Current Events in March 2020

A new study conducted by researchers from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health explored the effects that social policies can have on consumers’ well-being. 

They learned that these interventions, which are designed to offer economic support, have more benefits than many may realize. In addition to financial benefits, the researchers noticed an improvement in health outcomes in consumers who took advantage of social policies. 

“Since the 1960s, a large number of social policies that have been experimentally evaluated include health outcomes, but these were mostly overlooked,” said researcher Dr. Peter Muening. “Our goal was to conduct a comprehensive review of experimental studies of social and economic interventions that were not explicitly designed for the purpose of improving the health of participants. Health outcomes were often added as an afterthought or overlooked.”

Boosting health outcomes

The researchers analyzed a wide variety of data to better understand the impact that social policies can have on improving health. Their data spanned from the early 1960s all the way through 2018. The study included social policies like income assistance, health insurance, employment support services, and early education, among several others. 

After analyzing all their reports, the researchers found that health outcomes improved nearly half the time for participants who benefitted from a social program. These findings are important because they show the correlation between economic support and subsequent health benefits. 

While the researchers found a noticeable improvement in mental health, they also found that improved health overall was associated with longer life and a better quality of life for the participants. 

Providing educational resources also proved to be valuable to the participants, as they were able to take what they learned and apply it to real-life behavior. The researchers explained that having these interventions, especially at an early age, was linked with a nearly 10 percent reduction in smoking. 

“Although this is a fairly small percentage, it could have wide implications and may be proxy for other forms of risk-taking behaviors, such as condom or seatbelt use,” said researcher Emilie Courtin, PhD. 

Improving health outside the health care system

Moving forward, the researchers recommend that policymakers focus on the results that stemmed from implementing health insurance, education, and income support services, as these had the best overall health outcomes and can make a real difference in consumers’ lives. 

“Our study is exciting because it shows for the first time that it is possible for the government to improve health by making investments outside of the health system,” said Dr. Muening. “The strong investments made by peer nations in welfare may explain why they have left the United States in the dust with respect to health and longevity.”

Ford Motor Company is recalling about 269,000 model year 2014-15 Fiestas, model year 2014-16 Fusions and model year 2014-16 Lincoln MKZs in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

The latch pawl spring-tab design is susceptible to cracking and failure in areas with high ambient temperatures. A door latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a “door will not close” condition.

If the customer is able to latch the door after repeated attempts, the door may unlatch while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of injury.

There are no reports of accident or injury.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and replace the side door latches free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332, Ford's reference number for this recall is 20S15.

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 229 model year 2019 Audi Q8s and model year 2017-2019 Audi Q7s.

The bolt connecting the steering shaft to the steering gear may loosen, possibly resulting in a loss of steering control.

A sudden loss of loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will inspect and tighten the steering shaft bolt -- as necessary -- free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin May 15, 2020.

Owners may contact Audi customer service at (800) 253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 36A1.

After several days of negotiations, lawmakers appear to be close to ending discussions on a stimulus bill to address the coronavirus outbreak. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill on Monday night, U.S. treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said there are just a few small issues left to be resolved before the legislation can move forward. 

“I think we’ve made a lot of progress. There’s still a couple of open issues, but I think we’re very hopeful that this can be closed out [on Tuesday],” he said. 

The stimulus bill is expected to contain roughly $2 trillion in aid, which would be doled out to workers and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The legislation would also send direct payments to many individual Americans.

"We expect to have an agreement tomorrow morning," Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer told reporters. "There's still a few little differences. Neither of us think they're in any way going to get in the way of a final agreement."

Economic relief 

Democrats are pushing for two key issues to be included in the bill: worker protections and money for hospitals. Schumer said the two issues are “very strongly in the bill,” but he didn’t provide specifics. He also said the bill contains "unemployment insurance on steroids.” 

For those who lose their job during the crisis, Schumer said the bill would require the federal government to pay their full salary for several months. 

"The federal government will pay your salary, your full salary for now four months,” he said. “We had asked for four months and four months looks like what we’re going to get when we come to this agreement."

“We are very, very pleased with what seems to be moving forward in the bill,” he added. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University:

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 46,805

Total U.S. deaths: 593

Total global cases: 398,407

Total global deaths: 17,454

U.S. the new epicenter?

