'We can't keep up with demand for eclipse glasses'
Liverpool post office owner says demand for specialist glasses to see the solar eclipse is 'crazy'.
Karen Smith, owner of Booker Avenue Post Office in south Liverpool, has completely sold out of specialist eclipse glasses after being inundated by eclipse enthusiasts. The highly-anticipated solar eclipse, which will be visible across the UK on Wednesday evening, peaked in northwest England at 19:10 BST. Experts warn against looking directly at the Sun or using sunglasses, advising the use of indirect viewing methods such as a pinhole camera.
Smith has been repeatedly ringing Jim, a retired scientist, for more supplies as the glasses have been flying off the shelf and staff are staying late to fulfill orders. Smith expressed frustration over the unprecedented demand and apologized for those unable to obtain the glasses. A staff member at Specsavers in Formby reported similar queues, with the store selling out of 350 pairs of glasses by 11:15 BST.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
