[MoochPooch]

"If the markets can’t even produce hand sanitizer or toilet paper or masks during a plague—what good is this system?"

What a maroon. The markets WERE producing plenty of this. It's because the government shut down so many places.

Unfortunately this party is going to attract so many of the stupid & suicidal like this guy.

[EagleUSA]

“...Unfortunately this party is going to attract so many of the stupid & suicidal like this guy....”

Yes, every society needs its victims and its dependency class....to feed the socialists....

[who_would_fardels_bear]

Capitalism led to some companies optimizing their factories to produce products direct to consumers, while others optimized their factories to produce products to companies and institutions.

It took some time for some of these companies to shift gears. Also, some are unwilling to shift gears because the cost is high and they don't know if the change will payoff before the lockdowns are lifted and they have to change back.

Capitalism isn't perfect and the things companies have to do in order to be highly efficient and profitable during a normal economy (e.g. JIT) can backfire during an emergency.

Socialists wouldn't do any better, but this is why there is a FEMA and a national oil reserve, etc.

It's also why we should retain some manufacturing of critical products within the US even if the products could be produced cheaper in other countries.