China, Italy, and Iran were the first countries with massive numbers of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, but the World Health Organization (WHO) says the distinction of being the epicenter of the outbreak could soon shift to the United States. It points to an acceleration in U.S. cases and deaths, as well as President Trump’s stated desire to get the U.S. “open for business as soon as possible.”

Margaret Harris, a WHO spokesperson, says 85 percent of new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours were in the U.S. and Europe. Of those, she said 40 percent were in the U.S.

“We are now seeing a very large acceleration in cases in the U.S.,” Harris told reporters today. “So it does have that potential. They have a very large outbreak and an outbreak that is increasing in intensity.”

New York cases double every three days

In the U.S., New York is seeing the biggest surge in new coronavirus cases. Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the rate of new infection has doubled every three days. The state still leads the U.S. in the number of both active cases and deaths from the virus.

“That is a dramatic increase in the rate of infection,” Cuomo said. “We’re not slowing it, and it is accelerating it on its own.”

Cuomo said that based on models of the disease’s spread, New York will need at least 140,000 hospital beds to treat the sick. It currently has a capacity of 53,000 beds.

White House uses Defense Production Act

President Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to purchase about 60,000 coronavirus testing kits to meet hospital shortages. The law passed during the Korean War gives the White House the authority to require businesses to produce items needed for national defense

In an interview with CNN, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Peter Gaynor said the administration decided to use the law because of the need to get the test kits. He also said the White House may insert “DPA language” into its major contract for 500 million masks.

Ford to produce respirators and ventilators

Ford has retooled some of its production lines and is switching from turning out cars to producing masks and ventilators. The automaker is teaming with 3M to produce respirators, which are in short supply at many hard-hit hospitals around the country.

Ford is working with GE to build more ventilators, which may be needed in hospital intensive care units (ICU) to handle a surge in coronavirus cases. Because there is no existing treatment for the virus, the machines are needed to help the most severely affected patients breathe.

The automaker is also producing face shields for medical personnel. The first of the shields may be tested later this week.

There is a precedent for this. During World War II, the nation’s carmakers converted all of their factories to turning out Jeeps, tanks, and airplanes.

Olympics postponed

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to postpone the 2020 games, which were scheduled to begin July 24 in Tokyo. 

It’s unclear when the event will be held. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's office took to social media to report that the games will be held "by the summer of 2021."

Guide to state lockdowns

What’s the policy in your state in terms of store closings and social distancing? Our friends at The Wall Street Journal have done the legwork. You’ll find your state on this list.

Around the nation

• Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania lawmakers are moving toward a delay in the state’s primary election from April 28 to June 2. A committee in the legislature approved a bill to delay voting because of the coronavirus. 

• Louisiana: A wedding dressmaker in Lafayette has shifted gears. After seeing a huge drop off in orders and with plenty of material, Donna Savoy has begun turning out medical masks for hospitals in the state.

• Kansas: Gov. Laura Kelly has issued an executive order that places a moratorium on evictions related to the coronavirus. But a large landlord in the state has told its tenants the order doesn’t apply to landlords, and it expects the rent to be paid.

Who needs relief more, American workers or the companies that employ those workers? That appears to be the question that has caused an impasse in Congress as Republicans and Democrats try to reach an agreement on a huge bailout bill.

The Senate for a second day could not muster the votes to advance a GOP-backed proposal to provide $2 trillion in aid to both businesses and individuals to cope with the economic effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Democrats withheld their support, saying they wanted to see more money flowing to individuals.

In the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Democrats, who hold the majority, would introduce a bill that funnels more federal money to individuals, with a price tag of about $2.5 trillion. Among its provisions, it would:

• Provide government payments to individuals of $1,500 and up to $7,500 for a family of five.

• Abolish co-pays on any future coronavirus vaccines and treatments, including for the uninsured. 

• Increase family and medical leave payments.

• Provide $500 billion in grants and interest-free loans to small businesses. 

• Beef up unemployment insurance, giving $600 per week to people affected by coronavirus and eligible for unemployment benefits. 

• Provide $150 billion in funding for hospitals, community health centers and government health programs.

• Allocate up to $60 billion in funding for colleges and provide some student debt relief. 

