Current Events in May 2020

As it sends economic impact payments to Americans, the Treasury Department has shifted from sending paper checks to prepaid debit cards that many recipients are apparently mistaking for junk mail.

Reports have begun to circulate on social media about recipients cutting up the cards or tossing them in the trash, unaware that the card contains their long-awaited payment.

Zack Stanton, the editor of Politico, was one of the recipients having a close call. He took to Twitter to caution others to be very careful before discarding unwanted mail.

“No idea if this is any indication of others' experiences with their coronavirus stimulus money, but I almost threw mine out with the junk mail,” he tweeted. “The return address was "Money Network Cardholder Services," no indication it's from the govt/U.S. Treasury.”

The mailing does in fact look much like a credit card solicitation because it’s coming from a similar company, not the Treasury Department. Consumers are accustomed to receiving money from the government in distinctive checks in tan envelopes with the Treasury Department’s return address.

What to look for

Many Americans got their payments in that form, but the government says about 4 million people are receiving payments on debit cards. They come in plain white envelopes with the return address: Money Network Cardholder Services, PO Box 247022, Omaha, NE 68124-7022.

Others posting on social media say they had not heard anything about the change in the way payments were being made. Most people got their money in the form of a direct deposit because the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which is sending out the payments, had their banking information on file.

The IRS says it will mail a letter about the economic impact payment to the taxpayer’s last known address within 15 days after the payment is paid. The letter will provide information on how the payment was made and how to report any failure to receive the payment.

No explanation

Earlier this week, the IRS posted a notice on its website that some taxpayers would get their economic impact payment in the form of a prepaid debit card and not a check, but it did not explain why.

“The determination of which taxpayers receive a debit card was made by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, another part of the Treasury Department that works with the IRS to handle distribution of the payments,” the tax agency said in the notice.

Bonnie Moore and her husband Thomas were expecting their payment to be in the form of a direct deposit. She told WINK-TV in Fort Myers, Fla., that they instead received the debit card this week and decided it was yet another piece of junk mail.

“My husband looked at it, briefly read it and he said, ‘Do you want this?’ And I said, ‘I don’t need another fake card,’ so he cut it up in little pieces,” she said.

Confusion continues to exist regarding the distribution of Economic Impact Payments (EIP) coming in the form of debit cards. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stepped to the plate on Friday to help sort out all the questions.

The loudest warning bell Washington has been hearing is that some people think the envelope the payment comes in looks like junk mail and are tossing it right in the garbage or putting it through the shredder. 

The key differentiator between junk mail and the stimulus payment envelopes is that the envelope the debit card is in will read “Money Network Cardholder Service.” Inside will be a VISA-branded prepaid card issued by MetaBank which offers instant access to the economic impact payment.

The FTC also fielded the question of whether the debit card was a second payment in addition to the previously sent check. The answer is no -- the government is simply using debit cards now as opposed to paper checks.

Activate the card immediately

Consumers should not let the card lay or risk losing it; it should be activated ASAP. Inside the mailer are specific instructions on how to activate the card, but here’s the short version: 

• Cards can be activated by calling 1-800-240-8100 or visiting USdebitcard.gov online and clicking on the EIP card link. However, to activate a card, taxpayers will first have to give them their Social Security number. 

• Once the card is activated, cash can be withdrawn (fee-free transfer to a personal bank account) or purchases can be made anywhere that accepts VISA debit cards. 

• EIP cards will expire at the end of three years. When that happens, the bank will send any money left on the card to the taxpayer.

Beware of scams

If there are ANY questions or concerns about the card, the balance, or the card’s functionality, the Money Network has a 24-hour hotline that can be reached at the number listed above. There’s also more information and a quick video from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and a set of FAQs from the IRS to answer questions you might have. 

ConsumerAffairs also suggests reading the various questions others have asked in response to the FTC’s new guidance. FTC staffers have been quick to answer questions that the agency may not have considered or covered elsewhere. 

