Current Events in May 2020

Recent studies have emphasized the importance of staying active during the COVID-19 pandemic, as consumers can reap both physical and mental health benefits. 

Now, researchers from the University of Strathclyde are calling for parents to ensure their young ones are staying active during these challenging times. The researchers recommend that physical activity become part of kids’ daily routines while at home. 

“The measures against COVID-19 are in place for a very good reason, but this reduction in physical activity could be seen as an unintended consequence,” said researcher John Reilly. “Even before the lockdown measures, it was a major problem; our previous research has found that, in Scotland alone, fewer than 20 percent of children were meeting physical activity guidelines.” 

Getting kids moving

Children’s physical activity levels tend to be poor worldwide, and being at home for extended periods of time increases the likelihood that kids will stay sedentary. In analyzing results from 15 countries worldwide, the researchers learned that young people are not moving nearly enough while quarantined. 

While the researchers believe lawmakers are responsible for pushing out messages promoting physical activity, there are also steps families can take to ensure that everyone is moving. They emphasize the importance of having a routine for kids. Bedtimes should remain as usual, and physical activity should be incorporated into the daily schedule. 

Though limiting screen time is important so kids aren’t sitting for extended periods of time, the researchers also say that screens can be effective in encouraging exercise.

“...even screen time can also incorporate activity resources, such as online fitness videos,” Reilly said. “Breaks in screen time are also important, but one reason physical activity is most needed just now is that school is the place where children most often have it.” 

It’s also important to take advantage of the outdoors. Appropriate social distancing is always required, but as the weather gets warmer, it’s the perfect opportunity to get outside and walk, play games, or ride bikes. 

“It’s important that people make whatever use of their environment they can and take the opportunities they can to keep physical activity going,” said Reilly. “The vast majority of children have access to outdoor spaces they can still use.” 

Amid uncertainty stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, Wells Fargo is moving away from offering home equity lines of credit (HELOC). 

Company spokesman Tom Goyda said in a statement that the choice to temporarily stop accepting applications for HELOCs “reflects careful consideration of current market conditions and the uncertainty around the timing and scope of the anticipated economic recovery.” 

The nation’s fourth largest bank said it will stop accepting applications for all new home equity lines of credit after April 30. Rival JPMorgan Chase announced a similar move earlier this month but suggested that customers could still draw from their home’s equity through a cash-out refinance of their existing mortgage. 

"Due to the economic uncertainty created by COVID-19, we’re temporarily not accepting applications for new home equity lines of credit (HELOC). This will protect both you and the bank,” the company said on its website. 

CNBC noted that during times of economic hardship, HELOCs are “riskier products for banks because in a foreclosure, the lender who made the primary mortgage is first in line to get paid in a recovery.” 

Wells Fargo said it will continue to analyze market conditions to determine when to resume the extension of HELOCs. 

With shutdown orders still in place in most of the country the price of gasoline continued to fall, but it may have reached a bottom, at least for now.

The AAA Fuel Gauge Survey shows the national average price of regular is $1.77 a gallon, just penny less than a week ago. The average price of premium gas is two cents less than last week -- $2.41 a gallon. The average price of diesel fuel is $2.44 a gallon, down another four cents in the last seven days.

How do today’s falling gas prices compare to the “good old days” of the 1960s? Better than you might think.

Adjusted for inflation, today’s price of regular gasoline is 93 cents a gallon cheaper that it was 60 years ago, in 1960. That year’s average price of 31 cents a gallon is the equivalent of $2.70 in 2020 dollars.

Prices have continued to slide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as demand for gasoline and the price of oil have both crashed. But the price decline this week was offset by sizable increases in a handful of states.

Wisconsin still has the cheapest gas in the nation, but its average price jumped 11 cents a gallon in the last week. Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said 66 straight days of price declines ended Thursday as the national average price rose by a penny a gallon, though still lower than a week ago.

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 ($3.20)

• California ($2.74)

• Washington ($2.44)

• Oregon ($2.39) 

• Nevada ($2.31)

• New York ($2.16)

• Arizona ($2.11)

•  Pennsylvania ($2.03)

• Alaska ($2.02)

• Utah ($2.01)

The states with the cheapest regular gas

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

• Wisconsin ($1.30)

• Oklahoma ($1.37)

• Arkansas ($1.41)

• Missouri ($1.44)

• Ohio ($1.45)

• Michigan ($1.45)

• Kentucky ($1.45)

• Iowa ($1.48)

• Mississippi ($1.48)

• Kansas ($1.48)

Ali-Pro Distributions is recalling uncooked crispy chicken fritters.

The product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The following product, sold by restail stores in Canada's Quebec province, is being recalled:

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled product should not consume it, but discard or return it to the store where purchased.

Consumers with questions may contact Ali-Pro Distributions at (450) 654-6262, ext. 2242 or 2283.