Frenzied shoppers swarm Georgia Sam’s Club for toilet paper in viral video

A video posted to Facebook by a Columbus, Georgia Sam’s Club shopper shows a frenzy of shoppers snapping up toilet paper in anticipation of COVID-19 hitting the Columbus area.

The video, which Carmen Ellis said was taken around 11 a.m. Friday at the Sam’s Club on Whittlesey Boulevard, shows employees attempting to restock the store with toilet paper.

A crowd of people rush to snatch up the bulk-sized hygiene products as fast as they were being put out.

The video, posted on Ellis’ personal Facebook page, had over 40,000 views, 600 comments and 1,700 shares as of 5 p.m. Friday.

Ellis said the store had run out of toilet paper the night before and were completely sold out again by the time she left the store, which was “not even 20 minutes.”

Ellis said the store is also limiting the amount people are allowed to buy.

Laura Ladd Poff, senior corporate communications manager for Sam’s Club, said there are product limits being enforced in all stores but did not provide specific items.

“In order to ensure access to desired products to as many members as possible, we are limiting the purchase of select items that are in high demand,” she said.

There are currently no reported cases of COVID-19 in Columbus.

This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 5:24 PM with the headline "Frenzied shoppers swarm Georgia Sam’s Club for toilet paper in viral video."