One guy's ingenious invention:
Howdy folks and greetings from the Great Plains of North Texas!
My oh my are we havin a time with this virus disruption ain't we? I don't know about where y'all are but in North Texas finding TP is about as rare as hen's teeth!
I heard about shortages in the supply chain lasting all year and I scoffed at that notion. No way that's gonna be the situation! Now I'm not so sure. After several weeks I figured TP would be back in stock. lol.
After all, it's Made In America!
It's one of the few products that are still 100% made right here so they'll have this thing fixed in no time.
Nah, couple days ago I went to 5 different stores and also called around(and got laughed at), checking to see if the stock was back.
Gobs of product are being made
After seeing reports on tv about the TP makers running 24/7 and producing double and sometimes triple their normal production, I was expecting to see some.
But every store had zero packages of any type of paper products including paper towels. I also checked cleaning supplies to make sure on that end too.
Same results, no supplies that could be used for disinfectants anywhere, in any type of store.
Dollar Stores
Someone said "Oh, just go to Dollar General, they have everything. Fully stocked. TP, Lysol, everything. So I headed out to two Dollar General stores in the country. The rural locations were supposed to have everything.
Nothing. Entire paper goods section without a single product and no cleaning supplies.
Office supplies
I called Staples and Office Depot because I read they still had cleaning products. They're the ones that burst out laughing. I'm a Prepper so I don't need the products I was just wondering how the supply chain was doing.
Lowes and Home Depot
Same results.
Where's it all goin?
Since the product makers are setting records with their production numbers.. where is it?
Aldi's told me that every single morning a long line of shoppers are lined up before they open and they rush in and get their one allotted TP package if the store has any. lol. That's pitiful!
But other stores....someone has to be hoarding. Unless it's just not getting here.
Up North they're fixin to go on a diet
It's gettin to be slim pickins in Northern Ohio.
Not THAT Slim Pickens ya ding dong!
Step daughter says she couldn't find any meat or bread anywhere. And of course no TP. She's going to do some traveling tomorrow to some smaller towns out of the city and see if she can find anything.
That's gettin serious.
But hey, there ARE bright spots
Leave it up to good ol American ingenuity! A youtuber named Household Hacker invented a machine that can double your dwindling TP supply!
It's brilliant. And easy to make, probably have what it takes to build it laying around the house. Check it out:
lol...and if that ain't good enough for ya, I been seeing ads for these all over the place:
A company called Clear Rear is selling these here bidets. Only $59 for a kit that fits on your regular toilet. I know, I know, the Europeans are laughing at us. No wonder there's no TP shortage over there!
Now we can be just like 'em and cut our TP usage down to a tenth of what we normally do. Plus, you keep savin money on TP when and if the shortage ever ends. It's a win-win!
Hey guys, let me know if y'all are having shortages where you live.
Thanks for stopping by folks, God bless you all!
-jonboy
Texas
PS- Oh I almost forgot about another way to get TP during lockdown. I'm sure alot of you saw this on fb...a guy in San Francisco was running out of TP and told his friend who lives across town.
His friend happens to be a drone racer and he sent over a roll by drone!
That's a beautiful sight ain't it?
Here's a video if you like:
Haha, that is funny! Our market street grocery store has TP every morning. If you go early by 8 am you can buy both TP and paper towels. On some mornings it's limited to those people who are 60 and older and also people with immune systems that are compromised! So hey, I'm 61 so I went one day and bought some for my house and another morning I bought some for my sister! Oh and I also found TP and papertowels at a Target in Allen at 9 am one morning last week! Also SAMs has shopping hours for those who are 60 and older and I heard my friend's husband, who just turned 60, bought TP, paper towels and Clorox wipes. They had them ready for the customers - 1 of each of those items in a basket ready to purchase. It was at the SAMs in Plano, TX on Spring Creek off of 75. So, drive to Allen or Plano; 😄, and arrive early to buy TP!😂
Howdy violetmed! Oh that's interesting..Sam's is the place it sounds like! Are these policies of letting 60 and older shoppers in early a new thing that just came about because of the virus? It think it's a great deal. Thanks for letting me know, I think the Dallas area is getting all the supplies!
Haha, everywhere in the world toilet paper is being hoarded, in Italy it is wine, in Switzerland chocolate.
Howdy almi! Oh how interesting...in Switzerland they are hoarding chocolate! lol. I think I could survive much better with chocolate myself!
