Current Events in September 2020

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) threw up the caution flag for people with silver dental fillings -- referred to as “dental amalgam.” The agency warned that those particular fillings have been shown to cause health problems for some high-risk groups such as pregnant women and those with hypersensitivity to mercury.

When the FDA uses the term amalgam, it’s referring to fillings that are a mixture of copper, mercury, silver, and tin. The inclusion of mercury has been a sore point for years for some dental professionals, but both the FDA and the American Dental Association (ADA) were on record as saying the amalgam was safe.

It’s taken almost 10 years for the FDA to raise its hand about the adverse effects of mercury in dental fillings. Finally, in December 2019, its immunology advisory committee revisited the situation and new guidance was created.

What concerns dental patients should know about

The FDA says the “general population” has nothing to worry about when it comes to exposure to mercury. The agency isn’t proposing a ban on the amalgam, either. It also plays it safe by saying that “little to no information is known about the effect this exposure may have on members of the specific groups...who may be at greater risk to potential negative health effects of mercury exposure," but it still wants dental patients to know that there are possible issues.

Vulnerable groups include:

• Pregnant women and their developing fetuses; 

• Women who plan to become pregnant; 

• Women who are nursing; 

• Children, especially those that are under the age of six; 

• People with kidney problems; and 

• People with pre-existing neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.

Replace fillings only if necessary

The FDA says that if anyone has an existing amalgam filling and it’s in good condition, they should sit tight -- unless it is considered medically necessary by a health care professional (for example, a documented hypersensitivity to the amalgam material). 

“Removing intact amalgam fillings may result in a temporary increase in exposure of mercury vapor released during the removal process in addition to the potential loss of healthy tooth structure,” the agency cautioned.

If a filling needs to be replaced, the FDA strongly suggests that non-mercury fillings such as composite resins and glass ionomer cements be used.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Guelph has found that giving pet cats just one big meal per day can improve their health outcomes. The researchers explained that cats that ate once per day, as opposed to several times a day, were less likely to develop obesity and less likely to beg for food throughout the day.

“These findings may surprise the veterinary community and many cat owners who have been told their animals need several small meals a day,” said researcher Adronie Verbrugghe. “But these results suggest there are benefits to this approach.” 

Changing the feeding schedule

The researchers put two feeding schedules to the test with 80 healthy cats. For three weeks, one group of cats was fed four times a day while a second group was fed the same amount of food just once a day. The groups then switched for another three-week trial so that each cat experienced both feeding schedules. Throughout the study, the researchers monitored the cats’ health outcomes, including weight, physical activity, and metabolism. 

Ultimately, the researchers learned that the frequency with which cats eat can make a big difference when it comes to their health. Eating once a day led to higher levels of protein in the cats’ blood, overall leaner body mass, and higher levels of hormones that are linked to appetite regulation. The researchers say this feeding schedule is beneficial for several reasons; firstly, the findings suggest that it allows cats to get more protein and improve their muscle mass. Secondly, it led to more satisfaction and reduced the likelihood that the cats would beg for food throughout the day.

The researchers also found that the cats’ weight remained the same regardless of how often they were eating. However, there were far more health benefits associated with the once-daily eating schedule. 

“Physiologically, it makes sense that feeding only once a day would have benefits,” said researcher Kate Shoveller. “When you look at human research, there’s pretty consistent evidence that there are positive health outcomes with intermittent fasting and improved satiety.” 

Not a one-size-fits-all solution

While these findings clearly showed how changing up cats’ eating schedules can be beneficial for their health, the researchers also noted that cat owners should think about the needs of their specific pets, as not every intervention is beneficial for every animal. 

“This approach is really yet another tool in a veterinarian or a cat owner’s toolbox for managing a cat’s weight and keeping their animals healthy and happy,” said Verbrugghe. “But we always have to look at each individual animal and account for the cat’s and owner’s lifestyle. So although this approach might be helpful to promote satiety in some cats, it might not help another.” 

With all the might it can muster, Google is coming to the rescue of student loan holders by introducing a student loan repayment program for all Google employees in the U.S. Starting in 2021, Google says it will match up to $2,500 in student loan payments per Googler per year. 

The company’s white hat approach is certainly a welcome refrain. Americans face an enormous student loan deficit of $1.5 trillion dollars -- twice what it was 10 years ago. 

