Current Events in May 2020

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2020

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    8 robots to brighten up your home

    We’ve chosen robots that clean, dance, answer questions and play music

    Beyond doing household chores, acting as speakers or helping as virtual assistants, robots can keep us company or keep us entertained. We’ve chosen 8 home robots that are sure to liven up your home — some are purely practical, while others are kid-friendly and ridiculously cute.

    Vector robot

    The Vector robot is voice-activated and offers Alexa functionality. This little guy moves, charges himself and knows how to avoid obstacles as it travels around your house. Like Alexa, it helps with questions and performs fun acts like dance and give little fist bumps.

    • Voice-activated
    • Can navigate on his own

    Buy on Amazon

    R2-D2

    Finally, you can have R2-D2 at home! R2’s built-in speaker means you can play whatever music you like, and kids will have a great time “driving” R2 from a compatible mobile device. You can even watch the newest "Star Wars" movies with R2 and watch as it reacts to the unfolding events.

    • Built-in speaker
    • Control R2-D2’s movements

    Buy on Amazon

    Echo Plus

    The Echo Plus is an upgrade on the Alexa system we all know and love. It has better sound quality than previous generations and can control lighting, thermostats and other house controls. The Echo Plus has over 10,000 skills and is one of our favorite smart home devices.

    • Improved sound quality
    • Answers a variety of questions

    Buy on Amazon

    Sphero BOLT robot ball

    The Sphero BOLT robot ball is great to have at home if you have a child interested in STEM subjects. Kids learn how to program the bot’s matrix to make it do cool stuff like light up its LED display and navigate an obstacle course.

    • Programmable
    • Great learning opportunity

    Buy on Amazon

    Remote Control Robot Dog

    Are your kids not quite ready for a real-life dog? Try the next best thing — an obedient, potty-trained robotic puppy! It operates by remote and voice command and can imitate 10 animals. The robot dog is just 1 foot tall, making it a fantastic size for young kids.

    • Obeys voice commands
    • Dances to tunes

    Buy on Amazon

    ECHEERS Spaceman

    The ECHEERS Spaceman loves to dance! It's programmed through a compatible app, making it another excellent learning tool for kids and a fun companion for adults. If you want to laugh and feel good, try playing some upbeat tunes and watching this adorable bot dance its heart out.

    • Programmable bot
    • Bluetooth speaker

    Buy on Amazon

    Fistone RC Robot Dinosaur

    The Fistone RC Robot Dinosaur is a fantastic, kid-friendly robot for dinosaur fans. The dino dances and even goes into “fight mode,” where it shouts and wags his tail menacingly (although it won’t harm a fly). The dino also responds to touch and to remote control commands. It isn't as education-focused as other kid-friendly robots on our list, but it's still great fun.

    • Touch-sensitive
    • Dances and battles

    Buy on Amazon

    roborock E35 robot vacuum

    The roborock E35 robot vacuum is one of the higher-rated home robot vacuums while still being relatively affordable. It vacuums both hard floors and carpeted areas and has mopping capabilities. Hundreds of reviews are highly complementary, with one of the reviews rated most helpful stated it “will change your life.”

    • 2.5 hours of cleaning on one charge
    • Vacuums and mops

    Buy on Amazon

    We’ve chosen robots that clean, dance, answer questions and play music...

    10 common ailments & easy ways to treat them

    From stubbed toes and nose bleeds, we have simple treatments

    On any average day, you probably suffer from more minor injuries than you realize! From a stubbed toe to a splinter to having something in your eye, minor injuries are usually either ignored or quickly treated and forgotten. While the ailments on our list typically hurt for just a few seconds, sometimes they require attention. Here is our list of simple over-the-counter items to keep on-hand for relief from these unpleasant experiences.

    Cut

    A cut, scrape or scratch can happen anytime, anywhere, and usually are minor enough to where we shake it off, put it out of mind and continue with our day. According to the Mayo Clinic, if the skin is broken and you find yourself bleeding, the major steps to remedy the situation are:

    • Wash your hands before addressing the cut.
    • Clean the area around the cut with soap.
    • Apply an antibiotic jelly.
    • Cover the wound with a bandage.

    Remember to change bandages once a day or if it becomes wet.

    Band-Aids

    • 120-count
    • Various sizes

    Buy on Amazon

    Antibiotic ointment

    • For adults and children 2 and up
    • Relieves pain

    Buy on Amazon

    Stubbed toe

    One of the more painful day-to-day injuries is the stubbed toe. Bare feet leave themselves exposed to injury when we accidentally walk into obstacles. According to Healthline, if the pain doesn’t subside within a few minutes:

    • Sit down.
    • Elevate the foot.
    • Use a compression bandage and ice to reduce swelling.

    If the pain persists or you can’t walk, you may have broken your toe, and it’s time to see a doctor.

    Elastic bandage

    • Durable polyester
    • Individual protective wrapper

    Buy on Amazon

    Burned roof of mouth

    Not unlike a bitten tongue, a great meal can be ruined by taking a big bite of something far too hot. Both your tongue and the roof of your mouth can suffer burns that cause unpleasant after-effects. To soothe your mouth, Medical News Today suggests 7 possible home remedies, including:

    • Swish saltwater in your mouth.
    • Eat honey.
    • Use oral aloe vera applications.

    Oral aloe vera

    • No stinging or burning
    • Pain relief

    Buy on Amazon

    Nosebleed

    Nosebleeds can be caused by dry environment, external factors or trauma. In rare cases, nosebleeds can be severe. However, most of the time, they are a simple inconvenience that requires a few minutes to control. According to the Cleveland Clinic, two ways to help a nosebleed include:

    • Lean forward and plug your nose closed for at least five minutes to get the bleeding under control.
    • Apply ice to the nose and cheek area afterward to help healing.

    Ice pack

    • Medical grade plastic lining
    • Flexible and reusable

    Buy on Amazon

    Bitten tongue

    Nothing interrupts a delicious meal like accidentally biting down on your own tongue! It’s almost painful to think about, but at least the tongue can heal itself from such incidents in 3 - 4 days. According to a Healthline article, if it’s a mild tongue bite, swishing with salt water after eating helps clean and desensitize the area. The report also mentions holding ice to the affected area to reduce swelling.

    Saltwater rinse

    • Pleasant flavor
    • Fluoride-free

    Buy on Amazon

    Splinter or sliver

    When working around wood, there’s always a chance that a tiny fragment could dislodge and wind up under your skin, and though it’s small, it’s no picnic. If part of the splinter is still sticking out of the skin, it can be removed with tweezers, a needle or even duct tape, according to Medical News Today. If not, it’s best to visit a doctor.

