THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF OUTDOOR BENEFITS

As I write this, the news and many social media outlets are talking about the big gas shortage hitting the Southeast. It seems that the major fuel pipeline in this region was hit by a malware attack, making it unable to deliver the normal volume of fuel to its customers.

- Mike McCourt 

It had gone on for a few days without much notice at the pumps—or anywhere else. But, following the “Toilet Paper Fiasco of 2020” playbook to the letter, within a day of this situation hitting the news and getting blown up by social media, thousands of gas stations have run out of gas because of the concern folks have that they won’t be able to fill their tank as normal.

Prices near me have risen about 15 to 20 percent; Georgia’s governor has suspended the collection of the state gas tax (in an effort to help keep the prices from soaring), and the GasBuddy website has crashed because so many people are flocking to it to see where they can find their next fuel fix.

This is happening just as many people are getting back outdoors, hitting the roads to state and national parks and the coasts to cure their cabin fever. Schools in my county will be closing for summer vacation in the next couple of weeks, and most schools in the South are on a similar schedule. I hear that some people fear there won’t be enough gas in time for them to hit the road when the dismissal bell rings.

It seems we’ve learned little from last year’s events.