Trump urges Americans not to hoard groceries amid coronavirus panic

President Trump on Sunday urged Americans not to hoard groceries or other supplies in panic over the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump said he’d spoken to the CEOs of several grocery and supply chain companies about stockpiling and how to avoid it.

“You don’t have to buy so much,” the president said. “Take it easy. Just relax.”

“There’s no need for anybody in the country to hoard essential food supplies,” Trump said, adding that stores will stay open.

The president made the request during a briefing from the White House coronavirus task force on the outbreak.

He started off by saying that the Federal Reserve has made him “very happy” by lowering interest rates.

“I congratulate the Federal Reserve,” he said. “I think it’s terrific.”

Vice President Mike Pence then took to the podium, updating the number of cases in the US to more than 2,900 in 49 states.

He said risk of serious illness remains low.

Pence also asked Americans to only buy the groceries they need for the week ahead.