And if you cannot find twin-ply, you can reverse the machine (in good times) to make your own from 2 roles of single ply, the machine seems to be quite versatile!! LOL
Good one! 🤣
lol...howdy there rynow! That's a great point that I haven't thought about, well done! Hey I looked to see where you're from, are you guys on lockdown there and do you make your own beer?
Hi, Yes, I do brew my own beer, it is a very nice hobby.
I am from South Africa, we are now on day 14 of 21 on lock-down, if it does not get extended!!
Howdy today rynow! How is the virus doing down there, are the numbers going down?
Currently the numbers are still increasing, as I am typing, I am listening to the president, and they are extending our lock-down with another 2 weeks!! Yesterday we had 1845 confirmed cases and 18 deaths, it is looking relatively good as we had strict restrictions quite quickly - I see the USA figures are looking bad, but then you also have a huge number of people living there!!
I hope those numbers stablilize and then drop in your country. Over here they were saying they expect the numbers to peak in the next couple of days and then start to go down but I'm not sure how they are figuring that outcome.
But many states are seeing the numbers flatten out. We've had almost no cases in the county we live in but it's mostly a rural area.
We have plenty of toilet paper you can come over here. My daughter says there's always kitchen paper, napkins, newspaper and if you are out you can use your... hand.
Btw We use a small bottle and fill it with water. Works fine too. As a kid I found this a nasty thing. My granddad had one and the water was everywhere, back, ceiling, door, etc... 💕
lol..that water was everywhere, oh my! So you guys have no shortages there. When this started were people hoarding supplies like TP?
The only thing I noticed there was no flour. One week later I saw the shop give a whole pallet of flour to one single customer. Next no flour and oil. One week later no flour, oil, sugar and kitchen paper and pasta. But that was only at one shop. The others had (except for one week no flour) and that shop is even better provided as during the past years.
My daughter said the same. One shop looked pathetic, no toilet paper and no meat but the others had plenty of toilet paper etc.Some shops started earlier too with restrictions. Meds only two packages, one shop basic needs (flour, oil, sugar, milk) 5 piece and the best provided one has 10 pieces of each and if it comes to meat, vegetables etc you have to weight (not packed) it's 10 in (20 pounds).
I think 20 pounds is still a lot but there are big families too and some shop for parents and the more often you go to the shop the more risks you take. 💕
Howdy today wakeupkitty! How interesting. Yes some people are restricted but they are trying to buy for the whole family with parents and kids!
This means they need to enter the shop for a second time. 💕
Oh I get it, thank you wakeupkitty!
You are welcome
That’s great to have such a caring friend!
People will have to learn to make paper!
Howdy sir kaminchan! I agree! Are there any shortage over there?
Yup! The N95 masks!
People use cotton masks instead!
Yes sir, same here but that shouldn't last long with some many big companies making them now. I couldn't even order any online.
You’re right @janton we got plenty of tp here. Though I never seen a toilet with a bubbler in it 🧐
Ps: I would love to hear what you all got set up with your prepping. I think it would make a very interesting post or two or three!
No TP shortages there? What the....no shortages of anything? Are you guys on lockdown too?
I don't like talking about myself or what I'm doing very much but I know a great prepper that makes me look like an amateur and I'm gonna suggest he do a post like that!
Still sparse around here too! It is strange for as much as they say they are producing that it is just not found anywhere!
Unless the supply chain guys are lying, people are hoarding it when they find it because it just don't make sense. lol.
Yep, hording!!
All you need is some corn...Peel off the husks, take care of wiping duties with them and throw in the compost. Whilst you're at it throw the cob on the BBQ and boom you're left with a tasty treat!
Natures TP
lol...a real gourmet treat! That's a good plan but if people know about it they'll make corn scarce too! That's too funny sir galenkp. lol.
In 100 years from now they'll be talking about the great corn shortage of 2020 and wondering how we ever made it through such terrible times.
lol..you're probably right. By then they'd look back on us with pity. Maybe in a hundred years there will be no such thing as shortages!
Maybe in 100 years there won't be such things as humans. 😂
You mean like there might not be 100% humans because we'll be fused with machines and robotics or you mean we'll kill each other off the face of the earth?
Either maybe...Happened to the dinosaurs right? Who's to say it won't happen again?
The toilet paper shortage is very strange. Some stores here have it in stock, while others have been waiting weeks for resupply. I'll have to go check again tomorrow because we're starting to get a bit low at my house.