Both the White House and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have stonewalled virtually all attempts to create some relief, not only during the pandemic but for students who were defrauded by for-profit institutions and are still accountable for repaying their loans. DeVos’ department even gets a paltry 1-star rating from ConsumerAffairs reviewers -- one going so far as to call them “legalized loan sharks.”

Helping save money for life essentials

While Google can’t erase a student loan completely, it feels that $2,500 a year can help people pay their loans off quicker. That might give consumers a better opportunity to purchase a home, start a family, or invest in a 401(k). 

“Lack of financial resources should not prevent someone from accessing the opportunities that come with education,” John Casey, the Director of Global Benefit at Global wrote in the company’s announcement.

“Change starts at home. We’re hoping this student loan repayment program gives our workforce some relief from student loans and helps them build more financial stability over the long term. And we’ll keep looking for more ways to increase access to education and opportunity for everyone.”

The new loan repayment program is one more component in the attention Google has recently started offering students. In July, it rolled out Google Career Certificates, a way for Americans to qualify for high-paying, high-growth jobs with no college degree required. 

Americans simply aren’t driving as much as they used to, and entering the fall months when refineries are switching over to winter gasoline blends, gas prices have continued to drift lower in many states.

The AAA Fuel Gauge Survey shows the national average price of regular gas is $2.19 a gallon, a penny more than last week but a penny less than two weeks ago. The price is still 47 cents a gallon less than this time last year.

The average price of premium gas is $2.80 a gallon up from $2.79 last Friday. The average price of diesel fuel is $2.40 a gallon, the same as a week ago.

Gasoline demand remains seasonally low. In the last week, it totaled 8.39 million barrels a day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). That’s nearly a half-million barrels a day less than what consumers were using a year ago.

Even the spate of Gulf Coast storms hasn’t done much to impact prices at the pump. Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, tweeted at midweek that CITGO's Lake Charles, La., refinery is not expected to return to full operation until mid to late October.

“They're in no rush with weak demand,” he wrote.

Prices were mostly stable across the country. Delaware and Florida saw the average pump price fall three cents a gallon while prices rose three cents a gallon in Illinois.

The states with the most expensive gas

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

• Hawaii ($3.24)

• California ($3.22)

• Washington ($2.81)

• Nevada ($2.65)

• Oregon ($2.63)

• Alaska ($2.53)

• Pennsylvania ($2.50)

• Utah ($2.43)

• Idaho ($2.43)

• Illinois ($2.33)

The states with the cheapest regular gas

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

• Mississippi ($1.84)

• Texas ($1.87)

• Arkansas ($1.88)

• Louisiana ($1.88)

• Missouri ($1.88)

• Alabama ($1.90)

• Oklahoma ($1.90)

• South Carolina ($1.94)

• Tennessee ($1.93)

• Kansas ($1.97)

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 319 model year 2021 Genesis G70s with 2.0L GDI engines.

The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine.

Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the fuel pump assembly jet nozzle free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin November 13, 2020.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 005G.

Sunshine Mills is recalling three dog food products that may contain elevated levels of aflatoxin.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mold by-product from the growth of Aspergillus flavus and can be harmful to pets if consumed in significant quantities.

Symptoms of illness include sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

A list of the recalled products, sold in retail stores nationally, may be found here.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should discontinue using them and may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Sunshine Mills customer service at (800) 705-2111 from 7AM to 4PM (CT) Monday through Friday, or by email at customer.service@sunshinemills.com.

Caravan Global is recalling about 2,700 Caravan Sports Armed/Padded Arm Bagged Chairs.

The chair’s plastic bracket can bend or fail, and cause the fabric seat to rip apart from the frame, posing fall and injury hazards.

The firm has received reports of six incidents where the seat fabric separated from the chair frame. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves the Caravan Sports Armed/Padded Arm Bagged chairs sold in blue, and measuring 24.4” x 23.2” x 36.2.”

The chair image and product name is printed on the hang tag attached to the chair.

A tag labeled “SNY-XZ” is sewn into the back of the chair.

The chairs, manufactured in China, were sold at H-E-B stores in Texas throughout May 2020 for about $20.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled chairs and contact Caravan Global for instructions on how to receive a full refund.

