In desperate times, people around the world are rushing out in search of essential items such as food, water, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. However, as people head out in mass to secure these items— we find ourselves facing a shortage. For people at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, the lack of available hand sanitizer in particular is threatening. From empty shelves, to a shockingly out-of-stock Amazon, and greedy price gougers— there doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel. However, a group of unlikely heroes is coming to the rescue: brewers and distillers.
Hand Sanitizer Shortage: Alcohol Industry to the Rescue
International Efforts
Many makers are stepping up to finds way they can fight the hand sanitizer shortage around the world. One of the first companies to take this step was Pernod Ricard. Pernod Ricard is a French drinks group that specializes primarily in whiskeys and vodkas, among other types of alcohol. In fact, they are the company behind some well-known favorites— such as Jameson and Absolut.
Last week, the TTB decided to allow for ethanol-based hand sanitizers. After they were given the green light companies such as Pernod Ricard and Diageo got to work. Diageo supplies Guinness, Captain Morgan, Smirnoff, as well as other popular alcohol options. Now that the gate is open, brewers and distillers are getting to work from Arkansas to Sweden and many other places in between. Many of these companies are making sanitizer on a larger scale to supply hospitals. However, many smaller businesses are focusing in on their local communities.
Statewide Efforts
Take Broad Branch Distiller in Winston Salem for example. Broad Branch has created ‘Whiskey Wash’. Whiskey Wash is a spray hand sanitizer made with a 65% alcohol solution. It is available for free in their tasting room where you can also pick up to-go’s. They are offering the product for free while asking for donations to the WS/FC School Buddy Fund.
Local Efforts
Furthermore, Mecklenburg Co. faces the highest concentration of Coronavirus in the state. Because of this, Unknown Brewing is stepping up to the plate and using their facility to produce hand sanitizer. With 65% ethyl alcohol and essential oils, Good Hands hand sanitizer is available as of today in the taproom for free. Go pick up your Good Hands, your Over The Edge, and a pizza from their resident food truck Passport Dough & Co. They’re even offering combo deals for $20.
Communities coming together
While this virus has not been kind to our community— it is giving us a valuable lesson in what it means to be a community. This time that has shown us the undesirable true colors of some (I’m looking at you, toilet paper hoarder). However, it has also shown us the many ways that local businesses and Charlotteans come together to support one another. From take out orders with 25% tips, to free delivery services, and employee relief funds… We are learning quickly how much Charlotte cares about the people who choose to spend their lives there.
The people here at the Law Offices of Robert J. Reeves P.C. are asking you to stay home when possible. Furthermore, we ask that you sanitize your home, hands, and practice social distancing. The sooner we all listen to the CDC, the sooner life will get back to normal.