Current Events in April 2020

Health experts constantly stress the importance of consumers getting enough fiber in their diet, and now a recent study is lending additional weight to that advice.

Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health recently compiled data from 20 separate observational studies with the goal of seeing how fiber affected the risk of breast cancer. They found that the dietary staple lowered the chance of developing the disease by 8 percent.

The team found that soluble fibers -- which can be found in oat bran seeds, beans, lentils, and some fruits and vegetables -- lowered the overall risk of breast cancer. Higher total fiber intake (both soluble and insoluble) lowered risk in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

"Our study contributes to the evidence that lifestyle factors, such as modifiable dietary practices, may affect breast cancer risk," said Dr. Farvid. 

"Our findings provide research evidence supporting the American Cancer Society dietary guidelines, emphasizing the importance of a diet rich in fiber, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."

Earlier detection

While optimizing your diet can help reduce the risk of breast cancer, researchers have also been hard at work trying to find ways to catch the disease at its earliest stages when it is most treatable. One research team from the National Cancer Research Institute recently announced that they were in the process of developing a blood test that could do just that. 

The researchers said that initial trials of their blood test were successful because it allowed them to differentiate between participants who had breast cancer and those who didn’t. They hope that continuing to work on the method will eventually give medical professionals another tool to fight disease.

“These results are encouraging and indicate that it’s possible to detect a signal for early breast cancer. Once we have improved the accuracy of the test, then it opens the possibility of using a simple blood test to improve early detection of the disease,” said researcher Daniyah Alfattani.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2,871 model year 2021 E-350s and E-450s.

A wire harness in the rear of the vehicle may contact the vehicle frame, resulting in damage to the circuits that support the fuel pump and the anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Damage to the fuel pump circuit in the wiring harness could result in an unexpected engine stall. Damage to the ABS wiring can lead to reduction of ABS functionality and a loss of roll stability control (RSC) functionality. These scenarios increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness for damage.

If no damage is found, dealers will apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components.

If damage is found, dealers will splice in new wire and apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. All services will be performed free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin April 13, 2020.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S13.

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to rage across the U.S., many industries are working to figure out how they can continue to do business. The airline industry, for example, has flipped back and forth between offering vouchers and refunds to travelers who have had their travel plans affected by the outbreak.

But some of the ambiguity over how carriers should be responding was put to rest on Friday. In an Enforcement Notice, the Department of Transportation (DOT) said that airlines will need to provide refunds to consumers in some cases.

“In the context of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, that U.S. and foreign airlines remain obligated to provide a prompt refund to passengers for flights to, within, or from the United States when the carrier cancels the passenger’s scheduled flight or makes a significant schedule change and the passenger chooses not to accept the alternative offered by the carrier,” the DOT commented in a news release.

“The obligation of airlines to provide refunds, including the ticket price and any optional fee charged for services a passenger is unable to use, does not cease when the flight disruptions are outside of the carrier’s control (e.g., a result of government restrictions).”

DOT to enforce compliance

As other federal regulators have found during the pandemic, the smart move is siding with the consumer, no matter what it takes and how much it costs.

The DOT says it was swamped with complaints and inquiries from ticketed passengers -- including many from travelers with non-refundable tickets -- who got nowhere asking the airlines for refunds; most carriers offered only vouchers or credit for future travel.

We probably haven’t seen the last of the DOT exercising its will, either. 

“Because the COVID-19 public health emergency has had an unprecedented impact on air travel, DOT’s Aviation Enforcement Office will exercise its enforcement discretion and provide carriers with an opportunity to become compliant before taking further action,” the Department wrote.

“However, the Aviation Enforcement Office will monitor airlines’ refund policies and practices and take enforcement action as necessary.”  

Southwest backs down following backlash

The DOT’s actions are sure to be popular among travelers, who have lashed out at companies in cases where they thought they deserved a refund. 

Southwest, for example, found out that it was on the verge of becoming Southworst for sticking to its guns regarding its no-refund policy for EarlyBird fees. That is until the clamor from unhappy Southwest customers got to be so loud that the airline had no choice but to reverse course and announced a temporary change.

