"I pay 20 dollars to fill my tank, but I can no longer fill it, it's scandalous," regrets this fifty-something, a few hours after the publication by the Department of Labor of an average price increase of 6.8% in the United States for a year, the largest increase on record since June 1982.

“It's really hard! Bread is so expensive, sugar is so expensive, everything is so expensive!” Laments this unemployed woman.

"You go to the store and pay seven dollars for a gallon of milk (almost 4 liters), whereas it was previously at two dollars and thirty-nine cents!"

For her, it is all the more "scandalous" that, "because of the Covid, people have no money and are just starting to work again" and earn a salary.

Earl Walker walks up to the pump next door with his huge black car.

The prices ?

“They're increasing every day,” so much for fuel that “sometimes I can't go to work,” other days “I have to borrow money to get there.”

According to figures released on Friday, prices in the energy sector increased the most over one year (+ 33.3%), as in many other countries.

With his impressive vehicle, "I can't refuel, it would cost me over $ 100," explains the 40-year-old social worker, who also notes a sharp rise in the price of chicken in supermarkets.

A "gradual" increase

A stone's throw from this station, Edward Harrison, 47, comes out of a Walmart, an American retail giant.

Yuki IWAMURA AFP

He admits going out less, looking more at discounted prices and online shopping, even though he would prefer, like today, to go directly to the supermarket near his home.

"I now have to be more careful when I go shopping," assures the electronics technician, who now uses second-hand products "if necessary."

Last month, the prices of new cars jumped 11.1% in the United States, those of used cars by 31.4%.

But this increase, which slows down compared to the previous month, seems less felt by the better-off.

Coming out of the dry cleaner with his white shirts in hand, Stephen Keil, 30 and an employee of a large energy company, only observed a "gradual" increase in prices, "we only see it. looking at his account statements later. "

The young man, however, notices a rise in prices for his Christmas gifts, especially bicycles.

"They say in stores that this is because of the increased cost of transportation."

Nation's Capital Ends Indoor Mask Mandate Anna Moneymaker GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

Beside her, Abby Mitchell, a 29-year-old researcher, now compares brands, whereas before, she admits, "if I wanted to buy spinach, I bought spinach, without really looking at the price."

If President Joe Biden, weakened by this record inflation, promises to reverse the trend, the inhabitants of this city very largely won over to the Democratic Party do not blame him.

"It is all due to Covid," continues Stephen Keil, "there is not much the government can do."

The president's fault?

"I will not say yes, Joe Biden has done a lot for the people", believes his side Telilia Scott, the gas station, "but I think that politicians can still do more."

© 2021 AFP