Walmart, Target, and Costco shopping limited to essential items in some states

Almost every state has required nonessential stores to remain closed while social distancing is implemented. Certain stores have been allowed to remain open including large supercenter stores like Walmart, Target, and Costco.

Having these stores remain open has been a lifesaver for many people short on certain supplies.

But some states are now forcing those stores to stop selling nonessential items and it is causing a lot of controversy.

Both Vermont and Michigan have implemented rules that prevent stores like those mentioned above from selling nonessential items.

The idea is to keep people from hanging around too long in the stores and to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Some even say it’s intended to keep a more level playing field with other smaller businesses that were forced to close because they don’t sell essential items.

Vermont is requiring retailers to cease in-person sales of “arts and crafts, beauty, carpet and flooring, clothing, consumer electronics, entertainment (books, music, movies), furniture, home and garden, jewelry, paint, photo services, sports equipment, and toys.”

In Michigan, stores have been required to rope off areas selling items like carpet, flooring, furniture, and paint departments along with garden centers and plant nurseries.

Other states like Colorado and Indiana have also imposed similar restrictions.

I’ve been a large proponent of strict social distancing measures and practices like decreasing the number of shoppers in stores, restricting entrances, and implementing things like one way aisles.

But personally, I think these rules prohibiting the sell of certain items have probably gone too far.

It’s very tricky to define what is essential and nonessential.

Obviously food is something that is essential but what about clothes? Can someone really argue that underwear is not essential? What about just T-shirts and pants — basic things that people often need.

I mean, I could understand closing down a Louis Vuitton shop but shutting down the clothing sections in Walmart or Target just seems excessive.

And then there are the things that will help people remain sane.

These are things like video games, books, movies, gardening, sports equipment, and of course toys for kids. Some of these are even necessary for monetizing side hustles while people are out of their main line of work.

I think that these rules go too far and create too much of a burden on the mental health of citizens in those areas. 

When people were first going into a frenzy many stores were mad houses but at least in areas that I have lived in the last few weeks which include Houston and Tucson, things have become much more tame.

I agree that we don’t need people loitering around in the stores all day but there has to be a better way of controlling these things than out right banning items that could contribute to many people maintaining their sanity.

I hope that we are not losing sight of what keeps people happy.

People have hobbies and interests and you can’t just go around cutting access off to those things without consequences. Humans need to be engaged and if they can’t work or socialize, at least they can find peace doing things like gardening or arts and crafts.

I understand online shopping is huge and has increased during the past few weeks but online shopping is not accessible to everybody. A good percent of Americans do not do online shopping and 10% don’t even use the internet. Also, online shopping is not the best way to purchase certain types of items.

Unless things were truly unmanageable in the stores in those areas, I think banning the sale of these items is a huge mistake. There have to be more practical ways to limit shopping for these things that still provide people with an outlet that they need during these times.