Not surprisingly, individuals and families around the country have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps more surprisingly, the pandemic caused shortages of once-common household goods. For example, you likely never thought twice about chlorinating your pool, maintaining your ketchup supply, or getting a hold of some lumber. But these items – and more – are proving to be hard to come by, all thanks to the coronavirus.
Chlorine
“Mom, the pool’s green!” Due to a nationwide lack of chlorine, you may hear more complaints about algae growth or cloudy water this summer. The chlorine industry has taken a major hit since the pandemic struck in 2020. This is due to more people staying home and using their pools, causing pool chemicals to be in excessively high demand.
Electronic Components
Causing shortages in everything from computers to new and used cars, electronic components have become a frightening scarcity due to the pandemic.
Ketchup Packets
Single-serve ketchup packets tend to be the last thing we think about. We’re grateful for them when we order fast food, but we tend not to use them all and leave them laying around the car, stockpiled in the fridge, or simply throw them out. But now these little luxuries have become a scarcity. The shortage is caused by:
- An increase in drive-thru, takeout, and delivery orders
- Restaurants replacing ketchup bottles with single-serve packets
New and Used Cars
As mentioned above, there is a serious shortage in electronic components. This is causing a serious shortage in new and used cars – particularly related to a lack of semiconductor chips. The result? Rising prices for both new and used cars, and less vehicles on the lot.
Gasoline
Buckle up: there is a chance that some gas stations will run out of fuel in 2021, particularly over the summer. Why? Three reasons:
- The pandemic caused millions of workers to stay home, greatly reducing the need for gas.
- As a result, there’s less work for the truckers who deliver the gas – causing them to seek work elsewhere.
- Now that the demand for gas is growing again, there aren’t enough drivers to meet the need.
Lumber
During the pandemic, many people found themselves face to face with the renovation projects they’d been putting off for months (or years). And because more people were home, many took advantage of the opportunity to get these projects done. As a result, the lumber supply has decreased and become much more expensive. The lumber shortage also plays a role in higher home prices around the country.