The Millstone Times August 2020

Max's Minute By, Max Druckman

A TIME FOR CHANGE “Hey Buddy, can you spare a dime?” While the Covid-19 pandemic has altered our lives in obvious ways such as staying home and social distancing, it has also impacted our lives in more subtle ways. One of these less apparent ways is the national shortage of coins. Yes, you read that right, coins. You know, those shiny things you find in between seats of the car or in the back pocket of the pants that just came out of the dryer. They seem to be everywhere, often neglected around the house. But, due to the current pandemic, there is officially a coin deficit. So peruse for pennies and go on a quest for quarters and find out how the shortage can be reversed. Before learning about what is being done to recirculate coins, it is necessary to understand why there is a shortage in the first place. In an attempt to limit their employee’s potential exposure to the coronavirus, the United States mint had decreased its coin manufacturing shifts during the pandemic. In addition, fewer coins are being used during shopping by patrons through- out the pandemic causing a subsequent absence of coins being circulated. In-person shopping has decreased as people try to

stay home and social distance. When people shop online, they do not use physical money, meaning coins are therefore not being circulated. Even when people do shop in stores, they are often relying on cards, venmo or other contactless forms of payment. This is done in order to diminish the possibility of the virus spreading through the passing of cash. The US government is taking action to help reverse the deficit. They are using a method known as “coin rationing”. On June 15, the Federal Reserve began temporarily giving coins to banks across the country. The number of coins each bank gets is based on the volume of their past usage of coins. While the ra- tioning is taking place, the mint will increase its production of coins. But, what can we do to help? Well, when making purchases, you could make the exact change. This means paying for your items down to the exact cent, instead of needing change. This allows stores to not have to give away coins and then enter the coins into the circulation circle. Also, if you have some spare change under a couch cushion, bring them to a bank or nearby supermarket to exchange them for bills. Simply, this puts more coins into the business web. You can also use a credit card, as it eliminates the need for stores to give coins to customers as change. Next time you go on a Starbucks run or grab a bite to eat, use exact change. While at home, dig for dimes and nose around for nickels under couch cushions, in piggy banks, and in drawers. Together, we can make this make cents. https://www.wbir.com/article/money/pandemic-causes-national-coin-shortage-impacts-felt-in-tennessee/51-90903085-84dc-478e-8dbd-c7e58361d653 https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/06/20/coronavirus-shortage-coin-supply-pennies-nickels-dimes-quarters/3230828001 https://www.aier.org/article/what-can-be-done-to-remedy-the-coin-shortage/

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62 The Millstone Times

August 2020