Consumers may contact Caravan Global toll-free at (877) 922-6679 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (PT) Monday through Friday, by email info@caravanglobal.com and online at www.caravanglobal.com and click “Safety” at the bottom of the page.

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 1,829 model year 2020 Passats.

The passenger front airbag may have been folded incorrectly affecting its deployment force.

An incorrectly folded airbag can deploy with too much force, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front airbag free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin October 30, 2020.

Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at (888) 241-2289. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69AY.

California governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order that will ban the sale of all new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. 

Wednesday’s order comes as the state continues to battle wildfires that have been blamed on global warming. It’s intended to encourage drivers in the state to shift to electric cars in order to curb greenhouse gas emissions. 

“This is the most impactful step our state can take to fight climate change,” Governor Newsom said in a statement. “For too many decades, we have allowed cars to pollute the air that our children and families breathe.” 

“Californians shouldn’t have to worry if our cars are giving our kids asthma,” he added. “Our cars shouldn’t make wildfires worse – and create more days filled with smoky air. Cars shouldn’t melt glaciers or raise sea levels threatening our cherished beaches and coastlines.”

Meeting zero emissions goals

Under Newsom’s executive order, new regulations will be developed that will require all sales of new passenger cars and trucks to be zero emission by 2035. That will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 35 percent, the Democratic governor said.

Consumers who still own internal combustion vehicles will be allowed to own, operate, buy, and sell them in the state. The order will only apply to new vehicle sales. 

“By the time the new rule goes into effect, zero-emission vehicles will almost certainly be cheaper and better than the traditional fossil fuel powered cars,” Newsom added. “The upfront cost of electric vehicles are projected to reach parity with conventional vehicles in just a matter of years, and the cost of owning the car – both in maintenance and how much it costs to power the car mile for mile – is far less than a fossil fuel burning vehicle.” 

Despite the best-laid plans of the airlines, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says more than 10,000 travelers on commercial flights may have been exposed to the coronavirus since the pandemic began.

In a statement emailed to CNN, the CDC says it was briefed that there were 1,600 flights between January and August in which a passenger may have been infected by COVID-19, potentially exposing 10,900 people "within a 6-foot range for droplet transmission" to the coronavirus.

"CDC identified and notified relevant health departments about these 10,900 on-board close contacts," the agency said.

The CDC said it acquired reports of positive coronavirus cases among people who have been identified as contacts on flights. However, the agency noted that this data might be rudimentary because of incomplete contact information, any resulting coronavirus-related illness for contacts, delayed notification of an infectious traveler, and incomplete information about testing.

The wait and see game

Try as they may, domestic air carriers haven’t been able to get travelers to buy into the positive spins about safety measures that have been put in place. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be hope for a rebound to normalcy anytime soon.

“This is lasting longer and is deeper than most people thought,” says Scott Kirby, chief executive officer of United Airlines Holdings Inc. told Bloomberg News. “And our view is demand is not coming back. People are not going to get back and travel like they did before until there’s a vaccine that’s been widely distributed.”

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 6,941,248 (6,902,930)

Total U.S. deaths: 202,170 (201,120)

Total global cases: 31,944,038 (31,673,086)

Total global deaths: 977,881 (972,372)

Nearly half of states see an increase in cases

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 21 states have reported an increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, raising concern among health officials that the fall and winter could bring about a new wave of illnesses.

CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield told a Senate committee this week that an estimated 90 percent of the U.S. population could still get the virus, meaning there can be no let-up in virus-mitigation efforts.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn also testified at the hearing, telling lawmakers the agency would approve a vaccine as quickly as possible but would not “cut corners.”

United Airlines will offer passengers a COVID-19 test

United Airlines says it will test a program where passengers can be screened for the coronavirus (COVID-19) before their flight. It’s designed to help travelers avoid quarantine periods that some destinations require before visiting.

The pilot program will first test passengers on flights from San Francisco to Hawaii starting October 15. Passengers can choose from taking a rapid-results test at the airport or a self-administered test, taken at home, in the days before the flight.

The airline said it worked closely with Hawaii officials to ensure that any United customer – both visitors and Hawaiian residents returning home – who tests negative on either test would not be subjected to the state's current 14-day quarantine requirement.

