Even though it happened three years ago, the Covid-19 pandemic is still fresh on everyone’s minds.
This is not only because it was the most disruptive force to how we live our lives that we witnessed in our generation, but also because there are repeated fears that another pandemic (and more lockdowns with it) even more devastating than the first could occur.
The first time, we were caught completely off guard. The next time, however, we should all strive to be more prepared. That starts with gathering pandemic stockpile essentials that you will need for your survival and your well-being during a future disaster.
Keep in mind, the next disaster that leads to lockdowns may not be a pandemic, but the principle of preparing remains the same.
Specifically, you’ll want to get these pandemic stockpile essentials that vanished first during the last pandemic, because those items will be the most in-demand the next time a major disaster strikes.
Here are seventeen items that vanished immediately after the pandemic.
Ammunition
When the pandemic hit ammunition was among the first items that flew off the shelves at sporting goods stores and other places that sold it.
Related: Does Ammo Expire?
This Man Fired His 60 Year Old Ammo And This Is What Happened
Common calibers like .22 LR. 9mm Luger, .45 ACP, 5.56x45mm NATO, .30-30 Winchester, and .308 Winchester were among the first to go, but calibers that were not quite as common didn’t last long either.
It took more than a full year before demand lessened and ammo manufacturers were able to keep up again.
Baby Formula
Baby formula was extremely difficult for some people to find during the pandemic, forcing those caring for infants without it to come up with homemade baby formula solutions instead.
Baking Supplies
Since most people couldn’t eat out during the pandemic when restaurants were in lockdown, baking became a significantly more common activity.
Baking yeast and other baking-related supplies such as trays, bowls, whisks, and so on became very high in demand.
Beans and Rice
It was no surprise that beans and rice flew off the shelves fast during the pandemic. Both are very long lasting and can be incorporated into a wide variety of different meals.
Canned Foods
Canned foods are a common food choice to stockpile amongst those in the prepping community for two very simple reasons: affordability and longevity.
An unopened can of meat or vegetables can last for years when stored at normal room temperature, and most can be purchased for under a dollar individually and even less when bought in bulk.
It’s easy in this regard to see why canned foods were a popular item when the pandemic struck.
Cleaning Wipes and other Cleaning Agents
Most cleaning wipes and spray bottles used for disinfecting surfaces flew off the shelves first during the pandemic. People were panic buying these kinds of products in an attempt to keep their homes as clean and germ free as possible.
Related: This Common Household Cleaner Has Over 50 Survival Uses
Computer Chips
The computer chip shortage was most severely felt in the auto industry. Many auto dealerships were without new vehicles in stock for over a year, or otherwise had to remove luxury items in cars that were powered by computer chips, such as heated seats. Laptops, tablets, and phones also were in short supply.
While you can’t stockpile computer chips exactly, it’s worth mentioning here because you’ll want to make sure each of your technological devices are in good standing before the next pandemic rolls around.
Comfort Foods
It wasn’t just ‘essential foods such as canned foods or beans and rice that flew off the shelves during the pandemic. People also weren’t willing to give up their favorite comfort foods, such as chips, snacks, and candies.
Hand Sanitizer
It’s easy to see why hand sanitizer didn’t last long on the shelves after the pandemic hit.
For over a year, it was borderline impossible to find any hand sanitizer regardless of which store or pharmacy you went to.
Hair Dyes and Cosmetics
Almost all businesses classified as ‘non-essential’ were forced to go into lockdown during the early months of the pandemic, and hair salons and beauty shops fell under this umbrella.
As a result, people had to turn to hair dyes and cosmetics in stores and then take care of their cosmetical needs at home as an alternative.
Paper Towels
Paper towels are one item that we use multiple times each day without even realizing it, at least until the pandemic happened. Paper towels suddenly became a very luxurious item to have as they sold out almost as fast as toilet paper did.
Lumber
The lumber shortages and resulting skyrocketing in lumber prices were one of the biggest reasons why home construction and repair costs went up during this period too. If you’re someone who needs to use lumber for construction projects around your property and have adequate storage space, you should consider stockpiling some now while prices are lower.
Pet Food and Supplies
People will always go to great lengths to ensure that their pets are kept safe and comfortable. Sales of pet food and other pet-related items skyrocketed during the pandemic for this reason.
