You know things must be getting really bad when the networks set aside their usual blend of sensationalism and anti-Trump bias in favor of responsible journalism that seeks to calm and inform. Well, that’s what NBC Nightly News did on Monday in a report designed to ease the public’s fear about seeing countless grocery store shelves across the country left bare as throngs of people scrambled for supplies. It was also a great message about the wonders of capitalism.
“Across this country, grocery stores are trying to reassure consumers there is enough food and essential supplies even as long lines of shoppers leave empty shelves in their wake,” announced anchor Lester Holt at the top of the segment.
The rest of the report was handled by correspondent Kerry Sanders who, after noting the recent runs on grocery stores, highlighted the chains around the country stepping up to meet the massive demand from consumers:
But in Houston today, reassurance from a major grocery store chain H-E-B. Its distribution center is well stocked and running overtime to meet demand. Collectively, the nation's largest grocery chains reassuring shoppers tonight, America is not running out of food.
“Cause we're still going to be able to feed people because we have these 1,300 trucks a day, plus more coming. So there will be food. There’s not a reason to stock up. Just come back tomorrow,” H-E-B President Scott McClelland told Sanders.
The NBC correspondent also noted: “In Maryland today, trucks loaded with supplies headed to a slammed Costco. The same in Florida. Pinched public stores getting resupplied.” He also brought necessary attention to the “many shops opening early just for older shoppers 65 and up” since they’re the most at risk of suffering the most severe symptoms.
There was also some light humor:
SANDERS: And tonight, at an Aldi, there is enough toilet paper. [TO UNIDENTIFIED MAN] How do you feel about finding toilet paper?
UNIDENTIFIED MAN 3: Pretty good about that.
And since many places were laying workers off because of the economic impact of the coronavirus and social distancing policies, Sanders had a sign of hope. “At a time when coronavirus has put so many people out of work, grocers say they’re now hiring thousands of employees to meet the unusual demand,” he concluded his report.
The report was one of only a few islands in a sea of media coverage that jacked up the public’s anxiety about the current situation the world found itself in. More reports like this one were needed.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
NBC Nightly News
March 16, 2020
7:16:29 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: Across this country, grocery stores are trying to reassure consumers there is enough food and essential supplies even as long lines of shoppers leave empty shelves in their wake. Here is Kerry Sanders with that.
[Cuts to video]
KERRY SANDERS: This morning, lines outside a grocery store in central Florida with anxious shoppers. For days, this is the picture of America.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN 1: Showed up today and it's just chaos. There is a huge line to get toilet paper.
SANDERS: But in Houston today, reassurance from a major grocery store chain H-E-B. Its distribution center is well stocked and running overtime to meet demand. Collectively, the nation's largest grocery chains reassuring shoppers tonight, America is not running out of food.
SCOTT MCCLELLAND (president H-E-B Food/Drug): Cause we're still going to be able to feed people because we have these 1,300 trucks a day, plus more coming. So there will be food. There’s not a reason to stock up. Just come back tomorrow.
SANDERS: In Maryland today, trucks loaded with supplies headed to a slammed Costco. The same in Florida. Pinched public stores getting resupplied. In California, the North Gate Gonzalez Market, one of many shops opening early just for older shoppers 65 and up.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN 2: We're going to have exclusive for seniors.
SANDERS: And tonight, at an Aldi, there is enough toilet paper.
How do you feel about finding toilet paper?
UNIDENTIFIED MAN 3: Pretty good about that.
[Cuts back to live]
SANDERS: At a time when coronavirus has put so many people out of work, grocers say they’re now hiring thousands of employees to meet the unusual demand. Lester?
HOLT: Well, that's some good news. All right, Kerry, thank you.