Vultures are everywhere trying to get their hands on these cards. If someone calls you, writes you, emails you, or knocks on your door asking about the card, they are NOT from the government and you should turn them away. Don’t give them the debit card’s number or your Social Security number. Then, report the attempt to the FTC here.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 1,725,656 (1,703,989)

Total U.S. deaths: 101,706 (100,651)

Total global cases: 5,851,494 (5,731,837)

Total global deaths: 361,270 (356,606)

Savings rate hits record during pandemic shutdown

With U.S. households confined to their homes for the last two months, Americans have socked away a record amount of cash. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that personal income rose sharply in April as Americans began receiving government stimulus payments.

At the same time, consumer spending dropped sharply, leading to a savings rate of 33 percent, the highest on record. 

It’s always a good thing when households are able to save money, but some economists think too much saving won’t help the economy recover. They say the next few weeks may be critical as consumers have more chances to spend at stores and restaurants.

Chicago’s reopening has been delayed until next week

Illinois joined a number of states in reopening most businesses, including hair salons, restaurants, and retail stores. But Chicago will wait until next week to join the party.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has delayed the city’s limited reopening until Wednesday, June 3 after Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, expressed some concern about the city. She said the number of cases in Chicago appears to have leveled off but has not gone down as it has in some other parts of the country.

In the rest of Illinois, restaurants can open outdoor dining areas with tables six feet apart. Retailers can reopen with no more than 50 percent of normal capacity.

Some stimulus payments mistaken for junk mail

Millions of Americans are still receiving their economic impact payments from the government, and some are mistaking them for junk mail. The Treasury Department has shifted from sending paper checks to sending prepaid debit cards that many recipients say look like credit card solicitations.

Reports have begun to circulate on social media about recipients cutting up the cards or tossing them in the trash, unaware that the card contains their long-awaited payment.

The latest round of payments come in plain white envelopes with the return address: Money Network Cardholder Services, PO Box 247022, Omaha, NE 68124-7022.

Mixed data on housing

The coronavirus has had a huge impact on the housing market, bringing sales and listings to a near standstill. Where the market goes from here isn’t exactly clear.

In its monthly statement, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that pending home sales plunged more than 21 percent in April. That category is a measure of contracts for home sales that were signed but not yet closed. NAR said that’s likely the low for the year.

At the same time, Zillow reports there is evidence that both buyers and sellers are returning to the market. However, it notes that inventory levels are still extremely tight, leading to higher prices for the homes that are selling.

Prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine surged in March

After President Trump mentioned the 60-year-old antiviral drug hydroxychloroquine at a briefing in March, prescriptions for the drug surged by 2,000 percent. 

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School compared the number of prescriptions issued from March 15 to March 21 with the same period in 2019. This year there were 45,858 prescriptions written compared to 2,208 the year before.

A number of health experts have been highly skeptical of the drug as a treatment for the coronavirus. However, some doctors who have prescribed it for their patients said it is very effective, but only when taken in conjunction with zinc.

Around the nation

• West Virginia: The state says it has now tested 91,000 people for the coronavirus. So far, only 1,935 have tested positive, which is a rate of around 2 percent.

• Arkansas: After reopening most businesses, Arkansas has seen a spike in new cases of the coronavirus. The state recorded 261 new cases Thursday, the largest single-day total so far.

• Michigan: Businesses closed during the coronavirus lockdown have begun to reopen after nearly three months of inactivity and no revenue. Shopping malls are being allowed to reopen, but customers must make appointments to shop and maintain social distancing.

Tyson Foods has temporarily shuttered its pork slaughterhouses in Storm Lake, Iowa, after 555 employees -- 22 percent of the plant’s workforce -- tested positive for the coronavirus.

The closure comes only a month after President Trump ordered meat processing plants to keep their doors open in the face of depleted meat counters at grocery stores and to prevent supply chain risks. For Tyson, the closure comes only a week after 257 of the 1,282 team members -- 20 percent of the workforce -- at its Temperanceville, Virginia poultry facility tested positive.

