ECON New Shortages - Sept Forward

[exiled2tx]

I know that there have been a couple of threads on this but things kind of get lost in long threads with some drift in them. So I thought I'd start off a new, current one. (Mods: if you disagree with this, just put this into the larger one).

I've said that grocery stores in South Florida have pretty much gotten back to normal - I've been able to get what we need, including paper products. And there are plenty of masks around too.

I did go to a local medical supply shop today to get medical gloves (for elder care). This place actually remained stocked back in April / May when everyone was running around for gloves. They now had three boxes left - all Medium. Apologized for the price increase and spoke of a shortage. One of the local health care agencies is also having trouble getting them.

 

[Blastoff]

increased demand as restaurants and schools open

 

[Terrwyn]

I know that there have been a couple of threads on this but things kind of get lost in long threads with some drift in them. So I thought I'd start off a new, current one. (Mods: if you disagree with this, just put this into the larger one).

I've said that grocery stores in South Florida have pretty much gotten back to normal - I've been able to get what we need, including paper products. And there are plenty of masks around too.

I did go to a local medical supply shop today to get medical gloves (for elder care). This place actually remained stocked back in April / May when everyone was running around for gloves. They now had three boxes left - all Medium. Apologized for the price increase and spoke of a shortage. One of the local health care agencies is also having trouble getting them.

I just purchased 4 boxes of 50 sterile gloves extra large on Net 32. Paid a lot. 23.95 minimum order 4.But paid it because DH needs ex lg to care for my leg and they are almost impossible to find in sterile.

 

[Doc1]

Just a question for the medical types:

Is there any good reason to spend extra money - or go without - for sterile gloves? As soon as you open them they are no longer sterile and I would think that if you donned non-sterile rubber gloves and then sprayed the exteriors with alcohol or another antiseptic you would probably be better off than using so-called sterile types without the spray.

Am I missing something here? Thanks.

Best
Doc

 

[naturallysweet]

Right now in Oregon, air filters are in short supply. People are taping them to box fans to filter the ash out.

 

[AlaskaSue]

Anchorage muni, including bedroom communities like Eagle River, still requires masks at most public locations. I am well aware there is strong doubt about their efficacy, but one does as one must to participate in society, reluctant or not. Masks are still available but they cost a ridiculous amount around here - unless one chooses china masks online or can make their own. They are still not effective but sometimes one just has to toe that line. $14.00 for 3 masks at Fred Meyers (Krogers to most of you). But this week my trainer brought me an entire case he found at Costco for 50 masks at $21.00. Sigh. I like the local gym, no mask required but that was really nice of him to do that.

Not really looking forward to the next couple of months of travel - but will be very interesting in seeing what is and is not available in Kodiak and the Tampa area. Meanwhile, I'm going out in the sunny, chilly, blue sky day here... and breathe in the crisp clean Alaska air while I can.

 

[IJT]

I lucked out, I don't have to worry about gloves, my wife works in the medical field, the give to her.

 

[helen]

Huge livestock feed shortage at store I've used for over twenty years. I will not name location.

It may be the beginning of rotating shipments, like toilet paper. The staff does not know when more feed is coming.

A brand of feed that was available is now packaged significantly smaller.

 

[Zahra]

Just a question for the medical types:

Is there any good reason to spend extra money - or go without - for sterile gloves? As soon as you open them they are no longer sterile and I would think that if you donned non-sterile rubber gloves and then sprayed the exteriors with alcohol or another antiseptic you would probably be better off than using so-called sterile types without the spray.

Am I missing something here? Thanks.

Best
Doc

I think people are confusing exam gloves for "sterile gloves" Doc. Exam gloves (that come in the boxes) aren't sterile and don't need to be. Sterile gloves (surgical gloves) are individually packaged -- so short answer to your question is NO, don't buy surgical gloves, just buy a box of exam gloves if you really feel the need to glove up.

 

[marsh]

I use the alcohol type antiseptic hand wash on the used gloves, before I take them off. I can reuse them about 3-4 times that way for ordinary things.

 

[Dozdoats]

My residual dyslexia (or whatever it is) initially read that as

New Shortages - Step Forward

 

[nomifyle]

I ordered a case of air filters from amazon about a month or so ago, we are set for a good while with normal use.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[Meadowlark]

You dont need gloves. I just carry some hand sanitizer in the car and wash my hands when I get home.

 

[zookeeper9]

In my area, (cental MD) we are still not back to normal on a lot of items. Store shelves may be stocked, but not all brands are available and they are often light on the number of items on the shelves or in the freezer. The basic things are available, but you can't be picky about brands or costs.

Paper Towels and TP are still hit or miss depending on the store, time of day, and if you are brand specific.

Sanitizing wipes are the same, very limited supply if you get there 1st thing in the morning. Hand sanitizer is available and right not there seems to be a lot of it.

