I’ve read you need 70% alcohol for best virus deactivation. I don’t think vodka is strong enough.

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:

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Originally posted by wcb6092:
Rubbing alcohol is hard to find. You can pour some on a container of baby wipes to make hand sanitizer wipes.

Could you improvise with Vodka ? It's mainly water and ethanol .

As long as it is 70% or more alcohol,which means at least 140 proof vodka.

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Originally posted by wcb6092:
As long as it is 70% or more alcohol,which means at least 140 proof vodka.

I remember reading that Everclear (190 proof = 95%) disappeared from liquor stores at one point.

Common Sense?

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Originally posted by FN in MT:
Common Sense?

Winner.

I'm sticking up on Jameson Irish Whiskey.

Poli Viejo

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Originally posted by sigfreund:
What should we be stocking up on?

Playing cards, because when the shit hits the fan and you absolutely have to gamble, walmart will be closed.

A fighter pilot was giving a presentation to a group of boy scouts, who were very interested in his survival gear. He laid it on a table and explained each item.

"Which do you think is most important?" He asked. The ideas flowed. The salt tablets. The water. The pistol. Paracord. A radio.

The pilot pointed to a deck of playing cards. "This," he said, "is my most important asset. Does anyone know why?"

Suggestions flew. Use the polished face of a card for aa signal mirror. Start a fire. Roll a card to form a straw. Tape the card over a wound. Leave them to guide rescuers, or to mark a trail. All interesting ideas, but no.

"When I am alone in my cockpit at twenty five thousand feet, with no one to turn to for help, my radios and electronics gone, no guidance and no more ideas, I reach for the deck of cards. I lay them out and begin to play solitaire. When all is lost and I am most isolated and alone, sooner or later, someone will lean over my shoulder and tell me to put this black six on that red seven. Then I will ask that guy for help."

Good general suggestions as always. It seems, though, that other than the products that dried up in the early days of the pandemic, no one is noticing what I asked about, i.e., items that are suddenly becoming more difficult to find in certain areas, like the windshield washer fluid example. The reason for my question was to get a bit of early warning of shortages that might spread, and there doesn’t seem to be much of that thus far.

Stopped at our Costco yesterday for the usual stock up and, yup, the TP was gone and paper towels going fast. Friggin' lemmings.

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Originally posted by sigfreund:
Good general suggestions as always. It seems, though, that other than the products that dried up in the early days of the pandemic, no one is noticing what I asked about, i.e., items that are suddenly becoming more difficult to find in certain areas, like the windshield washer fluid example. The reason for my question was to get a bit of early warning of shortages that might spread, and there doesn’t seem to be much of that thus far.

First time around, tylenol and ibuprofen disappered locally. It wasn't to be found.

It's flu season. Only a percentage bother to get a flu shot each year. This year, it my be more important than other years. If compromised with one problem, one may be more susceptible to others. Likewise, many of those who have died with covid complications didn't actually die from covid, but from the pneumonia that followed. Many of us here are older than younger. Now is a good time to get a pneumonia shot, if you haven't had one. If you've had the PCV13, then get the PPSV23. Small insurance, but preparation is part of prevention.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:

quote:

Originally posted by wcb6092:
As long as it is 70% or more alcohol,which means at least 140 proof vodka.

I remember reading that Everclear (190 proof = 95%) disappeared from liquor stores at one point.

During the first pandemic of 2020 I stopped by ABC store to grab some vodka and asked about Everclear. It was $40 a gallon, they had ½ dozen gallons left but she said folks where buying it.

Before the election we were at Costco and the chicken products were plentiful, this past weekend it was almost picked through. Glad we have been stocking up and freezing for awhile.

I have not noticed any strange items being out of stock posed by OP around these parts.

Alpo wet dog food has disappeared. The company replied to an email and said they are having supply issues with raw ingredients.

quote:

Originally posted by wcb6092:
The company replied to an email and said they are having supply issues with raw ingredients.

That’s the sort of thing I’m wondering about. Most of the blame for shortages gets put on so-called “panic” buyers, but that’s not the only cause. Manufacturing and supply chain problems due to the various effects of COVID-19 are certainly due to at least part of it, but there isn’t nearly as much discussion of that.

A lot of good points. I would add viatmins, multi, D, C and Zinc

I changed the topic title to make my basic question clearer: What products are becoming scarce already?

General comments about what we should be thinking about and preparing for in general are helpful as well, but that isn't my primary question.

TP and paper towels are non-existent in our local Costco. A buddy of mine who works there says they haven't had a shipment in over a week now.

Even here TP and paper towels gone again. I assured Deniseair we have enough to get through spring and have since summer.

As others said, the near-term items that will be short can be forecast from what we saw in spring. So I'm loading up on ground beef and chicken!

I am NOT A “PREPPER” in any way shape or form. I don’t have 6 years of MRE’s etc. etc.

That said, and maybe his is the Boy Scout in me, I just don’t understand how anybody above the poverty line doesn’t have enough “supplies in general” to weather a 2-4 week period if not a bit longer. I have ALWAYS had bottled water, canned and or dried food, basic meds and I certainly have never lived “day to day” as far as toilet paper goes.

I’m not saying folks should have a bunker and years of provisions but a week to a month is EASY and it’s not out of the realm of possibility to get snowed in, have a bad storm, have a fuel shortage etc. etc. nothing apocalyptic just every day stuff.

Also even at the height of this crap grocery stores were up and running and there was never an issue getting most things. May not be the meat you WANTED or soup you specifically WANTED etc. but it’s not like we were all out hunting feral cats and homeless folks to survive.

I mean Jesus the main thing we have to endure is sitting on our asses watching NETFLIX. (I know there are massive economic impacts at large and to peoples lives but I am only talking about the specifics of needs and shortages).

Point is “Be Prepared, because old Satan Claus is out there and he’s only getting stronger.”

Sorry I just love that line, but the point stands. Be an adult, be a tiny bit prepared for a wide range of things.

End of sermon.

I had to call 6 stores to find Lime Away,
Lowes had it , but not much

I have a 6 year old grandson who absolutely requires us to make poppy seed muffins for breakfast when he visits. We buy Krusteaz brand poppy seed muffin mix. It has been unavailable for 6 months. I know this is silly but Parker loves his muffins. The high point of his weekends with us is helping Grandma make muffins.