This morning I read this:

"You're better off going to the grocery store today. I just heard there would be a one-week lockdown very soon"

My question is: Wouldn'tn saying "you better go..." be more natural in this case?

Question

This morning I read this:

"You're better off going to the grocery store today. I just heard there would be a one-week lockdown very soon"

My question is: Wouldn'tn saying "you better go..." be more natural in this case?

Answer

BETTER OFF implies there is some sort of choice.

"I'll go to the store next week."
"You're better off going today, etc. etc.

YOU BETTER would be alright actually, though the correct phrase is YOU'D BETTER.

Also,      I just heard there WILL be a lockdown, not WOULD

Answer

You can say that but it is a different meaning than what they intend to say, what they mean is that it will be more appropriate and beneficial for you if you go to the store now.