FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Black Friday is approaching as COVID-19 cases soar.
While some customers plan to get in line Friday morning and stock up on Christmas gifts, others plan to get the best deals on their computers at home.
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Walmart customer Christopher Weiss says he'll be at the store at 7am when he we gets off work, bringing his wife and kids alongside him.
"It's always been a family tradition to us and we always have a blast doing it," said Weiss.
The COVID-19 virus is expected to impact Black Friday, being one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Stores like Best Buy and Walmart began their online deals a week early to halt crowds, hopefully halting the spread of the coronavirus.
Best Buy shopper Cristian Badillo says it's important for stores to increase their online sales to provide holiday deals for customers during the pandemic.
“It’s going to prevent the spread of COVID-19," said Badillo. "I lost a family member to the virus.”
Badillo's two uncles also contracted the virus.
He says shopping online is nothing new to him, and opted for Best Buy's curbside option to pick up a TV on Wednesday.
“If it was up to me, I’d just close the stores,” said Badillo. “But I know that’s not possible because of the economy.”
Weiss’ mother-in-law, Michelle Anderson, says shopping is part of the holiday spirit, and plans to be in line with Weiss and her daughter.
“I enjoy going shopping on Black Friday,” said Anderson. “It’s a tradition after you eat Thanksgiving dinner. Everybody gets prepared to shop.”
She says stores will still make money even if their most popular items are sold online or their Friday hours are minimized.
