Shortages

Here's an article from yesterday's LA Times. It refers more to clothing, but the underlying reasoning applies to all retail:

http://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=4d294f22-b9f0-4a33-a312-36fa99317833

Here in San Diego, we also see full availability of paper products, and a decent amount of detergents, but no disinfecting supplies. I can buy 1 bottle of bleach at a time from a discount supermarket. Haven't seen Lysol in months, although my SIL in Chicago says she was able to buy 1 can at her Costco. I have had some luck with isopropyl alcohol, surgical masks and TP being well stocked at my local Walgreens and I recently grabbed 1 box of nitrile gloves there (they're not really price gouging either).  Other friends have reported other types of supermarket shelves being bare like it's March again, but I have not observed that myself.

@lovendures

Since I have seen the inside of a store or even photos of ones on 4 and a half months I read like with baited breath to the very end!

Tells me so much about the state of at least your world and the big items like furniture one.

Stay safe stay healthy, stay as happy as you can and the same for sane!

You can do this you're one loving but still tough mama!

Mayor Garcetti has been signaling hard that Lockdown 2.0 is very likely, so I've been trying to prepare with trips to Costco, etc.

At Costco, last week, I noticed that almost every cart seemed to have a package of toilet paper in it.  Costco had plenty, but clearly the cautious people like me are getting ready on that front.

Haven't been able to find Lysol in months.  I finally bought 3 pack off of Ebay a few weeks ago, and am glad I did.

The coin shortage is real.  I live in an old building and our laundry still runs on exclusively on quarters.  I stopped by the bank yesterday to make sure I had enough (because really, I don't want to be in the middle of a pandemic and not be able to do laundry), and banks would only do $10 in quarters in a visit.  Had to stop at 2 to change $20 into quarters.

@michele-b

Since you are living in the outside word vicariously through these posts I will try to describe what else I have noticed.

When we were in Colorado 2 weeks ago, we came across a pallet of Clorox wipes in a 3 pack sets.  I thought about it for about 15 seconds and put the pack in my cart . I wondered if their appearance meant the Clorox supply chain was running more smoothly.  I have mixed thoughts on that. I noticed Clorox bleach in Walmart today so that means 2 places with bleach in the Lone Star state since I also found some at a Texas Costco, but no additional wipes by any maker or Lysol Spray.

At Sprouts today, I discovered an all natural spray that has been hopstital tested to kill all sorts of virus bugs and germs including H1n1.  I bought it for my daughter.  They, like every store I have been too recently had plenty of hand gel and hand sanitizer spray.

At my daughter’s apartment complex, the security gate was broken by a car which backed into it a few  months ago.  They have been waiting for it to be repaired with the order submitted  nearly 3 months ago.  Yes, still waiting.  This is apparently due to Covid though I don’t know if it is a manufacture  issue or a installer issue.  
Speaking of her apartment, in order to do anything with the office, you need an appointment.  This includes even small things like getting a mailbox key or turning in paperwork.  ( time for a mini rant.  So, it is understandable for an apartment manager to only meet with renters during a scheduled appointment  but many Governors across the nation are still wanting in-person school?)

You really should call ahead to find out the current operating hours of stores, especially family owned businesses.  I have noticed that some stores are opened normal hours, some have new hours which are posted online and others have changed their hours yet again but haven’t updated their website, only their door with a hand written note identifies the change.

Michele,  if you haven’t been out, you may find it interesting that I have yet to see one available water fountain for the general public to use, in any state.  It makes sense.  

Many stores now have a designated shopping cart attendant  whose job it is to “sanitize” all the shopping carts.   There might also be an attendant keeping track of how many customers  are inside the store, even a large store like Walmart.  Sometimes they are posted out front to make sure masks are being worn as people enter.  Usually sanitizing gel is available  for customers to use in the entry/ exit area.  Many larger stores, (IKEA, Walmart, Kohl’s) have one way entry  and a different way out.  Many large stores have arrows directing people to move down the aisles in only one way directions.  Not many follow those arrows.  People will do odd things with their masks.  Some will take them off to sneeze...

In case someone here thinks I like going out to shop during this pandemic,  I don’t.  Not at all.  I don’t like to use the word hate but my feelings are pretty close on the subject.  To get through it I try hard to think about what I am grateful for while shopping. Even if it is the people stationed at the doors asking others to wear masks. 

My oldest is a strong empath and has had 2 episodes one being completely stressed out while shopping for needed items, the most recent time in Costco.  It is difficult for her under any circumstance picking up on everyone’s emotions.  Couple that with the uncertainty of how teaching will go and beginning life in a new city means lots of stress.  So shopping in a big store is hard.  Especially with shortages.  There isn’t time to ponder choices in stores either.  You have to make quick decisions  and be aware of your environment continuously. 

@lovendures

Hope your Colorado sojourn was a good one, and you are safe and sound with the rain coming in over there... I always think of the plight of the beloved Wild Horses when I think of Arizona ... ?

Shortages ... here in NM it hasn't been too bad, though I never shop at the Big Box stores, and have found in this last month that online shopping and relatively fast delivery are the only way to go. I just spray everything down with disinfectant and so far so good.

The PO and FedEx are keeping up, and recently I ordered a special gift for someone from Europe, and it got here to my door in 4 days! So yeah, online is a lifesaver....

Also, the thrift stores are opening up, and that's a fantastic resource for furniture, etc. I expect that you are still looking for your kids in Tx? Try the consignment and thrift stores over there ... I've found some amazing stuff at low prices!