• Allocate more money to food assistance programs

• Provide $4 billion in state election grants and liberalize voter registration requirements.

Wish list?

Some think the legislation is more of a Democrat wish list, though Republicans have already agreed to some of the provisions. Pelosi’s bill touches on many of the same points contained in the Senate bill, authored by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), but it is structured differently. 

Pelosi has said that if the Republicans and Democrats in the Senate can agree on a bill, she will submit it to the House.

The Senate bill, which is still the object of negotiations by Democrats and Republicans, would allow people to withdraw up to $100,000 from their tax-deferred retirement accounts without penalty to deal with the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

Savers under age 59½ would be able to tap their 401(k) and 403(b) money without the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty. The same provision would apply to individual retirement accounts (IRA).

The proposed legislation -- currently held up by a partisan standoff - would also send out rebate checks of $1,200 per individual and $500 per child, as well as suspend payroll taxes for employers.

It was only a week ago when many U.S. major airlines were cancelling flights right and left. Now, word is coming out of United Airlines headquarters that it’s returning to the skies so people stranded by the coronavirus can get back to their homes around the globe.

Mind you, this is not a full relaunch -- United’s international schedule will still be reduced by about 90 percent for the foreseeable future -- but the airline will be flying six daily operations to and from Asia, Australia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe. 

“This remains a fluid situation, but United continues to play a role in connecting people and uniting the world, especially in these challenging times,” the airline said in a press release.

The reinstated flights

United has reinstated the following flights:

Flights through 3/27 outbound

• Newark/New York – Amsterdam (Flights 70/71)

• Newark/New York – Munich (Flights 30/31)

• Newark/New York – Brussels (Flights 999/998)

• Washington-Dulles – London (Flights 918/919)

• San Francisco – Frankfurt (Flights 58/59)

• Newark/New York – Sao Paulo (Flights 149/148)

Flights through 3/29 outbound

• San Francisco – Seoul (Flights 893/892)

Those additional flights are on top of six routes that are still in service. Those flights -- scheduled through May -- include:

• Newark/New York – Frankfurt (Flights 960/961)

• Newark/New York – London (Flights 16/17)

• Newark/New York – Tel Aviv (Flights 90/91)

• Houston – Sao Paulo (Flights 62/63)

• San Francisco – Tokyo-Narita (Flights 837/838)

• San Francisco – Sydney (Flights 863/870)

More expensive fares

Homeward bound travelers jockeying for flights are looking at some extremes in airfare prices on these flights. When ConsumerAffairs checked on rates at United.com, we found the Newark to Amsterdam one-way economy fares ranging from $395 to $1,017 and the Washington D.C. Dulles to London flights ranging from $429 to $1,728, one-way. United left the door open to more of its flights being reinstated. 

“In destinations where government actions have barred us from flying, we are actively looking for ways to bring customers who have been impacted by travel restrictions back to the United States,” the airline commented. “This includes working with the U.S. State Department and the local governments to gain permission to operate service.”

Will others like American Airlines and Delta follow suit? It’s possible, especially if those two carriers see United filling those flights with revenue-producing passengers. As of press time, neither airline had matched United’s move. AirlineRatings reports that Qantas is also in talks with the Australian government about flights to repatriate people.

While the world is trying to find a way to stave off the coronavirus, there’s a new digital lowlife set on upending the lives of Android users.

Security researchers have identified a new, interconnected malware “family” that was operating in 56 applications on the Google Play store. The apps in question were downloaded close to 1 million times worldwide.

“Although Google has taken steps to secure its Play store and stop malicious activity, hackers are still finding ways to infiltrate the app store and access users’ devices,” cyber threat intelligence firm Checkpoint said. 

“Millions of mobile phone users have unintentionally downloaded malicious apps that have the ability to compromise their data, credentials, emails, text messages, and geographical location.”

The attack mode

Checkpoint believes the goal of this digital dastard -- aka “Tekya” -- is mobile ad fraud. Once in a user’s system, it mimics an app user’s actions and secretly clicks on ads and banners within an app.

Ad fraud can be committed in many ways -- from faking the number of installs of a certain app to generating views or impressions that never took place -- all in hopes of hoodwinking an advertiser into buying ads on apps that the people behind Tekya are somehow connected to.

