OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The pandemic has brought on a shortage of toilet paper, cleaning supplies and disinfectants. But now there's a new shortfall in the form of currency.
The coin supply has been disrupted forcing the federal reserve to step in.
Like everything else in our lives, COVID-19 got in the way causing fewer coins. Now the U.S. mint is trying to keep up with the demand.
"What's happened during the pandemic is businesses have been shut down without access to buy your daily coffee, afternoon sandwich which most purchases of small items is done by cash in the US," said Jim Gaherity of Coinstar. "The ability of the consumer to recirculate that coin back into the retail which then goes back into the bank slowed down significantly."
Banks are the largest recycler of coins. It's a good idea if you pay with cash to check with the business first to make sure they have plenty of change.
