Ironically, as the last three years of a global pandemic appeared to be nearing an end, it's looking like 2023 won't be the year to get sick.
Shortages of children's over-the-counter medicines have now grown into shortages of almost all over-the-counter medicines.
Of course, world populations are getting used to shortages, pivots and challenges brought on by the ever-changing pandemic mandates that have combined with global product shortages, transportation issues, crashing economies and workforce losses. The world has even dealt with widespread toilet paper shortages two or three times over the last few years.
But this latest hurdle isn't one we can easily wipe away.
There's comfort in knowing that Buckley’s will taste awful, but work. The same comfort and ease is there for the "quick-relief" or "extra-strength" remedies to cure our general aches and pains. A person doesn't need to believe in vaccines, fill out a consent form or trust that Big Pharma isn't adding micro-chips to needle juice, when all they need is an Aspirin.
Like other shortages before, people will find alternatives. Some might try ginger for relief, others will gargle salt-water, chew willow bark, or mix sage into a boiled tea. The options are as varied as the reasons for the current shortages.
Resiliency.
With all the recent challenges and pivots brought on by the pandemic and its after-shocks, populations know they can deal with just about anything. There's also new hope in the new year that with so many people increasing their inoculations over the last years, the cold and flu seasons won't be as severe.
The world has been forced to be resilient, to roll with the punches. And this is just another body-blow to absorb.
In this particular case, however, after so many challenges, and the constant worry of 'what's next?' — even if people have learned to take a 'chill pill' ... those will likely be in short supply as well.
We wish Health and Happiness to our readers in the new year — We know that some of it is quite literally in short supply, but we also know you will find it any way you can.
