Not so. Isn't a lot of helium a by-product of oil drilling? And because of increased oil production in the USA, that has made the USA the number one producer of oil, we are seeing abundant production of natural gas as a by-product of oil production. And helium is a by-product of natural gas processing. The world has seen a great increase in helium production. Made in the USA for world-wide distribution.
I grew up using those waxy paper straws. What’s wrong with that? I could get really give a hoot about a balloon, seriously. I think nitrile gloves make funnier balloons anyway, at least you can play cow with them