I am still looking at the preps and stocking up as I can. We are good for about 3 months right now, I am trying to bump it to 6 months, but I am running into storage space issues. I am stocking up for 15 people.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Here in our little corner of the world in NE Mississippi, I'm seeing absolutely no shortages of anything. No limits on anything, either. All seems to be back to normal. Schools are open, businesses, including restaurants, churches, everything is open again. The only thing that appears different is that some people are wearing masks.

Sam's and Walgreens both have an abundant supply of gloves and masks. Masks are so common and abundant that you see them in almost every store you walk into.

 

[Terrwyn]

Just a question for the medical types:

Is there any good reason to spend extra money - or go without - for sterile gloves? As soon as you open them they are no longer sterile and I would think that if you donned non-sterile rubber gloves and then sprayed the exteriors with alcohol or another antiseptic you would probably be better off than using so-called sterile types without the spray.

Am I missing something here? Thanks.

Best
Doc

I have no idea. I just buy the sterile as an extra level of protection for applying ointments to sometimes open wounds.

 

[hiwall]

Many or most LTS foods are still unobtainable or at least in short supply. And ammo.

 

[packyderms_wife]

Furnaces! A whole lot of people are going to freeze this winter if their unit dies.

 

[Double_A]

Just a question for the medical types:

Is there any good reason to spend extra money - or go without - for sterile gloves? As soon as you open them they are no longer sterile and I would think that if you donned non-sterile rubber gloves and then sprayed the exteriors with alcohol or another antiseptic you would probably be better off than using so-called sterile types without the spray.

Am I missing something here? Thanks.

Best
Doc

I would think they need to be individually packaged as a pair. Same as a box of Bandaids contains individually packaged bandaids.

 

[PrairieMoon]

Just a question for the medical types:

Is there any good reason to spend extra money - or go without - for sterile gloves? As soon as you open them they are no longer sterile and I would think that if you donned non-sterile rubber gloves and then sprayed the exteriors with alcohol or another antiseptic you would probably be better off than using so-called sterile types without the spray.

Am I missing something here? Thanks.

Best
Doc

Obviously depends on what you are using them for. I have some outdated sterile gloves, but don't see the need to purchase any. I'd prefer to have a larger supply of non-sterile gloves and alcohol / alcohol hand gel. The majority of wound care can be done using non-sterile gloves, depending on how invasive it is and location.

 

[Cardinal]

Not shortages per se, but I went to Wallyworld for some archery supplies and prices were thru the roof.

 

[Millwright]

Not shortages persevere, but I went to Wallyworld for some archery supplies and prices were thru the roof.

The outdoors dept. has shrunk to not much around here.

 

[exiled2tx]

Masks are still available but they cost a ridiculous amount around here - unless one chooses china masks online or can make their own. They are still not effective but sometimes one just has to toe that line. $14.00 for 3 masks at Fred Meyers (Krogers to most of you). But this week my trainer brought me an entire case he found at Costco for 50 masks at $21.00.

For masks, I have found what seem to be good ones from Hanes (the underwear people). Triple ply, washable, relatively comfortable and not flimsy like this cheap ones around here. (I'm not paid for an endorsement but we did buy some too for my in-laws recently). I ordered on-line but I also noticed them at Walgreens. Cost online was $25 + tax for a 10 pack, $17.50 on sale this past weekend.

 

[Texican]

You dont need gloves. I just carry some hand sanitizer in the car and wash my hands when I get home.

When we shop, we use hand sanitizer before going into the store and with extra to wipe down the buggy handle. Also carry a small bottle in the store and use it.

Our hired help wears a mask and gloves when I pick him up and I also wear a mask. Also wipe down the steering wheel and door handles.

Use a mask when I go into the little local post office for you do not know who was in before you went in. Use hand sanitizer on the door handle on both sides. After getting back into the vehicle, I put the mail on the dash board and hand sanitize again.

When back at home, I open the mail with scissors and dump it out and trash the envelopes. The items inside the mail have had sufficient time that no virus remains.

Have two large bottles of hand sanitizer and 92% alcohol and aloe yo make more hand sanitizer.

Use hand sanitizer before all of this started.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Texican....

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Just a canning jar lid update. The lids I ordered months ago from Lehman's still haven't shown up.

 

[packyderms_wife]

Just a canning jar lid update. The lids I ordered months ago from Lehman's still haven't shown up.

I wouldn’t expect them until next spring, if then.

 

[frazbo]

For masks, I have found what seem to be good ones from Hanes (the underwear people). Triple ply, washable, relatively comfortable and not flimsy like this cheap ones around here. (I'm not paid for an endorsement but we did buy some too for my in-laws recently). I ordered on-line but I also noticed them at Walgreens. Cost online was $25 + tax for a 10 pack, $17.50 on sale this past weekend.

