Current Events in January 2017

Since early last year, worries over the spread of the Zika virus have continued to mount. The virus, which has been shown to cause birth defects in pregnant women, first gained a foothold in Latin America and has since spread to areas across the U.S.

While locally transmitted cases of Zika have been concentrated in the South, in areas like Florida and Texas, new research from Entomological Society of America suggests that the risk of a large-scale outbreak is lower than many believe. While the climate around the U.S. is conducive for mosquitoes – which carry the virus – to thrive, researchers say that socioeconomic factors give the U.S. and other developed countries an advantage.

"It seems clear that the main factors keeping outbreaks of these diseases from occurring today are socioeconomic such as lifestyle, housing infrastructure, and good sanitation. While such conditions are maintained, it seems unlikely that large scale local transmission will occur, especially in northern states," the authors of the study said.

Socioeconomic problem

In their paper, the researchers point out that diseases transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, such as Zika, yellow fever, dengue, and chikungunya, occur primarily in developing countries with low socioeconomic conditions.

While the diseases have been known to travel to other areas like the U.S., they say that certain factors like the absence of air conditioning, lack of screen windows, and prevalence of water shortages are main contributors to outbreaks of these diseases.

While this is good news for most Americans, the authors say that there are other factors that can increase risk for developed countries. One of them, which we previously discussed after the disaster of Hurricane Matthew, is how natural disasters could increase infection rates.

"If the isolation between humans and Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in the U.S. is primarily caused by lifestyle and living infrastructure associated to socioeconomic conditions, these could be threatened by massive natural disasters, or any other event that disrupts current infrastructure," they write.

Problematic on small scale

Additionally, the researchers say globalization could affect infection rates in developed countries. Travelers who visit areas with high infection rates can often bring the disease back home with them, which could cause health crises in small regions.

"The growing interconnection of our global society makes global public health-related issues, such as sanitation and the lack of a continuous supply of running water in developing countries, an important concern to developed countries, as these developing countries may serve as a source of imported cases of disease," they said.

For these reasons, the researchers think it more likely that Zika will not be a problem on an epidemic level, but one can pose problems on a local, small-scale level in affected communities. The full study has been published in the Journal of Medical Entomology. 

Pest control company Orkin has released its annual list of locations with the worst bedbug problems. This year, Baltimore ranks number one, based on Orkin service calls at both residential and commercial property.

The city’s number one ranking is the result of a nine-spot jump from last year. Its place in the top five is a first for Baltimore, but other major cities have simply held onto the high-ranking positions they've previously claimed.

Washington, D.C., Chicago, and New York, for instance, have remained at the top of Orkin’s top 50 list. Last year, Chicago claimed the top spot, but the windy city appears to have improved its bedbug situation over the past year, given its two-place descent from number one.

Orkin’s 2016 list also features some new additions: Las Vegas, Portland, Salt Lake City, and the Greensboro-High Point-Winston-Salem region in North Carolina made the list for the first time.

The top 10 for 2016 are:

1. Baltimore
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Chicago
4. New York
5. Columbus, Ohio
6. Los Angeles
7. Detroit
8. Cincinnati
9. Philadelphia
10. San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose

Talented hitchhikers

Bed bugs can enter your home by hitching a ride on your luggage or other personal belongings. And the tiny pests don’t only lurk in beds -- they can be found anywhere from furniture and rugs to public places like movie theaters and public transit.

“We have more people affected by bed bugs in the United States now than ever before," said Orkin Entomologist and Director of Technical Services Ron Harrison, Ph.D., noting that bed bugs were virtually unheard of in the U.S. 10 years ago.

Harrison says bedbugs aren’t necessarily a sign of uncleanliness. Bedbugs will survive wherever there is blood, whether that’s in a million dollar home or public housing. But while an infestation may not be a sign of uncleanliness, the presence of bedbugs can be bothersome.

Bedbug bites “are typically itchy, and they may appear clustered or lined up in rough rows,” according to the Mayo Clinic. To detect and prevent bedbugs, Orkin recommends regularly inspecting your home and giving hotel rooms a once-over when traveling.

Signs of infestation

At home, check for bedbugs in locations where they hide during the day, including mattress seams and behind baseboards, headboards, electrical outlets, and picture frames. Harrison says he performs this inspection every week.

When traveling, check to ensure that your hotel room doesn’t show signs of an infestation. Look for black or brown spots on furniture and check common bed bug hiding spots, just as you would in your home.

Make sure to elevate your luggage away from the bed and wall. The safest place to stow luggage is in the bathroom, says Orkin. Examine your luggage before heading home and again after you have returned home.

If you are of at least a certain age, you can probably remember having to walk over to the television set to turn it on, and get up again if you wanted to change the channel.

Not only has remote control made that unnecessary for the last few decades, lately there have been advancements in voice-control technology to make the remote almost obsolete.

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, DISH Network has announced the pairing of its Hopper digital video recorder (DVR) with Amazon's Alexa, using either the Echo or Echo Dot, that will allow users to channel surf using their voice instead of their fingers.