    Tweezers

    • Stainless steel
    • Good for removing hairs and splinters

    Buy on Amazon

    Canker sore

    Experts aren’t entirely sure why canker sores form, but we all know how annoying they can be. While most heal on their own in days, others are more painful and need medication. According to the Mayo Clinic, certain mouth rinses and topical treatments may help, including the popular over-the-counter medication Anbesol.

    Anbesol

    • Helps fights toothaches and canker sores
    • Good for gum or dental pain

    Buy on Amazon

    Rug burn

    Unless you’ve fallen in a carpeted house recently, you probably haven’t experienced a rug burn — also known as friction burn — since childhood. A rug burn is when friction causes a wide range of skin to tear, usually exposing a very tender, sensitive underlayer. While painful, a rug burn can be treated like any other cut, according to Verywell Health. Washing with a gentle soap, covering with a dry dressing and then waiting for it to heal is about all that can be done!

    Absorbent wound dressing

    • Super absorbent
    • 4 by 4 inches

    Buy on Amazon

    Chapped lips

    Whether it’s excessive licking or just the weather, our lips are a sensitive area of the body that can dry out quickly. Without oil glands, the lips need some extra attention to receive the moisture they need to avoid painful cracking. A lip balm like Chapstick or Carmex can provide immediate, short-term relief, but be sure to up your water intake.

    Lip balm

    • 6 flavors
    • Organic

    Buy on Amazon

    Hangnail

    Dry, brittle skin can lead to the annoying, irritating hangnail. While most hangnails are not particularly painful, others can cause us severe discomfort and seem impossible to leave alone. According to Healthline, one solution is to wash in warm, soapy water and then apply mineral oil or petroleum jelly to the affected area. One can also attempt to clip the hangnail away carefully with a clipper.

    Clippers

    • Ergonomic design
    • Stainless steel blade

    Buy on Amazon

    From stubbed toes and nose bleeds, we have simple treatments...

    Pharmacies preparing for increase in flu shot demand this fall and winter

    With COVID-19, health officials say we’re in for a ‘double-barreled assault’ this flu season

    Amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections this fall, pharmacy chains are bracing for a big surge in consumers seeking flu vaccinations beginning in October, Reuters reports.

    CVS said it’s working to make sure it has enough vaccine doses available to vaccinate everyone seeking a flu shot in five months’ time. Rite Aid said it ordered 40 percent more vaccine doses this year in anticipation of higher-than-usual demand for the shots. Walmart and Walgreens have also said they’re preparing to administer more flu shots than usual this flu season. 

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone over 6 months of age get a flu vaccination. Most years, fewer than half of Amerians get vaccinated. This year, however, the number of consumers who said they will definitely or are likely to get a flu shot rose from 34 percent to 65 percent between January and May, according to a survey commissioned by CVS Health.

    Preventing flu cases

    While getting a flu shot won’t protect against COVID-19, the vaccination will help prevent cases of the flu from rising and overwhelming an already burdened health care system. 

    Together, the flu and COVID-19 could have a bigger impact on Americans than the first wave of COVID-19 infections. 

    “We’re in for a double-barreled assault this fall and winter with flu and COVID. Flu is the one you can do something about,” Vanderbilt University Medical Center infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner told Reuters.

    Drive-through clinics could be used

    Since many Americans may still be wary of visiting medical facilities due to coronavirus concerns this fall, some health officials have suggested coming up with alternative ways of administering the shots in order to make sure everyone gets vaccinated. 

    Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, said pharmacies, public health clinics, and other flu shot providers may need to set up drive-up clinics for flu vaccines.

    “My goal is that every single vaccine dose that gets made gets into somebody’s arm to protect them. I don’t want any vaccines left on the shelves or in doctors’ offices,” Messonnier said in an interview.

    Amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections this fall, pharmacy chains are bracing for a big surge in consumers seeking flu vaccinations beginnin...

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      Coronavirus update: Holiday crowds ignore warnings, another vaccine candidate

      Colleges could be a little emptier in the fall

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

      Total U.S. confirmed cases: 1,667,154 (1,583,561)

      Total U.S. deaths: 98,371 (95,052)

      Total global cases: 5,534,728 (5,154,152)

      Total global deaths: 347,587 (335,063)

      Health officials worry about Memorial Day crowds

      Thousands of Americans ignored health officials admonishments about crowding into tight spaces and did just that over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Many people headed to beaches and lakes and observed little to no social distancing.

      Dr. Deborah Birx, a key member of the White House coronavirus task force, told a television interviewer that she was “very concerned” about scenes of people crowding together over the weekend.

      “We really want to be clear all the time that social distancing is absolutely critical. And if you can’t social distance and you’re outside, you must wear a mask,” Birx said on ABC’s “This Week.”

      Scientists have recently concluded that the coronavirus is much more likely to spread in large gatherings than small ones.

      Another vaccine is being tested

      There’s a new entry in the race to develop the first coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. 

      Novavax says it has begun a Phase 1 clinical trial of a novel coronavirus vaccine candidate and has signed up the test’s first participants. A Phase 1 trial determines whether a drug is safe for human consumption.

      Novavax says its vaccine candidate - given the name  NVX-CoV2373 -- has the objective of increasing the body’s immune responses. To do that, the vaccine will be combined with Novavax’s Matrix-M adjuvant.

      “Administering our vaccine in the first participants of this clinical trial is a significant achievement, bringing us one step closer toward addressing the fundamental need for a vaccine in the fight against the global COVID‑19 pandemic,” said Stanley C. Erck, Novavax’s CEO. 

      The company expects preliminary Phase 1 results from the trial in July. It joins Moderna’s experimental vaccine, which is completing a Phase 2 trial.

      Evidence points to fewer students in college this fall

      The nation’s colleges and universities have taken a financial hit amid the coronavirus pandemic. Not only have these institutions had to shift overnight to online classes, but they’ve had to refund money to students who paid for room and board, parking, and assorted activities.

      While colleges had held the line on refunding tuition, there’s new evidence that they may see fewer tuition-paying students in the fall. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program, the gateway for federal education money, reports a significant drop in requests for funds.

      Since both parents and students have told pollsters that the economic fallout from the coronavirus has reduced their ability to pay for schools, it could suggest fewer students plan to attend school in the fall.

      Health concerns decrease, financial concerns increase

      A new survey of consumers by Deloitte shows consumers have learned to live with the coronavirus, with a declining number expressing worry about getting it. At the same time, an increasing number say they’re worried about the economic harm the virus-related shutdown is causing.

