Businesses Board Up Their Stores Over Fears of Post Election Violence

Americans are extremely stressed out due to the growing unemployment rates and coronavirus pandemic. Several hours before the presidential elections, businesses are afraid of post-election violence.  These, accompanied by the elections, mobilized the National Guard and the White House to expect a potential breakdown of law following the voting results.

Cities Across the US Prepare for Post-Election Violence

As Mayor Muriel Bowser stated that driving and parking in the city center was not recommended, Washington resembled a guarded ghost town rather than a US capital. The tour busses and jewelry shops’ displays are empty, while souvenir shops still keep unsold T-shirts supporting the two presidential nominees.

This is not happening only in Washington. The most recent Google search term related to the election is "cities boarding up for election," followed by similar expressions such as "election day riots," etc. 

According to polls, 6 in 10 voters believe the US is currently on the wrong track, the people seeking unemployment benefits reached a new record high. The deputy editor at ThePrepared.com Jon Stokes stated that "There is a very serious uptick in anxiety around everything," and he has not seen such an interest in the election before.

At the same time, gun sales are surging. The most recent FBI data shows that the firearm presale in October has reached 3.3 million, while for the same period in the past five years it was only 2.16 million.

The psychologist Laurie Paul, practicing in the Washington area, stated there is an impressive anxiety rise over the election, and the relationships in politically mixed families are strained.

Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, said last week that it was pulling guns and ammunition from its shelves, but it reversed the decision Friday, saying it expected any unrest to be geographically isolated.