The supply chain crisis continues, and now women are finding it difficult to purchase tampons.
On Twitter, #tamponshortage is trending, with some users calling it the latest “nightmare” for women after the Food and Drug Administration acknowledged widespread shortages of baby formula. Individuals and not-for-profit groups that collect donated feminine care products are also complaining of empty shelves where the monthly essentials are usually stocked.”I thought I was going crazy noticing empty shelves where tampons should be,” one Twitter user said.Members of an online forum for Washington, D.C.-area parents also reported problems sourcing tampons. One member said she had visited three different CVS locations only to find them “99% bare of all tampons.”
The tampon manufacturers are not clear on the reasons for the shortage, though one cited increased demand.
A spokesperson for Procter & Gamble — which makes Tampax and Always and claims almost 50% of the menstrual care supply market, per Bloomberg — declined to elaborate on any tampon shortages and didn’t address whether its other feminine hygiene products are being affected. They did, however, acknowledge that the company is experiencing increased demand and said they’re aware many customers are struggling to find tampons in stores and online.“We understand it is frustrating for consumers when they can’t find what they need. Our Tampax team is producing tampons 24/7 to meet the increased demand for our products,” an email statement to TODAY read. (P&G recently made headlines for a statement to Time magazine that said demand for its product has soared since launching its Tampax ad campaign with Amy Schumer in 2020.)A U by Kotex (owned by Kimberly Clark) spokesperson said in an email that the brand has not actually experienced a product or supply shortage in the U.S. and stressed that the company “works diligently to keep its products readily available for our consumers.”
Some social media commenters hand helpful suggestions and observations:
The possibility of a Biden #WarOnWomen must be considered. It would be a good time to ask bout the status of Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, as he would be one of the key administration officials to help resolve the supply chain crisis.
It turns out he is dealing with a case of covid.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Monday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, the latest member of President Biden’s cabinet to be infected.Mr. Buttigieg added that he was experiencing mild symptoms.“I plan to work remotely while isolating according to C.D.C. guidelines, and look forward to when I can safely return to the office and the road,” he wrote on Twitter, referring to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meanwhile, women and those who identify with them can consider buying ‘period positive’ clothing.
Lucy & Yak, a Yorkshire-based company founded in 2017 by Lucy Greenwood and Chris Renwick, is best known for its range of dungarees, which often feature bold and colourful prints.The trousers and dungarees are on sale now, and cost £36 and £62 respectively.In 2020, it launched trousers and dungarees covered in a vulva print. Now it has expanded its vibrant portfolio with these new designs, which it describes as genderless.Posting about the new launch on social media, the brand said it wants to want ‘do our bit to normalise conversation & remove stigma surrounding vulvas and periods’.
I would like to note the clothing is as attractive as you might imagine.
How long before Biden blames Putin for this shortage? What shortage will I be discussing next?
Stay tuned for another chilling episode of “Life in Biden’s America”.
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