COVID-19 concerns in Grimes County

The Examiner is diligently working on keeping the county updated on the COVID-19 pandemic and providing only the most trustworthy and relevant information to our community. Grocers are working diligently to keep shelves stocked in the midst of pandemonium.

Please note there are currently no reported cases of COVID-19 in Grimes County but we recommend the community take preventative measures to help keep our County safe and healthy at this time.

Grocers are currently doing the best they can to keep up with the demand for products during this chaotic time in the community. “Local stores are currently experiencing a surge in demand for basic supplies as members of the community are purchasing two to three times more than what they typically buy,” stated Brookshire Bros store director Matt Milliff.

Arlans store manager Kevin Biner added that basic products such as hand sanitizer, paper towels, and water are currently nowhere to be found or are in very short stock as suppliers are currently limiting the amount of products they are shipping out.

Biner explained that local stores “took the biggest hit on Friday” as buyers stormed to buy necessary supplies. Demand has gone down over the last few days, but stores are still recovering and Biner believes it will take at least a month to get back to a “normal level.”

C-Force Bottling Company, a local water supplier on Highway 90 just outside of Navasota, are also working diligently to keep up with the demand for water. Chief Operations Officer Chris Tagudin said the plant operates three shifts around the clock and has begun working Saturdays. “We will continue working Saturdays for a few more weeks,” said Tagudin.

According to Tagudin, once a work order is complete it is shipped to a supply warehouse before it is distributed to stores. However, C-Force has plenty of water in stock at the local plant and the public is welcome to come in and purchase water directly Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. till 5 p.m. “We aren’t selling whole pallets to the public, but they are more than welcome to come purchase a handful of cases of water,” stated Tagudin.

As the local grocery stores are trying to keep the shelves stocked, the community is urged to practice a healthy hygiene regimen to help prevent the spread of the virus. A few CDC recommendations include:

• wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

• refrain from touching your face

• cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

• clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

• stay home if you feel sick

• practice social distancing of at least six feet

• avoid large groups of people

Keep in mind that the county is currently taking preventative measures to ensure the health and safety of our community such as shutting down schools in order to minimize social interaction within large groups.

Read about what our local schools are doing and the services they are offering at this time in COVID-19 impacting schools.