Doctors in Houston say the virus has mutated

Scientists at Houston Methodist Hospital are reporting a disturbing find. When the second wave of the coronavirus hit the city in mid-May, their analysis showed a mutated virus strain linked to higher transmission and infection rates than the coronavirus strains that caused Houston’s first wave. 

Their research reveals that the virus has been capable of adapting, surviving, and thriving since early March – making it more important than ever to get a handle on its evolution as the medical community works to discover effective vaccines and therapies.

While this mutation has been linked with increased transmission and infectivity -- as well as a higher virus load in the nasopharynx that connects the nasal cavity with the throat -- the mutation did not increase disease severity, researchers said.

Unemployment claims remain stubbornly high

Initial claims for unemployment benefits totaled 870,000 last week, much higher than most economists predicted. Wall Street analysts were looking for a number closer to 850,000.

The Labor Department report suggests that the job market is recovering from the pandemic at a slower rate than expected. While a number of businesses are hiring, it’s evident that just as many are still laying off employees.

The report also revised the previous week’s jobless claims upward by 6,000 to 866,000. The four-week moving average was 878,250, a decrease of 35,250 from the previous week's revised average. 

Are asymptomatic patients fueling the increase in cases?

A new study by researchers at the University of California Santa Barbara is suggesting a possible reason why the U.S. is experiencing a significant increase in COVID-19 cases. The scientists began their research in early summer when they noticed cases in Santa Barbara surging unexpectedly.

They determined that the source of many of the new cases was asymptomatic patients -- people who carried the virus but didn’t have symptoms and who were unaware they were sick.

“Because they never feel sick, they could unknowingly transmit the virus to others as they circulate in the community,” said UC Santa Barbara biologists Carolina Arias.  She said the same applies to presymptomatic individuals — those who do not have symptoms at the time of the test but develop them later.

Around the nation

• South Carolina: The state legislature has come to an agreement on a proposal to spend $693 million in federal pandemic aid. The plan calls for using the bulk of the money -- $420 million -- to replenish the state’s unemployment benefits fund. 

• Illinois: Gov. J.B. Pritzker is warning counties in the state’s northwest region that a spike in new coronavirus cases could mean new restrictions on businesses and social gatherings. The area includes Rockford and Northern Illinois University.

• Wisconsin: The issue of classroom safety is reaching a boiling point in suburban Milwaukee as school district officials accuse some parents of knowingly sending their infected children to school. “When you have parents lying to contact tracers, refusing to get kids tested, that’s just beyond the pale,” Washington County Board member Don Kriefall told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Ahead of a coming deadline that would potentially ban new downloads of the popular short-form video app TikTok, the company has filed for a preliminary injunction seeking to prevent that from happening. 

In a request filed in the District Court for the District of Columbia on Wednesday, TikTok asked for a hearing before the ban is scheduled to start this Sunday. 

TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been seeking to avoid a U.S. ban since August when President Trump signed an executive order aiming to halt downloads of the app unless the company was purchased by a U.S. company. 

Federal officials have raised concerns that the app poses a national security threat, but TikTok has repeatedly maintained that it’s not sharing data with China. 

‘No genuine emergency here’

Over the weekend, President Trump said he had “blessed” a proposed deal that would give Oracle and Walmart a 20 percent stake in a new entity called TikTok Global.

TikTok said in Wednesday’s filing that it had “made extraordinary efforts to try to satisfy the government’s ever-shifting demands and purported national security concerns.”

“There is simply no genuine emergency here that would justify the government’s precipitous actions,” TikTok said. “And there is no plausible reason to insist the prohibitions be enforced immediately.”

TikTok also said the pending action would cause irreparable damage to the company. It noted that it’s already lost millions of dollars in business deals amid talks of a ban, and its growth would be hampered significantly if regulators halt U.S. downloads.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has inflicted losses on the nation’s hospitals in more ways than one, and a new report says the combined effect may be a reduction in services and higher costs for patients.

A study from QuoteWizard, an online insurance marketplace, shows that health care spending at hospitals fell by 43 percent in April and declined 37 percent at doctors’ offices. 

While some hospitals were overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, people with other medical issues -- some very serious -- stayed away. There was a nearly 78 percent decline in in-person medical visits from March to April when compared to the same period in 2019.