      As of the middle of May, only 48 percent of consumers said they worried about their health, down from 57 percent in early April. Sixty percent said they are concerned about the health of others, down from a high of 72 percent.

      At the same time, 27 percent of consumers said they’re worried about their ability to make upcoming payments and 43 percent are putting off major purchases, with those numbers significantly higher among millennials.

      Appeal for blood plasma

      A coalition of medical and health organizations is ramping up its appeal for blood plasma donations from people who have recovered from the coronavirus. The plasma is needed to support the rapid development of potential new therapies for patients with COVID-19. 

      Advocates say timely donations are critical. They need to recruit COVID-19 survivors within two months of their recovery to ensure that their blood plasma contains a robust enough concentration of antibodies to have a positive effect and to address the substantial seasonal increase in COVID-19 cases anticipated this fall in the Northern Hemisphere.

      "Inside COVID-19 survivors is the antibody-rich blood plasma that may help stem the tide of this pandemic,” said Diana Berrent, founder of one of the participating groups. 

      Around the nation

      • Pennsylvania: The conflict between small business owners and government officials is becoming increasingly partisan. The owners of a York diner criticized Democrats for “going too far” after state officials suspended their business license for reopening in defiance of the governor’s orders. 

      • Missouri: State health officials have expressed alarm after seeing pictures of Memorial Day partiers jammed into a pool at Lake of the Ozarks. Officials say everyone who attended the party should self-quarantine for 14 days.

      • California: The state has set out rules for places of worship to reopen their doors to congregations. The rules limit worshipers to 100 or fewer, taking everyone's temperature, limiting singing and group recitations, and not sharing prayer books or other items.

      Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)Total U.S. confirmed cases: 1,667,154 (1,583,56...

      Scientists suggest most people with the coronavirus aren’t contagious

      Most of the spread appears to come in large groups

      The longer the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic goes on, the more scientists studying the virus learn new things about it. Many of these new things overturn previous assumptions.

      For example, an early assumption was that the coronavirus was highly contagious. It is, scientists say, but only from a small number of people who get it, not from the majority who get sick.

      A recent article in Science magazine cites data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and interviews with researchers that suggest most of the cases of COVID-19 can be traced to so-called “superspreader events,” where 30 or more people are gathered in an enclosed space.

      Researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) linked an outbreak in a migrant worker dormitory in Singapore to almost 800 cases. The gatherings don’t have to be huge to become superspreader events. 

      Live music locations in Osaka, Japan are believed to have contributed to as many as 80 infections, and 65 cases are linked to Zumba classes in South Korea. The scientists say that’s why there have been so many outbreaks at nursing homes, ski resorts, prisons, hospitals, and churches.

      Social distancing and avoiding large groups

      The takeaway from this latest research suggests policies of social distancing and canceling sporting events that attract arenas full of people may have kept the toll from the virus from being even worse. At the same time, the scientists interviewed for the article say other restrictions might be eased.

      “If you can predict what circumstances are giving rise to these events, the math shows you can really, very quickly curtail the ability of the disease to spread,” UCLA’s Jamie Lloyd-Smith told the magazine.

      The study of the disease’s spread has led scientists to a rather startling conclusion. A few people with the virus appear to give it to nearly everyone they come in contact with. Others don’t spread it at all. Adam Kucharski, a scientist at LSHTM, estimates that about 10 percent of COVID-19 cases lead to 80 percent of the spread.

      Beyond advising people to avoid being in large groups, the researchers say their efforts are aimed at being better able to predict the risk of infection. In doing so, they say mitigation efforts can be more precisely targeted and not shut down wide swaths of the economy.

      The longer the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic goes on, the more scientists studying the virus learn new things about it. Many of these new things overturn...

      Hertz files for bankruptcy protection

      The rental car firm says it needs help to get through the steep drop-off in travel

      Hertz, which even its closest rival once acknowledged as the number one rental car firm, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Delaware court.

      The company said the sudden impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the travel business had caused a big drop in company revenue and bookings. 

      “Hertz took immediate actions to prioritize the health and safety of employees and customers, eliminate all non-essential spending and preserve liquidity,” the company said in a statement. “However, uncertainty remains as to when revenue will return and when the used-car market will fully re-open for sales, which necessitated today's action.”

      Hertz said the financial reorganization under bankruptcy protection will provide it with a path toward a more “robust financial structure” that puts the company in an optimal position for the future as it rides out what could be a prolonged travel and overall global economic recovery.

      Pandemic accelerated the decline

      According to The Wall Street Journal, the pandemic simply accelerated Hertz’s decline. It cites what it calls a series of “strategic missteps and other blunders that kept Hertz behind competitors and buried under debt.”

      Specifically, it notes that Hertz focused on sedans when it recently replaced its aging fleet of automobiles, which were cheaper but weren’t the SUVs that customers wanted.

      “The fleet had aged to the point that we had customer mutiny,” former Hertz Chief Executive John Tague told the Journal. “We were solving the biggest problem, but not solving all the problems.”

      Hertz was founded in Chicago in 1918, and it had become the leading car rental agency in the U.S. by the mid-20th century. Rival agency Avis adopted an ad campaign that said “We’re number two, but we try harder.”

      Open for business

      Despite filing for bankruptcy protection, Hertz says all of its business operations, including its Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, Firefly, Hertz Car Sales, and Donlen subsidiaries, are open and serving customers. It expects to continue all existing promotional offers, vouchers, and customer and loyalty programs, including rewards points.

      Hertz CEO Paul Stone says the company entered the year with strong revenue -- but then in March, travel came to a screeching halt.

      "With the severity of the COVID-19 impact on our business, and the uncertainty of when travel and the economy will rebound, we need to take further steps to weather a potentially prolonged recovery,” Stone said. 

      Stone said the bankruptcy filing would give Hertz time to put in place a new, stronger financial foundation to move successfully through the pandemic.

      Hertz, which even its closest rival once acknowledged as the number one rental car firm, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Delaware court...

      Volkswagen ordered to compensate owners of cars with rigged diesel engines in Germany

      The judgement is expected to pave the way for the resolution of thousands of other claims

      On Monday, roughly five years after Volkswagen’s “dieselgate” scandal began unfolding, a court ordered the automaker to return money to owners of vehicles with rigged diesel engines in Germany. 

      Germany’s federal court, the Bundesgerichtshof (BGH), ruled that owners will be allowed to return vehicles for a partial refund of the purchase price. 

