In the news are stories about the lockdown in many cities in China because of continuing cases of COVID.

I have been directly affected by this because merchandise I ordered back in March is stuck in a warehouse in Shanghai. The vendor has sent me several emails. It will be shipped as soon as they can get in the warehouse. They have offered to return my money if I want it.

This whole COVID situation has really pointed the pitfalls of depending on suppliers beyond our control. The world economy is a good idea when everyone is working together. But as soon as one party (or nation) puts its personal or selfish needs above its need to fulfill contracted obligations, the system falls apart.

China Follow up

I heard on the news things are getting worse in Shanghai. Now I hear the authorities are putting fences around apartment buildings to keep the people inside. I may never see the merchandise I ordered back in March.

Logically, I should cancel the order, but this story is too interesting to not follow. A beautiful example of power and authority run amuck. We here in the United States certainly don’t have all the answers but at least we can get on with life while the scientists work things out.

Update #2

I received news that the Shanghai lockdown has been lifted and my merchandise has been shipped. I should receive it next week. We will see if the wait was worthwhile.

Tracking the shipment is very interesting. The package left the warehouse in Shanghai on June1st. Then it went to Nanchang on June 2. Next to Cincinnati, OH. It left there and arrived in Houston, TX, today, June 4. It is still scheduled to be delivered Thursday, June 9. I am looking forward to the next update.