Russian Bread lines - American style

[jp1]

Or perhaps this could be called "A win for capitalism lovers" depending on one's political perspective and views.

Most people have probably read how the shortage of toilet paper isn't really a shortage, it's just that there are two supply channels for toilet paper. One for consumers and one for businesses. Before coronavirus 40% of people's toilet paper usage was in public restrooms, so now, with everyone at home mostly, people are needing more "consumer" toilet paper, thus the shortages.

Listened to a podcast today about how one of the industrial toilet paper manufacturers in NM dealt with the current situation. They decided to sell their industrial toilet paper straight to the public. $35 for a bag of like 90 rolls (I think I'm remembering the number correctly) of toilet paper. Sold from a kiosk in front of the factory. Lines of cars stretched nearly 3 miles from every direction with people eager to get some.

The podcast was also an interesting look into the history of toilet paper if one is interested in nerdy topics like that...

https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/wipe-out/

[bae]

I haven't experienced a shortage, but I buy the stuff by the 6-12 month pile, and I had just had some delivered in Jan.

[Alan]

We haven't had to buy any yet either and the last time I was at the store there seemed to be plenty.

[jp1]

We buy in bulk every six months or whatever and had good timing as well. Sometime in the next month I’ll probably order another case just so we don’t get to the edge of Risking having to use a communal sponge to wipe our butts.

When I go to the Safeway across the street for groceries every week or so I look just out of curiousity. It’s hit or miss. Some days the shelves are at least half full of TP. Other times they are barren.

The thing that seems to just be unavailable ever here is hand sanitizer. We don’t ‘need’ it but SO is not as naturally ocd as I am so it would be a nice to have item so that I wouldn’t have to nag as much about ‘wash your hands’ since he still goes to work at his office every day.

[flowerseverywhere]

A restaurant here was able to buy cases of Clorox, hand sanitizer, toilet paper etc in bulk and get lots delivered. He set up a table outside the restaurant and is doing very well. I am glad for him if he helps people plus make a little profit. Many restaurants will never reopen. Hopefully his will. It’s quite popular but who knows what the new normal will be.

[bae]

Oddly though, unbleached baking flour has been sold out at our local market since the TP vanished. People must be baking up a storm. I'm down to my last couple of pounds of flour, I have a vat of dough in the fridge right now waiting to make into loaves over the next couple of days.

After that, I'll have to make my own flour, or hope for sanity to return. I have mountains of wheat, at least, and in an experiment last week I determined that it is trivial to make small amounts of flour from wheat using the Vitamix, and I don't have to haul out my actual mongo grain mill for my casual needs.

Amazon still has flour available, in 50lb or larger bags, which would be a bit much for me. I only make a couple of loaves a week, or a couple of pizzas.

[JaneV2.0]

I must be prescient--I considered making bread, so ordered an assortment of flours a few months ago.

[early morning]

In my part of Ohio, TP is MIA. I refuse to run from store to store in pursuit, but none of the stores I've been to since this started have had any TP. We have some still, and plenty of tissues and paper towels. I have bags of rags, and currently have garbage pickup AND a washing machine, so we'll be fine, regardless. While we save the wet-wipes for trips out, I have plenty of bleach for wiping down surfaces, and several bottles of alcohol for when I can't stand the bleach smell. I don't have much hand sanitizer, but don't see much need for it here at the house - so it, too, is saved for when we have to go out.

I've not found wheat flour, either, but have other flours on hand, so will be fine, regardless. I have a little wheat - I wonder if I can get a grain mill for my Kitchen-Aid? I'll have to check that out.

[JaneV2.0]

Early in this disaster, I ordered alcohol. disinfectant wipes, masks, n95 filters, spray cleaner (Clean Smart)...(As well as buying a large package of TP). It all trickled in much more slowly than usual. The last to come in were the masks, and the filters are due tomorrow. Luckily, I don't have a pressing need. But once a Scout, always a Scout, and Be Prepared is an excellent motto for anyone.