A lot of the financial losses occurred early in the pandemic when facilities treating COVID-19 patients were practically overrun, but other medical facilities specializing in other conditions furloughed doctors and nurses.

Multi-billion dollar losses

The study suggests that the financial blow to the system has been severe and may take some time to overcome. Health care system losses are expected to total $120.5 billion from July through December 2020. For 2020 as a whole, losses could exceed $323 billion.

For the year, primary care practices are expected to lose $67,774 per full-time-equivalent doctor. Nationally, that amounts to about $15.1 billion. The study authors conclude that the system can’t absorb these kinds of losses without it affecting patient services. One of the biggest concerns is the hospitals’ ability to keep operating in this environment.

The study shows that many hospitals with mounting debts are unable to continue operating and will likely be forced to close their doors. The authors note that hospital closures are already becoming more common, especially in rural areas where health care facilities are few and far between. Already in the first half of 2020, there have been 12 rural hospital closures.

Higher costs for consumers

The study also suggests that consumers will pay a higher cost for health care, both in out-of-pocket expenses and in insurance premiums. They’ll do this, the authors explain, because hospitals will increase the average expense they bill per patient visit.

An analysis of Kaiser Family Foundation data from 2009 to 2017 found that the expense per hospital visit increased 36 percent over that period -- and that was at a time of relative stability within the health care system.

“Given the record debts set to accumulate for hospitals in 2020, the rate of health care expenses is likely to soar past the 36 percent rate over the last decade,” the authors conclude.

Consumers will likely feel that in the form of higher health insurance premiums as these higher costs get passed on to benefit providers, who will in turn charge more to policyholders.

The importance of sleep can’t be overstated, but many consumers still unfortunately experience hours of tossing and turning at night. However, a new study found that there could be hope for those who struggle with insomnia. 

According to researchers from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, using a weighted blanket can be an effective way to improve sleep outcomes and reduce symptoms associated with insomnia. 

“A suggested explanation for the calming and sleep-promoting effect is the pressure that the chain blanket applies on different points on the body, stimulating the sensation of touch and the sense of muscles and joints, similar to acupressure and massage,” said researcher Dr. Mats Alder.

“There is evidence suggesting that deep pressure stimulation increases parasympathetic arousal of the autonomic nervous system and at the same time reduces sympathetic arousal, which is considered to be the cause of the calming effect.” 

Getting better sleep

The researchers had 120 participants involved in the study, all of whom struggled with both insomnia and a psychiatric disorder like bipolar disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. Participants were instructed to sleep with either a regular blanket or a weighted blanket for the four-week study, and the researchers used data from a wearable device and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) to assess their sleep outcomes.

The majority of the participants who used a weighted blanket during the study had improved sleep outcomes by the end of the four weeks. Participants were more alert during the day, had fewer anxiety and depression-related symptoms, and experienced significant improvements on their ISI scores. The researchers explained that more than 42 percent of those who slept with the weighted blanket fell into the lowest category on the ISI, which indicates that insomnia isn’t a clinical issue. Conversely, less than four percent of those who slept with an unweighted blanket made it into that lowest category. 

“I was surprised by the large effect size on insomnia by the weighted blanket and pleased by the reduction of levels of both anxiety and depression,” Dr. Adler said. 

The researchers conducted a second part of their study that allowed those in the control group to make the switch to a heavier blanket over the course of one year and see how that changed their sleeping habits. The benefits of the weighted blanket were emphasized, as those who continued using a heavier blanket had consistently better sleep, whereas those who made the switch experienced major improvements to their insomnia symptoms. 

Moving forward, the researchers hope that those with severe insomnia consider adding a weighted blanket to their bedtime routines, as this study has clearly shown the powerful effects it can have on sleeping habits and mental health. 

United Airlines has made probably the biggest chess move yet in making travelers feel safe about flying. On Thursday, the carrier announced that it will launch a COVID-19 testing program for travelers that will give both airline and passenger the results in 15 minutes. In turn, that makes it easier for the airline to manage quarantine requirements and entry conditions for popular destinations around the world. 

The program will begin on October 15 for passengers traveling on United from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Hawaii. In addition, the airline will offer a self-collected mail-in test to passengers ahead of their trip.