Tyson says it’s doing what’s required

Tyson spun the Storm Lake closure in a more positive light, saying it was partly due to a delay in COVID-19 test results and employee absences. Despite the setback, Tyson says it will be back up and running in the near future. In a statement, the company insisted it will resume operations next week after it conducts "additional deep cleaning and sanitizing of the entire facility” and that it will conduct daily clinical symptom screenings.

Tyson officials also assert that it’s doing everything that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ask companies like theirs to do. In fact, the company says it “meet(s) or exceed(s) CDC and OSHA guidance for preventing COVID-19.”

The company also noted that it’s doubling its “thank you” bonus for frontline workers to $120 million. The bonus plan supports members who cannot come to work because of illness or childcare issues related to COVID-19.

Concern continues

While Tyson might think it’s doing all that’s necessary, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) thinks meat companies and federal officials need to do even more to protect workers. 

It points to a statistic that shows more than 3,000 infections and 44 deaths have occurred among U.S. meatpacking workers, and those numbers keep rising. 

“Too many workers are being sent back into meatpacking plants without adequate protections in place, reigniting more outbreaks in the plants and our communities,” Nick Nemec, a South Dakota farmer and cattle producer from Holabird, SD, said in a news release.

The ripple effect

Another UFCW member also raised the point of the ripple effect. 

“Safe food starts with safe workers,” said UFCW Local 304A member John Massalley who works at Smithfield in Sioux Falls, SD. “When meatpacking plants struggle to contain this virus, it’s not just the workers inside like me who are at risk, family farmers and ranchers are too.”

“If they don’t get protective equipment and safe working conditions, the food system will remain vulnerable and we all lose – producer, workers and consumers.Regular testing is critical to stopping future outbreaks, keeping workers safe and protecting our food supply,” added Colorado rancher Kathryn Bedell.

On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would ease restrictions on how small business owners can spend coronavirus aid money. 

By an overwhelming 417-1 vote, the chamber approved a plan that would loosen restrictions on how money doled out under the $660 billion Paycheck Protection Program can be spent. The bill passed under the CARES Act in March provides businesses employing up to 500 workers forgivable loans worth as much as $10 million. 

However, many businesses said the program wasn’t flexible enough to accommodate different types of small businesses. The changes would give small businesses the ability to use the extra money as needed rather than have to adhere to a program that prioritizes rehiring of employees. 

Under the plan, the share of aid money small businesses are required to spend on payroll would be reduced to 60 percent from 75 percent. The rest must be spent on rent, utilities, and other business-related expenses.

Additionally, businesses would have six months to use funds from the program instead of the previous two months. The previous worker rehiring deadline of June 30 would also be extended, and new PPP loans would have to be paid back in five years instead of two years. 

"Small businesses continue to have a tough road ahead and they need flexibility in how they use this emergency capital," New York Democratic Rep. Nydia Velázquez, who chairs the House Small Business Committee, said on the House floor. 

In many areas, stay-at-home restrictions have remained in place longer than anticipated, and small businesses have faced additional challenges as a result. Setting aside money to rehire employees has proved to be challenging in some cases, and the measure would grant needed flexibility to businesses struggling to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Senate could take up the bill as early as next week. 

The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to nationwide shutdowns, and according to a new study, exploring opportunities to promote better health practices in indoor spaces could be key for the future. 

Because a vaccine is still in the works and stay-at-home orders are beginning to ease up across the country, researchers from the University of Surrey say it’s important to take necessary precautions to ensure that the rate of infection doesn’t skyrocket once again. They explained that improving ventilation indoors could be crucial for reducing the risk of infection. 

“As the curve flattens in many countries across the world and cross-country measures including international border control remain important, it remains vital to protect people from this novel virus inside built environments and public places within our cities,” the researchers wrote. “Individuals can also make a notable difference by informed decision-making, which is only possible when people are kept up to date with the evolving knowledge base around transmission pathways.” 