      “The verdict by the BGH draws a final line. It creates clarity on the BGH’s views on the underlying questions in the diesel proceedings for most of the 60,000 cases still pending,” Volkswagen said.

      Holding VW accountable

      In 2015, Volkwagen admitted that it manipulated the engines in its vehicles in order to perform better on emissions tests. The affected cars were banned in the U.S., and claims for compensation soon began pouring in. Affected VW vehicles weren’t banned in Europe, but VW was forced to update its engine control software. 

      Fines and vehicle refits stemming from the scandal have cost the automaker more than $33 billion. 

      The ruling is likely to serve as a template for tens of thousands of other claims against Volkwagen. Outside Germany, more than 100,000 claims for damages were still pending; 90,000 of those cases were in Britain, according to a VW spokesperson.

      In a statement sent to Euronews, VW spokesperson Nicolai Laude said the size of the one-time reimbursement to owners in Germany will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Claus Goldenstein, lawyer for plaintiff Herbert Gilbert, said the ruling “means legal certainty for millions of consumers and shows once again that even a huge corporation isn't above the law.” 

      Volkswagen said in a statement that it’s aiming to “soon bring these cases to a close in agreement with the plaintiffs.” The company said "appropriate offers" will be made to affected owners.

      On Monday, roughly five years after Volkswagen’s “dieselgate” scandal began unfolding, a court ordered the automaker to return money to owners of vehicles...

      Food processing could eliminate health benefits from high-fiber foods

      Researchers are concerned because consumers are missing out on important nutrients

      Recent studies have highlighted how fiber can lower consumers’ risk of disease. A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Otago has confirmed those findings, particularly when it comes to diabetes; however, the way food is prepared could affect the benefits linked with fiber. 

      The researchers learned that fiber can increase life expectancy for those struggling with diabetes, but opting for processed food can reduce the benefits that come from the nutrient. 

      “Whole grain foods are now widely believed to be beneficial, but increasingly products available on the supermarket shelves are ultra-processed,” said researcher Jim Mann.  

      Moving away from processed foods

      To get to these findings, the researchers conducted two complementary studies. The first study evaluated data from over 8,300 participants with type 1 or type 2 diabetes; the second study analyzed the effect processed foods had on participants with type 2 diabetes. 

      In the first study, participants reported on their daily dietary intake, giving the researchers a clear picture of how much fiber they were getting each day. The researchers learned that those who ate more than the recommended serving of fiber each day reduced their risk of premature death by over 30 percent. 

      “Try a few different ways for you to increase your fibre intake, see what works best for you,” said researcher Dr. Andrew Reynolds. “If you eat white or refined bread or rolls, try changing to whole grain bread or rolls. Try brown rice, try brown pasta, try adding half a tin of legumes to meals you already make.” 

      Building off of these findings, the second study had participants experiment with different types of fiber sources to determine how they affected the body. The manipulation to the participants’ diets occurred over two two-week periods; the participants alternated between heavily processed foods for two weeks and lesser-processed foods for another two weeks. 

      Based on blood sugar readings, heavily processed foods yielded poorer health outcomes for the participants than the foods that weren’t as heavily processed. 

      Fiber from better sources

      Though these studies focused on those with diabetes, the researchers explained that all consumers can benefit from adding more fiber into their diets. However, the source of that fiber can ultimately make the biggest difference. 

      “...We are now beginning to understand that how foods are processed is also important, and for whole grains when you finely mill them you can remove their benefits,” said Dr. Reynolds. 

      Recent studies have highlighted how fiber can lower consumers’ risk of disease. A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Otago has confi...

      USDA expands online shopping options for SNAP participants

      Giving the green light to a state doesn’t mean instant access for users, though

      There’s good news for SNAP recipients to start out the week. The number of approved states allowing participants to purchase food online has increased to 36, accounting for 90 percent of the program’s users. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says the remaining states will phase in over the next few weeks.

      The newest states added to the program include: Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia.

      USDA says options are expanding

      With the number of Americans filing for unemployment climbing sharply due to the coronavirus pandemic, states are seeing a torrent of new SNAP applications. That, in turn, has prompted consumers concerned about the safety of a physical store to take their shopping online.

      According to a study by Escalent, a human behavior and analytics firm, the number of consumers taking their grocery shopping online grew more than 400 percent in March and April of 2020 compared to 2019. 

      It’s not exactly surprising that WalMart and Amazon are the two biggest online options for SNAP participants. However, the USDA has sprinkled in a few local favorites like Wright’s Markets in Alabama and ShopRite in New York. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue promised to keep expanding the number of independents to give consumers more options during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

      “We are expanding new flexibilities and innovative programs to make sure Americans across this country have safe and nutritious food during this national emergency,” said Perdue. 

      “Enabling people to purchase foods online will go a long way in helping Americans follow CDC social distancing guidelines and help slow the spread of the coronavirus. USDA is mandated with the noble goal of feeding Americans when they need it most, and we are fulfilling that mission with new innovative programs during this national emergency.”

      Hurdles still exist for users

      In ConsumerAffairs’ research on the subject, we found that getting USDA approval doesn’t mean retailers can just snap their fingers and immediately turn on access for their shoppers. 

      “The main hurdle to implementation is the fact that SNAP users must input a PIN number corresponding to their account when they check out,” said Jeff Wells at GroceryDive. 

      “States and retailers must enable a payment program that incorporates and can securely process shoppers’ PIN numbers. Additionally, retailers must update their online ordering systems to factor out sales tax for SNAP purchases, handle manufacturer coupons and enable refunds for recipients, and implement a separate payment tender option for delivery fees, which SNAP dollars do not cover.”

      Other hurdles that Wells found include:

      • Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) issues: Just because a state is “approved,” that doesn’t mean it automatically allows a SNAP beneficiary to shop online. Wells says that each state has to update their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) systems to be able to process, track, and store online SNAP data. 

      • Becoming compliant is not an overnight thing: “Online payments under the USDA’s pilot program provide a contactless way for shoppers to buy groceries,” Wells said. “But becoming fully compliant is also complex and time-consuming, so retailers have rolled out pickup programs that allow SNAP consumers to shop online and then pay once they retrieve their order.”

      • There may be added fees: Some consumers might find added fees an insult to injury, but GroceryDive reports that state legislators are trying to find a way for retailers to waive delivery fees for SNAP consumers during the pandemic.

      Skip the online route and go to the store

      Wells, for one, thinks the best short-term route for SNAP users is going to their local grocer and waiting until the USDA and the states shake out all the problems inherent with shifting to an online model. 

