O.J. Simpson donned a face mask for a trip to Costco where he panic bought masses of toilet paper and water as coronavirus fears continued to sweep the US and the death toll mounted.
Anxious shoppers have been racing to stock up on essential items, lining up outside Costco stores on Friday morning as they waited for doors to open, amid concerns the outbreak could worsen.
And it seems the virus is scaring everyone – even Simpson, the one-time felon who was sensationally acquitted of the brutal murders of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman before serving nine years in prison for robbery and kidnapping.
The ‘Juice’ posted a photo of himself on Twitter early Friday morning wearing a face mask outside a Costco with a trolley full of emergency supplies.
O.J. Simpson posted a photo of himself on Twitter early Friday morning wearing a face mask outside a Costco with a trolley full of emergency supplies
The caption read: ‘Coronavirus? Who’s afraid?’
Simpson’s trolley included 60 toilet rolls, 12 kitchen rolls, paper party cups, and at least three cases of water bottles.
His post sparked a lot of attention on social media, with 11,400 retweets and 61,400 likes as of Friday night.
Several Twitter users commented on the post comparing Simpson’s suspected ‘death rate’ to that of the deadly disease.
‘Statistically I may have a better chance of being killed by you than the virus,’ one user tweeted.
Another commented: ‘Deaths in the U.S. from Coronavirus: 14. Deaths in the U.S. from OJ Simpson: 2.’
‘What kind of a person buys only paper towel and water bottles,’ one person tweeted, before someone else replied: ‘Someone trying to clean blood off their shoes.’
His post sparked a lot of attention on social media, with 11,400 retweets and 61,400 likes as of Friday night. Several Twitter users commented on the post comparing Simpson’s suspected ‘death rate’ to that of the deadly disease
Simpson was at the center of the ‘Trial of the Century’ when he was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman back in 1995.
Represented by a legal ‘Dream Team’, he was acquitted by a jury in a controversial verdict that split the country along racial lines.
However, in a civil trial, Simpson was unanimously found responsible for the wrongful deaths of Nicole and Goldman and ordered to pay $33.5 million to the Goldman and Brown families.
Much of the criminal trial hinged on a glove found on Simpson’s estate and soaked in the victim’s blood.
However, the prosecution unraveled when Simpson was asked to put on the gloves and they were too small for him.
Many social media users poked fun at the glove saga, asking if the former American footballer was shopping for a new pair.
Simpson was at the center of the ‘Trial of the Century’ when he was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman back in 1995
Much of the criminal trial hinged on a glove found on Simpson’s estate and soaked in the victim’s blood. However, the prosecution unraveled when Simpson was asked to put on the gloves and they were too small for him (above). Many social media users poked fun at the glove saga, asking if the former American footballer was shopping for a new pair
‘He’s at Costco getting a new pair of gloves. His old ones are doused in a red liquid,’ one person tweeted.
Another posted a link to some black gloves to buy from the superstore.
Simpson is far from alone in his stockpiling for what many fear could be a mass quarantine over the coronavirus outbreak.
Many Costco outlets have begun to tighten rations that they had put on products in a bid to spread supply.
Several stores reduced the number of packets of flour, sugar and rice each customer is allowed to buy from five to two per customer.
It comes as the US death toll from coronavirus rose to 17 Friday, after three new deaths were recorded in Washington state and Florida recorded its first two.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hundreds of anxious customers lined up for hours outside a Costco in Burbank on Friday morning as they waited for the outlet to open its doors. Shoppers are showing no signs of slowing down as they race to stock up on essential items amid fears the coronavirus outbreak could worsen
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Despite rations being put in place, this shopper managed to secure large amounts of bottled water. The lucky customer also managed to secure paper towels and toilet paper
MIAMI, FLORIDA: Some customers shopped with friends as they stocked up together at a Miami customer. This woman pushes a pallet laden down with bottled water for her and her pals
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: One shopper struggled to balance her bulk buy packets of toilet paper as she rushed into a restocked Costco outlet in Atlanta
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: A Duane Reade in the heart of New York City had run out of popular cleaning products
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Locals crowded into the Brooklyn Costco where the store has put up signs limiting the amount water customers were able to buy
EXTON, PENNSYLVANIA: A woman lifts a one of the remaining cases of water into her cart at a Walmart store in Exton on Friday morning
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT: Empty shelves are pictured in the Norwalk Costco, which had run out of toilet paper
MARIETTA, GEORGIA: A local loads his pickup with bath tissue and paper towels at a Sam’s Club wholesale store on Thursday evening
On Thursday it was reported that Costco sales for the month of February were up a whopping 12.4% on last year.