A three-pronged approach

To help combat the spread of COVID-19 in indoor buildings, the researchers proposed a plan that would place the largest emphasis on governments, built spaces, and the public. 

They explained that the government’s role is important because they have a direct line to consumers and can help create best practices for both businesses and consumers. Indoor buildings are the second target, as ventilation can be improved in many of these areas to ensure that germs aren’t clustered and clean air is being circulated. Lastly, consumers themselves can take steps to protect themselves when out in public by wearing masks and keeping their distance from others. 

The researchers emphasized how important ventilation is in the spread of COVID-19. They explained that though the germ-carrying droplets are tiny, when air isn’t properly circulating, the virus can cluster in the air and keep building up. This leaves consumers exposed and at risk of contracting the infection. 

Recent studies have shown how closed environments like buses and conference rooms, which have recirculated air, are hotspots for the spread of COVID-19. This makes it all the more important for buildings to reevaluate their ventilation options, as creating the greatest clean air flow can help keep consumers safe and healthy over the long term. 

“These past months, living through the COVID-19 crisis, has been truly unprecedented, but we must turn this global tragedy into an opportunity to better prepare for similar threats,” said researcher Prashant Kumar. “An improved indoor ventilation is an important step that can be taken to reduce the risk of infection. However, more must be done to recognise and understand airborne transmission of COVID-19 and similar viruses, to minimise the build-up of virus-laden air in places typically containing high densities of people.”  

Uber is giving riders in select cities the option of hiring a driver on an hourly basis. 

In a press release, Uber described its new Hourly option as “a new way to ride without having to re-request a trip at each location you visit.” The new trip category will let riders make multiple stops over the course of a single ride.  

While Uber is encouraging people to continue following local health guidelines and travel only as necessary, it said it launched the new feature as a “flexible option if and when you need a little extra time running errands, taking a loved one to and from a doctor’s appointment, or getting things done.” 

Hourly trips will cost $50 per hour with mileage overage varying by city. Uber will match Hourly trip riders with a driver who has a newer and more spacious vehicle, such as those that are eligible for Uber Comfort.  

Uber said it tested the Hourly option in cities across Africa, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East. Starting June 2, the new option will be extended to riders in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, DC, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle, Tacoma, and Tampa Bay. 

Nissan has announced that it will cut production capacity by 20 percent and close a factory in Spain in an effort to survive the coronavirus pandemic. 

The company recently reported its first annual operating loss in more than a decade, and CEO Makoto Uchida said it’s “difficult to reasonably forecast an outlook for fiscal year 2020 at this time.”

The Japanese automaker said Wednesday that it would be deepening its collaborative efforts with Renault and Mitsubishi. Going forward, the companies will make fewer models, share production facilities, and generally focus on their respective strengths as they endeavor to cut costs during the pandemic. 

Nissan said the planned changes would allow it to slash costs by roughly $2.8 billion. 

“As part of the four-year plan, Nissan will take decisive action to transform its business by streamlining unprofitable operations and surplus facilities, alongside structural reforms,” the company said in a statement. “Through disciplined management, the company will prioritize and invest in business areas expected to deliver a solid recovery and sustainable growth.”

Ensuring steady growth 

The automaker said its plan for the next few years would be to focus on ensuring “steady growth” rather than “excessive sales expansion.” 

“We will now concentrate on our core competencies and enhancing the quality of our business, while maintaining financial discipline and focusing on net revenue per unit to achieve profitability,” Uchida said. “This coincides with the restoration of a culture defined by ‘Nissan-ness’ for a new era."

Uchida said he will take a 50 percent pay cut for the first half of the year, and other executives will see a 30 percent pay cut in an effort to “share the pain” stemming from the overhaul. 

