the heightened terror alert to take more money from worried customers, keeping prices at the level they were before the government’s announcement.
“We’re not here to make money on this, because people are going into a panic,” he said.
At Uniontown Hardware and Supply Co., general manager Chris Romesburg said business has been up slightly in the past week, but the store is still stocked with duct tape and plastic sheeting. He said duct tape typically sells well throughout the year, but it is unusual to have so many customers asking for sheeting at one time.
While he doesn’t ask customers why they are buying tape and sheeting, he said he assumes most are heeding the government’s advice. As for him, Romesburg isn’t buying the hype.
“I don’t believe in all that,” he said. “I don’t think any of that is going to work.”
Neither does Jason Dulaney, assistant manager at Ace Hardware in Waynesburg, who said his store has been sold out of duct tape and sheeting since Wednesday and won’t have any more available until Tuesday, at the earliest.
He said some people have been “excessive” in their shopping, though he said most probably are just heeding the government’s advice to homeowners.
“I think people are just doing what the government asks, and besides, what’s $20 to maybe save your life?” Dulaney said. “It’s been good for business, but some people are taking it too far.”
He has seen people walk out with as many as four rolls of duct tape, costing about $5 per roll, and four rolls of sheeting, which cost about $8 per roll, at one time.
But you won’t see him picking up supplies for himself once the truck arrives Tuesday.
“I don’t feel this is necessary. It’s temporary at best,” Dulaney said. “Besides, you can only stay in a room without oxygen for so long.”
According to Scott Sieburth, a chemistry professor at Temple University, makeshift shelters would provide little, if any, protection in the event of a chemical or biological attack.
“I deal with chemical issues every day, and putting up a barrier really will not do much,” Sieburth said. “I can’t imagine anyone sealing up a room tight enough.”
He added that the government’s warnings have led to an unnecessary level of concern by individuals who are not likely to be threatened. Still, he said putting up some protection is better than none at all.
“If you live in the suburbs or in a sparsely populated area, I would think the chances of being targeted for attack are pretty slim.” he said. “Keep in mind that any chemical attack or even a nuclear ‘dirty bomb’ will directly affect only a very limited area.”
On Friday, realizing the extent to which some people are taking the terror alert, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said it makes sense to prepare for a possible attack, but people do not need “to start sealing the doors or windows.”
Even so, lawmakers were told to gather up supplies, sensitive documents, medicine and a laminated list of key phone numbers in case they have to leave quickly. Congressional staffers this week received training in how to operate “escape hoods” that protect against chemical and biological substances.