What are the apps and what should you do?

Of the 56 affected apps, Checkpoint says 24 of them are children’s games -- e.g. “Cooking Delicious” and “Race in Space.” Another 32 are utility apps for things like weather and translation. A complete list is available on Checkpoint’s website.

Consumers who want to protect themselves from this malicious scheme should search for any of the suspicious apps are on their phone and take the following recommended steps:

1. Uninstall the infected application from the device

2. Install a security solution to prevent future infections

3. Update your device Operation System and Applications to the latest version

Google has yanked the suspicious apps from its app store to protect its user base. However, if the past is any indication, the odds are good that more digital cockroaches will find another way to use Google Play as an inroad to do their dirty work. 

Going forward, Ravie Lakshmanan at TheHackerNews offered what ConsumerAffairs thinks is sound advice for Android users. 

“To safeguard yourself from such threats, it's recommended that you stick to the Play Store for downloading apps and avoid sideloading from other sources,” Lakshmanan wrote. “More importantly, scrutinize the reviews, developer details, and the list of requested permissions before installing any app.”

Staying up-to-date on vaccine news is important for consumers, and a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Otago explored what kind of information regarding vaccines is out there. 

The researchers learned that misinformation abounds when it comes to vaccines. Their findings suggest that popular social media platforms, like Facebook and Youtube, make it easy for consumers to share negative, false claims. 

Fighting misinformation

To better understand what kind of information is circulating on the internet, the researchers utilized Google, Facebook, and Youtube for their study. The team members played the role of parents, using all three platforms to see what information they could find when searching about vaccines for their hypothetical children. 

Their searches revealed that Facebook is the most likely to pull up negative, and oftentimes false, information about vaccines. The majority of results from both Google and Youtube were in favor of vaccines. 

“Parents would be able to find information encouraging or discouraging vaccination on the vast majority of the websites, Facebook pages, and Youtube videos analysed, but popular pages on Facebook containing vaccine information were more polarised,” said researcher Dr. Lucy Elkin. 

The concern with Facebook is that the site’s search engine becomes familiar with users’ frequently used searches and then populates content on their feeds pertaining to those searches. The researchers say this becomes problematic because information doesn’t need to be fact-checked to be posted, and users can stumble upon things that are blatantly untrue. 

“Facebook states that the purpose of their platform is to ‘build community’ and to ‘connect with others,’” Dr. Elkin said. “This could mean that Facebook may intentionally connect people with like-minded views on vaccination and therefore have little interest in censoring vaccine-negative content.” 

Dr. Elkin explained that all search engines operate in similar ways to Facebook’s, meaning vaccine content is more likely to pop up when it’s searched more often. This is why it’s even more important for vaccine companies to be more vocal on the internet so that consumers are getting the right information. 

“It is important that vaccine-promoting agencies continue to make every effort to maximize their presence online so that parents who are researching whether or not to vaccinate their children will encounter evidence-based information online,” said Dr. Elkin. 

A number of distilleries have announced that they will be making and distributing hand sanitizer in the midst of a nationwide shortage of the product. 

On Monday, a representative for Tito’s Vodka confirmed that the company will be making at least 24 tons of hand sanitizer during a time when many retailers are struggling to keep the product on shelves. 

"Details are still being ironed out, but this hand sanitizer will be given out for free to the community and to those who are most in need," a company spokesperson said. 

The decision to produce hand sanitizer comes less than a week after the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau announced that companies with permits to distill spirits can begin producing ethanol-based hand sanitizer. Officials said the decision was made “to address the demand for such products during this emergency.” 

High demand for hand sanitizer

Anheuser-Busch will also be supporting the effort to bolster U.S. supplies of hand sanitizer while consumer demand for the product remains high. 

"We have a long history of supporting our communities and employees --  this time is no different," the company wrote on Twitter over the weekend. “That’s why we are using our supply and logistics network to begin producing and distributing bottles of hand sanitizer to accommodate the growing needs across the United States.” 

Other distilleries now making hand sanitizer include Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, and Rabbit Hole Distillery. 

Health officials say the best way to fight the virus is to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When that option isn’t available, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol can be used to kill germs. 