In a press release, the Industry Ministry said the Spanish government “regrets” Nissan’s decision to close the plant in Spain and will try to persuade the company to keep it open. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California found that the severity of autism symptoms in young children can shift dramatically as they grow and develop into childhood. 

The researchers learned that the natural development of the brain allows for symptoms to improve over time. 

“We found that nearly 30 percent of young children have less severe autism symptoms at age six than they did at age three,” said researcher David Amaral. “In some cases, children lost their autism diagnoses entirely.”

A reduction in symptoms

To better understand how children’s autism symptoms can change over time, the researchers analyzed data from the Autism Phenome Project (APP), which included information from over 120 children. 

The children were between the ages of two and three when the study began, and the researchers assessed their symptoms annually using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule’s Calibrated Severity Score. Because the goal of the study was to determine a change in symptoms over time, the children fell into one of three categories: decreased severity, stable severity, or increased severity. 

More than half of the children were stable over time, while nearly 17 percent had worsening symptoms and nearly 30 percent had reduced symptoms as the study progressed. By the study’s end, seven children were no longer showing signs of autism. 

The researchers learned that general IQ could be an indicator of the intensity of autism symptoms among young ones. The study found a direct link between higher IQs and a lower severity of symptoms. 

“IQ is considered to be the strongest predictor of symptom severity for children with autism,” said researcher Einat Waizbard-Bartov. “As IQ scores increased from age three to age six, symptom severity levels decreased.” 

Girls more likely to have reduced symptoms

The study also revealed that the girls in the study were more likely than the boys in the study to experience a reduction in the severity of their symptoms. According to Waizbard-Bartov, this could be because girls “have learned how to mask their symptoms,” though more research is needed to determine the root of this trend. 

While IQ and gender certainly come into play, the researchers explained that it’s hard to determine why this fluctuation in autism symptoms occurs in children -- especially for those whose symptoms worsened over time. 

“It is also true that some children appear to get worse,” Amaral said. “Unfortunately, it is not currently possible to predict who will do well and who will develop more severe autism symptoms and need different interventions.” 

The price of gasoline rose in just about every state in the last week as more consumers increased their driving and states began to lift coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.

The AAA Fuel Gauge Survey shows the national average price of regular gas is closing in on $2 a gallon, rising three cents a gallon since last Friday to $1.97 a gallon. It’s 21 cents a gallon higher than a month ago. The average price of premium gas is $2.58 a gallon, four cents higher than last week. The average price of diesel fuel has remained stable over the last two weeks at $2.41 a gallon and is four cents a gallon cheaper than a month ago.

Gas prices normally rise during the spring, but industry analysts point to two other factors contributing to higher prices at the pump. Oil prices have begun to recover from their record lows during the height of the lockdown but remain under $40 a barrel.

Demand is also up when compared to April. However, it’s still well below demand recorded in May 2019. That’s one reason gas prices are about 90 cents a gallon less than they were last year.

“Americans have seen significantly cheaper-than-normal gas prices the past two months,” said AAA spokesperson Jeanette Casselano. “While motorists will see pump prices continue to increase, AAA does not expect the summer average to be as expensive as last year’s season.”

One wildcard that could send prices sharply higher is a couple of bad hurricanes. The 2020 hurricane season begins Monday, and storms that hit the Gulf Coast region particularly hard could interrupt supplies and send prices sharply higher, at least temporarily.

The states with the most expensive gas

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

• Hawaii ($3.17)

• California ($2.88)

• Washington ($2.52)

• Oregon ($2.44) 

• Nevada ($2.43)

•  Pennsylvania ($2.23)

• Illinois ($2.23)

• Alaska ($2.22)

• Utah ($2.21)

• New York ($2.18)

The states with the cheapest regular gas

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

• Mississippi ($1.58)

• Arkansas ($1.63)

• Alabama ($1.63)

• Louisiana ($1.64)

• Texas ($1.64)

• Oklahoma ($1.65)

• Missouri ($1.65)

• South Carolina ($1.67)

• Kansas ($1.68)

• Tennessee ($1.70)

Ford Motor Company is recalling about 25 model year 2020 Mustangs sold in the U.S., and Canada.

