And the Pandemic Drags On

By now, nearly 2 years into this endless pandemic, we are all, well, maybe not the idiotic subset of Americans who refuse  to except that this pandemic is serious, well aware of the impact the coronavirus has had on our society. 

But in addition to the hundreds of thousands of American lives lost, and the untold number of Americans whose lives have been forever changed by this virus, there are many other negative aspects caused by the pandemic.

Here are just a few of the things that are in short supply these days.

Truck drivers

Nurses

Doctors

Hourly workers

Paper 

Aluminum 

Pumpkins

Gasoline 

Lumber 

Coffee

Tacos

Cars

Computer chips

School supplies 

Tennis balls

Various foods

Auto parts

Appliances

Furniture 

Some medications

Toys

Consumer electronics 

Turkey

Chicken

Garlic

Solar panels

Air conditioners

Propane

Natural gas

Housing

Common sense

Kindness

That's quite a diverse list, isn't it? Many of these items are manufactured or produced in China, which has been hit very hard by the pandemic. Worker shortages can be attributed to retirements during the pandemic, fear of returning to work while the pandemic still poses a threat, and demands for higher wages.

There is a great shortage of truck drivers, critical to the delivery of 70 percent of the supplies needed in America, and of nurses. Even animal shelters and veterinary clinics are begging for workers. A major shortage of workers to unload giant cargo ships bringing all kinds of goods from foreign countries to the United States is causing huge delays in getting the goods unloaded and distributed to businesses and individuals.

What is not in short supply is ignorance, selfishness, fear and conspiracy theories. 

How sad that a minority of Americans is still able to hold hostage the majority of people who are doing, and have done, the right thing. Those of us who stayed home, got vaccinated and maintained an appropriate distance from others are held captive by the minority too ignorant or devoted to their cult to take a few simple steps that would benefit everyone.

I am saddened and embarrassed by my countrymen/women. And I don't expect things to improve any time soon.