Prior to the DOT’s announcement, the airline posted a revamped policy on its community forum which stated that passengers with travel dates between Mar 1, 2020 - May 31, 2020 who cancel their reservations can request a credit for EarlyBird fees paid. The company said the voucher would be good for one year and could be used for a future flight (however, not for Early Bird fees).

Southwest typically gets good reviews from ConsumerAffairs reviewers, and this move is a bit of a head-scratcher in light of the pro-consumer moves we’ve watched the airline make over the years -- not to mention the share of positive tweets Southwest has gotten since the COVID outbreak began. ConsumerAffairs reached out to the Southwest and received the following explanation on the carrier’s stance, though it may be subject to change given the new regulatory stance from the DOT:

For all Customers with travel dates between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020:

Customers may now request a Southwest LUV Voucher in the amount of the non-refundable EarlyBird purchase(s) on the booking record. The voucher will be issued to the purchaser of the reservation (not each flyer), upon request, and may be applied toward future Southwest fares, excluding government-imposed segment fees, taxes, or ancillary products such as EarlyBird. The voucher is valid for one year from the date of issuance.

We hope this new exception provides more flexibility for our Customers who purchased EarlyBird but choose not to travel during these dynamic times. We look forward to welcoming each Customer onboard another Southwest flight one day very soon.

One of the bigger consumer questions looming around the coronavirus pandemic is when am I going to get that stimulus check the government promised?

Depending on the day and who you talk to, that answer keeps changing. And, guess what -- it’s changed again. 

According to a report in The Washington Post, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) now plans to send out $1,200 coronavirus stimulus payments beginning Thursday, April 9, with deposits being made by Tuesday, April 14 at the latest.

But that April 9 date is for ELECTRONIC payments and appears to be only a sure bet for Americans who have used direct deposit for tax refunds in the past. For taxpayers who didn’t go the direct deposit route, their stimulus check could take as long as five months -- in other words, right before Labor Day -- according to an internal IRS document obtained by The Post.

"If we know where to put the money, we're going to press the button and put it there next week," an anonymous IRS official told the publication.

“As quickly as possible.,..”

While the IRS offered no confirmation of the Post’s story, it did post a request on Friday morning that asked taxpayers to follow the agency’s official social media accounts to get the latest and most accurate updates on the economic impact payments. 

"The IRS is committed to sharing information as quickly as possible about the economic impact payments and other tax issues related to the coronavirus," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "IRS social media channels offer taxpayers and others another fast, easy option to get the latest details as the IRS employees continue to work hard to support the nation."

The social media tools the IRS uses -- and requests taxpayers follow -- include:

• Twitter: Taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals can follow the IRS handles for up to the minute announcements, tips, and alerts in English and Spanish.

• Facebook: News and information for everybody. Also available in Spanish.

• Instagram: The IRS Instagram account shares taxpayer-friendly information.

• YouTube: The IRS offers video tax tips in English, Spanish and American Sign Language.

• LinkedIn: The IRS shares key agency communications and job opportunities.

For taxpayers who are tethered to their phones, the IRS also has a free mobile app called IRS2Go. On the app, taxpayers can check their refund status, pay taxes, find free tax help, watch IRS YouTube videos, and even get tax tips. 

The app is available on the Google Play Store for Android devices and on the Apple App Store for Apple devices. The app is also available in both English and Spanish.

Wearing a face covering may help reduce your risk of getting the coronavirus, but a mask shouldn’t be the only line of defense against the virus. Health officials are stressing that the masks aren’t a substitute for taking other precautions when out taking care of an essential task.

In a recent statement, California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said face coverings “could provide some additional protection.” However, people should still make sure they are practicing federal guidance on social distancing while they wear a mask, he said. 

“Make sure you’re also staying 6 feet away from other people if you have to leave your home to get groceries or prescriptions,” Ghaly said.

Wearing a cloth face covering “could provide some additional benefit by acting as a reminder for other people to keep their distance, and it could help reduce the spread of infectious particles from those who could be infected but don’t have symptoms,” noted Dr. Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health. 

