When the Coronavirus panic started, we were told that as long as we wear our masks and maintained social distancing, we would “flatten the curve” and be able to return to normal. We’ve been lectured about “doing our part” and “protecting those who are most vulnerable.”  We were told that as long as we followed the rules, we would never be denied access to food or any other essential items.

Now, out of New Mexico, it has been announced that Liberal Democrat Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered more than a dozen essential businesses in the state will be shut for at least two weeks as COVID-19 cases rise.

From the Washington Examiner:

A dozen grocery stores around the state have been forced to close for two weeks because of a public health order issued by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham at a time when the state’s residents are suffering from record high unemployment and food insecurity, critics say.

The order requires businesses with four or more rapid responses of COVID-19 cases reported within in a 14-day period to close for two weeks.

More than 25 essential businesses were shut down as of Monday afternoon, including a number of grocery stores and major retailers.

The closures include two Walmarts in Albuquerque and one in Santa Fe, an Albertson’s in Roswell, a Smiths Food & Drug Center in Albuquerque and New Mexico Food Distribution Center in Albuquerque.

This again goes back to the complete disconnect from facts, from which most Democrats suffer.  Supply is inherently limited.  There is not an unlimited amount of product or the ability to deliver the said product.  When suddenly you limit the ability to deliver the said product, or the availability to get said product from a certain location, it will inherently increase demand on other locations and their limited supply.

Additionally, announcing this move the way they did, will likely create a rush on certain products, leading to shortages at the stores that do remain open.  These actions do not occur in a vacuum and the potential for this to create shortages is high.

More from the Examiner:

Access to purchase food is now limited because of another order issued by the governor requiring capacity limitations at all stores. New Mexicans are now waiting outside, standing in line for up to two hours, local news reports indicate, which the governor’s office has disputed.

The governor’s office said, “The state is not forcing anyone to stand in a crowded line, as you suggest,” in response to requests for comment from KOB4 News TV.

But John Block at PInon Post says the governor’s office claims are “untrue and easily disprovable.” He posted photos of New Mexicans waiting in long lines outside of grocery stores with dates and time stamps. The photos were taken between Nov. 13 and Nov. 23.

“Upon the news that limits of 75 people inside each store, retailers pre-emptively began limiting capacities to begin compliance with the mandate,” Block said.

It becomes even more clear that people within the Governor’s office lack any ability to understand basic economics with the Governor’s office in response to the fact that supply has become limited as a result of this latest policy.

“There is no community in the state of New Mexico where COVID-19 closures have closed off all food and water or medicine options for any community or group of people. Every single community where the virus is forcing closures has alternate stores, alternate resources. Moreover, stores are only ordered closed for the protection of public safety when the store’s staff members have an abundance of COVID-19 infections among them – surely you and everyone in New Mexico can agree that not one of us would like to be shopping among staff that are contagious.”

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and her staff probably should see if any Community Colleges are offering any online classes for Economics 101 for the Winter.