Current Events in May 2020

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 1,231,992 (1,210,822)

Total U.S. deaths: 73,573 (71,463)

Total global cases: 3,784,085 (3,709,800)

Total global deaths: 264,679 (259,695)

Florida’s story keeps getting better

Health officials are still trying to figure out how Florida avoided becoming a coronavirus (COVID-19) hot spot after it was slow to close down and quick to reopen.

Despite that, it’s case total and death toll puts it at eighth-highest in the nation, even though it’s the third-largest state in terms of population. When you consider its miles of beaches, its large population of elderly residents, and its tourist attractions, the state was expected to be a disaster area.

Instead, most of the state has entered into a phase one reopening, with retail stores and restaurants allowed to operate at up to 25 percent capacity. “The fact of the matter is, Florida has met all the gating criteria to be into phase one,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press briefing.

No guidance from CDC

States, cities, and counties expecting guidance from federal health officials on how to reopen their jurisdictions are apparently not going to get it. The Associated Press reports that the blueprint, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is apparently being withheld. It was supposed to be released at the end of last week.

The AP cites two sources as saying CDC scientists were told the document “would never see the light of day.” It was developed to help local governments determine when and how to reopen businesses and churches closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb expressed surprise at the report, tweeting that “a lot of business literally can’t reopen without it (the guidance) because CDC is a de-facto regulator in a public health crisis.”

Vaccine cleared for Phase 2 clinical trial

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved drugmaker Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for Phase 2 clinical trials, which will determine whether it’s effective against the virus. The vaccine entered a Phase 1 trial in mid-March. The company said the next trial, using 600 volunteers, will begin soon. 

“The imminent Phase 2 study start is a crucial step forward as we continue to advance the clinical development of mRNA-1273, our vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2,” said Stéphane Bancel, Moderna’s CEO.

The company is already looking ahead to a Phase 3 trial, which Bancel said could begin as early as this summer.

Jobless claims rise but at a slower pace

Initial claims for unemployment benefits rose by 3.3 million in the last week, about half the rate from the first couple of weeks of the economic shutdown. About 33 million people have filed for jobless benefits in the last seven weeks.

“The steady decline in jobless claims over the past five weeks signals that the initial shock to the jobs market is over,” John Silvia, an economist at Dynamic Economic Strategy, told The Wall Street Journal.

But a lot of the damage has been done, with many jobs in hard-hit industries disappearing for good. Tomorrow, the government will issue its employment report for April, which is likely to show a record high jobless rate.

New York may have spread COVID-19 throughout the U.S. 

If the coronavirus originally came from Wuhan, China, new research suggests it spread in the U.S. largely from New York City. The New York Times cites research suggesting that travelers from New York to other parts of the U.S. spread the virus.

Scientists say they tracked signature mutations of the virus, reviewed travel histories of infected people, and examined models of the outbreak by infectious disease experts.

“We now have enough data to feel pretty confident that New York was the primary gateway for the rest of the country,” Nathan Grubaugh, an epidemiologist at the Yale School of Public Health, told the Times.

Around the nation

• Washington: Gov. Jay Inslee has taken sharp exception to a lawsuit filed against his administration that seeks to overturn his stay-at-home order and reopen the state. “It’s about biological ignorance and human heartlessness,” Inslee said on CNN. “It’s just trying to ignore the clear science of biology, which from an epidemiological standpoint is very clear that if we abandon our efforts, this beast is going to get off the floor and bite us back.”

• Virginia: Gov. Ralph Northam says some parts of the state may keep coronavirus-related restrictions in place longer than the rest of the state. The Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC and the Richmond area have most of the state’s cases while rural areas have far fewer. Virginia is set to begin reopening May 15.  

• Kansas: The state legislature is scheduled to convene for a single day on May 15. Republicans are floating a proposal to limit Gov. Laura Kelly’s power to keep the economy closed down.

One effect of the massive layoffs triggered by the coronavirus (COVID-19) has been a significant reduction in consumer credit. Twenty-five percent of U.S. credit cardholders say their credit limits were lowered on a card, or the card was involuntarily canceled.

The survey by CompareCards confirms an earlier report at the end of April that said some credit card issuers were reducing their credit exposure over concerns of widespread defaults. The CompareCards report shows a widespread industry move to take preemptive action over the last 30 days.

"I'm not surprised that credit card issuers are reining in available credit, but I was definitely surprised by just how widespread it already is,” said Matt Schultz, chief credit analyst for CompareCards, which is owned by LendingTree. 

