Since 2021, the inflation rate has been steadily increasing. In February of this year, the inflation rate reached a high of 7.9%, according to recent studies. A mixture of different factors, including, but not limited to, the supply chain crisis, the inability to keep up with enormous demand, and the COVID 19 relief package all contribute to the ongoing crisis.

“I think that the inflation will be prolonged, because the inflation seems to be global, not just happening even nationwide. It seems to be a global phenomenon”, says AV Civics teacher Shawn Weber.

In the present day, the surge of inflation that we are seeing across the United States can be attributed mainly to the COVID-19 pandemic and the juxtaposition of high demand and low supply. When the pandemic first hit the United States in March of 2020, a large portion of the work force closed down, including the fast food industry and the recreational business, in an effort to mitigate the transmission of the virus. According to CNN, the demand for consumer goods increased during the summer of 2020, and a mixture of limited supply and delayed production drove prices up even higher.

  “I know that I have been spending more. I would say, if I were to average it, probably an extra two to three hundred dollars a month on things like gas, or food, sort of the day-to day stuff that you need,” said Weber.

A few of the factors affecting citizens across the country are the high prices of gasoline, the shortages of food, and increasing prices for all utensils and necessities. According to an article by Buzzfeed news, food insecurity is a clear and abundant threat for families around the country. Thirty percent of the polled individuals stated that they were not able to buy the necessary groceries that they typically use.

“I think the main thing is gas prices. Gas prices have gone up so much. I drive fifty miles each day to work and back, and so it has cost me double what it used to to drive, as compared to probably last year,” said Weber.

Another important detail affecting American consumers is the issue of gas prices. With President Biden’s ban on all Russian gas and natural oil, US gas prices have risen dramatically due to the fact that the US imports around 10 percent of all its natural gas from the European nation.

“I think that we should support Ukraine to the ends that we can, we can’t keep throwing money at them, because inflation is going crazy and we can’t keep spending money. We are hitting hyper-inflation here pretty soon, and everybody here is struggling,” said AV Criminal Justice teacher Cliff Calderan. 

The current situation revolving around the economy, inflation, and the pandemic are all testing the patience of the American people. With citizens not being able to pay for food, gasoline, and other necessities, it seems as though tensions will rise even higher in a divided nation.