Soap and Shampoo
Cleaning agents and hand sanitizer flew off the shelves first when the pandemic hit, but it didn’t take long for soap and shampoo to follow suit.
When soap bars and shampoo bottles finally returned to the shelves some months later, most stores imposed buying restrictions.
Potatoes
Potatoes are renowned for their versatility and ability to be included in a number of different dishes. This is precisely why potatoes became in very short supply during the pandemic.
Related: How to Grow Potatoes in Shopping Bags for an Extended Harvest
Tissues
Tissues are always the first thing we reach for when we need to cough or blow our nose. It became very difficult to find a simple box of tissues in the days and weeks after the pandemic hit.
Toilet Paper
This was the most well-known item that went out of stock during the pandemic. It’s not difficult to see why toilet paper flew off the shelves so quickly. It’s a daily necessity families need, and there’s not a whole lot of good alternatives for its intended purpose!
Start gathering these pandemic stockpile essentials now, because you never know if or when the next shortages will occur.
If stockpiling enough of the above items seems overwhelming, you can make things easier for yourself by simply buying one or two items per week that you add onto your pandemic stockpile essentials.
You’ll find yourself surprised by how fast your stockpile grows.
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ost of those shortages in my area was towards home delivery.
The delivery shoppers cleared the shelves, little or some was available to the in person shopper
Eggs, poultry meats and red meats disappeared off the grocery shelves. Canned goods were available but had very strict purchase limits.
In our area, we had a shortage of both chicken and butter for awhile. An item that probably most people didn’t notice at all is hydrogen peroxide. Fortunately, we had some stored, but I had to order it online a time or two. I use it almost exclusively as opposed to Chlorox. Much less poisonous. As for hand sanitizer, never used it, never will. It’s hard on the hands, and I expect the massive amounts of it that were used during the pandemic will cause cancer or something more dire.
Please be aware that peroxide only has a 30 day disinfectant potency.
it’s more than 30 days and decomposes into water and oxygen. You can slow the decomposition reaction by storing it in your refrigerator (unlike bleach)
One way to reduce toilet paper costs is to install a Bidet (or Bidet adapter).
Oh the less you eat the less you poop.
Food for thought lol
Love the puns
I couldn’t find a deep freezer nor a sewing machine. I am used to buying things in season and freezing them. I needed the sewing machine for alterations but everyone was on the bandwagon making face masks. After mask mandates were lifted, Facebook marketplace was flooded with sewing machines.
I thought of the pandemic as my trial run. The only thing I ran out of was bread and milk. I made bread so that one was easily solved. Milk was a little harder. I now have a supply of powdered milk and I learned to can milk. Other than that we did pretty good.
I buy Kroger ultra-pasteurized milk. It’s in the refrigerated section with all the rest of the milk, but it actually doesn’t need to be refrigerated until you open it. It keeps pretty long, the quarts currently in my refrig are best by sometime in January. Got snowed in for a week last winter, but milk wasn’t one of my problems.
Wet wipes take up less space than TP! Save the TP for women who need it and us the wet wipes for the ‘dirty job.’ Usually, one whip for one go and that box will last a person ~ 12 months.
pmsl
Wet wipes are not good for the sewage system and are even worse for a septic system.
Also, the Wet Wipes contain a lot of harsh chemicals, so not so great for humans, either. We used the Young Living Lavender Baby Wipes when we traveled to Uganda last month, and they were great. We just ditched them in the garbage, as needed. The rest of the time, we just used Kleenex mini-packs for the “dirty” movements.
@Backwoods Squirrel: Can’t flush wet wipes.
Who cares
Like you can flush anything when there’s no water.
Wet wipes change the PH and cause UTIs.
We were already prepared for the coming Armed Revolution, so the planned-demic wasn’t really a big deal for us, especially since we refused to participate in the covid hoax in the first place!
Won’t matter about the armed conflict as the civilian ammunition is gone. Manufacturing companies are being restricted in several States to supply law enforcement, forget the private gun owner.
All supplies are going to the Ukraine and the middle east war efforts enforced by Bidenomics.