However, she said they should not be used as a substitute for frequent hand-washing, physical distancing, and trying to stay home as much as possible.

Cloth mask guidance to come

The latest words of caution from public health officials come ahead of an anticipated change to previous guidelines from the Trump administration. 

On Thursday, the president said his administration will likely alter the previous guidelines discouraging the use of face masks among those who don’t work in healthcare. The new guidance on face masks -- which is expected to be unveiled in the coming days -- will not be mandatory, according to the president. 

A draft copy of the policy seen by the Washington Post indicates that the CDC plans to encourage the use of cloth masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In the draft version, the agency states that it  “… recommends the community use of cloth masks as an additional public health measure people can take to prevent the spread of virus to those around them.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 257,773 (226,374)

Total U.S. deaths: 6,586 (5,316)

Total global cases: 1,056,777  (981,221)

Total global deaths: 55,781 (50,230)

1 million and counting

As you can see from the above chart, worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have passed the 1 million mark and today are growing at the fastest rate since the pandemic began.

The U.S. has the most cases of any country -- more than double the number in China where the virus originated -- despite having a significantly smaller population. About a third of the U.S. cases and deaths from the virus are in the state of New York.  

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says 562 New Yorkers died from the virus in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, the governors of Tennessee and Washington are moving to strengthen the lockdowns in their states to slow the spread of the virus.

Small business relief starts today

Banks affiliated with the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 7(a) loan program began writing checks today to small businesses in their area as the government’s aid to businesses impacted by the pandemic began.

As part of the CARES Act, Congress has appropriated $350 billion in loans to businesses with 500 or fewer employees. The money can be used to pay rent, utilities, and payroll over a two-month period. If the borrower doesn’t lay off any employees in that time, the loan will be forgiven.

But CNBC reports the program is off to an uneven start, pointing to “widespread confusion” among both banks and borrowers. Borrowers report getting conflicting messages from their lenders. Despite the reported confusion, banks had dispensed more than $875 million by noon today.

Dr. Fauci cautions against ‘miracle drug’ hopes

Pharmaceutical companies may find an effective treatment for the coronavirus, but the highly touted malaria drug hydroxychloroquine may not be it. 

That’s the assessment from Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the White House coronavirus task force. He warns Americans against assuming that the drug, which has been around for decades, is a “knockout drug”  in this fight.

“We still need to do the definitive studies to determine whether any intervention, not just this one, is truly safe and effective,” Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAD), told Fox News. “But when you don’t have that information, it’s understandable why people might want to take something anyway even with the slightest hint of being effective.”

From retainers to surgical masks

Teledentistry firm byte has offered its facilities in Ardmore, Olka., and Redlands, Calif., to begin turning out masks, face shields, and ventilator parts to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. 

The company’s digital labs and partner facilities currently produce dental specialty products, including dental aligners, and feature over 150 Juell3D printers. These printers will now be used to help make custom parts that are in short supply for healthcare providers across the country.

“During this unprecedented time, we want to do everything we can, in whatever way possible, to step up and contribute,” said byte co-founder Scott Cohen. “Every day, we hear of medical supply shortages across the country that are hindering medical professionals from doing their jobs, and we hope this initiative will alleviate some of these shortages. We will continue to do everything in our power to help.”

Around the nation

• Michigan: Oakland County Circuit Judge Leo Bowman has reportedly thrown two people in jail this week for being late to court, even though the pandemic has shut down most mass transit. The Detroit Free Press reports that the judge is getting some serious shame from the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and lawyers for the jailed defendants.

• Florida: State officials have relented and allowed a cruise liner with infected passengers to dock today. Fourteen critically ill passengers were removed from the ship on stretchers and taken to area hospitals, which are already reeling from a surge in virus cases.

• Utah: Tech startups in the state are working with health officials to help predict where the coronavirus will strike next in the state. The goal is to prevent so-called hot spots from flaring up. So far, Utah has avoided a large number of cases.