That hurts affected consumers in two ways. First, the reduction in credit means they will be without a critical lifeline if they suddenly find themselves unemployed.

“No one wants to have to rely on credit cards to act like an emergency fund in tough economic times, but that's the reality for many Americans," Schultz said.

Credit score damage

Beyond that, a reduction in credit usually hurts the cardholder’s credit score. A score will go down if a credit card company reduces the cardholder’s credit limit. 

It could go down even more if there is a balance on the card. The credit limit reduction means the cardholder is using a higher percentage of available credit, usually a drag on credit scores.

The results of the survey showed that nearly 50 million American credit cardholders reported their credit limit had been cut or their card closed in the past 30 days. 

Baby boomers were largely unaffected -- only 8 percent reported credit limit reductions. But a little over one-third of Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X cardholders suddenly had access to less credit than before the pandemic outbreak.

It’s happened before

Credit card companies did the same thing in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, when unemployment shot up to 10 percent. Most companies targeted cardholders with low credit scores and those with subprime cards.

With unemployment expected to be more than twice as high in the wake of the pandemic, lenders appear to be acting quickly to reduce their risk when it comes to these consumers -- the very ones who may need access to credit the most.

Cardholders who’ve seen their credit limits fall in the last month may be able to regain lost ground by boosting their credit score. Those who are still employed can raise their scores by paying all their bills on time every month and aggressively paying down credit card balances.

A credit repair company may also be a source of help. ConsumerAffairs has thousands of reviews of some of the best ones here.

Nearly 90 percent of Americans are laying low at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of those are working remotely, some are furloughed, and some are just playing it safe.

A major chunk of the playing-it-safe crowd are seniors, mostly because of their susceptibility to the virus. With more time spent at home and the Fed cutting interest rates, some senior adults -- often with a little nudge from their families -- are investing in their own long-term safety and the value of their home by upgrading their bathrooms. 

To help focus that effort, Nurse Next Door -- a home care service provider -- created a list of safety tips that seniors can take to make their bathrooms safer. The information is extremely important; the National Council for Aging Care cites statistics which show that 80 percent of falls in the home happen in the bathroom, with treatments costing an average of $30,000. 

Safety tips

Topping the list of Nurse Next Door’s safety tips is to reduce clutter in the bathroom, which can be accomplished by storing items in cabinets that are safe and out of the way. The company also recommends keeping necessary items within reach, keeping bathroom pathways clear, and getting assistance from a caregiver if it is needed. 

Other items on the list include several modifications and pieces of equipment that can help stabilize seniors and make navigating the bathroom safer. They include hand-held showerheads, weighted shower curtains, grab bar installations, and non-slip bath mats and chairs. 

The last major modification that seniors could consider is the addition of a walk-in bathtub. Studies have shown that 97.2 percent of home health clients need assistance in taking a bath, and anything that makes that aspect easier is a good investment.

“If you’re looking to invest some money in a more permanent fixture aside from grab bars for bath safety, you can consider installing a walk-in tub,” was Nurse Next Door’s recommendation.

As with many things marketed to seniors, there’s a lot of companies hawking walk-in bathtubs and, because of that alone, anyone considering buying one should ask a lot of questions. To help in the process, ConsumerAffairs has researched the best walk-in bathtub companies, the features they offer, and what consumers’ expectations should be. You can find that guide here.

Finances have become compromised for many consumers who have been forced to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic, which means many are struggling with debt. The benefits from last month’s stimulus have left many consumers wanting more assistance, as the unemployment rate continues to soar and retirement plans take hit after hit. 

Now, experts at The Pew Charitable Trusts have found that consumers who show up to court for debt settlement are often unrepresented and forced to go up against lawyers and hired professionals. This makes outcomes unbalanced and debt even harder to eliminate. 

“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shutter businesses and disrupt the national economy, the number of debt collection lawsuits may continue to grow,” said Pew project director Erika Rickard. “This coming wave presents a critical opportunity for court leaders and policymakers to take action to ensure that all parties in state civil courts have the chance to be heard and receive a ruling based on facts.” 

Getting representation

Pew explained that this trend of consumers going to court without legal representation is a new one, and it often leaves them vulnerable to those with more legal prowess. 

Moreover, they found that communication from court systems is spotty, making it impossible in many cases for consumers to even show up. This then forces the judge to declare it a default ruling, which occurs in 70 percent of all civil debt cases. 

