Freelance journalist Peter Mertz usually writes for Chinese media company Xinhua. Now, he’s turned his attention to doing daily social media posts on the Carbondale community page about what’s stocked in the town’s City Market.
Mertz’s upbeat posts include pictures of fresh produce and delivery trucks, along with a report of what’s on the store’s shelves. He says his goal is to both quell panic-buying and help people stay home if what they want isn’t there. Some people ask Mertz about whether City Market has specific items, like bananas or baby formula.
"I raised four children out here," he said. "If I was around with my kids now, I wouldn’t want to leave for all the tea in China."
While the posts have garnered thanks and praise for their optimistic tone, some also question whether he should continue in the face of a statewide stay-at-home order. Mertz says he takes precautions and wears a mask and gloves. He shops as he takes photos and notes, and limits his visits to the store to about five minutes.
Mertz says right now, it’s critical that people know what’s available, so they don’t go out in public if it’s not necessary.
"You have to weigh the benefits versus the downsides," he said.
Ideally, he said, City Market would be able to directly inform customers about what they have in stock, but right now, employees already have their hands full. He says he'll continue to post, "so people don't have to risk their lives coming to the store."