A majority of Americans (92 percent) are now practicing at least some social distancing measures, according to a poll released Thursday by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). 

The results of the poll represent a marked increase in participation over the past two weeks and a closing of a partisan divide that was evident earlier in March.

Two weeks ago, KFF found that 59 percent of Americans were taking social distancing measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and keep from overwhelming the health care system. At the time, 80 percent of Democrats said they were taking at least one social distancing measure, while only 53 percent of Republicans said they were taking measures.

In the most recent survey, 95 percent of Democrats and 91 percent of Republicans said they are taking precautionary measures like staying home from school or work and scrapping plans to attend large gatherings. 

“Most Americans are taking steps recommended by public health experts to protect themselves, and Republicans are now getting the message,” KFF President and CEO Drew Altman said in a statement.

Many believe the worst is yet to come

Additionally, two-thirds of those polled said they believe the “worst” of the pandemic hasn’t yet happened, despite the fact that their lives have already been significantly disrupted. 

“In spite of the health, social and economic upheaval that Americans are already experiencing, about three in four (74%) say that the ‘worst is yet to come,’” KFF wrote in its report. “The public has significant coronavirus-related worries related to their family’s health and wellbeing, as well as concerns for the nation and the health care system.” 

The latest findings come on the heels of new guidance from President Trump’s coronavirus task force. Less than a week ago, Trump announced that he was extending the social distancing guidelines for slowing the spread of the virus through the end of April. 

He also told reporters that projections he has seen suggest that the peak of the death rate in the U.S. will not occur for several more weeks. 

The death toll from the virus has now exceeded 5,000 in the U.S., and the total number of confirmed cases of the virus is more than 220,000. The number of people infected around the world just recently hit one million. 

Although the original deadline to respond to the 2020 U.S. Census passed on Wednesday, consumers still have time to submit their answers to the mandatory questionnaire. 

With the coronavirus outbreak bearing down on the nation, the government has extended the deadline for completing the form and is strongly encouraging consumers to respond online via the Census Bureau’s website, by phone, or by mail. 

Completing the 12-question form now “will minimize the need for the Census Bureau to send census takers out into communities to follow up,” the Bureau notes. The self-response period of the census has been extended from July 31 to August 14 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Determines federal funding

Consumers are legally required to provide a tally of how many people reside in their household, regardless of their citizenship. Filling out the census helps shape a person’s impact on the government as a whole, as well as their community. Responses determine how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives, how much federal funding will be given to your community, and more. 

For When We All Vote, a nonprofit civic engagement group launched in 2018 by Michelle Obama, released a video on Wednesday featuring famous faces encouraging people to participate in the census

“We can all take care of our communities – from the comfort of our couches!” said Tom Hanks, “Participate in the 2020 Census online, over the phone or by mail. These few minutes will make a difference and impact our democracy for years to come. Come on, everyone! Let's do it!”

While researchers have highlighted the risks associated with using marijuana while pregnant, a new study has explored how the drug can affect fertility. 

According to researchers from the Endocrine Society, exposure to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the primary component of marijuana, can limit the number of viable eggs women have.

“Currently, patients seeking infertility treatments are advised against cannabis use, but the scientific evidence backing this statement is weak,” said researcher Megan Misner. “This makes it difficult for physicians to properly advise patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.” 

Fertility risks

The researchers came to their findings after exploring the effect of marijuana on female cows’ eggs. Some of the eggs were treated with a recreational amount of THC, while others were given medical-grade doses of the drug. The researchers then tracked the eggs’ progress, evaluating them at various points to see how exposure to the drug affected their development. 

Their study revealed that exposure to THC was not only associated with a reduced likelihood of a fertilized embryo, but the drug was responsible for affecting over 60 genes in the treated eggs. 

“This implies lower quality and lower fertilization capability, therefore lower fertility in the end,” said Misner. 

Misner and her team found two other key indicators of a reduced likelihood of infertility: one was the lower number of genes known as connexins, and the other was the eggs’ inability to reach critical developmental stages. 