Amazon’s recently announced plan to stock and deliver higher priority products first could extend through the month of April, according to a report from tech news website Recode.

Over the weekend, consumers noticed that certain nonessential items were slated to be delivered April 21, despite being listed as “in stock” and available under Amazon’s Prime express shipping service. 

Amazon announced last week that it would put a halt on shipping non-essential items until April 5 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, it seems longer wait times on non-essential items could be in place for at least several more weeks as Amazon struggles to keep up with the unexpected surge in demand. 

“To serve our customers while also helping to ensure the safety of our associates, we’ve changed our logistics, transportation, supply chain, purchasing, and third-party seller processes to prioritize stocking and delivering items that are a higher priority for our customers,” the company said in a statement. “This has resulted in some of our delivery promises being longer than usual.” 

Prioritizing essential goods

Amazon, which typically delivers orders to Prime members within two days, said last week that it would be “temporarily prioritizing household staples, medical supplies, and other high-demand products coming into our fulfillment centers so that we can more quickly receive, restock and deliver these products to customers.” 

The company said its goal is to serve customers “with the most critical needs first.” It pledged to hire 100,000 new workers to help it service “people everywhere, especially to those, like the elderly, who are most vulnerable.” 

Amazon has prioritized several categories of essential goods, including medical supplies, household staples, baby products, and pet supplies during the coronavirus crisis. 

Huge layoffs have accompanied the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and more are expected, but at least some employers are increasing their payrolls.

Last week, Amazon announced it would try to hire 100,000 additional employees to help with the crush of orders. At the same time, Walmart has announced it will hire 150,000 additional temporary workers to help in its stores that have remained crowded, as have other supermarket chains like Publix.

Now, CVS Health says it will hire 50,000 full- and part-time employees on a temporary basis as pharmacies remain open during the health crisis.

The jobs include store associates, home delivery drivers, distribution center employees, and member/customer service professionals. To maintain social distancing during the hiring effort, CVS will use a technology-enabled hiring process to hold virtual job fairs, virtual interviews, and virtual job tryouts. 

Taking on laid-off workers

The company said it expects many of the jobs will be filled by existing CVS Health clients who have had to furlough workers, including Hilton and Marriott.

For existing employees, CVS says the company will help employees with both child and elder or adult dependent care needs. It’s partnering with the Bright Horizons network of in-home and center-based daycare providers, giving employees up to 25 fully covered days of backup care. 

That benefit will be available early next month for both full- and part-time employees. The company has always had paid sick leave for full-time employees and now is offering 14-day paid leave for employees who test positive for COVID-19 or need to be quarantined as a result of potential exposure.

Employee bonuses

CVS is also paying bonuses to employees who are required to be at CVS facilities to assist patients and customers. Bonuses will range from $150 to $500 and will be awarded to pharmacists and certain other health care professionals on the frontlines, store associates and managers, and other site-based hourly employees.

"Our colleagues have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to providing essential goods and services at a time when they're needed most," said Larry J. Merlo, CEO, CVS Health. "As they continue to be there for the individuals and families we serve, we're taking extra steps to provide some peace of mind and help them navigate these uncertain times."

Thule Group of Sweden is recalling about 1,500 Thule Sleek Car Seat Adapters sold in the U.S., and Canada.

The plastic brackets on the car seat adapter can break, posing a fall hazard to infants.

The firm has received three reports of the plastic brackets on the car seat adapters cracking or breaking while in use. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves the Thule Sleek Car Seat Adapter used to place a Chicco car seat on the Thule Sleek Stroller.

The adapter is metal with two black plastic brackets and clips onto the stroller. Only the car seat adapter is included in this recall.

Product number 11000301 is printed on a sticker located on the adapter’s plastic bracket. The UPC code is 091021188099.

The adapters, manufactured in China, were sold at REI, Buy Buy Baby, and other stores nationwide and online at Thule.com, and Amazon.com from December 2018, through February 2020, for about $60.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Sleek Car Seat Adapter and contact Thule Group to arrange for the return of the product for a full refund or to receive a free replacement product of a Thule Sleek Bassinet which works on the Thule Sleek Stroller.