      “For now, the majority of consumers receiving food assistance must continue shopping for groceries in stores, where retailers have implemented numerous safeguards, from one-way aisles to plexiglass barriers at checkout,” he said.

      There’s good news for SNAP recipients to start out the week. The number of approved states allowing participants to purchase food online has increased to 3...

      Swapping long periods of sitting with sleep or activity could improve consumers' moods

      Minimizing sedentary time can also increase your energy

      Spending too much time sitting down can be bad for your health, but replacing sedentary time with extra sleep or more activity can do wonders for a person’s mood.

      According to researchers from Iowa State University, consumers can boost their mood by swapping time spent sitting with time spent sleeping or engaging light physical activity. As an added bonus, those who choose the latter option can also reap physical health benefits. 

      “It may be easier for people to change their behavior if they feel it’s doable and doesn’t require a major change,” said researcher Jacob Meyer. “Replacing sedentary time with housework or other light activities is something they may be able to do more consistently than going for an hour-long run.” 

      Improving mood

      To understand how sleep and light activity can boost consumers’ mood and physical wellness, the researchers analyzed data from the Energy Balance Study at the University of South Carolina. 

      The researchers evaluated data from over 400 young adults wearing devices that tracked their sleep, physical activity, and time spent sitting over the course of 10 days. There were no added interventions -- participants went about their daily routines as they typically would. 

      The study revealed that consumers can make subtle changes to their daily routine and see noticeable changes in their mood and stress levels. Participants who slept more -- rather than spending long periods of time sitting down -- noted improvements to their overall mood and energy levels. 

      While many consumers struggle with keeping a consistent sleep schedule, or can’t escape the glare from their phones or TVs throughout the nighttime hours, the researchers emphasized just how many benefits are associated with adopting better sleeping habits and getting better, more restful sleep. 

      Moreover, adding in light exercise, which the researchers explained can be something as simple as taking a phone call while walking around the house, yielded similar results. These participants were not only in better emotional states, but they also saw improvements to their body mass indices (BMIs). 

      “People may not even think about some of these activities as physical activity,” said Meyer. “Light activity is much lower intensity than going to the gym or walking to work, but taking these steps to break up long periods of sitting may have an impact.” 

      As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced consumers to be home more than ever, it’s the perfect time to adopt little habits that can bring some joy and levity to the daily routine. 

      “With everything happening right now, this is one thing we can control or manage and it has the potential to help our mental health,” said Meyer.  

      Spending too much time sitting down can be bad for your health, but replacing sedentary time with extra sleep or more activity can do wonders for a person’...

      Trying to diagnose a health problem online leads to the wrong answer most of the time, study finds

      The U.S. Department of Health is working to eliminate the guesswork out of symptom-checking

      “Dear Dr. Google, I’ve got a sharp pain in my elbow. What do you think it is?”

      Have you ever searched for your symptoms when something doesn’t feel right or you’re under the weather? The truth of the matter is that Google -- or any other search engine -- doesn’t pretend to have a clue what’s going on with your health. That’s simply not the business that the search giant is in. 

      But a new study finds that when people go on a deeper dive through the internet for a DIY health diagnosis, they often get inappropriate care advice.

      The study, conducted by Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia, found that nearly 80 percent of the respondents make the worldwide web their first stop for symptom checking. 

      Woefully inaccurate

      In the study’s examination of 36 mobile- and web-based symptom checkers, some sad truths came out. The frequency of an accurate diagnosis showing up as the first result was only 36 percent of the time -- and within the top three results, just 52 percent of the time

      "While it may be tempting to use these tools to find out what may be causing your symptoms, most of the time they are unreliable at best and can be dangerous at worst," the study’s lead author and ECU Masters student Michella Hill, said in a news release.

      Even worse in Hill’s opinion is that symptom checkers might give a person a false sense of security when they should be consulting a real physician and not blindly trusting a computer-driven cornucopia of possibilities.

      "We've all been guilty of being 'cyberchondriacs' and googling at the first sign of a niggle or headache," she said. "But the reality is these websites and apps should be viewed very cautiously as they do not look at the whole picture -- they don't know your medical history or other symptoms.

      Finding a balance

      Hill isn’t completely pooh-poohing online symptom checkers. In fact, she thinks they have a place in today’s health system.

      "These sites are not a replacement for going to the doctor, but they can be useful in providing more information once you do have an official diagnosis," she said.

      "We're also seeing symptom checkers being used to good effect with the current COVID-19 pandemic. For example, the UK's National Health Service is using these tools to monitor symptoms and potential 'hotspot' locations for this disease on a national basis."

      Evidence over assumption

      The U.S. Department of Health stands shoulder-to-shoulder on virtual symptom checking. To make sure consumers can get more accurate information, it’s created its own prevention and wellness online resource.

      The Department’s MyHealthfinder is built on evidence-based health information that can point someone feeling a pain or pang in what it thinks is the best direction. It has close to 100 prevention and wellness topics ranging from obesity to mental health. It also provides recommendations for clinical preventive services, as well as questions to ask a real physician that an online search engine can’t always answer.

      “Dear Dr. Google, I’ve got a sharp pain in my elbow. What do you think it is?”Have you ever searched for your symptoms when something doesn’t feel righ...

      Hacking group releases new jailbreak for all recent iPhone models

      It’s the first zero-day jailbreak release in years

      The hacking group behind the “unc0ver” jailbreaking tool has released a new jailbreak tool that unlocks all iPhones running iOS 11 and above, including the most recently released iOS 13.5.

      Jailbreaking is the process of hacking an iOS device to break through software restrictions put in by Apple for security purposes. The new jailbreak, which the group named “Unc0ver 5.0.0,” exploits a zero-day vulnerability in the iOS operating system that Apple had not been aware of. 

      On its website, the team said the jailbreak utilizes "native system sandbox exceptions,” so security remains intact. Programs keep running separately so they can't access unauthorized data. 

      "This jailbreak basically just adds exceptions to the existing rules," Unc0ver told WIRED. "It only enables reading new jailbreak files and parts of the file system that contain no user data."

      The jailbreak is said to be the first zero-day jailbreak release since iOS 8.

      Apple hasn’t released a statement on the discovery, but the company has a history of working quickly to deliver a patch for vulnerabilities as soon as possible following their discovery.

      The hacking group behind the “unc0ver” jailbreaking tool has released a new jailbreak tool that unlocks all iPhones running iOS 11 and above, including the...

      How to brew better coffee at home

      Tips to get the most of out each cup

      Humanity runs on coffee — it wakes us up in the morning, makes our afternoon breaks far more stimulating and always brings a smile to our face. If you’re bored with drip coffee and k-cups, here are some tips to improve your coffee-making routine at home.