For both visitors and Hawaiian residents flying from San Francisco to the islands, United was able to strike a deal with Hawaii’s government to remove the state’s current 14-day quarantine requirement for those who are negative on either test. Hawaii will be able to verify those results as flights come in.

The players, the process, and going forward

United has several testing partners that will be used in the process. The rapid Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 test will be administered by GoHealth Urgent Care and its partner Dignity Health. The mail-in test option will be administered by Color. The airline has had success in using GoHealth’s testing program. In July, United began using GoHealth to test its international flight crews at SFO. 

GoHealth Urgent Care's dedicated COVID-19 testing area will be available at the San Francisco airport from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT daily, right before United’s last outbound Hawaii flight at 7:30 p.m.

For travelers who prefer the mail-in option, United recommends they initiate the testing procedure at least 10 days prior to their trip and return their sample no later than 72 hours before their scheduled departure via overnight mail or to a drop box at SFO. 

According to CBS, the tests are not free. The rapid test at SFO will “initially”cost $250. The at-home kit will cost $80 (plus shipping). As flight capacity increases, it’s possible that the $250 price tag will go down. If this beta test works, United hopes to propagate the program further. 

"We'll look to quickly expand customer testing to other destinations and U.S. airports later this year to complement our state-of-the-art cleaning and safety measures that include a mandatory mask policy, antimicrobial and electrostatic spraying and our hospital-grade HEPA air filtration systems," said Toby Enqvist, Chief Customer Officer at United. 

Eco-conscious consumers who shop online with Amazon will soon have a better way to pick products that adhere to their high environmental standards. The company announced this week that it is rolling out “Climate Pledge Friendly,” a new initiative that will place a label on products that meet at least one of 19 sustainability certifications. 

To start, Amazon says the initiative will add labels to over 25,000 eligible products. The initiative will cover products from multiple categories, including grocery, household, fashion, beauty, and personal electronics.

“Climate Pledge Friendly is a simple way for customers to discover more sustainable products that help preserve the natural world,” said Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. “With 18 external certification programs and our own Compact by Design certification, we’re incentivizing selling partners to create sustainable products that help protect the planet for future generations.”

Building on sustainable promises

The move builds upon the company’s previous commitment to meet standards set under the Paris Climate Agreement, which would bring the company to net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2040. 

In a press release, Amazon said it has already gone above and beyond those standards by committing to 100 percent renewable energy by 2025, using fully-electric delivery vehicles, and donating billions to programs that support reforestation and a transition to a low carbon economy.

“Amazon’s initiative will drive scale and impact for more sustainable consumption by helping customers easily discover products that are Climate Pledge Friendly and encourage the manufacturers to make their products more sustainable,” said Fabian Garcia, President of Unilever North America.

To learn more about the Climate Pledge Friendly, consumers can visit Amazon’s website here.

Halloween is more than a month away, but Walmart is already rolling out its plans for Black Friday and the holiday shopping season. But then, this holiday season is likely to be like none other.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the way consumers shop and what they buy, so Walmart says those factors have been taken into consideration. Instead of expanding store hours to accommodate shoppers, the retailer is maintaining its reduced schedule as a safety feature.

At the same time, it’s staffing up its e-commerce division to meet the expected surge in online holiday shopping this year. Fulfillment centers around the country will hire more than 20,000 seasonal workers, in jobs ranging from filling orders to operating power equipment. Walmart says some of these jobs will likely become permanent positions.

“As more people turn to online shopping, we want to ensure we’re staffed and ready to help deliver that special gift to their loved ones while continuing to fulfill our customer’s everyday needs,” said Greg Smith, executive vice president for supply chain for Walmart U.S. “We’re also proud to be able to continue to provide employment opportunities across the country when it’s needed most.”

Changing habits

Walmart says customers’ buying habits have changed over the last six months and it expects that to be reflected in the choice of holiday gifts. It’s stocking up on things it expects to be in high demand, such as athleisure, loungewear, and sleepwear for the family, outdoor grills, bicycles and exercise equipment, and outdoor sporting equipment. 

Noting that millions of families have adopted pets since the pandemic began, the company said it has increased its assortment and supply of pet products in its stores and online. For example, it has acquired more than 3 million pet beds.