“We constantly evaluate emerging technology, like Alexa, and its potential to improve how people watch and control their TVs,” said Niraj Desai, DISH vice president of product management. “This allows us to design strategic road maps and deliver products that make TV more valuable, at no extra cost to subscribers.”

Logical use for Alexa

For its part, Amazon said controlling a TV is a logical use for Alexa, which accesses other types of information using voice commands.

“You no longer have to set down your popcorn to change the channel, or spend time searching for what channel the game is on – just ask Alexa to do it for you,” said Rob Pulciani, director, Amazon Alexa.

Other providers have been moving into in this area as well. Ixfinity offers the Voice Remote, but it is only available on XG of Xi boxes.

Samsung has also been integrating voice controls into its smart TV technology. It allows you to control functions such as turning on and off your TV, changing channels, accessing apps, and navigating the web using simple voice commands.

DISH's initiative takes advantage of Amazon's existing technology, applying it to controlling a TV set.

According to DISH, users will be able to direct Alexa to change to a specific channel number or network. They will also be able to find a specific program or type of movie, such as comedy or suspense.

The new system will roll out in the first half of this year, allowing voice search on all generations of a broadband-connected Hopper DVR.

If you hailed a ride home from Uber on New Year's Eve after a night of intense celebrating, good for you. You helped make the roads safer for everyone.

But if you are a bit taken aback by what the fare turned out to be, you shouldn't have been surprised. The ride-sharing platform employs what is known as “surge pricing,” meaning the price will go up when there is a surge in demand, such as a holiday.

While no one wants to pay more than necessary, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have concluded that surge pricing is actually an efficient system that benefits everyone, both consumers and drivers.

Kaitlin Daniels, assistant professor of operations and manufacturing management at Washington's Olin School of Business says Uber provides an interesting case study in how a business uses prices that go up and down with demand.

“Since drivers decide for themselves when they drive, price in this setting influences not only the firm’s margin but also the number of drivers out on the road serving customers,” she said.

How consumers can benefit

It may seem counter-intuitive, but Daniels and her colleagues say consumers can actually benefit from surge pricing. If demand for rides is not being met by a traditional taxi service, they say surge pricing will encourage more ride-sharing drivers to hit the road, increasing what ordinarily would be a limited supply. You might pay a little more for your ride, but at least you'd have a ride.

“Because taxis charge fares that are independent of demand for rides, they experience one of two possible inefficiencies,” Daniels said. “Either taxis fail to satisfy peak demand, or many taxis idle during times of normal demand. Drivers can only tolerate so much idleness because they are paid per ride, so in many cases taxis opt for the former inefficiency over the latter.”

Airfares also rise and fall with demand

Airlines have long employed surge pricing in setting their fares. Fares for travel during peak demand season, such as the holidays, cost more than during off-peak times.

Booking several weeks in advance usually provides a lower fare than booking a few days before departure, when prices for the few remaining seats surge higher. While that's largely a product of the nature of the business – once a flight takes off no more seats can be sold – Daniels says surge pricing in the ride-sharing industry can actually expand supply.

“In this case, surge pricing allows service to expand during peak demand without creating idleness for drivers during normal demand,” she said.

That means everyone gets a ride, even if they have to pay more for it. Daniels says it also means during non-peak times, riders will pay less. The net effect is regular Uber riders will likely come out ahead, even if you pay more for a lift home on New Year's Eve.

In the past, the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas was simply a showcase for the latest consumer gadgets.

Visitors could see things like personal digital assistants (PDA), the latest developments in VCRs, and even the newest solar-powered calculators. These shows were a launching pad for products that never made it off the pad, as well as those that became part of everyday life.

In recent years, CES has almost seemed like an auto show. Carmakers have showed up to display the increasing integration of technology into their vehicles.

Honda says it will showcase its vision of a redefined mobility experience, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence and robotics. Cars, after all, are beginning to drive themselves, so the technology has less to do with the infotainment system and more to do with the base operating system.

Honda promises to reveal how its technology could ultimately reduce traffic congestion.

Hyundai teaming with Google

Hyundai, meanwhile, is partnering with Google on its Blue Link Agent, which works with Google Assistant. Using voice commands, consumers will be able to start their Blue Link-equipped Hyundai and set the temperature control before leaving the house.

Karl Brauer, executive analyst for Kelley Blue Book, says CES has begun to rival major auto shows as a venue for the latest automotive developments.

“With the race for the autonomous car in full sprint, everyone expects CES to unveil the latest developments in self-driving capabilities,” Brauer said. “We’ll also hear plenty on that subject from traditional automakers and tech companies, both of which are jockeying for bragging rights at leading the race.”

Rolling computers on wheels

As cars become rolling computers on four wheels, Airbiquity promises to reveal its latest innovation in over-the-air (OTA) software and data management, which keeps connected vehicles up to date, much as PCs must constantly be updated to make sure they run properly.