Ok, i’ve heard it enough that it’s time to speak up about it. First and foremost all NATO countries, and most of the rest of the worlds armed forces, for a different reason, cannot, will not and do not use expanding tip ammo or lead ammunition as it’s PROHIBITED by both Geneva Convention and NATO regulations. So NO, none of the domestic made, lead jacketed, expanding tip ammunition is going anywhere to armed forces. PERIOD. Example: 22LR ammo. CAN NOT be used by any NATO member, yet we’re always out of it at the hardware store, gun shop, etc. Every stinkin time i try to buy a brick of 22, they’re out. Doesn’t matter who “they” are, gun shop, hardware store, farm supply, walmart, etc. i finally just cut way back on 22LR usage and decided to wait out the shortage. That was years ago and i’m still waiting. It’s ALL being sold domestic people!! Gun stores, and just everyday joe are buying whatever they can whenever they can and demand is high and is gonna STAY high for the foreseeable future. Military forces use some variety of non-lead containing, non-expanding tip rounds. Commonly referred to as “ball ammunition” by some. Lots of rifle calibers use a type of bullet profile called boat tail spire point. And generally have a steel core with a bonded on copper jacket. NONE of the rounds that u can run down to your local supplier and buy, unless it’s military surplus, are allowed for US military to use. So please, everyone, stop saying they’re out of 22lr or your favorite 223, 308 hunting rounds because they’re being sent to Ukraine, Israel, etc. They most assuredly ARE NOT. However, as i have a friend that works at Lake City, military orders are high volume right now and that high volume displaces domestic ammo production to a degree. Anotherwords, Uncle Sams large orders take up most or all of the total production capacity at times. Which leaves domestic ammo production at a lower volume at times. So stop thinking that ur favorite Winchester 308 hunting rounds are being used in Ukraine. They aren’t. Period.
My understanding was that the ammo manufacturers replaced their manufacturing capacity with Federal orders. So in effect, they did take the available ammo even though it’s not technically the same ammo
They is enough ammo in private american hands to outfit the entire chinese army 9 times…. God Bless America you well armed lunatic! 🙂
You should already have your ammo.
Good afternoon, all. Well, if this didn’t turn you into a prepper, even for a ” bit”, you just may be for another surprise, soon. A bit of something stored is better than none. Keep getting into it, prepping that is. Stay vigilant/alert and informed.
Exactly. Keep making steps to prepare, even if they are small ones. It will add up.
Plandemic Prepping.
We funded a lot of the wars by our taxes by the politicians who spend like drunken sailors do.
It is funny all the people who support Palestine in congress and on university campuses are the same who want you people liberals to vote for them.
Those people in the high prestigious universities who are becoming lawyers, judges, doctors and politicians will be indoctrinated into hating America.
Which means these people are not looking out for our American interests.
These knuckleheads want us taxpayers to payoff their student loans so they can continue their comfortable lifestyles at our expense.
Many of these liberals are your doctors, dentist, lawyers and politicians swindle us of our hard earned money.
Many of us will be on medicare and social security while they retire in a better retirement system.
Yes keep voting for the same old liberal tax and spend regimes over and over.
I suspect that most folks reading this site are probably not liberals and ard not voting for progressives. In other words, I think you are preaching to the choir.
Actually the ammo shortage started several years before the pandemic, during the Obama/Biden “Reign of Ineptitude,” as I recall. One of the common theories had to do with the Federal government purchasing huge amounts for the IRS, the EPA, the Dept. of Education and numerous other agencies that should not have needed to be armed, at least not to the extent that the purchases indicated they were stocking up for. It looked like the Feds were preparing for a full out invasion or revolution. That made lots of conservatives nervous and made the ammo shortage even worse as the civilians tried to stock up.
Ya hit that nail right on the head. Nobody ever has OFFICIALLY answered the question so many people have asked. Why does the IRS suddenly need hundreds of thousands of rounds? Anyone who knows just a tad of history or pays a tiny bit of attention to how communist/socialist governments work can figure out the answer. Obviously, they’re building a secret police force.
Not so sure they are taking “your” ammo, but maybe taking up ammo production resources. As for agencies being armed, if you want a real wake-up call visit a FEMA armory….
Not all pro Palestinians are Soros supporters.
