Shortages at grocery stores?

[RichC]

Has anyone noticed certain products being in short supply recently?

Here in Florida just certain items have slowly disappeared from the shelves....like toilet paper, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, cleaning supplies and even liquid washing machine soap.

[Host Mike]

It's now happening all across America.

[RichC]

If you watch the news from the north east it seems to be pronounced but here in Florida it only seems to affect certain items.
Each day the missing items seems to increase somewhat.
We've stocked up on all our over the counter meds for the nest few months but I'll bet there's going to be some real shortages for the prescription items real soon. We normally get a 90 day supply so that may carry us past the shortage stage.

[RichC]

As of this morning I can see our grocery supplies dwindling as the week progresses here in SW Florida. At Walmart there's a marked decline in normal items such as eggs which were gone yesterday but reappeared this morning. Produce is still being put out each day.
Our Winn Dixie doesn't have chicken at all even though they advertised it. Their red meat is limited to 1 pack per person with only the highest prices cuts available. There are no pork products of any sort.
All paper products are gone as are most cleaning supplies with limited items still available.
One thing is that the liquor dept seems to have most brands on the shelves- at least at Walmart.

[RichC]

Here's some explanation for shipping by truck.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/truckers-facing-coronavirus-hurdles-in-keeping-supply-chains-moving-11584564327?cx_testId=3&cx_testVariant=cx_2&cx_artPos=1#cxrecs_s

I can't imagine it getting better anytime soon.

[CrusinEd]

Here is Pa a number of the stores are setting up the first hour for senior citizens shopping ahead of the crowds and while the shelf is still stocked.

[obendus]

Here's some explanation for shipping by truck.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/truckers-facing-coronavirus-hurdles-in-keeping-supply-chains-moving-11584564327?cx_testId=3&cx_testVariant=cx_2&cx_artPos=1#cxrecs_s

Thanks Rich... I've been trying to make sense of it here, and that's a great report.

I can't imagine it getting better anytime soon.

[RichC]

Here is Pa a number of the stores are setting up the first hour for senior citizens shopping ahead of the crowds and while the shelf is still stocked.

It sounds like a great idea except that anyone who shows up early is still allowed in the store. There doesn't seem to be any check of id. at least here in Florida.

I did notice the other morning that when I arrived 1/2 hour before Winn Dixie opened, I was in the parking lot all the workers were shopping & leaving with baskets loaded to the brim with groceries to store in their cars. I suppose they did the shopping for friends & neighbors as well.
Being a worker at this time offers some advantages. 

[obendus]

Here is Pa a number of the stores are setting up the first hour for senior citizens shopping ahead of the crowds and while the shelf is still stocked.

It sounds like a great idea except that anyone who shows up early is still allowed in the store. There doesn't seem to be any check of id. at least here in Florida.

I did notice the other morning that when I arrived 1/2 hour before Winn Dixie opened, I was in the parking lot all the workers were shopping & leaving with baskets loaded to the brim with groceries to store in their cars. I suppose they did the shopping for friends & neighbors as well.
Being a worker at this time offers some advantages. 

Yep. I'm going to side with you and choose to believe that.

These advance hours have shown up here as well, along with protective  acrylic screens at the tills, and 'social distancing' feet stickers on the approach to each checkout.

I did notice that it seemed like everyone was casting furtive glances around as they moved through the store.

Guess this is the new reality for some time to come.

[RichC]

I did notice that it seemed like everyone was casting furtive glances around as they moved through the store.

Guess this is the new reality for some time to come.

I wore my Royal Caribbean Shipshape shirt the other day while food shopping and got some of those looks as well. 

[obendus]

I did notice that it seemed like everyone was casting furtive glances around as they moved through the store.

Guess this is the new reality for some time to come.

I wore my Royal Caribbean Shipshape shirt the other day while food shopping and got some of those looks as well. 

Oh boy. 
Be careful.
You don't know who else is shopping with you.