Consumers may contact Thule Group toll-free at (855) 652-2688 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday, by email at carseatadapter@thule.com, or online at www.thule.com/carseatadapter for more information.

Guan’s Mushroom Co. of Commerce, Calif., is recalling all cases of Enoki Mushroom (Product of Korea).

The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses are reported to date.

The recalled products come in a 200-g/7.05oz, clear plastic package with the description “Enoki Mushroom” in English, Korean and French, and Guan’s logo in the front. UPC code: 859267007013 and package code 14-1 are on the back at lower right corner.

They were sold in retail stores in California, New York and Pennsylvania.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with question may contact the company at (323) 223-1188.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University:

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 35,530

Total U.S. deaths: 473

Total global cases: 354,677

Total global deaths: 15,436

Cases surge in New York

New York has now become the center of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the U.S., with the number of confirmed cases exceeding 20,000, rising 38 percent in 24 hours. As of this morning, the state had recorded 99 deaths, with most occurring in the New York City metro.

The state has launched Operation PAUSE, part of a 10-point plan to slow the spread of the virus by keeping residents at home. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said today that too many residents, particularly in New York City, are still approaching life as normal. He says life is anything but.

"It has to stop and it has to stop now," Cuomo said over the weekend. "New York City must develop an immediate plan to reduce density."

Stalemate stalls aid package

The Senate resumed work late this morning on a massive aid package that includes help for businesses and individuals affected by COVID-19 economic fallout. In a vote Sunday, lawmakers failed to approve a procedural measure that would allow them to move quickly toward passage.

Democrats withheld their support over concerns that the package provides too much aid to businesses. After Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y) worked late into the night, both sides expressed confidence they could reach an agreement.

More pumping

The Federal Reserve attempted to calm markets today by announcing a package of programs that will pump money into the system. Among its measures, the Fed will continue to purchase government bonds, providing liquidity for aid programs.

The Fed said it will continue pumping money “in the amounts needed to support smooth market functioning and effective transmission of monetary policy to broader financial conditions and the economy.”

While waiting for Congress to act, the Fed is also providing loans for small businesses, many of which have been ordered to shut down to promote “social distancing” and slow the spread of the virus.

Testing existing drugs

Scientists are currently testing 70 existing drugs for their effectiveness against the coronavirus. Some of the medications may already be in some consumers’ medicine chests since they are used to treat other chronic conditions.

The researchers say finding existing drugs that can stop the virus will be a lot faster than trying to develop new ones. The list of drugs also includes some drugs that are still in clinical trials and not yet approved.

Tuesday is senior day at Walgreens

Walgreens has joined the list of retailers setting aside shopping times for seniors. Starting tomorrow, Tuesdays will be senior day, with the hour from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. set aside for seniors-only shopping at Walgreens stores. Caregivers and their immediate families are also included.

All day on Tuesdays, seniors will find discounts on a wide range of products, with consumers age 55 and older receiving 30 percent off on Walgreens brands and 20 percent off on national brands. Walgreens pharmacists are proactively contacting senior customers to make sure they have adequate supplies of medications.

Hopeful note

Renowned biophysicist Michael Levitt, who has a Nobel prize to his credit, is predicting that the U.S. will follow the same virus pattern China experienced. On January 31, Levitt correctly observed that the rate of new cases in China had slowed and further predicted they would soon reverse.

He turned out to be correct. He predicted that China, where COVID-19 originated, would begin to get back to normal long before other health authorities suggested. He believes the U.S. and the rest of the world will follow suit, as long as strict social distancing is observed..

"What we need is to control the panic," he told the Los Angeles Times. “In the grand scheme, we're going to be fine."

Around the nation

• Arkansas: The National Guard has been mobilized to help residents cope. Guard personnel have been deployed in backlogged call centers to answer coronavirus-related questions from concerned residents.

• Colorado: Attorney General Phil Weiser has called for a statewide moratorium on any evictions and court proceedings that could lead to an eviction in the state. “I commend the many state courts that have already suspended or postponed eviction proceedings and are not accepting new eviction applications during this crisis,” Weiser said.

• Kentucky: The Louisville-based Brown-Forman distillery is donating $1 million to local COVID-19 relief efforts. Money given to the One Louisville response fund will be available to residents and organizations in $1,000 allotments.