It is beginning to feel a bit like 2020 again.
Toilet paper went fly off shelves again because of the cargo prt strike.Luckily the strike is now resolved.
Helene is bringing shortages of her own including I.V. medical supplies as the country's biggest manufacture is based in NC and is closed temporarily. Some hospitals are beginning conserve their supplies.
Quartz mines (which are key to making semiconductor chips) in Spruce Pine,NC are closed with no known reopening date due to Helene.
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/03/helene-quartz-mine-semiconductor-north-carolina.html
One thing we can access is new Covid tests are now available
I have a drawer full of very much expired. Covid tests at home, but one thing I learned is that even a year passed an extended expiration date, a lot of these tests are still very valid. Case in point, I used them while my wife had Covid, as did she. Mine showed up negative and hers almost instantly registered her positive. These are some of the first tests we received from the kits so while you may still want to double check results, don’t throw away your old unused tests because mine are still working!
@dannyboy You can look up your tests on this list to see what the extended expiration dates are:
The CEOs of Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and others issued a warning last week that due to the tariffs, there will be massive price hikes and empty shelves in stores within a few weeks. Many links to mainstream articles can be found with a simple search, but here is one:
Although they met with the Orange One for talks about this and claim that their talks were productive, even if the tariffs are drastically reduced or even removed, it will take several weeks for supply lines to recover. If you can, try to stock up on dry, storable foods such as rice and beans, as well as other non-perishables such as household goods, cleaning supplies, and other necessary items that may be very expensive and/or in short supply very soon.
Shortages are going to be a real thing even if tariffs magically "poof" disappeared today.
Additionally certain items unrelated to tariffs are already in short supply and will continue to be a concern for some time to come. For example, Brazil and Vietnam make up more than half the coffee supply and climate change is causing havoc with their crops.
Here is an article from last week about which items are expected to become more difficult to find/ or a lot more expensive the quickest. Fast apparel items and low margin clothes like t-shirts, socks, basic apparel and certain kids clothes fit this area. Also back to school supplies. If you have kids, think ahead and get prepared for back to school early. As you have probably heard, toys also fall into this list. If there is a must have toy or a true holiday need item for a child or (even an adult), consider getting it now if possible. Manage expectations with youngsters now for the holidays.
As a person who runs an adopt-a family program, here is a thought. If you don't have children currently in your life, consider getting something for a family/child in need now and tucking it away to give to a reputable charity this winter/fall. It will likely be more affordable now and there should be greater options available.
The need this year for families in need is on track to be ...well...overwhelming.
Also, if toys aren't your thing, basic supplies for families are important too. Dollar Tree still has great prices and variety in stock on personal care products and cleaning supplies which are always welcomed by charities servicing families.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/24/unsustainable-china-trade-war-retail-shortage-warnings.html
@lovendures Just a mention for us seniors with dentures... Polygrip Denture Cream? Is made in Ireland and distributed by GSK US. I just paid 14.00 for 3 tubes ... it wiped out my cash stocking up? But I decided to go ahead and buy 4 more tubes... this should see me thru til midfall... but other meds? Which a lot of are made in Mexico and India now? Get stocked up on ... your OTC advil/ibuprofen.... your OTC Pepcid/famotidine ... allergy meds etc etc and basic first aid supplies. Any prescription meds get a 90 day supply now if possible.
Donny Two Dolls is now shocking the world with his aspirations of popehood... I am sure this is a disrespectful distraction from what is now happening.
@journeywithme2 My thyroid medication (armour thyroid) is made in Ireland apparently...it's the only one that works for me and I don't have a thyroid anymore due to past thyroid cancer. I just refilled mine and have some extra thankfully.
@michellepazicni I told my daughter about Armour. She's looking for a new source. She asked if you were in the US to calculate the price. Thank you.
@elaineg I am in the US. my 90 day supply of 180mg twice a day costs me around $260...I don't have insurance.
@michellepazicni Yeah, Thank you. Marica doesn't have insurance either.
Bumping this thread, adding new U.S. health, safety, and shortage issues. In 1990, I spent nine months researching domestic food safety after Reagan’s USDA inspection cutbacks. My Atlantic article remains relevant—nothing has improved, and the situation may have worsened under T. The government minimizes food safety inspections to help the meat industry produce more chicken, pork, and beef, while the USDA stamp of approval falsely assures the public that food is safe.
ProPublica now reports that foreign food inspections have also been reduced, making seafood, fruits and vegetables, even cookies produced abroad, even less safe: https://www.propublica.org/article/foreign-food-safety-inspections-historic-low-fda
FDA investigators found insects, cracked belts, and dripping pipes in foreign facilities. The U.S. now imports nearly all seafood, 60% of fruit, and 40% of vegetables. Experts warn foodborne illness risks are rising.
Dozens of FDA officials blame these cutbacks on Trump-era staffing reductions.
People need to know that the food they are buying is less safe to eat now.
@michellepazicni You could see if Mark Cuban’s pharmacy can give you a better price on your prescription.
Alert: Thanksgiving is a big food illness time because poultry sits around at room temp after not being cooked enough. Do not eat it! And now with federal cutbacks of food oversight, know which foods could be unsafe.
What you can do in general now to protect from food borne illness:
-
Cook meat, eggs, and fish thoroughly; I avoid raw fish now.
-
Buy from local CSA farms you can inspect. When possible, grow your own food, raise chickens for meat and eggs.
A silver lining:
Between 2012–15, I envisioned more people growing food, going vegetarian, and buying locally—not for safety, but climate and welfare reasons. Now distrust of federal oversight seems to contribute too.
Stay aware, hopeful, and share ideas for staying food safe!
It is beginning to feel a bit like 2020 again.
You were speaking of shortages. A widely respected investor spoke about the Trump's economic policies as a kind of pandemic.
And now we are looking at food safety, which also concerned us during the pandemic, due to good infection.
@jeanne-mayell, I just saw this video and it ties with the food inspection issues mentioned. Sharing this as a PSA as well.
Nationwide listeria outbreak linked to ready made pasta products