By Roman Ysaguirre
The novel coronavirus outbreak began at the end of 2019 in Wuhan China. The epidemic in China quickly spiraled into a full fledged pandemic by March 2020. Lockhart Texas and the broader Caldwell County area has been affected to a lesser extent, compared to places such as the state of New York, however the impacts are still felt in small town USA.
As of April 5, 2020, Caldwell County has three officially confirmed cases of COVID-19, per Johns Hopkins University map of the pandemic. A “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order was put into effect March 31 by County Judge Hoppy Haden. The locals and businesses of Lockhart Texas try and adhere to health guidelines while maintaining a normal lifestyle.
Parks are taped up to discourage use while the pandemic sweeps at a high rate across the United States. COVID-19 has proven especially contagious, as community spread is worsened by those who are ill, but are not aware because they’re asymptomatic. 
Lockhart patrons travel in and out of the local Walmart all day. As COVID-19 reaches smaller communities, several customers are seen wearing mask and gloves. 
Robert J., a Lockhart local says he’s had a hard time finding what he needs. “It seems a lot of people are coming from the bigger cities to find items. Now I can’t find what I normally buy.” 
Sanitation supplies, such as alcohol wipes, were bought out during the panic period of late March. The stores are having a hard time meeting the demands. 
A few lonely hand soaps sit on the barren shelves. 
Signs are placed across the store asking customers to limit their purchases. This sign request buyers limit themselves to one item. 
Toilet paper was a hot item during the panic buying period. The toilet paper isle is largely empty in the Lockhart Walmart. 
The food isles in the Lockhart Walmart have been mostly replenished. 
These signs are seen at the front of the store where customers wait at registers or self-checkout. This store is making considerable efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 by enforcing social distancing guidelines enacted by the CDC. 
Just as you enter the local HEB, the once lush area with fresh produce was empty in late March. The Lockhart HEB has been going through some remodeling. I reached out to Jennifer S., a long time employee at HEB who commented on this image, “I think it’s broken because they’re remodeling, but I can’t say [for certain].” She added that they’re remodeling various areas across the store. 
From my visit, there was plenty of produce for purchase at the Lockhart HEB, despite the down fridges at the front of the store. 
Just like Walmart, HEB has struggled to meet the new higher demands of customers. For some items, there were purchasing limits.
Photo of playground by Vera S. All other photos by Roman Ysaguirre
