When I went to fill my gas tank on Tuesday, it was hard to find an empty space. Everyone was loading up on gasoline. Finally, I pulled up behind a couple with a big old SUV. They looked to be in their sixties. On the ground next to their vehicle, I saw several large red and yellow containers. Lucky I wasn’t waiting for them to leave, because they were purchasing what looked like about 30 gallons of gas—some diesel, some regular. I had never seen anyone buying that much gasoline before, and it got me thinking about the effect of escalating gas prices.

Loading up on gasoline. It's a sign of the times, and will lead to inflation.

Everyone was loading up on gasoline this week. Higher gas prices will lead to inflation.

On Monday, my husband filled up on gas in his SUV. The price was $1.41 per gallon. On Tuesday, I did the same in my old sedan, but now, the gas cost $1.61. . By Wednesday, it had shot up to $1.75. That’s a pretty steep increase. The couple ahead of me at the gas station have lived through high priced gas. Maybe they use a tractor or mower for a small business like lawn service. . They know that their income will go down when gas prices increase. No wonder they’re loading up on gasoline.

Obviously, at my age, I’ve lived through many periods of high priced gas. When I was a hospital food service manager, the purchasing agents dreaded high gasoline prices, because they knew that the price of plastic reusables was going to skyrocket. That’s because plastics are derived from byproducts of petroleum refining and natural gas processing. Therefore, when oil prices escalate the cost of single use plastic products like syringes and gloves increase. And so, the cost of health care goes up . But that’s just the beginning. The cost of transporting food and other necessities by truck or train increases. And suddenly, you have inflation.

Economists think a little bit of inflation is good for the economy because people can more easily pay off old debts. But if inflation gets out of hand, consumers start pulling in their belts and spend less on “wants” like vacations and new cars. . Less consumer demand leads to higher unemployment.

Escalating gas prices are scary. . No wonder that ordinary people were loading up on gas last Tuesday.

Things are settling down and reopening up. Although the coronavirus is still with us, we can sit back and wonder about the pandemic sense and nonsense that occurred. A lot of decisions were made by different elected officials all over the country, that didn’t seem well thought through. Here in the heartland, ordinary people don’t always agree with what has gone down.

Pandemic sense and nonsense: Stimulus checks. Unemployment benefits. Libraries last to open. Politicians blaming each other. — Why weren’t stimulus checks based on need? Pandemic Sense & Nonsense

Congress hurried up and passed a massive stimulus bill that benefited some people far more than others. The strangest thing was the stimulus checks. Anyone who filed a tax return for less than $75,000 received tax free money that wasn’t based on need or cost of living. $1200 won’t go very far in San Francisco, but it could pay for a lot of rent and groceries in small town, America. Same thing with the unemployment benefits. $600 a week plus state unemployment will go a long way in some parts of the country. In fact, it’s proven to be a disincentive for restaurant employees’ returning to work. Consequently, a lot of tax payer money has gone to people who really don’t need it at all.

.Restaurants and bars have been allowed to open for a couple of weeks in our city. They must follow certain social distancing guidelines but at least you can be served a meal that you didn’t have to cook or send for. This coming week, our library will finally be allowed to open their doors. Does this seem a little strange? Why are libraries so far down the totem pole? They should have opened before bars and hair salons.

Libraries are at the heart of any city. Books feed the soul, and will get you through tough times. I can remember growing up in the post depression years during World War II. Everything good was rationed. You couldn’t’ even buy ice cream—it had to be sherbet, unless you made it yourself. But the highlight of my week—starting at age six—was my weekly trip to the library. A good book will take you to far away places, and show you how people in other times or in different countries think and feel. Nothing can replace books. Certainly not a bottle of beer or a plate of spaghetti eaten at a restaurant.

Mask wearing was another thing. First, we were told it didn’t help to wear a mask. Then, about a month later, all the scientists were telling us we should wear masks, after all. It’s no wonder so many people refuse to wear one.

When things settle down, we’re going to look back at some of the decisions that were made and scratch our heads. Mayors are criticizing governors, and governors are criticizing the president. The politicians are all busy pointing fingers and placing blame. But the truth is, everyone has been floundering in a sea of the unknown. Common sense went out the window

Tag: ordinary people

LOADING UP ON GASOLINE

PANDEMIC SENSE AND NONSENSE