When this happens, the businesses aren’t required to present any facts or figures. Instead, consumers are left to pick up the final price tag -- which then includes court fees and interest that increases the amount of debt owed. 

Leveling the playing field

The goal of this report was to help level the playing field for consumers. Not only are the experts calling for better accountability in these cases from the states and courts, but they’re also pushing for consumers to show up to court with legal representation. According to their work, the decisions of debt-related civil court cases tend to have better outcomes for consumers when they’re not facing it alone. 

Moving forward, the experts want courts to be more transparent about civil cases with both parties. This can lead to fairer decisionmaking and ensure that everyone’s voices are heard. 

“Debt collection cases epitomize the challenges facing the civil legal system nationwide,” said Rickard. “But state leaders are beginning to act to address critical issues of access and efficiency. The steps outlined in this report can help them do even more to improve the handling of these cases and the outcomes for all parties.” 

To see the full Pew report, click here. If you’re someone who is struggling with debt and in need of professional assistance, check out ConsumerAffairs guide on the best debt settlement companies here. 

A month after New York City schools banned the use of video conferencing application Zoom, schools in the city will once again be allowed to use the platform for remote learning purposes. 

The NYC Department of Education (DOE) and Zoom announced on Wednesday that schools and students will now have access to a central NYC Department of Education Zoom account with data encryption and storage settings that the district requested Zoom implement for all its users.

"Our new agreement with Zoom will give your children another way to connect with their schools, teachers and school staff. We are excited to be able to have another safe and secure option for school communities to use during this unprecedented time," NYC Department of Education Chancellor Richard A. Carranza wrote in a letter to families, schools, and students.

Previously banned 

Last month, New York City’s DOE banned the use of Zoom after receiving “various reports documenting issues that impact the security and privacy of the Zoom platform.” The Department advised schools to transition to other platforms for conducting virtual classes, such as Microsoft Teams. 

On the heels of the announcement, Zoom agreed to ramp up its efforts to ensure the privacy and security of its platform, particularly when used by students and teachers. 

Education department officials told Chalkbeat that Zoom has implemented new settings to ensure that only approved participants and guests can join virtual classrooms. This will help prevent occurrences of “Zoombombing,” where a hacker disrupts a meeting with racist remarks, aggressive language, pornographic content or even death threats. 

Stepping up security

Zoom CEO Eric Yuan has stated that his company is working hard to increase security measures following an unexpected surge in users in the wake of COVID-19 business closures. 

In a security announcement posted Tuesday, Zoom said it will soon launch several new features to protect “free basic users.” Here are the new features that will be activated starting May 9: 

• Passwords will be required for all meetings, including new meetings, previously scheduled meetings, and those using PMI

• Waiting Rooms for PMI will be turned on by default

• Screen sharing privileges will be Host Only by default

“These enhanced protections will help enable our free users to securely meet right out of the box,” said Zoom’s Edward Lee. 

After Zoom was banned, the department directed teachers to use alternative tools like Microsoft Teams and Google Classroom. However, not all were happy about this move; critics said it disrupted the learning process, as teachers had to figure out a brand-new tool while already under the pressures of shifting to remote education. 

Schools can continue using Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams if they prefer those tools, but some teachers posted on Twitter to say they were happy to be able to use Zoom again. 

The flailing airline industry’s cause to come out of the COVID pandemic with its wings up got some much-needed championing on Wednesday.

The CEO and President of Airlines for America (A4A) -- a lobbying group which represents Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United -- appeared before a Senate hearing to speak about the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the commercial aviation industry. 

A4A’s Nicholas Calio wanted to make sure he got one important point across. He stated that federally-dictated minimums on the number of flights as part of the federal airline bailout are “unsustainable” for airlines while the pandemic is still in full swing and its passenger loads have taken a pounding.

“While carriers are certainly complying with the CARES Act requirement and (Department of Transportation) Show Cause Order requiring minimum service levels to U.S. communities, the cost associated with operating nearly empty flights to communities with little to no demand significantly exacerbates air carrier liquidity,” Calio said in a prepared statement. 

“We would ask both this Committee and the Administration to seek solutions to address the challenges posed by this unsustainable requirement. Make no mistake, as the duration of this pandemic lingers, the reasonability and practicality of this requirement significantly diminishes. Carriers and communities alike are going to have to come together and acknowledge the footprint and frequency of service in 2019 cannot convey to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic reality,” he said.

The bottom line for the airline industry

Airlines have greatly cut back on the number of flights since the virus became headline news -- even going to the extreme of canceling flights and sardining passengers on another flight to be more efficient. 