‘Members are turning to us for a variety of items associated with preparing for and dealing with a virus,’ Costco CFO Richard Galanti told analysts Thursday, according to KTLA-TV.
The profits are expected to push over into March, with an analyst from investment bank UBS stating: ‘As consumers prioritize a dwindling number of trips to stores, [Costco] will likely be at the top of the list. Over the long-term, we think the stock-ups will help accelerate [Costco’s] share gains.’
Shoppers in all 50 states fear they could be quarantined due to the coronavirus, prompting them to load up on essential items – and boost Costco profits in the process.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Customer lined up around the block for hours outside a Costco in Burbank on Friday morning to stock up on supplies
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Overnight, employees had worked around the clock to restock in-demand items including toilet paper, bottled water, and Clorox wipes and Burbank shoppers were eager to get their hands on supplies
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Shoppers lined up for hours waiting for Costco doors to open, and later faced lengthy queues for the cash register
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Even as Costco limits toilet paper and water cases to two items per member, customers continue to flood the stores and clean out supplies as panic buying fear over coronavirus continues to sweep America
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Despite the rations, the cases of bottled water were soon depleted
TARZANA, CALIFORNIA: Rations were also put in place at a CVS in Tarzana, California. Several residents in the area have tested positive to coronavirus after returning from a ski trip in Italy
California
On Thursday, cops were called to The Chino Hills Costco for a disturbance after the store ran out of bottled water and toilet paper.
But elsewhere in the state, other Costco customers were keeping calm as they waited in line to pay for their supplies.
Lines for the cashier snaked back deep into a Costco outlet in Los Feliz, with carts full of bottled water, toilet paper and paper towels.
Many customers wore face masks in a bid to protect themselves from coronavirus – a day after California declared a state of emergency after a resident died in relation to the illness.
As of Friday night, over 60 Californians had tested positive to COVID-19 and one person had died.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Anxious customers at a Los Feliz Costco were taking no precautions Wednesday, loaded up on bottled water, toilet paper and paper towels
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Two women waited in line to check out their groceries at a Costco in Los Feliz. Like all the others in line, their cart was full of bottled water and toilet paper
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Relieved that they had secured items in scare supply, customers waited patiently in line to pay for the items and take them home at a Los Feliz Costco
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Canned foods, such as Spam, were a popular choice for shoppers at the Los Feliz Costco. In just hours, the store’s stocks were low
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Sales for the month of February up 12.4% on last year at Costco stores, and the boost is likely to push through into March
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA: One shopper pushed a pallet full of supplies out of a store in the state’s northwest
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA: Shoppers are pictured at a Costco in Novato, near San Francisco. The northern part of California has been hard hit by the coronavirus
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA: One lady struggled to keep her items contained in her cart as she left a Novato Costco and headed to her car
Miami and Georgia
While the northwest may be the part of the country currently hardest hit by the coronavirus, state’s in the southeast have also been affected.
Video showed long lines at a Costco in Miami, where one worker confirmed to the DailyMail.com they only get two palates a day of Clorox Disinfecting wipes per store.
Meanwhile, residents in Georgia were seen loading up their pick-ups with toilet paper and bottled water.
Sales of hand sanitizers alone were up 73 percent in the four weeks ending February 22 compared to the same period a year ago, according to market research firm Nielsen.
Most if not all pharmacies and supermarkets have been out of face masks for more than a month, with little hope of restocking anytime soon as the US faces a shortage.
Florida recorded its first two deaths from coronavirus late Friday.
MIAMI, FLORIDA: At a Miami Costco, stocks were replenished overnight, but rations were put in place in a bid to spread the supply
MIAMI, FLORIDA: Signs limiting the amount of water, rice, sugar, hand soap, baby wipes, gloves, paper towels and toilet tissue were plastered around this Costco
MIAMI, FLORIDA: Disinfectant wipes were limited to two per customer Friday morning at this Miami Costco
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Some cautious customers donned face masks as they made their way through the bustling stores to stock up
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: A customer at this Costco, in Atlanta closely inspects this box of hand sanitizer
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: One woman picks up stocks of cleaning products for her work place. In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, employers have been taking extra precautions, making sure offices are thoroughly wiped down
ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Lysol disinfectant spray was flying off the shelves at a BJs Club Store in Orlando, Florida
ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Customers at a BJs Club Store in Orlando faced long lines on Friday
New York City
Meanwhile in New York City, stores and supermarkets were also selling out of hand sanitizer and face masks on Friday.
