INDIANAPOLIS — Mike Galloway is over the age of 60 and is diabetic. A potentially deadly combination if he or others like him develop COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Every time they go to another store ... they deal with another group ... and another shopping cart that could be infected," Galloway said of how mass buying is putting people like him in stressful situations.
"Open the freezer door at the store ... that door has been touched by how many people?" Galloway asked.
Galloway's diabetes is under control, but he says he was able to do that mostly by eating the right foods, which is now hard for him and other diabetics.
"They'd have to go around to a lot of stores right now to find what they needed probably," Galloway said. "Fresh vegetables are more difficult to find right ... protein is more limited than what it would be ... normally."
During this difficult time, Galloway knows people are only doing what they feel like is necessary, but he wants you to think about others the next time you go shopping.
"Your top priority is taking care of yourself, but there are other people (who) need things too," Galloway said. "And you have to kind of think about how much do you really need?"
David Miller, the registered nurse who helped Galloway get his diabetes under control by losing 100 pounds, says anyone with a chronic illness should be taking some extra precautions during this pandemic.
"Whether it's COPD or asthma, or anything like that, same things apply ... make sure you have enough of your medication ... testing or meters ... or inhalers ... whatever the case may be," Miller said.
Whatever illness you're managing, you're encouraged to talk to your doctor to make sure you have what you need for an extended amount of time, but still call ahead before showing up to the doctor's office to avoid potential exposure to coronavirus.