      1. Keep whole beans fresh

      The best way to get fresh whole bean coffee is directly from a roaster. Your beans will be fresher, and you’ll be supporting a small business. "Single-origin beans tend to be of higher quality than blends," according to Kathryn Parkman, a member of the ConsumerAffairs research team and former barista. "If you like more chocolatey notes in your cup, look for washed process beans. Natural process beans are dried with the coffee cherry pulp still attached, which means the coffee has fruitier notes once it’s roasted."

      Once you’ve invested in quality beans, it’s essential you store them properly. We suggest using an air-tight stainless steel or glass container to prevent light, moisture and oxygen from compromising the integrity of your beans for up to a month.

      Coffee Gator Coffee Container

      • Built-in date tracker
      • CO2-release valve

      Buy on Amazon

      2. Grind ’em right 

      The right grind can make all the difference. "A good coffee grinder is vital because it lets you adjust the coarseness of your beans to fit your brewing method best," Parkman explained. "For example, you should use a coarser grind when you use a French press and a finer grind when you use an espresso machine." Think of the brewing process like water moving through either gravel or sand. Coffee that is ground too coarse will be under-extracted (too weak), and coffee that is too fine will be over-extracted (bitter).

      For those who typically make one cup at a time, manual grinders are excellent because they give you more control. Automatic grinders are more convenient if you’re making coffee in larger batches, and better for those with arthritis because all you have to do is press a button.

      Porlex Coffee Grinder

      • Manual coffee grinder
      • Ceramic conical burrs

      Buy on Amazon

      Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Grinder

      • Automatic coffee grinder
      • Built-in timer and LED backlight

      Buy on Amazon

      3. Select your brewing apparatus

      Most baristas suggest using a pour-over or French press. "The pour-over process is a little more involved since you’re continuously replenishing the water. The extra effort is worth it if you want to bring out the more subtle, fruitier notes of your coffee," Kathryn said. 

      Many coffee-drinkers prefer French presses because they require less attention to make a good coffee cup. Since a French press immerses the grounds, you retain more of the natural oils in the beans. Parkman suggests using a French press for darker roasts if you want a more full-bodied cup.

      A pour-over is easier to clean, but also requires that you stock up on coffee filters. You have to dismantle a French press to clean it properly, but you also don’t have to worry about getting filters since that’s built-in.

      4. Get scientific about it

      Making coffee can feel like a sacred ritual, but there’s actually a lot of science behind the perfect cup. Real coffee geniuses know how to accurately dial in coffee-to-water ratios, water temperatures and brewing times. With these tools, you can experiment with different adjustments to bring out the best in your beans. 

      Use a scale for precise ratios

      For ideal extraction, measure your coffee by weight instead of volume. Most baristas recommend using a coffee-to-water ratio around 1:16, meaning one gram of coffee per 16 grams of water. Look for a scale that also has a built-in timer so you can track how long your coffee brews.

      If you don’t have a scale, a good rule of thumb is one tablespoon of grounds for every four ounces of water. Remember: Always use clean, filtered water if you want to avoid adding impurities to your coffee.

      Use a thermometer for precise temperatures 

      The best temperature to brew coffee is between 198 and 202 degrees Fahrenheit. Flavors will extract too slowly if your water is cooler and too quickly if it’s closer to boiling.

      Taylor Waterproof Thermometer

      Hario Scale with Timer

      Use a gooseneck kettle for precise extraction

      A gooseneck kettle makes it easier to saturate grounds consistently. “A lot of people who don’t like making pour-overs at home just don’t have a gooseneck kettle,” said Parkman. There are 3 steps involved with brewing a pour-over — wetting, dissolution and diffusion — and each requires that you control your flow rate.

      Coffee nerd bonus tip: GINGER!

      Adding ginger to bad-quality coffee can help make it more drinkable. Parkman doesn’t suggest putting ginger in a fresh, correctly brewed pour-over. However, it can help in more desperate times, like when you have to refill your thermos at a gas station. Plus, ginger has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

      Tips to get the most of out each cup...

      9 cool chess sets, from least to most expensive

      Some are themed, some are glass or metal and some are ridiculously expensive

      Even those of us who don’t know a knight from a bishop can appreciate the beauty of a chess set. We selected eight of our favorite chess sets on Amazon and listed them from least to most expensive. Prices are subject to change — costs listed here are from May 2020.

      Glass chess set

      It’s the cheapest chess set on our list, but also one of the most unique. Especially considering the price, this is truly a beautiful and eye-catching chess set. The board has alternating transparent and frosted squares so that you can see your playing surface.

      • $20.99
      • Frosted and clear pieces

      Buy on Amazon

      Fun, simple chess set for learning

      It’s always nice to see a chess set aimed at beginners that still has a sense of style. This chess set has classic black and white squares and couldn’t be easier for beginners, especially kids. The board is made of wood and lined with velvet. We highly recommend this one for teaching kids how to think critically and maybe even exercise some patience.

      • $34.99
      • Color-coded movement cards

      Buy on Amazon

      Wizard’s Chess

      Even people who haven’t read Harry Potter will be intrigued by this whimsical chess set. The board recreates the magical game known as Wizard’s Chess from the popular series. The pieces are plastic but have fantastic detail, so kids and adult fans alike are big fans of this one.

      • $39.90
      • Recreates Wizard’s Chess from Harry Potter

      Buy on Amazon

      Star Wars chess set

      Get ready for a galactic showdown! Embrace the light side or the dark side with this Star Wars-themed chess set. The chess set features Star Wars characters like Boba Fett, Darth Vader, R2 D2 and Han Solo. Even if you never play chess, this is a cool one to display in your home.

      • $39.99
      • Empire vs. Rebels

      Buy on Amazon

      Batman chess set

      It’s rare to see a chess set this colorful. This chess board pits the friends of Gotham City — including Batman — against the baddies, led by Joker. This chess set makes a great gift, especially for kids, who will be eager to learn how each piece works.

      • $43.95
      • Batman, Harley Quinn, Batmobile and more

      Buy on Amazon

      Metal chess set

      Most chess sets have wooden pieces or sometimes even plastic. To play with real gravitas, opt for metal pieces. The weight and clang make the chess battle seem even more serious. We like that this board has storage beneath it. It’s practical but also elevates the rest of the chessboard, adding again to the coolness factor.