Many who managed to secure the masks were seen wearing them as they commuted around Manhattan.
Many residents took subways to stock up on supplies Friday, and appeared to be taking all precautions, with several also seen donning gloves or using tissues to hold on to the train’s poles.
City residents have been left shaken after a Midtown lawyer tested positive to coronavirus and infected more than a dozen other people before he realized he was afflicted with the illness.
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Employees at a CVS store in Manhattan put up a sign for customers, who have been constantly asking about the whereabouts of masks and sanitizer
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Empty shelves of cleaning supplies at a CVS store in Manhattan are pictured on Friday morning
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: At bustling Penn Station- one of Manhattan’s largest commuter hubs – a well-protected employee helped a resident with directions. Many locals are on the way to load up on supplies as the number of coroanvirus cases skyrockets across the country
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: In the heart of Manhattan, residents were taking precautions as they took the subway to the store to stock up on supplies Friday morning
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: A commuter donned a protective mask as he made his way through the 14th Street subway station in Manhattan Friday morning. Many residents are forced to take the subway to visit stores and load up on supplies
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Panic buying continues at the Brooklyn Costco (above) where the store has put up signs limiting the amount of high turn over items that customers have been buying in bulk
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: A pallet of disinfecting wipes was being depleted inside a Brooklyn Costco Thursday
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: A sign that says ‘DUE TO CURRENT SUPPLY ISSUES EACH WATER ITEM WILL HAVE A LIMIT OF 5’ is posted on the shelves of cases of bottled water as shoppers load their shopping carts with water and other supplies in Teterboro, New Jersey
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Despite rations for bottled water, several pallets were empty at the Brooklyn Costco Thursday
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: A mask-wearing shopper inside Brooklyn Costco battled against the crowds as she tried to fill up her cart
New York State
With more diagnoses confirmed in New York Thursday, shoppers flooded a Costco in Brooklyn.
The store warned customers there would be a limit to amount of water and rice they could buy Thursday. Amazon is also warning same-day grocery customers that delivery may be limited.
At least 44 people have tested positive to coronavirus across New York State, with most linked to a Manhattan lawyer who lives in Westchester.
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: After a man tested positive for coronavirus on Long Island, shoppers descended on stores across Suffolk Count. In Target, shelves that used to house toilet paper, were empty
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Empty shelves at a Target in Suffolk County, Long Island, that used to house disinfectant wipes
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Only a few boxes of latex gloves remained at a Walmart in Suffolk County late Thursday
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: 44 people have tested positive to coronavirus across New York State
Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania
In neighboring Connecticut, a Costco in Norwalk was bustling Thursday, despite the state having no residents test positive to coronavirus.
One man purchased Red Bull, Gatroade, zip lock bags and tinned tomatoes, appearing to anticipate the fact he may soon be quarantined in his home and unable to make it to the local grocer.
Meanwhile, shoppers in New Jersey made a dash to Costco, after a resident tested positive to COVID-19 in their state.
As in New York, popular items were rationed in a bid to ensure there was enough for each customer.
Elsewhere in the Northeast, a Costco store at King of Prussia mall in Pennsylvania was low on supplies, after customers raided the shelves.
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT: One Costco shopper looked ready to bunker down,with Gatorade, Red Bull and large tubs of peanut butter
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT: Women’s sanitary items have also been flying off the shelves, with shoppers fearing they’ll be quarantined inside their homes and unable to make it to the local grocery store due to the threat of coronavirus
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT: An elderly customer tired to protect himself with a face mask, as he prepared to head into the Norwalk Costco and fill up his cart with essentials
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT: the line for the cashier at the Costco is pictured
KING OF PRUSSIA MALL, PENNSYLVANIA: At a Costco at King of Prussia, Pennsylvania ashopper walks past a sign above bags of sugar limiting purchase of 5 units per day
KING OF PRUSSIA MALL, PENNSYLVANIA: Despite the rations, the shelves were stripped of stock in Pennsylvania
PLYMOUTH MEETING, PENNSYLVANIA: A woman examines the meager supplies at a Target in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania on Thursday
EXTON, PENNSYLVANIA: Stocks were still low at a Walmart in Exton, Pennsylvania on Friday morning. Campbell’s stocks are up as many people snap up canned soup