Still, the bottom line for the airline industry is, in fact, the bottom line. Until the industry can regroup from being 90 percent down thanks to COVID-19, Calio bluntly told the Committee that “the cost associated with operating nearly empty flights to communities with little to no demand significantly exacerbates air carrier liquidity.”

“Screwing the taxpayers”

Lawmakers and airline operators are anything but on the same page on this situation. Committee member Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said the people he represents have grumbled that airlines are handing out vouchers, not cash refunds like they’re supposed to when they up and cancel a flight. 

“In effect, you are -- forgive me -- screwing the very taxpayers whose money is going into your pockets” through the $50 billion in federal aid set aside for passenger airlines in the CARES Act, Blumenthal said.

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on renewable energy projects and threatens to hamper efforts to curtail climate change. Thousands of clean-energy workers have filed for unemployment and, as a result, the installation of solar energy systems and other renewable energy projects has been put on hold. 

“There are many smaller companies going out of business as we speak,” Abigail Ross Hopper, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association told the Associated Press. “Up to half our jobs are at risk.”

Scientists have expressed concern that the coronavirus-related delay in clean energy projects could hinder efforts to combat climate change. 

Workers benched and projects delayed

Social distancing orders have had the biggest impact on solar panel installation on rooftops and the addition of energy-efficiency measures inside homes, according to the Washington Post. 

“Shelter in place puts limitations on how people can work,” Abigail Ross Hopper, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association, told the Post. “Literally, people don’t want other people inside their houses to fix electrical boxes. And there are no door-to-door sales.”

Wind energy companies also expect progress to be slowed this year as the nation deals with the coronavirus pandemic. The American Wind Energy Association said it was “on a roll” right up until the last month or two. Now, projects that would add 25 gigawatts of wind power to the U.S. grid are at risk of being scaled back or even canceled over the next two years due to the health crisis. 

“Pre-pandemic, there were great dreams and aspirations for a record-setting year,” said Paul Gaynor, CEO of Longroad Energy, a utility-scale wind and solar developer. “I’m sure we’re not going to have that.”

Expediting the transition to responsible energy use should be made a priority as the economy reopens, Andrew Pershing, chief scientific officer with Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland, Maine, which studies climate change and oceans, told the AP.

“My hope is that we would use this as an opportunity to build toward an economy that doesn’t depend on burning coal and oil and that is more resilient to the climate impacts that are heading our way,” Pershing said.

Consumers interested in harnessing the power of solar energy can visit our guide here to connect with an authorized professional. 

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced Wednesday that people accused of assault and harassment at schools will be given new protections. 

Critics argue that the changes may discourage victims from reporting the person who assaulted them, but DeVos said the Department is trying to institute a policy that is fair to all those involved. The new rules allow parties accused of harassment or assault to question evidence and cross-examine their accusers during live hearings. 

"Too many students have lost access to their education because their school inadequately responded when a student filed a complaint of sexual harassment or sexual assault," DeVos said in a statement Wednesday. "This new regulation requires schools to act in meaningful ways to support survivors of sexual misconduct, without sacrificing important safeguards to ensure a fair and transparent process."

The new rules represent a change to a law known as Title IX, which prohibits gender discrimination (including sexual assault) on college campuses and schools.

Changes the definition of sexual misconduct

Under the revision to Obama-era guidance, “sexual harassment” on school grounds will be defined as “sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking." The previous iteration of the guidance was less narrow and described sexual harassment as "unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature."

The details of the changes, which are slated to go into effect August 14, were outlined in a 2,000 page document. The changes will require schools to investigate the allegations in any formal complaint but dismiss any allegations of conduct that doesn’t fit the new definition. 

Cross-examinations will be required but will be carried out by an “adviser” rather than students. Either party can request that the hearing be held virtually, and the opposing party can be in a separate room while the hearing takes place.

Critics argue rules could silence victims

While critics argue the changes could stifle victims, proponents of the new rules contend that they will help ensure that schools and colleges take sexual harassment seriously.

"It marks the end of the false dichotomy of either protecting survivors, while ignoring due process, or protecting the accused, while disregarding sexual misconduct," Kenneth Marcus, the assistant secretary of the department's Office for Civil Right said in a statement. "There is no reason why educators cannot protect all of their students -- and under this regulation there will be no excuses for failing to do so."

Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women's Law Center, said the new regulation could be extremely harmful to those who suffered sexual harassment or assault. 