The researchers explained that higher levels of connexins typically predict a higher chance of fertility, while the gradual maturation process of the eggs is key for fertilization. At higher levels of THC exposure, the eggs were less likely to be able to carry out their regular functions. 

“This embryo would be less likely to proceed past the first week of development, and thus lead to infertility,” Misner said. 

While recent studies have highlighted the health benefits associated with coffee, a new study has looked at how those benefits can change depending on the roast and temperature of the brew. 

Researchers at the American Chemical Society looked at the difference in antioxidants in hot-brew coffee versus cold-brew coffee and discovered that hot brew reigns supreme from a health standpoint. 

“My advice to consumers has always been to drink what they like,” said researcher Niny Z. Rao, PhD. “But if you want to craft a coffee beverage with antioxidants or acidity in mind, you may want to pay attention to roast. If you want a low-acid drink, you may want to use a darker roast. But remember that the gap between the antioxidant content of hot- and cold-brew coffee is much larger for a dark roast.” 

Finding the nutritional value 

The researchers tested the antioxidants and acidity of different coffee roasts and different brewing temperatures to determine the health benefits of each kind. Their selections ranged from light roast to dark roast and brewing temperatures that started at 174 degrees Celsius to 209 degrees Celsius. 

After assessing the nutritional component of each type of brew, the researchers learned that the biggest difference came in the darker roast blends. The researchers ultimately deemed hot coffees to be healthier than cold brews because of how the antioxidants are dispersed throughout the drink during the brewing process. 

“Hot brewing extracts more antioxidants from the grind than cold brew, and this difference increases with the degree of roasting,” Dr. Rao said. This means that a hot-brew dark roast coffee would have the most antioxidants; hot-brew light roast would contain more antioxidants than a cold-brew coffee, but it still would not match up to the dark roast. 

In examining the light roasts at various temperatures, the researchers didn’t find much of a difference in antioxidants or acidity regardless of whether the brew was hot or cold. 

Not much work had been done on the nutritional component of hot-brew coffee versus cold-brew coffee, but the researchers explained that these findings could influence how consumers drink their coffee moving forward. 

“This study can inform coffee enthusiasts about how they may want to craft their own coffee at home, based on science and analytical chemistry,” said researcher Meghan Grim. 

The U.S. economy, which had added jobs each month for nine and a half years, lost 701,000 jobs in March. The Labor Department reports the unemployment rate shot up to 4.4 percent from 3.5 percent in February.

The massive job loss was led by the leisure and hospitality sector, which shed 459,000 jobs as hotels, theme parks, bars, and restaurants closed their doors. There were losses in almost every other sector but on a lesser scale.

Here are the job loss numbers:

• Leisure and hospitality: -459,000

• Health care and social assistance: -61,000

• Professional and business services: -52,000

• Retail: -46,000

• Accommodations: -29,000

• Construction: -29,000

• Manufacturing: -18,000

• Mining: -6,000

The government increased hiring

Federal government hiring increased -- the only sector to do so -- by 18,000, with most of those positions going to 2020 Census workers. Employment in other major industries, including wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, information, and financial activities, changed little over the month.

The loss of more than 700,000 jobs was more than most analysts expected. It follows by a day the government’s report that a record 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits in the previous week, suggesting that job losses might be even worse.

In an odd quirk to the monthly report, average hourly earnings went up last month. However, that may be due to the fact that many of the lost jobs in leisure and hospitality were low-paying jobs, which raised the average for those still working.

Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 11 cents to $28.62. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.1 percent. Average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees increased by 10 cents to $24.07 in March.

With the coronavirus (COVID-19) keeping millions of Americans at home, gasoline demand has fallen off a cliff, dragging gasoline prices down with it.

The AAA Fuel Gauge Survey shows the national average price of regular gas is $1.95 a gallon, down 10 cents in the last week. It’s also the lowest average price in four years. The average price of premium is $2.61 a gallon, nine cents lower than last Friday. The average price of diesel fuel is $2.58, a nickel lower than last week.

