Read the article, there's a lot in it. I live in New Zealand where smooth, accessible shipping is critical to our survival, safety, and standard of living. The cost of sending a container from NZ to China went from something like NZD5k to NZD50k early in the pandemic.
Around half of NZ's export income is from trade with China. We're a giant grass-fed dairy farm, essentially. Along with selling other primary produce, and niche high tech stuff, and the best Pinot Noir and other wines in the world. (I'm hopelessly biased of course.)
Supply chain problems in the pandemic have been a major interest of mine. I don't fall into the trap of getting alarmed about the bottlenecks in the US West Coast. This too shall pass. It's heartening to see public-private problem solving facilitated at the Biden White House.
It's one of the core functions of the presidency, to do things no one else can do as easily or well as a POTUS can, godwilling.
So many people still haven't grasped that a WWII #RosieTheRiveter mindset is needed. 24 hour port operations in two big ports are a good start.
So many people still haven't grasped that a WWII #RosieTheRiveter mindset is needed. 24 hour port operations in two big ports are a good start.
Union labor and good old fashioned patriotism helped rebuild the Pentagon by the first anniversary of 9/11 in 2003. That's real patriotism. Not like the fakers.
I refuse to give up on the USA. Often there is good reason to worry about current events, but you gotta have faith.
I refuse to give up on the USA. Often there is good reason to worry about current events, but you gotta have faith.
Play this:
John Hiatt - Have a Little Faith in Me (1987)
John Hiatt - Have a Little Faith in Me (1987)
Many underestimate the skill level needed by these port workers. You can't just magic up hundreds of them in an emergency like this. I hope they stay safe & the longer shifts don't lead to accidents/burnout. We need to come together & support essential workers & their families. 
Ideally, filling the stores and warehouses at this time of year in the US would boost the economy (and make consumers happy) but I wouldn't expect miracles at this point. Think about creative ways to gift our loved ones this year. The sky's the limit.
Dropping the supply of routine products and services like the tourism and hospitality sectors has led to stockpiling of disposable income. That boosted demand for home appliances, tech, furniture, cars etc. As the article explains, it's multi-factorial.
One thing I'd like to see happen if possible is for logistics companies to find a way to prioritize the shipping of truly essential goods like PPE, healthcare products, and all of the things that allow better pandemic response by everyone from individuals to businesses & govt.
Maybe they're already doing that, IDK. There is so much information to follow it's hard to keep up.
The pandemic so far has reminded me that even a country with the resources and size of the US still needs it's allies and trading partners. "America First" is a deceptive slogan.
The pandemic so far has reminded me that even a country with the resources and size of the US still needs it's allies and trading partners. "America First" is a deceptive slogan.
How about "Democracy First" instead?
To me, nothing is more important than democracy. When a crisis comes along, the skill and character of your political leaders determines how well things will go.
Biden is "a safe pair of hands." Experience counts for a lot.
🚢🚚🚅
To me, nothing is more important than democracy. When a crisis comes along, the skill and character of your political leaders determines how well things will go.
Biden is "a safe pair of hands." Experience counts for a lot.
🚢🚚🚅
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