DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- As if the initial shortage of toilet paper, hand sanitizer and gloves weren't enough, now there are reports of a coin shortage. But are they true? The short answer is yes.
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You've probably noticed the signs at the grocery stores, pharmacies and other retailers asking you to pay with exact cash or by card.
"We're a gas station and convenience store so maybe impacting us a little more," said Nick Ruffner at Sheetz.
Sheetz is feeling the effect. Ruffner said the Federal Reserve has seen a sharp decline in coin circulation but despite conspiracy theories about a cashless society, coins are still plentiful. The problem is people aren't spending them as much because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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"We still have a lot of businesses across the country shut down due to social distancing so that's causing a circulation issue but it's also social distancing measures that were put in place by the U.S. mint so that causes a supply issue," Ruffner said.
The other concern: are cash and coins safe? There's no significant evidence that proves the novel coronavirus can be transmitted through the exchange. Still, it's not a bad idea to keep things touchless