AAA says the declines at the gas pump aren’t over yet. It notes the price of oil, which fell below $20 a barrel earlier this week before rallying, is a big factor. It predicts the national average price could dip to $1.75 a gallon before the end of April.

“AAA expects gas prices to keep dropping as cheap crude combines with the realities of people staying home and less demand for gas,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. 

In a landmark move, the average price of regular gas fell below $3 a gallon in California for the first time in years. That leaves Hawaii as the only state with an average gas price above $3 a gallon. California gas prices have remained stubbornly high after the state raised the gasoline tax in 2018. 

A large number of states saw prices decline by 10 cents a gallon or more since last Friday, but Wisconsin prices have been in a freefall, declining by 17 cents a gallon over the last week, giving it the distinction of having the lowest gas prices in the nation. 

The states with the most expensive regular gas

These states currently have the highest prices for regular gas, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Survey:

• Hawaii ($3.34)

• California ($2.99)

• Washington ($2.71)

• Oregon ($2.67) 

• Nevada ($2.60)

• Alaska ($2.47)

• Arizona ($2.41)

• Utah ($2.31)

• New York ($2.31)

•  Idaho ($2.28)

The states with the cheapest regular gas

The survey found these states currently have the lowest prices for regular gas:

• Wisconsin ($1.49)

• Oklahoma ($1.50)

• Ohio ($1.60)

• Kentucky ($1.64)

• Michigan ($1.66)

• Indiana ($1.67)

• Mississippi ($1.68)

• Texas ($1.70)

• Missouri ($1.71)

• Kansas ($1.72)

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 38,810 model year 2020 Highlanders with a 3.5 L, V6 (2GR-FKS) gasoline engine.

Due to an Engine Control Unit (ECU) programming error, fuel may not be correctly supplied to the engine while using the stop and restart feature.

Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin April 24, 2020.

Owners may contact Toyota customer service at (888) 270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA06.

The Manhattan Toy Company of Minneapolis, Minn., is recalling about 4,000 Musical Lili Llama toys sold in the U.S. and Canada.

The screws used to attach the spinning flowers to the sides of the toy can become loose and fall off, posing a choking hazard for young children.

The firm has received seven reports of loose screws falling off the toy, including two reports of children putting the screws in their mouths.

This recall involves Musical Lili Llama wooden activity toys.

The llama-shaped wood toy has a multi-colored metal xylophone on the top, two wood mallets, a detachable maraca tail on the back, four spinning squares on the front, two clacking panels on the sides and two spinning flowers on the sides.

Lot code 217120 IL is printed on the inside of the side panel below the company name and address.

The toy, manufactured in China, was sold at toy stores nationwide and online at www.manhattantoy.com, Amazon.com and other websites from October 2019, through February 2020, for about $50.

What to do

Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and contact Manhattan Toy for a free repair kit.

Consumers may contact Manhattan Toy at (800) 541-1345 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CT) Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, by email at mtreps@manhattantoy.com, or online at www.manhattantoy.com and click on “Recall Information” at the bottom of the page for more information.

BMW of North America is recalling 3,316 model year 2020 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, X4M, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, M850i xDrive Gran Coupe, M8 Gran Coupe, X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, and 840i xDrive Convertible vehicles.

The sensors in the front seat belt buckles may inaccurately detect a belted occupant as unbelted, possibly causing the airbag and seat belt pretensioners to deploy improperly in a crash.

Improper airbag and/or seat belt pretensioners deployment in a increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

What to do

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt buckles -- as necessary -- free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin May 11, 2020.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at (800) 525-7417.

Teens and pre-teens are a species all of their own. We remember what it was like: Regardless of the circumstance, being stuck inside is the last thing they want to do. However, if you want to get them unglued from their phones and computers, here are some great ideas to keep them productive with their time!

Create a scavenger hunt

Scavenger hunts are excellent for kids of any age, and it's a fun game for adults as well! Have your teen create their own in your home or around your yard. Hide funky items around the house, take obscure photos of them and have players guess what or where they are. The only limit is your creativity!

