Texas couple hires mariachi band to play inside a crowded H-E-B to help ease coronavirus tensions

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Monday, March 16, 2020
Mariachi band plays at crowded HEB Plus in city of Schertz, northeast San Antonio
Texas couple Emmanuel and Maira Mallen wanted to put a smile on shoppers' faces amidst the chaos surrounding daily life because of the coronavirus.

SCHERTZ, Texas (KTRK) -- Many Texans have been frantically searching local grocery stores to prepare their homes for the COVID-19 outbreak.

One couple attempted to ease this anxiety at their local grocery store.

Emmanuel and Maira Mallen hired a band to serenade frantic shoppers with mariachi music at their local H-E-B Plus.

READ MORE: H-E-B, Kroger adjusting store hours amid growing coronavirus fears

"I woke up to my feed full of coronavirus stuff. I just felt it would be an uplift at our local H-E-B," the couple told ABC13. "It has been so tense lately. When they started playing, the mood (changed) immediately."

Customer Ashley Lyons shared a video on Facebook showing the band playing around 11:30 a.m in Schertz, Texas, 25 miles northeast of San Antonio.

"So, we are going down the same way the titanic did, just in the San Antonio way," Lyons wrote in the caption. "Thanks to Emmanuel Mallen for bringing the fun in!"

As the numbers of coronavirus cases rise in the Houston area, locals have been stocking up on food and supplies. Many shoppers have reported seeing empty shelves at their local grocery stores.

SEE ALSO: Everything Americans need to know about coronavirus

"There is absolutely no need to go out and stockpile supplies," Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday after he declared a statewide emergency. "This isn't the type of situation like where we see with an oncoming hurricane."

Stores are seeing a huge shortage in hand soap, toilet paper, sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. Authories are urging customers to buy only what they need, so there are enough supplies for the rest of the community.

RELATED: Houstonians could see coronavirus drive-thru testing next week

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