Current Events in September 2020

Aldi is recalling assorted peaches received from its supplier, Wawona Packing Company.

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

A list of the products, their UPC codes and the states in which they were sold may be found here.

In addition to Aldi stores, the recalled products were available for purchase through the company’s partnership with Instacart, a grocery delivery service.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should discard them immediately or return them to their local store for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Wawona Packing Company at (877- 722-7554.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 6,121,733 (6,082,260)

Total U.S. deaths: 186,018 (184,910)

Total global cases: 26,102,099 (25,809,515)

Total global deaths: 864,415 (858,295)

Burger King redesigns restaurants for a COVID-19 future

First, it was Wendy’s; now, it’s Burger King. The two fast-food franchises have both unveiled new designs for future restaurants, suggesting they believe changes caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) are going to be permanent.

The new Burger King restaurants will feature “touchless” service employing conveyor belts, an expanded area for curbside delivery, outdoor seating, and as many as three drive-thru lanes.

“The designs we’ve created completely integrate restaurant functionality and technology,” said Rapha Abreu, global head of design at Restaurant Brands International, Burger King’s parent company.

Pfizer could be first out with a vaccine

While many pharmaceutical companies are working on a coronavirus vaccine, Pfizer may be the first to seek U.S. government approval. Pfizer CEO Albert Boula says the company’s vaccine candidate may complete late-stage clinical trials as early as next month.

The company has enrolled most of the subjects it needs for the trial. During a session with a trade group called the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations, Boula said the company should soon have enough data to know whether the vaccine is effective.

Pfizer is working on the vaccine with German drugmaker BioNTech. It’s one of three vaccine candidates backed by the U.S. government that is in late-stage testing.

New unemployment claims fall below 1 million again

A report from the U.S. Labor Department today had some encouraging news about the job market. The pace of layoffs appears to be slowing again.

New claims for unemployment benefits totaled 881,000 last week after being over 1 million the two previous weeks. Continuing claims fell sharply, dropping by 1.24 million to 13.254 million, another encouraging sign.

The labor market picture will get a lot clearer tomorrow, however, when the Labor Department issues its August employment report. Currently, the jobless rate stands at 13.2 percent.

COVID-19 concerns vary among generations 

It’s safe to say that COVID-19 has affected just about everyone, but a new IBM study finds it is affecting different people in different ways. Seventy percent of surveyed Americans said COVID-19 has made them more concerned about the safety and health of themselves and their families.

Millennials are most concerned about job security; baby boomers are the most pessimistic about economic recovery; and Generation Z is the most bullish on an improving economy.

There is consumer optimism about the future, however, with one-third of Americans saying they believe the U.S. economy will recover in 2021. Compared to other countries, respondents in India and China were the most optimistic about their national economies recovering in 2020.  

Study finds pandemic is more stressful for men than women

A new study by the Cleveland Clinic shows that the pandemic is affecting both the mental and physical health of men -- some negatively but others positively.

Seventy-seven percent of men report that their stress level has increased as a result of COVID-19, with 59 percent confessing they have felt isolated during the pandemic. Nearly half believe their mental health has worsened since the pandemic began in March.

But not every man feels that way. About 45 percent say they feel healthier now than before the COVID-19 outbreak. Roughly one-quarter of men have started sleeping more, while a fifth have been exercising more and eating healthier since the pandemic began five months ago.

Around the nation

• Kentucky: Gov. Andy Beshear says wearing a mask in public is “more important than ever.” Some take that to mean that the governor plans to extend his mask mandate beyond its scheduled expiration date.

• Virginia: James Madison University in Harrisonburg is the latest college in the state to transition to mostly online instruction. The school acted this week after experiencing a surge of coronavirus cases among the study body, which only recently returned to campus.

• Utah: State wildlife officials have linked the recent spike in wildfires in the state to the coronavirus pandemic. They say the virus has resulted in many more people visiting parks and forests this summer, and the increase in visitors has raised the odds of a campfire getting out of control.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has asked states to speed up the approval process for permits to distribute coronavirus vaccines, according to a CNBC report. 

The agency has requested that states waive some permit requirements by November 1 so that medical supply company McKesson can set up COVID-19 vaccination sites at that time. 

“The normal time required to obtain these permits presents a significant barrier to the success of this urgent public health program,” according to a letter from CDC director Robert Redfield to state governors. “CDC urgently requests your assistance in expediting applications for these distribution facilities and, if necessary, asks that you consider waiving requirements that would prevent these facilities from becoming fully operational by November 1, 2020.”

Preparing for approval

Redfield added that waiving the licensing and permit requirements in question wouldn’t “compromise the safety or integrity of the products being distributed.”

“Your assistance in helping expedite the issuance of necessary licenses and permits required for the distribution centers to become operational will be critical to the success of this public health effort to mitigate the threat presented by Covid-19,” he said in the letter.

The letter was sent the same week that FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said he would be willing to fast-track the vaccine approval process with an emergency use authorization before phase 3 trials have officially concluded. 

He clarified that emergency use authorization isn’t the same as FDA approval. However, he said he would be willing to issue the EUA if it was evident that the benefits of releasing the vaccine as soon as possible were greater than the risks of doing so.

"We have a convergence of the COVID-19 pandemic with the political season, and we're just going to have to get through that and stick to our core principles,” Hahn told the Financial Times. “This is going to be a science, medicine, data decision. This is not going to be a political decision."

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, said this week that things are “right on target” as far as vaccine development. 

”I think you’ll know by the end of this year, November, December, that we do have a safe and effective vaccine,” he told MSNBC.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has gripped the world for much of 2020, has had some unusual economic fallout.

Besides throwing millions of Americans out of work overnight and reducing economic output by a third in the second quarter, the stock market is at record highs. Many consumers have adjusted their financial lives in ways that could help them weather the economic storm.

Despite the economic disruption, a Harris Poll, conducted for CIT Group, found that over half of U.S. consumers have increased their savings in the last few months. Young people seem to be doing the best job of socking away cash. Gen Z and millennial consumers are leading the way, with over 60 percent of both generations reporting an uptick in their savings rate. 

The pollsters also found that these good habits may continue once the pandemic is history. An overwhelming majority of respondents, 76 percent, said they are “somewhat likely” or “very likely” to save more than they usually do each month going forward.

"An increased emphasis on saving demonstrates consumers' motivation to adopt healthy financial strategies no matter what obstacles they may be facing," said Ravi Kumar, head of CIT's direct bank. "We're encouraged to see so many taking steps to prioritize preparing for the future in the midst of this unique time."

Healthy financial strategies

It’s not that consumers have stopped spending money; they’ve just shifted the ways they spend it. Since people have spent more time at home during the pandemic, consumers have increased spending on groceries, with a quarter getting food delivered more often than before.

Twenty-two percent are spending more money on entertainment -- things like books, games, apps, and subscriptions. When consumers do spend money, 44 percent are more likely to spend it online than before the pandemic.

So where does the savings come in? More than 40 percent of respondents say that they make fewer impulse purchases because they are working from home. Not having to go to the office may be making it easier for consumers to be more deliberate and give more thought to what they buy.

"Consumers have shown they can quickly pivot and adopt new strategies to meet their evolving lifestyles," said Kumar. 

Government data basically confirms these findings. Commerce Department figures show that the U.S. savings rate fluctuated between 33 percent in April and 19 percent in June. Before March, Americans were only saving about 7.5 percent of their income.

“We’ve never had this much savings,” Tom Porcelli, chief economist of RBC Capital Markets told USA Today last month. “It’s uncharted territory.”

Here’s one you don’t come across every day. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has reversed an earlier judgment in Apple’s favor and says the tech giant has to pay store employees in California for the time they spent waiting for their bags to be checked by security officers at the close of each shift.

The five-year old case began when a cadre of California-based Apple store employees filed a class action lawsuit against the company. They argued that under a state wage order, the company is required to pay employees for bag checks for the simple fact that the company wields control over the employees in that situation. 

Workers said that there were some workdays where they had to twiddle their thumbs for 45 minutes for a manager or security officer to show up and do a bag search.

Comply or else

The Apple policy that the employees were fighting against is one they first ran into in 2009 when they first became Apple store employees. 

In that policy, Apple didn’t mince words, saying that “failure to comply with this policy may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.”

Apple tried its best to dispute the claims, contending that its policy wasn’t a one-size-fits-all procedure because some class members “did not bring bags or devices to work,” “were never required to participate in checks,” or “worked in stores with remote break rooms where they stored their belongings.” It also disputed whether the policy was enforced through discipline.

The appeals court ruled that, yes, those points might be disputable if this was a single worker vs. Apple, but it didn’t hold water as to class-wide relief.

Facebook announced in a post on Thursday that it will ban new political ads the week before elections take place across the U.S. 

CEO Mark Zuckerberg said he’s aiming to protect voting integrity and curb the spread of misinformation in the run up to the election. He said keeping political ads off the platform during the week before the election will help Facebook keep out claims that haven’t been fact-checked.

“We're going to block new political and issue ads during the final week of the campaign,” Zuckerberg wrote. “It's important that campaigns can run get out the vote campaigns, and I generally believe the best antidote to bad speech is more speech, but in the final days of an election there may not be enough time to contest new claims.” 

Protecting the election

The social media platform will be putting its Voter Information Center at the top of Facebook and Instagram feeds to show users “accurate, verified information and videos about how to vote.” 

In the interest of weeding out misinformation that could affect the outcome of the election, Facebook will also be removing misleading posts about voting or posts falsely claiming that people will get COVID-19 if they take part in voting. 

“We're now expanding this policy to include implicit misrepresentations about voting too, like ‘I hear anybody with a driver's license gets a ballot this year,’ because it might mislead you about what you need to do to get a ballot, even if that wouldn't necessarily invalidate your vote by itself,” Zuckerberg said.

Other measures

Additionally, Facebook will “attach an informational label to content that seeks to delegitimize the outcome of the election or discuss the legitimacy of voting methods, for example, by claiming that lawful methods of voting will lead to fraud.”

Finally, Facebook says it will prevent candidates from declaring that they won the election before it’s officially been decided. 

“If any candidate or campaign tries to declare victory before the final results are in, we’ll add a label to their posts directing people to the official results from Reuters and the National Election Pool,” the company said.

Twitter has also taken steps to protect the election. Last November, the platform announced that it wouldn’t allow any political ads on its site because they could be used to spread misinformation. Google tweaked its political ad policy to prohibit campaigns from being micro-targeted to people based on their age, gender, or zip code.

When it comes to looking for romantic partners, recent studies have found that many consumers are highly prioritizing kindness and generosity. Now, a new study conducted by researchers from the American Psychological Association found that kindness can also boost consumers’ physical and mental health. 

“Prosocial behavior -- altruism, cooperation, trust, and compassion -- are all necessary ingredients of a harmonious and well-functioning society,” said researcher Bryant P.H. Hui, PhD. “It is part of the shared culture of humankind, and our analysis shows that it also contributes to mental and physical health.” 

Improving well-being

The researchers looked at more than 200 previous studies that analyzed the intersection of kindness and physical and mental health. They found that doing something good for someone else was associated with overall improved health and well-being. 

The researchers identified that men and women, as well as older and younger people, felt differently after doing a good deed. Women and younger people reported higher feelings of emotional well-being, whereas older people were more likely to experience a physical health boost from their kindness. 

The researchers also learned that there’s a difference when consumers have planned a good deed versus performing a spontaneous good deed. Doing something good in the moment yielded better emotional well-being than a routine or scheduled event, like volunteering. The researchers explained that it is the spontaneity of the random act of kindness that gives it the edge over more planned activities, as events that pop up unexpectedly offer consumers the opportunity to rise to the occasion. 

Dr. Hui said the correlation between kindness and health is significant. He believes that having more people act out of kindness is important for promoting the greater good. 

“More than a quarter of Americans volunteer, for example,” said Dr. Hui. “A modest effect size can still have an impact at a societal level when many people are participating in the behavior.” 

This year, Walmart is planning on changing the way it usually has children test and rate toys ahead of the holiday season. 

Instead of inviting hundreds of kids to test toys at a convention center near its headquarters in Arkansas, the retailer has developed an online tool that will let kids test and play with toys in a safe way during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Walmart says the virtual alternative to toy testing, dubbed the “Walmart Wonder Lab,” will give kids a way to engage with over a hundred of its Top-Rated By Kids Toys List offerings, the company said in a news release. 

“Starting today, kids can play and engage with hundreds of toys from the aisles of America’s Best Toy Shop,” Walmart said. “The Walmart Wonder Lab transports kids into a choice-driven experience where kids can unbox, test and play with this holiday season’s hottest toys without leaving home.” 

In anticipation of a higher-than-usual number of online purchases this holiday season, the retailer said it shipped more toys to fulfillment centers this year.

"Toys play a critical role in families' lives as they spend more time at home and parents seek ways to keep kids engaged with learning-based play," said Steve Ronchetto, vice president of Toys at Walmart.

With more young kids spending time in front of screens than ever before, many parents are trying to limit the amount of time their little ones are playing video games or watching TV. 

Now, a new study has found that too much screen time during childhood can have a negative impact on kids’ academic performance. Given that the nature of school is set to change because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers worry about the effect that so much time in front of screens will have on kids’ educational outcomes. 

“The debate about the effects of modern media on children’s learning has never been more important given the effects of today’s pandemic on children’s use of time,” the researchers wrote. “This is the first large, longitudinal study of electronic media use and learning in primary school children, and results showed heavier users of television and computers had significant declines in reading and numeracy two years later compared with light users.” 

Limiting screen time

The researchers included over 1,200 kids in the study, all of whom were between the ages of eight and nine. While their parents reported on the kids’ screen time, the kids received academic assessments at the start of the study, and then again two years later. 

Overall, too much screen time was linked with poorer academic outcomes. However, the researchers found that various types of media could affect classroom performance differently. The researchers learned that more than one hour on the computer could negatively impact kids’ math abilities, whereas two or more hours of watching TV had a poor impact on reading abilities. 

Because the researchers tracked the kids’ academic performance and screen time habits over the course of two years, it was clear that this extended use of screens was the biggest concern. They found that screen time in such a large capacity at this age could translate to kids falling as far as four months behind in school. 

Improving academic performance

While another recent study has highlighted how too much screen time can affect kids getting ready for kindergarten, this study shows that continued screen time later in childhood could make school work harder for kids as they grow up. 

Many parents want to limit screen time because they worry about how it will affect their kids’ behavior or sleeping patterns, but this study emphasizes the importance of limiting screen time in order for kids to reach their full academic potential. 

General Motors (GM) and Honda have inked a deal to share vehicle platforms and technology in North America starting next year. 

While the automakers say the deal they struck on Thursday is non-binding, their collective hope is to produce a wide variety of vehicles that would be sold under each company’s own banner. In addition, the two automotive giants would collaborate on connected services, research and development, and purchasing.

A 20-year old relationship

The business relationship between GM and Honda is nothing new. Actually, it began more than two decades ago and, over the last few years, has gained momentum as the two companies sought out commonalities in key technologies such as electrification and autonomous vehicles. 

“Our companies have different cultures and unique strengths, but we share several common goals,” remarked Honda Executive Vice President Seji Kuraishi.

“This includes a commitment to creating sustainable mobility with Zero Collisions and Zero CO2 emissions. Toward this shared objective, GM has demonstrated a major proficiency in battery electric vehicles, while, at Honda, our approach includes a portfolio of internal combustion engine and hybrid-electric vehicle technologies as we bridge to an electrified future.”

Splitting the more sizable costs

On paper and in real life, analysts say this deal makes perfect sense. Michelle Krebs, an executive analyst for Autotrader, told the Detroit Free Press that we're likely to see more these kinds of partnerships as brands try to stay competitive and keep up with emerging technologies. She noted that it's better to "share than go it alone.

"This is very significant news. GM and Honda have been working on a number of projects over the years. This takes their relationship to a whole new level. What’s notable about Honda is that it has remained fervently independent while others merge or do joint ventures," Krebs said

Great upsides for the consumer

If Honda and GM’s two-heads-are-better-than-one thinking works out according to plan, it’s the consumer who might be the big winner. Not only does the combination allow the companies to be more nimble in addressing shifting ever-changing consumer tastes and regulatory requirements, but the vehicle-buying public might also get cars and trucks they’re happier with.

According to Statista, Honda brand reached the highest consumer satisfaction in 2019 with a score of 88; GM (depending on the sub-brand, e.g. Chevrolet) averaged around a score of 80. If Honda can help move GM’s score up, then it’s a win for both manufacturer and consumer.

Robin Hood, the app that made day trading popular with millennials, is reportedly facing an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding its disclosure practices.

The Wall Street Journal cites sources familiar with the matter who say the SEC has launched a civil fraud investigation into what it calls Robin Hood’s “early failure to fully disclose its practice of selling clients’ orders to high-speed trading firms.”

A spokeswoman for Robin Hood declined to comment specifically on The Journal report, telling media outlets, “We strive to maintain constructive relationships with our regulators and to cooperate fully with them.”

At issue is Robin Hood’s alleged failure to disclose that it did business with high-speed trading firms that purchased and executed Robin Hood users’ stock orders when they bought and sold stocks and options. The report said Robin Hood began fully disclosing that relationship on its website in 2018.

Not uncommon

Wall Street insiders say the practice of selling orders is not uncommon, though it is considered somewhat controversial. The debate, however, centers on whether it creates a conflict of interest since the high-speed trading firms have access in a split second to what stocks are being bought and sold.

The Journal report cites some who say the practice could allow big Wall Street traders to exploit individual investors, but others who work on Wall Street say that doesn’t happen.

Growing pains

Robin Hood, founded in 2013, recently emerged as a major force in online trading and introduced a new generation to stock trading because it is easy to use and does not charge a commission on trades. In 2019, its business model forced the other more established trading platforms, such as Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade, to also adopt commission-free trading.

But the company has had its share of growing pains, and an SEC fraud investigation would be just the latest headache for the popular app. 

In March, when the stock market reacted violently to the economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Robin Hood’s trading platform crashed on three of the market’s most volatile days, preventing users from buying or selling.

The current issue appears to hinge on disclosure, and not whether the action was harmful to users. The Journal report notes that the practice of a broker selling orders to a high-speed trader for execution is not illegal, and the SEC itself has determined that it often results in slightly better purchase and sale prices for individual investors.

“At ½ the width of a traditional wearable system and only weighing as much as a pencil, the MiniGuardian is petite, discreet, and designed for staying on the move -- offering the same lifesaving protection in a small, more powerful device,” the company said.

In addition to features like location tracking, fall detection capabilities, and 4G functionality, the Mini Guardian gives seniors the ability to contact medical professionals or personal caregivers in emergency and non-emergency situations.

Pint sized protection meets major peace of mind

On its website, Medical Guardian explains that seniors can use the device to contact members of their personal Care Circle -- which can be made up of family members, friends, caregivers, and doctors. Providing you and your loved ones with additional peace of mind through around-the-clock connectivity!

Product Features:

• Easy-to-press emergency button designed for older hands
• Built-in HD 78-decibel speaker with noise canceling functionality
• Multilingual Emergency Services included for real-time interpretation
• Rechargeable battery lasts up to 5 days, pending usage
• Choice of email or text-based low-battery notifications
• You and your Care Circle will always know its status
• Included 4G Cellular connectivity
• GPS and WiFi location tracking
• Help is sent to your exact location
• Size: 2.72"L x 1.38"W x 0.57"H
• Weight: 1.3 oz.
• Range: Nationwide

Get a Mini Guardian

For more information about medical alert systems and to read consumer reviews, visit ConsumerAffairs’ website here.

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 11 model year 2020 Atlas Cross Sports and model year 2021 Atlas vehicles.

The driver's side headlight may have been aimed too low during production.

An incorrectly aimed headlight reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will adjust the driver's side headlight free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin October 25, 2020.

Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at (888) 241-2289. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94N7.

Fry’s Food Stores is recalling select cheese dips containing red onions supplied by Onions 52.

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

No customer illnesses have been confirmed to date.

A list of the recalled dips, which were sold in plastic containers between May 15, 2020, and August 6, 2020, may be found here.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them, but return them to a store for a full refund or replacement.

Consumers with questions may contact Kroger customer connect at (800) 576-4377, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to Midnight (EST) and Saturday & Sunday, 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

BMW of North America is recalling 43 model year 2020 X6 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X6 M50i and X6M vehicles.

The rear spoiler may not be appropriately bonded to its mounting plate.

An improperly bonded spoiler may detach while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury to other motorists on the road.

What to do

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear spoiler on the affected vehicles and replace them – if necessary – free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin October 5, 2020.

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

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 6,082,260 (6,036,569)

Total U.S. deaths: 184,910 (183,689)

Total global cases: 25,809,515 (25,533,086)

Total global deaths: 858,295 (851,647)

Death toll rose in August for the first time since April

A confirmation that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic worsened over the last couple of months can be found in August’s mortality statistics. The number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 increased last month over the previous month for the first time since April.

A ConsumerAffairs analysis of data compiled by the COVID-19 Tracking Project at Johns Hopkins University estimates that there were 30,734 U.S. deaths last month. That compares to 23,769 deaths we counted in July.

Deaths from the coronavirus peaked early in the pandemic, with 57,772 in April. There were significant declines in deaths in May and June, but a spike in new cases early in the summer was followed by a rising number of deaths.

Study finds steroid treatment reduces death risk

A study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association analyzed several other studies and concluded that using steroid drugs to treat severely ill COVID-19 patients significantly reduced patent deaths.

The multiple studies in the analysis involved a total of 1,700 patients. They found that a variety of corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatory drugs that can reduce the negative effects of an overactive immune system, reduced coronavirus deaths by about a third.

While the results are encouraging, health experts who treat COVID-19 patients caution that the drugs appear beneficial only to the sickest of patients. Work continues on an effective treatment for patients in the early stages of the illness.

Private payrolls grow less than expected in August

ADP reports that private-sector payrolls grew by 428,000 jobs in August, but that was well below economists’ consensus estimate, which predicted a faster labor market recovery from the pandemic.

Large companies by far reported the largest number of new hires last month, adding 298,000 new workers. In comparison, small businesses increased payrolls by only 52,000.

"The August job postings demonstrate a slow recovery," said Ahu Yildirmaz, vice president and co-head of the ADP Research Institute. "Job gains are minimal, and businesses across all sizes and sectors have yet to come close to their pre-COVID-19 employment levels."

CDC extends eviction moratorium

Renters who have lost jobs during the pandemic won’t have to worry about being evicted, at least not until 2021. In an unusual move, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order Tuesday extending the moratorium on rental evictions until December 31, 2020.

The CDC action was taken under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act, which gives the agency the authority to take action to protect public health. In this case, the agency cited the spread of COVID-19 as a serious public health issue and said forcing millions of people from their homes would increase the spread of the virus.

Declaring that “COVID-19 presents a historic threat to public health,” the CDC said keeping people safe in their homes will reduce the spread of the virus.

Gottlieb: reopening schools should come first

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has been a clear voice of reason throughout the pandemic, appearing each morning on CNBC’s Squawk Box program to answer questions relating to the pandemic.

In today’s appearance, Gottlieb said the U.S. should set some priorities when allowing things to get back to normal. He strongly suggested that getting kids back in the classroom should take priority over reopening movie theaters and bowling alleys.

“We need to be circumspect about what we open while we’re trying to open schools,” Gottlieb said.

Around the nation

• Texas: After a spike in coronavirus cases threatened to overwhelm hospitals in the state, statistics now show that statewide hospitalizations have fallen to their lowest level in two months. However, health officials worry that sending children back to classrooms could reverse that progress. 

• Florida: The state has cut ties with Quest Diagnostics as a testing source. The state Department of Health delayed its daily data reporting Tuesday because of what Gov. Ron DeSantis said was “unusable and stale data” from the company.

• Michigan: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is reportedly going to reopen gyms and movie theaters that have been closed since the start of the pandemic. Gyms in Northern Michigan have been open since July, with no outbreaks traced to those facilities.

When used as standalone protective gear, a new study finds that plastic face shields aren’t as effective as standard face masks against respiratory droplets containing COVID-19. 

In a study involving a simulation, researchers from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton found that different face coverings yielded different levels of protection against the novel coronavirus. 

The team used laser "sheets" to visualize the trajectory of tiny respiratory droplets containing the virus. A hollow manikin head with a manual pump was used to simulate the impact of a sneeze or cough. 

While face shields successfully thwarted the initial effects of the sneeze, the researchers said they didn’t stop fine droplets from skirting around the boundaries of the shield and spreading into the air. 

“The expelled droplets can move around the visor with relative ease and spread out over a large area depending on light ambient disturbances,” researcher Manhar Dhanak, a professor at FAU, said in a statement. "Over time, these droplets can disperse over a wide area in both lateral and longitudinal directions, albeit with decreasing droplet concentration." 

Standard face masks recommended

The researchers found that standard face masks were much more effective than face shields -- which have gaps at the bottom and sides -- when it came to keeping droplets at bay. The masks both minimized the expulsion of droplets and limited the spread of those that were released.

“Our observations suggest that to minimize the community spread of COVID-19, it may be preferable to use high quality cloth or surgical masks that are of a plain design, instead of face shields and masks equipped with exhale valves,” the team wrote. 

The study findings support recommendations already published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health authorities have advised people not to rely solely on face shields because they don’t offer the same level of protection. 

Officials have also stressed the importance of wearing a cloth face mask properly -- namely, by not leaving the nose exposed. 

“One is a mask. The other is a chin guard,” New York Governor Anthony Cuomo reiterated recently following protests demanding police reform. “No one told you to wear a chin guard. Wear a mask.”