“As more and more connected vehicles are enabled to receive OTA software updates—as well as export operational and driving behavior data—automakers will need a way to efficiently manage the increasing complexity of doing OTA for millions of vehicles with a multitude of electronic components, systems, and software files from numerous suppliers,” the company said in a statement.

Also expect to see the latest developments in self-driving technology, as nearly every automaker has embraced the idea that humans will eventually become passengers only, and not drivers. Michael Harley, senior analyst for Autotrader, says CES is marking the passing of eras, as old fashioned cars become automated digital devices.

“It’s no surprise that CES, the world’s largest consumer technology show, will be the global stage to premier tomorrow’s automotive wizardry,” he said.

Harley says he expects to see advancements this week that will bring “the automotive industry one-step closer to the eventual removal of the steering wheel.”

CES runs from January 5-9 in Las Vegas.

More than a quarter century ago, Stephen R. Covey wrote “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” a guide to getting your life in order.

This month, millions of consumers will resolve to get their financial lives in order, and we consulted a number of financial experts who elaborate on five habits of financially fit consumers – those who are in control of their finances.

All agree that financial fitness starts with regularly reviewing your credit report. Diane Moogalian, Vice-president of Customer Care at Equifax, says at a minimum, consumers should check their credit once a year.

“For some consumers, a look at their credit report once a year, may be enough. However, for some consumers, they may want more regular visibility with their credit reports, and this can be done through regular credit monitoring,” she told ConsumerAffairs.

It's how the financial world sees you

Author and financial planner Michelle Perry Higgins, principal of California Financial Advisors in San Ramon, Calif., says your credit report tells the world how you manage your financial life.

“Your credit tells lenders, landlords, and even employers how reliable you are at paying your debts and by implication how trustworthy you are,” Higgins said. “By checking your credit report, you will be able to see how you look to creditors and how you may be able to increase your credit score.”

Federal law allows consumers to receive copies of their credit reports from all three credit agencies at no charge. The copies are available at www.annualcreditreport.com.

“Because you can request up to three per year – one from each of the three major agencies – it’s a good idea to request one every four months to keep a continuous track of your record,” said Paul Golden, a spokesman for the National Endowment for Financial Education.

What to look for

Once you download a report, then what? Bruce McClary, Vice-president of Communications at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, says you need to look it over carefully.

“A regular credit review helps identify reporting errors that may have an adverse impact on your credit rating, and it also helps uncover evidence of identity theft or credit fraud,” McClary said. “Catching these things quickly can make it easy to repair the damage.

McClary says you should also check for accuracy of your name, social security number, address record, employment, accounts and credit inquiries.

Moogalian says it is also important to check credit reports from all three agencies, because creditors and lenders do not necessarily report everything to all three national consumer credit reporting agencies.

“Because consumers are entitled to receive a free credit report from each of the national consumer credit reporting agencies once a year, we think it’s a smart habit to check all three,” she said.

Where will 2017 take you? Have you booked a vacation or are you still exploring? Will you return to a favorite destination or try something new? A new year offers the opportunity for fresh experiences. Here are six vacation ideas to consider:

Airbnb
Why stay in a hotel when you can rent a room, an apartment, a villa, or even a castle? Airbnb offers accommodations in more than 34,000 cities and 191 countries. You can stay for a night, a few days, a week, or a month in the center of the city or out in country. Check out their guidebooks to see the range of locations and rentals here.

Visit a national park
Our National Park Service has some of the most gorgeous sites in the world. Find them in every state, including monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers, and trails. Choose a park nearby or faraway or plan to see several within traveling distance. Check out the range of accommodations both inside and outside the parks from lodges to campgrounds, RV rentals, nearby hotel/motels, or condos. Find a park using the National Park’s website.

Book a cruise
If you have never taken a cruise, this could be the year to try one. You can visit multiple destinations in one to two weeks, unpacking your bags just once. Cruises are all-inclusive with your lodging, entertainment, and meals fully covered. If you are concerned whether a cruise is for you, try a short two- or three-night trip. Check out our cruise guide.

Switch cruise lines
If you are loyal and stick to the same cruise line, try a different one. Usually book large cruise ships? Then try a smaller ship that can navigate different ports. Or book one of the mega ships with neighborhoods, multiple shows and activities, and a wide range of restaurants; these cruise ships are essentially your destination. Each cruise line has something unique and it’s fun to sample different ones.

Take a train
Trains offer an array of options and are an efficient and fun way to travel. Use a train as your primary mode of transportation, day or night. Amtrak offers sleeping accommodations on most long-distance routes and Eurail has an extensive network of night trains. Or take a train to visit a specific tourist site or experience nature on a domed coach with oversized windows. 

Go solo
If you usually travel in a group, try planning your own trip and going by yourself or with a travel partner. Part of the fun of travel is the planning phase; if it intimidates you, use a preplanned itinerary from a travel book or website, experiment with a short trip, or use a travel agent. If you’re uncertain, test the waters with a weekend or choose one city and explore it thoroughly.

Whatever you choose to do, travel will enrich your life. Make 2017 your year of exploration.