      • $62.75
      • Metal pieces, wood board

      Buy on Amazon

      Greek and Roman chess set

      Here it is, the first set on our list over $100. The gold and bronze squares are pleasant to look at but don’t hinder the ease of play. The rooks — also known as castles — take on the forms of pillars in this chess set. Other pieces wear traditional Greek and Roman togas.

      • $159
      • Made in Greece

      Buy on Amazon

      Egyptian chess set

      This one’s pricey, but it sure is incredible, especially for Egyptologists. Four sphinxes “hold up” the board from four corners, and the board itself is decorated with hieroglyphs and scarab beetles. A pharaoh commands each team, and the other pieces take influence from Egyptian mythology.

      • $202.05
      • Sphinxes, scarabs and wolf-head gods

      Buy on Amazon

      Isle of Lewis chess set

      The one you’ve been waiting for — the priciest chess set on our list! This is one of the most expensive chess sets on Amazon, but also one of the most interesting. The Isle of Lewis chess board is based on a 12th-century chess set discovered in 1831 made from walrus ivory. This chess set was created using a laser recreation of the original Isle of Lewis chess game. With the set, you’ll feel like you own a piece of history.

      • $632.01
      • English pieces, Italian board

      Buy on Amazon

      These 9 cool chess sets will be a checkmate...

      5 outdoor water activities to keep kids busy

      Don't have a pool? Create your own water fun at home

      Summer always includes time for some fun in the sun. If you're sharing space with your kids at home, outside water activity is a must. With some of our great ideas, you can create your own liquid entertainment at home so your kids will have lasting fun. But remember: Don't forget the sunscreen!

      Slip and slides

      Transform your backyard into a racecourse with a slip and slide. These slides are fun for kids of all ages as they race each other to the end. You can make them even more slippery by rubbing some soap on them!

      • 16’ x 82” wide
      • Includes 3 inflatable body boards

      Buy on Amazon

      Water sprinkler

      Who doesn't remember running through the sprinklers as a kid? Go one step further and purchase a crazy sprinkler to show your kids how fun this simple garden tool can be. Sprinklers are an excellent way for your kids to cool down and get some exercise while they jump and skip through the water.

      • 360-degree rotation
      • Up to 30-foot range

      Buy on Amazon

      Inflatable pools

      Want a pool for your yard but don't want all the hassle? Get an inflatable pool! It is an easy way to add a relaxing spot to any backyard, as you only need to blow it up, fill it with water and put it away when you're done. The kids can splish-splash, and the adults can use it to lounge in a cool place during the hot summer days.

      • 95” x 56” x 22”
      • Durable and wear-resistant

      Buy on Amazon

      Water balloons

      Water balloons are a vital ingredient in several outdoor games. You can play capture the flag, tag, balloon stomp, balloon toss or just mess around for some crazy fun! Keep the kids busy for hours coming up with your own spin on classic games.

      • 1000 water balloons
      • Biodegradable latex

      Buy on Amazon

      Backyard water park

      Can't visit the water park this year? You should build your own! You can purchase a great set online or make your own creation by drilling holes into PVC pipes and fasten them together. Attach your house to the structure, and voilà, you have a backyard water park!

      • 6 activities
      • Easy assembly

      Buy on Amazon

      Now that you have backyard water fun for the kids figured out, find some backyard games for the adults!

      Don't have a pool? Create your own water fun at home...

      Hydroxychloroquine does not reduce the death rate for COVID-19 patients, study finds

      Researchers found a number of side effects linked with the popular malaria drug

      A new study conducted by researchers from Brigham Women’s Hospital found that giving COVID-19 patients hydroxychloroquine didn’t improve their health outcomes. 

      Recent studies have found that the popular malaria drug can come with some adverse side effects, particularly for those with preexisting conditions. This most recent report also revealed that the treatment option isn’t helping the death rate. 

      “No matter which way you examine the data, use of the drug regimens did not help,” said researcher Dr. Mandeep R. Mehra. “If anything, patients have a higher likelihood of death. We also saw a quadrupling in the rate of significant ventricular arrhythmias in patients with COVID-19 who had been treated with hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine regimens.” 

      Understanding the risks

      The researchers analyzed data from the Surgical Outcomes Collaborative, which gave them information on nearly 100,000 COVID-19 patients around the world. 

      Of that group, nearly 15,000 patients were given either hydroxychloroquine -- or medications with similar ingredients -- to treat their COVID-19 symptoms. The researchers then evaluated how the drug fared in terms of the death rate and the number of patients discharged from the hospital. 

      The study revealed that these drugs weren’t effective in reducing the COVID-19 death rate; in fact, they actually posed a risk to some patients. 

      Not only was the death rate higher for patients who took some kind of hydroxychloroquine regimen, but the drugs also increased the risk for a ventricular arrhythmia. For patients not taking these types of drugs, the risk for a ventricular arrhythmia was 0.3 percent; that risk jumped as high as eight percent for those taking hydroxychloroquine. 

      Similarly, the death rate for those on a hydroxychloroquine regimen was over 11 percent, while that figure was just over nine percent for those on a different treatment plan. 

      The researchers explained that these types of drugs have a history of causing heart complications in patients, and it’s important that both consumers and medical professionals are aware of the risks. 

      “These findings suggest that these drug regimens should not be used outside of the realm of clinical trials and urgent confirmation from randomized clinical trials is needed,” the researchers wrote. 

      A new study conducted by researchers from Brigham Women’s Hospital found that giving COVID-19 patients hydroxychloroquine didn’t improve their health outco...

      Fauci says COVID-19 vaccine could be available by the end of the year

      Barring unforeseen setbacks, Fauci says it’s ‘conceivable’ that a coronavirus vaccine could be ready by December

      Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top expert on infectious diseases, said Friday that it is “conceivable” that a coronavirus vaccine could be ready by December. 

      “Back in January of this year when we started the phase 1 trial, I said it would likely be between a year and 18 months before we would have a vaccine. I think that schedule is still intact,” he said in an interview with NPR on Friday. 

      He added that drug development can sometimes face “unanticipated setbacks.” Therefore, no one can say with absolute certainty when a vaccine will become available.

      “I think it is conceivable, if we don’t run into things that are, as they say, unanticipated setbacks, that we could have a vaccine that we could be beginning to deploy at the end of this calendar year, December 2020, or into January, 2021,” Fauci said. 

      Researchers are working as quickly as they can to develop a vaccine, but Fauci said it’s critical that scientists don’t work with such speed that they compromise safety or care. 

      “When you’re dealing with vaccines there could be so many things that get in the way like it might not be entirely effective,” Fauci told NPR. “And you wouldn’t want to deploy a vaccine that’s not effective and certainly not one that’s not safe.”