Since baking and cooking have become pandemic trends, Walmart said it’s expanding its Holiday Bake Center to more of its stores and is increasing its inventory of popular kitchen appliances, like the KitchenAid Plus Stand Mixer.

Walmart said it’s also stocking up on traditional gifts, such as TVs, laptops, and video games, as well as 1,300 new toys, games, and puzzles.

Shopping differently

“Over the past six months, our customers have been shopping differently, and we expect that will continue into the most important shopping season of the year – the holidays,” said Scott McCall, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for Walmart U.S.

As for Black Friday, McCall says that’s going to be different too. It’s going to start earlier and offer a wider selection of merchandise.

Walmart also expects a significant portion of its Black Friday shopping will take place online, in the safety and comfort of the customer’s home. Stores will continue to be closed in the overnight hours to allow for cleaning and restocking. 

In-store shoppers will use separate entrances and exits to minimize contact. Social distancing floor decals will remind shoppers to stay apart and the public address system will air constant safety reminders.

High levels of stress among college students has prompted experts to explore ways to combat anxiety, and recent studies have suggested that breathing techniques and petting dogs can be helpful. 

Now, a new study conducted by researchers from Binghamton University looked at how college students can shift their perspectives about stress. According to their findings, taking a health education class could help students who are prone to nervousness change their attitudes about stress. 

“This is important for several reasons,” said researcher Jennifer Wegmann. “First, helping students develop a more positive or enhancing stress mindset has been associated with improved mental health, increased performance and productivity. Second, general health education courses are available to large numbers of students. There typically are few, if any, stress-specific courses offered on college campuses, and if they are offered, many are limited in student capacity.” 

Personality affects perception

The researchers were interested in understanding two primary concepts: how health education courses can help students’ perceptions about stress and how personality type is connected to that change in perception. They conducted a survey of over 420 college students enrolled in a health education course that asked questions about their personalities and how they thought about and experienced stress. When it came to analyzing personality, the researchers focused on five main traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. 

Ultimately, the study revealed that personality type plays a big role in the likelihood that students change their ideas about stress. The researchers learned that those who were more likely to be nervous in general were the ones who experienced the biggest shift in perception. Learning about health and wellness allowed them to approach things from a different perspective and caused them to focus less on stress. 

“It appears that engaging in health education is beneficial in changing perceptions of stress for some students but not all -- based on personality,” said Wegmann. “For example, significant changes were elicited in students who scored higher on the neuroticism scale, but no significance was shown for students on the extraversion scale. The findings of this research show how focusing on their health, in general, can change these typically high-stressed students’ beliefs about the stress they experience.” 

Finding more wide-reaching solutions

While these findings were positive for students prone to anxiety and neuroticism, the researchers hope that more work can be done to find more comprehensive solutions to help all college students reduce stress -- regardless of their personality types. 

“According to our research, this approach was not helpful for everyone,” Wegmann said. “While these findings are providing novel and interesting information, as a stress researcher who works to help students become more productive and healthy, I want to know what other avenues will reach our students.” 

Pedego of Fountain Valley, Calif., is recalling about 11,600 electric bicycles.

An improperly manufactured electrical cable can cause the bicycle to accelerate unexpectedly, posing a fall hazard to the user.

The firm has received five reports of the bike’s electrical cable malfunctioning, causing the bike to unexpectedly accelerate. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves six models of Pedego electric bikes. Models include the Interceptor (Including Platinum Edition), City Commuter (Including Mid Drive Edition and Black Edition), Boomerang Plus, Ridge Rider, Trail Tracker (Including Gorilla Edition) and Stretch (Including Dual Drive Edition).

The model name is printed on the chain guard or chain stay of the bike. The bikes were sold in various colors. Pedego is printed on the bike frame.

The bikes, manufactured I China and Vietnam, were sold at bicycle stores nationwide and online at www.pedego.com from January 2018, through August 2020, for between $3,000 and $4,700.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bicycles and contact a local Pedego dealer to arrange for a free repair.

Consumers may contact Pedego toll-free at (888) 871-7115 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (ET) Sunday through Saturday, or online at www.pedegobikerecall.expertinquiry.com and click on “FAQ” at the top of the page for more information.

Local Pedego dealer contact info can be found at: www.pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers.