Lean Supply Chains

Modern supply chains have allowed providers and facilities to go to a near just-in-time inventory system, conserving cash and limiting storage space.

Pick up the phone, log on to a website, and the next day a delivery truck rolls in with supplies.

No more.

The on-going pandemic has taught us a brutal lesson about failed supply chains, especially when the chain starts overseas, and really especially when the start of the supply chain is compromised by the same pandemic.

We have also learned lessons about depending on the federal government and strategic reserves.

Someday when we are out of the current crisis we must rethink out inventory and supply chain systems, and in particular critical items. Governments must also rethink their plans and capabilities. 

Corona Scams

Of course scammers are taking advantage of the current misery. Even the Attorney General of Michigan was hacked (her staff was directed via email to send her gift cards!). The most dangerous scams are the health care scams, abetted by lots of misinformation. So: Drinking bleach or diluted bleach will not prevent or cure the virus. Various "silver solutions" and miracle cures being pitched on tv and the Internet will not prevent or cure the virus (convicted felon preacher Jimmy Bakker is scamming once again). There are no miracle cures and no effective prevention methods except avoidance. Despite what you might hear from Washington, there are no medicines that have been tested to prevent or cure the virus. And the usual financial scammers are busy, perhaps to take of people who are off work or cloistered in their homes. Employment scams will soon follow. Common sense is the best defense. The best source of information so far has been from governors and state health departments.