The vehicles are equipped with an image processing module A -- a forward-looking camera -- that is misaligned to the vehicle, and may not function as intended.

An incorrect forward-looking camera alignment calibration may cause features to have degraded functionality during vehicle operation including Pre-Collision Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane-Keeping System, Driver Alert and Auto High-Beam Control.

The Pre-Collision Assist system’s effectiveness in detecting a frontal collision may be compromised, increasing the risk of an accident.

There are no reports of accident or injury.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reconfigure the forward-looking camera by aligning the Lane Departure Warning system camera.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's reference number for this recall is 20S26.

Primark US of Boston, Mass., is recalling about 1,700 pair of Wide Fit Kitten Heel Court Pumps.

The leather insock in the shoes has elevated levels of Chromium VI, posing a risk of skin irritation.

No incidents or injuries are reported.

This recall involves the Primark Wide Fit Kitten Heel Court Shoes. The pumps have an approximately 1.5 inch heel, and were sold in black and nude microfiber fabric.

Product number 06689 and the RN code 145478 are printed on the inside of the shoe.

The shoes, manufactured in China, were sold at Primark US stores nationwide from January 2019, through November 2019, for about $16.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled shoes and return the shoes to a Primark store for a full refund of the purchase price.

Consumers may contact Primark US collect at (617) 946-3236 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET )Monday through Friday, or online at www.primark.com and click on “Customer Service” at the bottom of the page for more information.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 1,703,989 (1,684,173)

Total U.S. deaths: 100,651 (99,123)

Total global cases: 5,731,837 (5,626,047)

Total global deaths: 356,606 (351,815)

100,000 deaths and counting

The official U.S. death toll from the coronavirus (COVID-19) has moved past the 100,000 mark and is still climbing. Nearly all the deaths have occurred in the last four months.

No other country has close to the number of coronavirus cases or deaths that the U.S. has faced. The next closest country is the United Kingdom, with 37,542 deaths. India, which has a much larger population than the U.S., has only 4,500 confirmed deaths.

Don’t bet on casinos’ safety

Cell phone tracking has shown how the huge crowds on Atlantic beaches over the Memorial Day weekend have dispersed across the country, raising concerns among health officials any infected people could set off another COVID-19 outbreak.

While former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Scott Gotliebb says that’s concerning, he said outdoor gatherings appear less likely to spread the virus than large groups in close quarters indoors. For that reason, he says he does have some concerns about Las Vegas casinos reopening.

“Those are the kinds of settings where I think you have more risk, where you have a lot of people crowding together, coming and going in indoor settings for sustained periods of time,” Gottlieb said on CNBC this morning.

Nevada casinos are scheduled to reopen next week. 

The pace of unemployment is slowing

There were 2.1 million new claims for unemployment benefits in the previous week as the pace of joblessness continues to slow. While that number is nearly 10 times higher than a typical week before the pandemic hit, it’s well below the 6.9 million recorded at the end of March.

Lockdowns that closed businesses and forced many to quickly go under have been the major driver of unemployment. While some economists think we’re approaching a bottom, a lot of damage has already been done.

In a separate report today, the Commerce Department said Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the measure of economic activity, shrank by 5 percent in the first quarter.

Airlines face more turbulence

The nation’s airlines see brighter skies ahead as travel restrictions begin to be lifted and bookings increase. At the same time, they face a decline in business and numerous restrictions that make profits out of the question.

Delta Airlines has started offering employees buyouts as it seeks to trim its payroll. It, along with other carriers, has seen a huge drop in revenue. As passenger traffic picks up, it will not come close to the level of profitability the company enjoyed before the pandemic.