I'm sure you guys make it up there yourselves too, what is the deal? I think people are hoarding if they can find it.
Ok, I'll admit it here and now. I'm the original hoarder and I started the whole thing. Got myself enough TP to build a fort, then I lined it inside and out with enough Campbell's soup cans to stop bullets. It's working out pretty good so far :-)
lol! That's brilliant sir Keith! I bet that took alot of cans. Thanks alot though, you really made it hard on the rest of us!
Call me stupid, but I still do not see the link between toilet paper and the Coronavirus, nor the need to hoard toilet paper.
Howdy today sir Vincent! Exactly, that's what's so baffling about this situation because there isn't much of a link.
Yeah, make sure your household has enough supplies to last a few weeks to cut the trips to the store down...but not this continuing hoarding! lol.
Are you guys having these types of shortages? I think it's a ridiculous American problem although I know at first Australia also had people wiping out their TP stocks. lol.
You can't find any supplements to boost your immune system either but that is logical.
Howdy Jonboy! Toilet paper was one of the things to be flying off the shelves when the Covid-19 started here. However, they have plenty of stock and they have replenished them. And now that people realized the silliness of hoarding toilet paper, there is plenty in the shop now. 😊
You guys are ahead of us in that department, they haven't figured out how silly it is to hoard TP over here yet! lol. It just feeds the perception that Asians are smarter than us. Which is probably true!
It must have hurt to admit that. 😂
It IS a little bit embarrassing! lol.
Howdy Jonboy. It's only embarrassing for the first time. You will get use to it. 😁
Very funny - I honestly do not understand this obsession with TP
That's a good way to put it anneke, it IS an obsession that makes no sense! On Ebay they are selling rolls for $5 apiece or more. lol.
Haha Cowboy, I like the idea of a bidet. Still toilet paper here in the stores but some have signs-only 2 pkgs to a customer.
Ah ha! The American psychos are influencing the common sense Canucks!
People are just kind of stupid in groups. Someone started buying TP and everyone followed suit. If we had continued to buy it as we needed it (well, I did!), there wouldn't be an issue. The runs aren't even one of the main symptoms of Coronavirus!
Well, here's hoping you get some more TP and cleaning supplies in. In the mean time, you could always get a bottle of Bacardi 151 or, better yet, Everclear. Those have high enough alcohol content to sanitize inside and out!
lol...yes alcohol! lol..no we don't need any supplies, I'm a prepper so we're fine, I was just curious about the supply chain. I could use some whiskey though!
Are there still shortages up there?
Our TP and cleaning supplies are still pretty bare. I have enough to get by for a few months, but I wouldn't want to be running out just now. Would be a great time to be a bidet salesman!
Yes, bidet salesman! lol. They could make a fortune and they should be classified as an essential business!
Glad I ordered from Who Gives a Crap before this all got serious!
Love that drone delivery!
It is certainly going to be interesting to see how this all plays out. So many things could affect the way it goes.
You are very wise. Or else just got lucky with your timing. lol...no I'm sure you stay well supplied with everything since normally you have alot of company. Which you will have again soon.
I agree about watching this thing play out. The important thing is that it does play out soon! And I think it will.
Actually I saw a post on here from someone in Japan that showed empty store shelves and no toilet paper. I thought... hmmmmm, that could happen here as well, and even though I wouldn't have needed to place an order for a while I ordered early!
And I don't have to worry about a freshness date!
Oh so it WAS your wise ordering, well done Melinda! Did the cold weather pass up there?
most of the residences here don't even use toilet paper and the stores are loaded with it, but mostly that sort of tissue isn't use in the bathroom, it is used as a napkin while eating... at least in Thailand. I did and still do find it funny that TP was the first thing that people were hoarding. Not canned goods, not water, TP.
At least you got the priorities straight :P
Oh how interesting...they don't use toilet paper in most residences. That would shock most Americans. lol. The hoarding so still so baffling, I'd love to know what makes people over here hoard TP instead of food and water!
they find the use of TP to be equally baffling over here. They use some of it but not in the crazy quantities that North America does.
I guess we're addicted to it! You still can't find it here.
Send me yer Bittrex promo code and i will use it when i sign up to get you a couple free crypto..?
Howdy sir krazzytrukker? Have you been out on the road?
Send what?? I don't have a Bittrex promo code, am I supposed to have such a thing?