Maybe we just have better information about Netanyahu and his desire to destroy (including his destruction of fellow Americans on 9/11/2021)
Sept 11 *2001….not 2021, of course..
although his Rothschild Bankers are STiLL killing us off with their Agenda 2030
I have found that buying paper goods (toilet paper, Kleenex, paper plates, paper cups, etc.,etc.) on line and in bulk saves money, future shopping and transporting home. For example, I typically go to an industrial supply site, find my choice of toilet paper and buy it by the case (96 rolls each). 4 cases (for quantity discount) will last a good while and is not that expensive ($70-90) has a long shelf life if kept dry, stores in a hot attic and free delivery to my house so nothing to haul home and my future shopping lists are shorter. Your purchase also escapes Biden’s inflation over the time (years) you are using them. One of the companies I have bought from on line is The Betty Mills co.
Every once in awhile, CVS will have Kleenex on sale for a ridiculously cheap price to lure customers into the store. When we find that, we clean off the whole shelf of that brand, and then ask if they have any more stored in back – which they usually do, and we buy all of that too! Be sure and compare prices. Costco is hard to beat on paper towels.
@ Oldprep: WOW. I think that is a bit greedy of you to take all AND their backstock inventory as well. Just go once a week and leave some for the rest of us!
I regularly buy a large 22 roll TP once a week. I buy ONE, leaving some for others. I do this with most all of my groceries, and other items as well. ONCE a week, I buy 2-3 items I use all the time, LEAVING some for others, and since I do it once a week have amassed quite a stockpile, LEAVING lots for others!
You can make almost all of your cleaning, personal items at home with just a few ingredients that are readily available, I don’t buy those items. I also make a lot of my own baking ingredients, almond and coconut flour, baking powder (1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cream of tartar
1/4 cup arrowroot powder/cornstarch (organic preferred)
Yeast is available “in the air”: sourdough. make your own hand sanitizer as well as wipes using homemade liquid and rags or old t-shirts.
Beans, rice Canned foods, comfort foods, pet foods and supplies, ammo,should all be items that we stock up all the time.
Soap and shampoos are things we can make ourselves as well, using many common items in the house. It should be a task that we learn to do, even if we never have to, we should KNOW how to along with many other things we should know how to do for that SHTF scenario.
If you keep your 90 min. supplies and rotation policy in place you dont have to worry
only the fool who believes it will get better and things are ok will fall victum to the ongoing planed invasion and dismantling of america and the supply chains
This is why Prepping is so vital
Depression is coming and Evil will Do its plan
Control
Coersion
Manipulation
YOU will comply or die
The invasion is to Take , Control , bring you to nothing ( poverty )
When We, you , I repent , Turn to God , Believe in God , Trust God , And Know beyound a shodow of a doubt that he is in control of the outcome and that as Romans Says ( All things work together for the Good, Best for those God Calls, chooses , for his people
If you truly believe , you will Truly pray, seek , ask for Gods revelation of Truth
not some religeon , religeous leader who want s notoriety , nothing more
God is Holy , Truth, Just , Faith is Believing against all odds , no matter what happens
i don’t support either Palestinian or the nation state of Israel
Currently, the guns shows in Missouri have plenty of all kinds of ammo.
I understand that unlike many, Missouri is still a Free State.
I understand t-paper but paper towels? If you are truly into prepping use a rag. Learn to actually cook. Look to your grandmother. Save the space paper takes for canned or dried food. Teach yourself how to garden. To start a fire. Come on people use your god given brains and put them to work. Stockpile goods for trade. Gather up toothbrushs use baking soda instead of paste. Remember when shtf most likely there won’t be power, water won’t flow from the tap and people will be looking to take what you have so be prepared to DEFEND what you have.
I do not understand why make up would be in short supply. We were about to be quarantined.
I remember when trump said you could inject with bleach to stop covid. The next day; a major city’s poison control center got swamped with emergency calls. it seems some people actually did it.
weel that just showed you how STUPID and ignorant some people can be….it was him trying to make things a bit lighter by a funny….but oh well….sheeple will be sheeple….not think for themselves….
But here in Edinburg/Scotland people bought a lot of stuff, shelves and whole shops were left empty but they wasted too a lot of stuff: food stuff mainly.
People were trying to sell their excesses as shops wouldn’t take stuff back.