COVID`19 Continues Its Economic Issues - Time Out #320

Happy, happy Halloween tomorrow!

My bride, Lady Deborah, began preparing our home and surrounding yard, since late September with her amazing decorating talents. She really has a special ability with her display skills, whatever the holiday celebration. It is shear joy for me to watch her unfold her "magic" multiple times per year via her decorations.

Also, a shout out to our granddaughter, Maya, in Juneau, AK, who turns 12 tomorrow on trick or treat day.

Now, on with today's topic, the disrupted, worldwide supply chain, and all that is affected by its shortcomings. The entire fallout, of course, results from COVID-19 pandemic . I vividly remember telling my bride in late-March, 2020, at the beginning of this worldwide nightmare, I really thought the economic downfall from the dreaded virus would exceed the direct health issues. The economic issues, of course, include the long-term health problems created by incredible stress, etc., that is totally impossible to measure.

So, here we are 19-plus months later, continuing in the quagmire of a totally short-circuited supply-chain problems throughout the worldwide economy. Whether it was toilet paper or disinfectant wipes early on, or essential computer microchips currently, just about every aspect of American life has been subjected to the old expression "hurry up and wait". So many unhealthy situations have been created caused by the awful virus.

The present economic hiccup has adversely affected the service business section, too. For a myriad of reasons, most businesses are trying their best to function short on employees. Therefore, "service" is sometimes lacking, and worker attitudes occasionally are in desperate need of a re-set. Many of these service shortcomings are secondary to supply-chain breaks that cause the products they are serving/representing to be in short supply or absent. In many cases, the service has to resort to Plan B, or C, or ?? in order to try to keep their customers satisfied, for some much-needed cash to be deposited in their sorely-depleted business bank accounts.

Even interactions between people has been noticeably affected by the supply-chain issues. Service people in all areas, i.e., carpenters, electricians, plumbers, etc. cannot tell their customers, with any measure of correctness, when they can finish a job in which essential repair/new parts are needed. These service workers simply do not know when their necessary parts will be available? This major holdup causes undue stress on all parties, customers and workers. Also, in addition, the pandemic resulted in many companies going out-of-business, leaving fewer choices for the public to get repairs/services completed.

We realize these pandemic-caused supply chain issues will eventually be solved, Of course, the real question is when?

Remember, dear readers in Our Town and far beyond; patience is a virtue..