SPOX’s Daily Briefing - Demand for TV Dinners has Soared

As we move closer to the New Normal, the demand for many things is increasing. We had to change our habits and routines. One of the winners is TV dinners and frozen food. I have to report the facts, as I see them.

Regular Demand

The normal things we need are really in constant demand like food and drink and toilet paper. With restaurants and bars closed, we have moved to eating at home. That’s why grocery stores were deemed essential. But our wives found out quickly, cooking every day got old fast.

So enter the TV dinner’s popularity. As my wife put it, “If it takes more than four and a half minutes, I’m not cooking it.”

The other thing that took a hit was personal appearance. The practice of hair coloring, toenail, and fingernail care became a home project. Let’s put it this way, there are more brunettes then I remember before the shutdown.

A Note: Look for the Spox’x Chicken Fried Steak TV dinner. Its demand has exploded. You can’t find the dinners anywhere.

Static Demand

These are things that we do frequently but are not life or death activities like eating out at restaurants. We have seen a spike in the usage of drive-thru restaurants.

On-line buying became very popular and maybe a big change to our new normal. Even the sale of cars online exploded. You just select it on the internet and they drop it off at your home. You have seven days to return the vehicle if you don’t like it. My neighbors are on their third car. Go figure.

The price of gas is down drastically. Of course, we aren’t driving anywhere anyway. I logged in forty miles last week down from a regular two hundred.

Our social distancing and wearing protective mask usage is starting to decline. One authority estimated that only about 15% of the people in the U.S. practiced preventive methods.

One thing that is changing this is the current demonstrations and riots over the death of a man in police custody.  While the social distancing is out the window, the wearing of masks has increased.

The job market is starting to improve. Many are starting to return to their day jobs. Others are starting the old job shuffle. They are changing jobs, hopefully with a bigger opportunity.

As broadcasted the other day, over 60% of the unemployed are making more money than they did when they were working. I interviewed a guy at a bar last week. “I’m not going back while I’m getting the extra money.” He finished the conversation by hoisting his mug of beer and saluting me.

               

Next, I talked with a chair salesman. I just had to spend part of my stimulus. He was forced to return to his job or lose his seniority. “I was making more on unemployment but I couldn’t go backward. Everyone is going to be looking for a job soon.”

Bars are coming back strong. At least, the new normal will still include my favorite pastime.

Our Heroes

Our condolences to those who have lost love ones and to the patients and their family members that continue to fight COVID-19. Salute to our doctors and medical workers and our first responders.

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SPOX's Daily Briefing –The Winners. The Losers. The Heroes.

The pandemic has changed our lives and created a new normal.  The economy has changed with some big winners and some people that suffered greatly. But from this, we created new opportunities for many people. As we go through Phase 1 of the recovery, we can deal with this up-side-down environment.

Essential Businesses and Activities

We declared upfront, that grocery stores, pharmacies, and hospitals are all essential and all should stay open.

But that is where things get fuzzy. The states are making their own lists of what’s essential for the people in their state. There is some sort of an agreement that hardware and home improvement stores, pet supplies (pets need pet food) and distribution centers followed by Churches and Houses of Worship are essential.

Here is a list of some questionable businesses that are open in some states. Gun shops, Marijuana Dispensaries, and Golf courses are open for business.

The Winners

Expanding Business

Many businesses expanded their operations and hired people to take care of the extra load. Some of these were for disinfect supplies, large food chains, meat producers, medical equipment including masks, video games, and on-line ordering all increased.

There were some problems with the meat packaging and a shortage of products but those are getting resolved. The only problem I had was availability of ice for my beverage at night. I solved this by buying a couple of ice trays and making my own.

Stock Market

The stock market fits into the Winner and Loser categories. On 2/12/2020 the market hit its all-time high (29,551). Then the shit hit the fan and the market crashed to the bottom (below 19,000). A month later it started its rally back.

Some people lost their life savings. Others, who had a heads up, dumped their stock before the crash. Now the big spenders are riding the waves of the market and making lots of cash. They start by buying at a low price and waiting for the regular buyers to get into the market which raises the price and then they sell, make a profit and wait for the next wave.

The Losers

Unemployment

Thank God the government stepped in and supported the people who lost their job. For many, it saved their homes, their family, and their sanity.

For others, it was a pay raise.  Some found out they got paid more for staying home and playing video games. Some workers are refusing to go back to work until the subsidy ends.

One unemployed worker said this in his defense, “I have two dogs to take care of. Why should I go back?”

The New Normal

Working at Home

This is definitely a New Normal candidate. It solves so many problems. Travel. Pollution. Social Distancing. Annoying co-workers. Availability of food and drinks.

Of course, so many jobs can’t be done this way. As previously reported, baseball is looking into umpires working from home. It could improve accuracy especially balls and strikes besides there is one less person gathered at the plate.

Personal Masks

Masks have become regular clothing for us socially concerned citizens. One whiskey company is carrying it to the next level. They are furnishing their masks with their logo printed on the front. What makes this unique is they have provided a hole in the middle of the mask to allow the customer to easily slip a straw through the mask. Enjoy.

Delivery Services

The delivery of food and other supplies to your door has become normal. My family regularly orders from our favorite restaurant. They have started a new service: Delivery by Drone.

Last week we ordered a three-course meal and sat on the porch and watched the delivery. Four drones came sweeping over the neighborhood. It looked like a Blue Angels flyover.

Restaurant and Bars

The reopening of these establishments has started with a bang. One owner said that her business did 30% more for the first two weeks than last year. The consumption of alcohol is up although the draft beer drinking curve is flat because of the shortage of CO2.

Our Heroes

Our condolences to those who have lost love ones and to the patients and their family members that continue to fight COVID-19. Salute to our doctors and medical workers and our first responders.

Conclusion

We may change jobs and buying habits but in the end, we will get back to normal. The more things change, the more they stay the same.