I also bought the Hanes at my WM. I took them home, washed them up and did not notice the little piece of paper that fell out of the box until I saw it on the floor next to my desk. It was odd. Before purchasing them I read on the box that they were made it Taiwan. OK, I thought.
Anyway, when I picked up the small piece of paper that fell out of the box, it was in chinese with english translation. Made in China. The date they were made, June 20, 2020. The name and address of the chinese company and all the bells and whistles FROM China. Nice little chinese emblem on the paper too.

I sent Hanes a scathing letter, that was three weeks ago and still no answer from them. I was furious. Now I will say that quite a while ago, I'd read that the way China gets their products into the US is to put "Made in Taiwan" on them and we just "assume" that it's safe.
They have been washed, sterilized and they are backups, just in case. I have yet to confront Walmart on this but it's coming.

Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[frazbo]

Just a canning jar lid update. The lids I ordered months ago from Lehman's still haven't shown up.

I was sent an email that I'm on the list when they do come in but it will probably be around Nov or Dec. I'm guessing. I'm pretty sure the country will be going to hell in a hand basket by then and it won't matter. Just thought Lord, if I'm to have these, then they'll get here, if not, thank you for providing other ways to preserve your food.

 

[Profit of Doom]

I would think they need to be individually packaged as a pair. Same as a box of Bandaids contains individually packaged bandaids.

Surgical glove come in precise sizes as well.

 

[packyderms_wife]

Not shortages per se, but I went to Wallyworld for some archery supplies and prices were thru the roof.

Yeah that stuff comes from overseas.

 

[night driver]

Sterile gloves are GREAT as long as someone has taught you HOW to put them ON so that you never touch the OUTER SIDE of the glove, so it remains sterile. There IS a trick to it.
Yes they come in discrete sizes.

 

[meandk0610]

Huge livestock feed shortage at store I've used for over twenty years. I will not name location.

It may be the beginning of rotating shipments, like toilet paper. The staff does not know when more feed is coming.

A brand of feed that was available is now packaged significantly smaller.

I went to order layer crumbles last night—6 bags for 1 month. The store I was trying to buy from (cheaper) had only 2 bags last night and they were sold out this morning. I ended up ordering them at Tractor Supply, where I’m going to pick up curbside tomorrow. I don’t know how many Ts had on-hand; I didn’t think to try to put more in the cart to see what happened.

 

[Mary Contrary]

Dollar General store here in NY said that as soon as they get the wipes in they are gone in one day. I keep looking, but can't find any. I got 2 bottles left.

 

[Scrapman]

I've noticed a pattern . When there's plenty of toilet paper there's no paper towels. When there's paper towels theres no toilet paper.

 

[Rabbit]

You dont need gloves. I just carry some hand sanitizer in the car and wash my hands when I get home.

I keep a roll of paper towels in the car along with the sanitizer gel and I wash my hands, cane, keys, purse, etc. Almost a sponge bath in the parking lot.

 

[mecoastie]

Biggest thing I am seeing short besides ammo is canning supplies. Even the small stores are almost completely wiped out. It is a case or two of jars here or there. No lids whatsoever. I dont even see many ads for jars in CL at any price.

 

[ssonb]

I will check in person this weekend but there seems to be a shortage of pressure treated lumber, I have looked for availability on line but it seems to be not in stock... Need to rebuild steps on deck and brace stringers.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Anchorage muni, including bedroom communities like Eagle River, still requires masks at most public locations. I am well aware there is strong doubt about their efficacy, but one does as one must to participate in society, reluctant or not. Masks are still available but they cost a ridiculous amount around here - unless one chooses china masks online or can make their own. They are still not effective but sometimes one just has to toe that line. $14.00 for 3 masks at Fred Meyers (Krogers to most of you). But this week my trainer brought me an entire case he found at Costco for 50 masks at $21.00. Sigh. I like the local gym, no mask required but that was really nice of him to do that.

Not really looking forward to the next couple of months of travel - but will be very interesting in seeing what is and is not available in Kodiak and the Tampa area. Meanwhile, I'm going out in the sunny, chilly, blue sky day here... and breathe in the crisp clean Alaska air while I can.

Tell your son to go to SAMs and they have a box of 50 (non surgical grade) for little under $10. If you want I'll pick up a couple boxes tomorrow and save them for you to take back.

Costco has a 4 pack of reusable "cool masks" ... they aren't supposed to make you expire from the heat ... for $10.

Either/or or both, just let me know. Send me an email or PM me here, etc.

 

[Millwright]

Check China Freight for gloves.

Something is better than nothing.

I use their heavy nitrile gloves for cleaning game.

They are fairly tough.

 

[Cyclonemom]

On phone at work, but have been listening to Prepper 2.0 podcast lately, so will put a link up later.

They have a grocery manufacturer/distributer ceo guest who says anything that requires flip top lids will be disappearing soon. Worldwide plastic lid shortage.