On Wednesday, American Airlines announced that it is cutting 30 percent of its management and administrative jobs to deal with its mounting losses. “We must plan for operating a smaller airline for the foreseeable future,” Elise Eberwein, one of the airline’s executive vice presidents, wrote in a letter to employees. 

No masks allowed

As businesses begin to reopen, many are requiring customers to wear masks when inside their premises. In a sign of a growing culture war the pandemic and its shutdown orders have sparked, the Liberty Tree Tavern in Elgin, Texas is reopening with one simple rule -- no one wearing a mask will be allowed inside.

"If we're only allowed to be at 25 percent capacity, I want them to be 25 percent of people that aren't p-----, that aren't sheep," owner Kevin Smith told The Washington Post. "Being scared all the time isn't good for your health. It suppresses your immune system."

Smith’s position does not appear to be an isolated case. In Kentucky, where some residents this week hanged an effigy of the state’s Democratic governor, a gas station convenience store is also barring any customers wearing a face covering.

Around the nation

• Illinois: Illinois has become the first state to meet all of the White House’s recommendations for safely opening businesses. Starting tomorrow, the state will begin Phase 3 of its reopening after seeing a two-week decline in positive test results per 100,000 population.

• Oregon: Two churches have filed lawsuits against the state, targeting an order that limits the size of congregations at church services. Gov. Kate Brown’s order limits the size of gatherings at church services to no more than 25 people. 

• Rhode Island: State Senator Elaine Morgan has penned an open letter calling on state officials to immediately reopen Rhode Island with no restrictions. Morgan, a Republican, charged that Gov. Gina Raimondo’s plan to slowly reopen the state is a violation of citizens’ rights. 

A recent report by the Census Bureau finds members of U.S. households are suffering increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The series of surveys began as a way to track a range of effects on households, including financial, educational, physical, and mental impacts. Last week’s survey found that a third of respondents are beginning to show signs of clinical anxiety or depression, agency officials said.

The Census Bureau survey showed young adults appear to be most affected. Within households, a second survey shows mothers appear to be bearing the brunt of the stress. 

Increased workloads

The survey conducted by Malt-O-Meal, a brand of ready-to-eat cereals, found that 95 percent of moms said they are multitasking for an average of almost eight hours a day. That may be because workloads have increased for most women with children living at home. More than half -- 55 percent -- say they are working longer hours, and 89 percent of those moms say it’s taking a toll on their well-being. 

More than three in five report feeling increased stress levels. Forty-eight percent describe themselves as more anxious; 46 percent say they spend more time worrying; 27 percent are increasingly sad; and 26 percent say they more easily lose their temper.

With stay-at-home orders keeping kids out of schools and parents out of stores and offices, the household is populated 24/7. Women responding to the survey say they are spending time on their children’s education and keeping them entertained. In the meantime, they are trying to fulfill their own full-time work responsibilities.

Not much ‘me time’

Nearly a third of respondents said they only have one hour a day for self-care, while more than 1 in 8 moms say that they have no “me time” at all. When stress levels reach the breaking point, moms say they have a range of ways they decompress:

• 60 percent binge-watch TV and movies

• 43 percent eat

• 38 percent exercise

• 35 percent sleep

• 35 percent bake

• 24 percent drink

• 24 percent work on crafts

"It's clear that moms are burnt out and in need of a much-deserved break," said Jessica Wobschall, Senior Brand Manager of Malt-O-Meal and mother of two with another on the way. 

"As a brand that has been there for moms for over 100 years, we wanted our survey to draw attention to the job of being a mom, which for many has expanded significantly right now, and find some way to provide a little relief."

In the last few weeks, ConsumerAffairs has compiled a series of ideas for diversions and stress-relievers while stuck at home. They include 5 ways to disconnect and unplug; 5 live feed websites; 4 art projects to try at home; and ways to brew better coffee at home.

Airline stocks have rallied on Wall Street this week on growing optimism that the country is beginning to reopen and travel is about to resume. But the rising stock prices don’t reveal the economic damage to commercial air travel that’s already been done.