      Optimism about potential vaccine 

      More than 100 coronavirus vaccines are in the works, and at least eight are being tested on humans. U.S. biotech company Moderna just published some data from its phase one human trial on one potential vaccine. 

      Fauci cautioned that the data was only “partial data,” but scientists said phase 1 testing -- which was led by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases -- showed that all 45 people who received the experimental vaccine produced antibodies in their blood that are believed to help prevent COVID-19 infection. 

      Dr. Tal Zaks, chief medical officer at Moderna, expressed optimism about the vaccine candidate. 

      “When combined with the success in preventing viral replication in the lungs of a pre-clinical challenge model at a dose that elicited similar levels of neutralizing antibodies, these data substantiate our belief that mRNA-1273 has the potential to prevent COVID-19 disease and advance our ability to select a dose for pivotal trials,” Zaks said.

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

      Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top expert on infectious diseases, said Friday that it is “conceivable” that a coronavirus vaccine could be ready by Decemb...

      Coronavirus update: Growing optimism about a vaccine, Biden would make a vaccine free

      Trump orders flags at half-staff this weekend

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

      Total U.S. confirmed cases: 1,583,561 (1,555,537)

      Total U.S. deaths: 95,052 (93,606)

      Total global cases: 5,154,152 (5,034,458)

      Total global deaths: 335,063 (329,186)

      Fauci sounding hopeful about a vaccine

      Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the White House coronavirus (COVID-19) task force, is still hopeful that there could be a vaccine available by the end of the year. In an interview with NPR, Fauci -- who heads the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) -- said the schedule appears to still be intact.

      “I think it is conceivable, if we don’t run into things that are, as they say, unanticipated setbacks, that we could have a vaccine that we could be beginning to deploy at the end of this calendar year, December 2020, or into January, 2021,” he said.

      There are a number of vaccine candidates in development. One being developed by Moderna and NIAID is currently in a clinical trial to determine its effectiveness.

      Biden promises free vaccine

      Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden says he will make sure any vaccine against COVID-19 is available to everyone at no charge if he is elected as president.

      Interviewed on CNBC this morning, Biden also said any economic recovery from the virus-caused disruption is a long way off. He criticized the 2017 tax cut and said he would push for its repeal if he gained the White House.

      Trump orders flags at half-staff

      President Trump today ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff through the Memorial Day weekend to honor those who have died from the coronavirus. The U.S. death toll may reach 100,000 by the middle of next week. It currently sits at just over 95,000.

      "I will be lowering the flags on all Federal Buildings and National Monuments to half-staff over the next three days in memory of the Americans we have lost to the Coronavirus," Trump said today on Twitter.

      Flags will be lowered from Friday through sundown on Sunday. Trump said flags will be lowered again on Monday -- Memorial Day -- to honor military personnel who died in uniform.

      570 cases at poultry processing plant

      Tyson Foods has announced that 570 employees at its chicken processing facility in Wilkes County, N.C., tested positive for the coronavirus. That’s roughly 25 percent of the plant’s workforce.

      The company said the 570 employees tested positive for COVID-19, but the majority of those workers did not display any symptoms of the virus.

      The outbreak underscores the difficulties that meat processing plants have had in keeping their workforce healthy. The Tyson plant is getting back to full operations after large sections were closed for deep cleaning. Many employees have been off the job because of quarantines.

      Florida appears ready to reopen theme parks

      Officials in Florida are reviewing plans to reopen theme parks in the state that were closed as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Legoland in Winter Park and Universal may be the first two parks to get the green light. Both are awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ review of their plans

      Under the plans, employees and guests will get temperature checks on arrival, and anyone with a temperature of more than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit won't be admitted. Universal is already using that system at its shopping and restaurant complex, which recently reopened.

      "Our guests have been very supportive of the process," said Universal’s John Sprouls. "We're not hearing a lot of complaints about that or the masks.” 

      Around the nation

      • Ohio: State officials said today that Ohio’s unemployment rate nearly tripled in April, rising to nearly 17 percent. The economic shutdown caused by the virus cost the state an estimated 823,700 jobs last month.

      • New Jersey: The political tensions over the continuing economic shutdown have reached a new level in New Jersey. The state Republican Committee has sued Gov. Phil Murphy, alleging his shutdown order is unconstitutional and discriminatory.

      • Iowa: The state’s one-day death toll hit a new high of 20 on Thursday. Gov. Kim Reynolds says that’s not a reason to push back her plans to reopen the state. Restaurants and stores were allowed to open last week. Starting today, movie theaters and museums can reopen.

      Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)Total U.S. confirmed cases: 1,583,561 (1,555,53...

      Delta, JetBlue criticized by lawmakers for cutting employee hours after receiving coronavirus relief

      A group of senators are calling on the airlines to reverse their decisions

      Delta Air Lines and JetBlue have each decided to reduce employee hours in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and lawmakers say the action represents 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. Despite receiving the money, the airlines still decided to scale back employee hours.

      This week, 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. 

      “Your decision to cut employee hours is inconsistent with congressional intent and is a blatant and potentially illegal effort to skirt your requirements to keep workers on payroll, and you should reverse this policy immediately,” the senators wrote.

      Money doled out as part of the program was supposed to be used to keep front line workers -- including flight attendants, pilots, and mechanics -- employed during the pandemic. Before accepting the funds, airlines had to agree to certain conditions; one condition was that they must keep workers on the payroll through September 30. 

      Violates the intent of the law

      The senators noted in their letter to Delta that the airline “was reportedly the first airline to cut hours for employees after receiving assistance from the CARES Act.” In a letter to JetBlue, the senators pointed out that the airline has slashed hours for mechanics, passenger service agents, and ramp workers after receiving government support.

      JetBlue said in a statement that its offer of voluntary time off and unpaid leave programs complied with the CARES Act requirements and was necessary since the payroll assistance only covers two-thirds of costs. The airline also said that due to the drop in air travel due to COVID-19 fears, “there are quite literally no hours for our crew members to work in many places.” 

      Delta also argued that its action was compliant with the CARES Act and that reducing work hours would ultimately protect jobs. 

      But the senators said in the letter that reductions in hours goes against the “clear intent” of the law. The senators said Delta and JetBlue should not accept any more government money unless they are “prepared to protect your workers’ jobs, pay and benefits as intended by Congress in the CARES Act.”

      “Your federal financial assistance is conditioned on keeping your promises to workers,” the letters said.

      Delta Air Lines and JetBlue have each decided to reduce employee hours in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and lawmakers say the action represents a...