Build their own cipher

Writing in code is normal for teens, so why not have them create their very own secret way of writing? There is no right or wrong way to create a cipher, and it can be a cool way to connect with your teen. Have them write you notes in code and answer back in their code. Use mixed-up letters, numbers and even symbols. Have fun with it!

Write handwritten letters

Remember how fun it was getting snail mail? Bring back that feeling and have your teen write letters. No relatives for your teen to write? Consider calling a local nursing home or retirement community and see if you can write letters to residents there. Imagine the joy on someone's face when they receive a good, old-fashioned letter. There is so much good that comes out of sending and receiving mail, so why miss out?

Prepare a new meal

There is a top chef in all of us. Why not have your teen discover theirs? Have them decide what to cook, then have them write out a grocery list. Next, have them write out step-by-step instructions, so they think everything through. Lastly, let them loose in the kitchen. If it turns out that it's a flop, so be it! The real joy will be the sense of accomplishment your teen will feel when they did everything on their own.

Looking for some meal inspiration? Do you want to taste-test something with your kids before you make it from scratch? A meal kit delivery service can help with that! So if you'd like to try out a delicious prepped meal, check out our authorized partners to learn more.

Start their own bucket list

Who says bucket lists are only for adults? Have your teen create their own list of long-term goals. Do they want to travel? Do they want to do more community service? Learn what makes them tick. These lists not only help them to look towards the future, but it can also help you learn what motivates your teen.

We hope these ideas help chase away those in-door blues. What other projects have you been working on with your teens? Share them in the comments below!

As coughs and rising body temperatures push nervous Americans to telemed services at a groundbreaking pace during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is pushing for telemedicine initiatives to take care of animal health needs, as well.

The agency says that it wants veterinarians to embrace telemedicine so that they can virtually take care of both pets and other animals during this time of crisis.

“The FDA recognizes the vital role veterinarians play in protecting public health. This pandemic has had impacts on many of our everyday lives and professions, and during this time, we need to provide veterinarians with the latitude to expand the use of telemedicine in the care of animals, not only pets but also the animals that produce our food,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D. 

“The FDA is providing flexibility that will help veterinarians maintain the health of animals during the pandemic, while allowing for the social distancing that is so important in limiting the further spread of coronavirus disease across the country and the world.”

The living room becomes the exam room

To address the FDA’s call for help, ConsumerAffairs discovered that a new service called TeleVet has emerged. 

TeleVet allows veterinarians to make diagnoses from inside their clinic, and pet owners can mitigate their pet’s anxiousness from the comfort of their home. The functionality seems pretty straightforward.

“TeleVet is a platform that connects pet parents to their vet through familiar channels such as texts, phone, and video calls to help veterinary practices provide care, conserve time and generate revenue on their terms while maintaining a healthy work-life balance and a thriving practice,” Steven Carter, TeleVet’s CEO and founder told ConsumerAffairs. “This is even more critical given the current pandemic and needs for staff and client safety."

The TeleVet service is something a vet or clinic would have to subscribe to in order to employ it in their practice, but the app is free and available on both the Apple’s App Store and Google Play for pet owners.

Telemedicine -- an absolute necessity during the pandemic

What do vets say about providing virtual care? ConsumerAffairs asked Amy Garrou, DVM, DABVP, at Houston’s Memorial 610 Hospital for Animals for her professional experience.

“We started using TeleVet about 6 months ago, primarily for post-operative surgical consults and follow-up evaluations on existing conditions. This allowed our doctors, our staff, and our clients to get comfortable using the service and the mobile app,” Garrou said. 

Garrou said that the ability to use telemedicine consultations as more and more people elect to stay home and limit their contact with others has been an added advantage. 

“Our clients really appreciate the continuity of care that this service provides. While not all visits can be handled remotely, we can at least triage the problem via the app and determine if an in-clinic appointment is needed,” she said. 

“While telemedicine is absolutely necessary during this pandemic, we see this as an extension of our practice that will continue beyond this global health event, as it provides an efficient level of service to our clients and extends our ability to care for more patients, more often, without the need for a larger hospital footprint.”