Hernandez Highlights Senior Shopping Hours, Encourages Use of Face Coverings

AURORA, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, is highlighting senior shopping hours at local grocery stores and encouraging anyone leaving their home to adhere to the recently published recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on wearing cloth face coverings in public.

“Grocery shopping is still an essential service during this pandemic, but it is crucial that all individuals are taking the necessary steps to protect themselves and others,” said Hernandez. “Many stores have implemented curbside pickup and designated early hours specifically for high-risk individuals like seniors, those with underlying health conditions and expectant mothers to shop safely and encourage social distancing. All individuals going out in public should follow the recommendations by the CDC and wear a cloth face covering.”

Hernandez is highlighting several grocery store chains that are offering specifically designated shopping times for at-risk individuals including Jewel-Osco, Walgreens, Meijer, Target, Dollar General, and Walmart. For more information on senior shopping hours and locations, please visit http://irma.org/COVID-19-senior-shopping/.

The CDC also recently published recommendations for wearing cloth face coverings when in public settings to help slow the spread of COVID-19, especially in crowded areas like grocery stores. Hernandez recommends checking out the CDC’s methods for creating a homemade cloth face covering, to help prevent the spread of the disease. For more information on how to make your own face covering, residents should visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

“I encourage high-risk individuals to take advantage of the special shopping hours at local grocery stores to protect yourself and for all individuals to follow the guidelines from the Center of Disease Control by covering your face in public,” said Hernandez. “I know these times are anything but ordinary or ideal, but if we continue to follow the guidelines presented to us, we can get through this together.”