American Airlines has announced it is cutting 30 percent of its management and administrative staff in an effort to stem the flow of red ink. A company memo obtained by CNBC said the airline will also begin offering buyouts to flight attendants and other frontline personnel in June.

“We must plan for operating a smaller airline for the foreseeable future,” Elise Eberwein, one of the airline’s executive vice presidents, wrote in a letter to employees Wednesday.

American has plenty of company in that situation because the entire industry has been turned upside down by the coronavirus (COVID-19). Consumers stopped flying well before the government issued travel restrictions. By late April, U.S. passenger traffic had fallen 90 percent.

In the last decade, the airline industry has clawed its way back to profitability by maximizing routes -- flying planes in which every seat was sold -- and charging fees for things that were once included in the price of a ticket. Those days seem to be over.

Half-empty planes

In the era of social distancing -- which no one expects to end anytime soon -- American and its competitors will likely fly half-empty planes, even when consumers begin traveling again. In an announcement made Wednesday, American said it would continue to limit the number of customers on each aircraft. 

“Additionally, American customer service agents also may reassign seats to create more space between customers or to accommodate families who need to be seated together,” the airline said in a release. “Once boarding is complete — taking into consideration any aircraft weight or balance restrictions — customers can move to another seat within their ticketed cabin subject to availability.”

The airline said it is deploying new tools that will allow customers to more easily change their tickets to less-crowded flights, again giving up the fees that most airlines once charged for that service.

Strings attached

The problem for the industry -- and American in particular -- is that at the same time it is struggling against mounting financial losses, it has received financial aid from Congress that has several strings attached.

A week ago, when Delta and JetBlue decided to reduce employee hours to cope with their loss of revenue, lawmakers were quick to say the action represented a violation of the goal of the Payroll Support Program established under the CARES Act. 

Delta received more than $5 billion in federal support through the program, and JetBlue received $935 million. When they cut employee hours more than a dozen U.S. senators sent letters to the CEO of each airline pushing for an immediate end to the “potentially illegal” action. 

In April, American announced that it was receiving $5.8 billion from the government to support payroll operations.

The state of Arizona has filed a lawsuit against Google alleging that the digital media company collected location data from its users illegally and without their approval. 

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich claims that Google then took that data and exploited it for its advertising business. Arizona’s requested relief is pretty simple: stop the practice and pay the state part of the money it leveraged out of the practice.

“While Google users are led to believe they can opt-out of location tracking, the company exploits other avenues to invade personal privacy,” Brnovich said in a statement. “It’s nearly impossible to stop Google from tracking your movements without your knowledge or consent. This is contrary to the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and even the most innovative companies must operate within the law.”

Turning Location History off alone doesn’t do the trick

A quick look at Google’s balance sheet makes it easy to see why the company keeps tabs on anyone who uses its product. In 2019, more than 80 percent of Google’s revenues -- some $135 billion -- was derived from advertising. And it does it, some claim, while laughing in the face of users who have their tracking turned off.

Google’s been in this position before, and it usually takes the company line that "with Location History off, the places you go are no longer stored." But as an AP article revealed, Google’s defense was blatantly false; the report found that Google covertly collects location information via settings such as Web & App Activity even with Location History turned off. 

Some of that hand-wringing likely comes from users who think that with Location History turned off, everything related to that is also turned off. Unfortunately, that’s not how Google plays this game.

However, to the company’s credit, when ConsumerAffairs reviewed Google’s policies regarding Web & App Activity, it was above board about what it collects and how it might use the data. It just requires the user to take another step or two to make sure all of the underlying branches of Location History are also turned off. Or, as Brnovich’s office called it, “a misleading mess of settings, some of which seemingly have nothing to do with the collection of location information.”

If anything, Arizona might be able to force Google to make opting out of data collection a single-step switch. That alone would be a major victory for privacy advocates.