WHAT..!! NO CODE.....?? LOL
What exchange do you use to move your Steem to USD...?
No Loads. And I Ain't goin to no BIG CITY!!!
What? No meme? All this down time and no meme? lol.
So you're just doin local loads if you can find them? How are the virus numbers in FL? I think the curve is flattening in most states but I haven't been following it for the last few days.
I don't have an exchange to move my steem to but I've done a little bit with Coinbase.
Tough times but in my home country of Australia they were having punch ups over toilet paper so pathetic how humans can be 😢
Do you know why there was such a storage of toilet paper ... because every time someone sneezed 100 people would Shit themselves 😆 😆
lol...good one bigsambucca!
On a serious note I read that Australia may have to be in lockdown for a whole year but I hope it doesn't turn out that way. I don't know how an economy could survive.
I did hear 3 months lockdown it's been nearly a month now and they could extend this , so i am quite happy to stay here in Thailand at the moment and lucky to have some work to keep me busy.
Howdy today bigsambucca! I agree, I like the position you're in. Especially if you can escape back to that exotic island! lol.
Nothing is really certain the way things are at the moment but yeah i got to consider myself fortunate at the moment. 😊
Howdy Janton! I have better solution! For ladies #1, using cheesecloth and wash it! And use toilet paper only for #2!!! I've been doing that long before COVID 19. I am doing for Eco reasons. By the way, I didn't even know there wasn't any toilet paper in the stores. I think we are okay here in Toronto area. Anyway, how come you didn't post anything for a whole week?
Howdy Miss Lena! Are you tellin me there aren't any TP shortages in Canada? Y'all are alot smarter up there apparently!
I've been busy working offline on projects around the property. Mrs. J. finally put her foot down. After two years working on steemit full time with nothing to show for it she had enough.
For some reason she doesn't think having fun is a good enough reason to be on here all day. lol. I'll still try to keep in touch with everyone and post occasionally but she want's me to be earning some money.
Howdy Janton! Well I can't blame her! I didn't know where this Steemit/Hive is going, but it will take very long time before we see any substantial results. But one thing you don't have t worry about now is having to look for a job, lol. You should start writing a blog like I did and you get ads from Google AdSense. https://www.google.com/adsense/new/u/0/pub-6314304149500682/home
I wondering bout Mrs. J and her job under the COVID 19 circumstances. But i guess, the jail is safer now than most places, lol. But I am assuming they are not having any
conjugal visits, lol.
Howdy today Miss Lena! Are you getting enough traffic to get adsense ads?
Yes, the jail is a catastrophe waiting to happen but so far it's been fine. They are quarantining new arrivals, which are very very few unless it's a real serious crime but they aren't requiring anyone to be tested or wear masks and they should be doing both.
Oh my gosh, they should tests them! But how quarantined are they? Are they in isolated sells and they do not go out? I just hope Mrs.J is safe.
Oh and I am getting some tragic on my blog,not much, but I guess they must like my blog so they gave me the ads already.
The jail system is run so pathetically that it's a miracle they don't have the virus sweeping the whole place. The inmates who have been there a long time don't have visitors except for the guards who aren't issued any masks and haven't been tested so that's really dumb.
Then the new inmates they bring in they hold for 14 days but they also bring in new inmates all the time into the same cells where they are waiting for their 14 days to end. So it's not quarantining at all. lol. They don't have enough cells to quarantine every one separately for 14 days. so the system is a joke.
That's great news about your blog!
Oh boy! God must be watching over these criminals for some reason, lol. I guess it's important for their souls to fulfil their time in jail!
You must be very busy!
Take Vitamin C (3gms) D3 and Zinc tablet everyday! Got your immune system!!
Howdy sir kaminchan! Yes we are taking those things everyday. Mrs. J. works at the county jail and can't afford to get sick. She got tired of me spending all my time on here with nothing to show for it so I'm forced to back away from the platform. I'm just spending a couple hours a day to support and try and keep in touch with people.
Oh! Tough time for everyone!
But good health and safety are top priority! Things will get worse before it gets better!
Hold on tight for the unexpected! And stay cool and keep a steady mind!
Take care!
Thank you sir kaminchan, you take care also!
I think you should power down some of your Hive and get some cryptos for your Mrs.
or exchange them for silver rounds!
That's a good idea sir kaminchan, she would especially like the idea of silver rounds!