Myra, the mask thing is temporary...like the glaciers were temporary.

I agree with your statement.
Tariffs and price controls can really spiral out of control at times. Sometimes they are required for certain situations

ROFLMAO. What’s the weather like over in Moscow? Is Uncle Pootie spinning up the troll machine again?

I’ve guessed the “it” you referenced so many times is “Human induced global climate change.” So yeah I agree.

So........is there something written somewhere that says when we'll be done with government-mandated mask wearing?

Yes. I do hope you have a blessed day.

Lumber shortage -> massive increase in home construction as people move from the cities, also massive pressure treated shortage because of above and every Tom Dick and Harry building a deck during the pandemic. Also in shortage.... skilled carpenters.

Semi conductor shortage -> Everything uses them, and they are being used at a high rate then ever. Cars are especially driving this shortage as every car is now electronic up the wazoo. Taiwan water shortage isn’t helping, and building semiconductors takes a LOT of water. Add in the pandemic.... everyone needed to buy a computer to work from home, more people home meant more gaming computer demand, a crypto boom also placing high demand on graphics cards, and a launch of 2 highly sought after gaming systems in a year.

Eventually supply will catch up to demand, in the mean time prices will rise as supply is short.

Ammunition Shortage -> as many politicians announced publicly that "yes, we are coming after your guns".
22s at 15-20c/rd, up from 1.5c pre Obama,
9mm 60cents, was 9c pre-Obama
45 90cents, was 15c pre-Obama

Arms confiscation is usually followed by oppression

Yeah, a perceived lack of future supply leads to hoarding, creating a run on supply causing the market to react to a shortage. Same would’ve happened with TP earlier this year if prices were allowed to react naturally to the market.

The primary driver of the ammo shortage is SEVEN MILLION first-time gun buyers in the last 18 months. If each of them buys only 200 rounds for that shiny new tool (a LOW estimate), that's about 20% of last year's total ammo production. Combine that with existing owners correctly reading the tea leaves and preparing accordingly, boom (hahahaha), you've got an instant shortage and price pressure.

Availability is just barely starting to improve but prices will remain high for at least another year, more if the skies above DC darken even more.

Spirited, if you can get 9mm at .60/round, BUY IT. That is a good price right now.

Reloading can be an enjoyable way to pass a cold rainy Saturday. Keeps the costs down. If you don't load your target rounds too hot you can get twenty or more reloads with decent brass.