Sending you love n light ... ⛈️?⛈️

@michele-b

Also, there are shortages of workers. Big box stores and many small retail stores have signs n their windows needing employees.  I have a dear friend how manages a store in West LA which is about to re-open and is having difficulty finding enough employees to work.  Many former employees around the country either chose no longer work retail or simply stopped working.

Produce is available,  but it is summer and I am noticing much less variety than is typical for summer.  

Menus in most restaurants are downsized.  I have notice some that normally offer breakfast , lunch and dinner aren't open for breakfast.  Many close earlier.  Some menu items are difficult to source ow.  Some too difficult too make.  I only occasionally get food to pick up from restaurants and never dine outside or in.  

@stargazer

Thanks for the consignment idea!

99 days without any rain in the Phoenix area.  That is very bad.  Hit a good rainstorm in New Mexico which was refreshing and exciting.

4 days from Europe?  Amazing!

Yea, online can be great, if you time it right.

I stick to smaller grocery and hardware stores as much as possible, even though there are large stores nearby. They're a little more expensive, but it's worth it because they are being slightly more proactive.

For example, I don't go to Whole Foods, Vons, Home Depot or Target. I go to Lazy Acres (a family owned CA chain), Ace Hardware. I do go to our Walgreens (it's very small), and I send my hubby to Trader Joe's (also small, but the line to get in is too long for me). I also shop at a small holistic pet shop (it's called "Howlistic" LOL). I also go to a local Smart & Final in a sketchy area that is also smaller, it's been safe there - go on a weekday morning and there are few shoppers and everyone is very respectful and masked.

At Lazy Acres they have a cart and basket sanitizer - I think they actually hired a homeless person who has been hanging around their parking lot forever, that's a win-win in my book. They also have a security guard who will give you a mask if you really don't have one, but will make you leave if you refuse.

And anything else I need I get online.

I'm also getting a sense that it might be time to re-up some supplies, although I've been very good at replacing what we use as we use it.

@lovendures - we do take out once weekly to support local businesses, but I have a hard and fast rule: it has to be reheatable. I pop everything onto plates or bowls and microwave it for a minute or so. No salads or raw foods that have been prepped but not cooked.

@laura-f

Yes, avoiding the corporate big stores is good thinking, though food shopping is a challenge right?

Usually I go to a small 'boutique' sort of Lowe's (live in a small mountain village) because it's close and I can walk there, but it is very limited in fresh produce... I have noticed that some of the open -air Farmer's Mkts are starting to open again (yes!) and would much rather do that than the super stores.

We really have to plan ahead and think outside "the box" now.... especially if you have a family to consider. It takes some creativity and mental gymnastics, and maybe some changes in our perspective on what we always took for granted in the 'before time'?

@laura-f

When I return form Texas, I will look forward to shopping in smaller places again.  

My favorite place to shop right now is Trader Joes, though again, I really don't like shopping during this pandemic.   I do miss their cooking samples.  When my kids were young they would get excited in being able to  visiting the "snack lady".

PS.... Lovendures, still praying for rain in AZ for you! 99 days??!!? That 'shortage' seems like torture, and especially for the environs and the precious wildlife ....?

@stargazer

Our farmers markets here are open, and they are doing a great job - masks, distance, etc. The problem is that you have to wait on line for each block of the market, then on line again at each vendor. And only 1 person per household. So it's too much work for me and as much as I love my husband, he's not capable of adjusting whatever I give him on a list to whatever is available that day.

Luckily, our main meat provider/farmer, has a showroom outside of town. I place an order via email and go to pick it up at my convenience, I'm usually the only person there, and this way I just throw my pounds of meat and eggs into the car and drive right home.

I also see that a few of the local farmers are getting their produce into Lazy Acres, and they have lots of good organic choices in any case, so that's another reason I stick with them.

Had no idea people were seeing shortages but I keep getting the urge to stock up again, the frantic kind like we did in March. I am getting this urge to fill up my chest freezer again. Now I know why after reading this thread.

I was at one of our local Smart & Final discount supermarkets today. I was getting some stuff for my daughter's new apartment (pantry items - a housewarming gift!). It was before lunchtime.

Today I noticed some shelves were mostly bare for certain things that were there a few weeks ago:

• dishwashing liquid
• canned soup
• canned vegies
• canned fruit
• PB & Jelly
• rice
• flour
• tissues
• TP
• candles
• corn meal
• sponges

The most "abundant" aisles were: cereal, junk foods and sodas.

@laura-f

That is interesting.  ( Boy can I relate to the getting food staples for your  daughter in a new apartment timing).

Dang.  We may be dealing with more shortages again it looks like.  

This new shortage will impact everyone in some way.

I am having difficulty linking the article to my phone but their is now an aluminum  shortage and anything found in an aluminum can will soon be difficult to find.  It seems that since people are staying home, kegs are not being used ( and soda fountain drinks) and those beverages are being drunk out of more cans.  Companies are scrambling to get their aluminum , especially beer companies but all are impacted.

@lovendures

Hm... maybe it will spark a greater return to recyclable glass containers.

Not that aluminum is not recyclable, but mining it is not great.

@lovendures  Where I'm at in Michigan (I'm sure it's the same elsewhere, but I just don't know) bottle returns are open but severely limited - like, I had to run into Walmart to pick up my mom's birthday present from the photo department and they had a worker at the door making sure people were masked, and another worker at the bottle return.  Only two people were allowed in at a time and a sign said people were limited to 10 minutes and $25 maximum on returns.  

I have probably $100 worth of diet coke cans in bags in my garage.  And I don't anticipate being able to actually get them to the stores to return anytime soon.  It's not worth waiting in line.

@dannyboy

We were buying cream and half/half in glass bottles from a well known organic dairy. Stopped because the store won't take them back, and it's a $3 deposit per bottle.