“If this rule goes into effect, survivors will be denied their civil rights and will get the message loud and clear that there is no point in reporting assault,” Graves said. 

Various raw beef and veal products are being recalled under the guidance of the the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

The products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The following items, sold throughout the Ontario province, are being recalled:

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them, but discard or return them to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions may contact the CFIA toll-free at (800) 442-2342 or by email at cfia.enquiries-demandederenseignements.acia@canada.ca.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 6,659 model year 2019-2020 G550s and G63s.

The embossed lock symbol for the child safety lock on the rear doors may indicate the incorrect lock status of the child safety lock.

If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, he or she may fall from the vehicle increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a label on the rear doors with the correct operating direction free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin June 30, 2020.

Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at (877) 496-3691.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 1,210,822 (1,181,885)

Total U.S. deaths: 71, 463 (69,079)

Total global cases: 3,709,800 (3,610,006)

Total global deaths: 259,695 (252,346)

Task force to continue ‘indefinitely’

Despite reports that the White House taskforce on the coronavirus (COVID-19) would be phased out, President Trump says that’s not the case. In fact, he says the task force, led by Vice President Mike Pence, will continue “indefinitely.”

Until now, the task force has focused on containing the virus and trying to “flatten the curve” of cases so that hospitals aren’t overwhelmed. Soon, Trump says the group will transition to supporting a reopening of the economy.

In a series of tweets this morning, Trump praised his second-in-command for leading the group and suggested that its members may change in the future, with some people being added while others step down.

Federal scientist files whistleblower complaint

Dr. Rich Bright, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), has filed a whistleblower complaint against the Trump administration. Bright contends that he was removed from his position after clashing with the White House over the pandemic.

Specifically, Bright says he warned his superiors in January that the coronavirus was coming to the U.S. and that his warnings were ignored and discouraged. He said he was removed from his position after questioning Trump’s promotion of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as coronavirus treatments.

Bright’s attorney said her client specifically warned Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials that the government lacked adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) but that his concerns were dismissed.

College students demand refunds

A growing number of college students are demanding tuition refunds, saying they paid for an on-campus education but were forced to finish the semester online. Some colleges have refunded various fees, but CNBC reports that nearly all have balked at returning tuition.

Some students at Brown and Boston University have joined a class-action lawsuit to demand refunds for tuition, room and board, and various other costs.

Ford respirators and PPE have shipped

Ford reports that its first shipment of respirators, developed in cooperation with 3M, have shipped for distribution to health care workers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Over the last few weeks, the automaker has worked with 3M to produce PAPRs, using design guidance from 3M and off-the-shelf parts, like vehicle ventilator fans and power tool batteries.

At the same time, Ford has produced other personal protection equipment (PPE) to send to coronavirus hotspots. It reports 500,000 reusable medical gowns will soon be on their way to hospitals in New Jersey.

“Ford could not stand by while health care workers in this country placed their lives on the line to help others without even having proper protection,” said Jim Baumbick, vice president, Ford Enterprise Product Line Management. “That’s why we kicked off an all-out sprint to protect those who are so selflessly helping patients afflicted with this terrible virus.”

Grocery delivery services pegging the social media meter

Grocery deliveries have surged during the pandemic, with some stores having to create waiting lists for consumers who can't or don't want to leave their homes to buy food. International social media analytics firm Talkwalker reports that all of the big players among grocery delivery services have had more than 28,000 percent more engagement from March 1 to May 1.

The five major brands had 7 million engagements in that time period, compared to just 25,000 engagements between January 1 and February 29.

“If grocery delivery was a niche business for the workaholics, it is now an essential service for the sick and the elderly,” said Todd Grossman, CEO Americas Talkwalker. “By analyzing your audience precisely, you will be able to adapt your tone of voice and adjust your brand message accordingly.”

Around the nation

• Ohio: Gov. Mike DeWine says the state will slash nearly $800 million in spending over the next two months to make up for the loss of tax revenue stemming from the coronavirus crisis. Published reports say education will make up a third of the cuts.

• Texas: A salon owner in Dallas, Shelley Luther, will spend a week behind bars after being found in contempt of court for opening her business in defiance of state orders. She’ll also pay a $7,000 fine.  

• North Dakota: With beef prices skyrocketing, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem is urging the U.S. Justice Department to pursue a federal investigation into suspected national price-fixing by meatpackers in the cattle industry. Stenehjem says the four largest meatpacking companies control more than 80 percent of the beef processing in the United States.