Current Events in September 2020

The results from the American Red Cross’ million-plus coronavirus antibody tests are in, showing that not quite 2 percent of the people who donated blood over the summer months actually had coronavirus antibodies.

That metric is particularly interesting because it could prove that relatively few people in the U.S. have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus, but that <2 percent number is more than half of the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other pandemic watchers.

The main limitations of the study include that testing results represent cross-sectional findings over a relatively short period, and American Red Cross collection areas in the U.S. underrepresented areas such as New York City, south Florida, and some Western states. Also, reactive results were not confirmed, and thus the data may overrepresent blood donor seropositivity. Even so, the results do indicate that having the antibodies is fairly uncommon.

More evidence is needed

When the Red Cross first began offering antibody tests, its number one goal was to find out exactly how many people in the U.S. had been exposed to the virus. To make its research as valid as possible, it was counting on a large number of people to donate blood in the interest of knowing where the country stood. But, like any other study, the Red Cross’ research has shortcomings.

When the donation study kicked off, the organization was encouraged by the initial response. Donor appointments jumped by 150 percent during the first two weeks of the campaign, and the number of first-time blood donors climbed from 11 percent to 17 percent. However, the percentage of blood donors is not an accurate reflection of the general population because while everyone can donate, blood donors have to qualify as healthy. 

Overall, the virus’ full impact remains a difficult number to nail down for researchers and public health officials because the number of people who have COVID-19 don’t show symptoms. Researchers at OurWorldData also think that etching any particular metric in stone is problematic. 

“Where the number of confirmed cases is high relative to the extent of testing, this suggests that there may not be enough tests being carried out to properly monitor the outbreak. In such countries, the true number of infections may be far higher than the number of confirmed cases,” the group’s COVID-19 research team wrote.

Teachers’ stress has been a hot topic as of late, as experts have found that many educators are leaving the profession much earlier than anticipated due to work-related stressors. 

Now, a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia has found that teachers’ stress could have a direct impact on their students’ behavior. The researchers learned that kids are more likely to act out -- and get suspended -- when their teachers are visibly stressed throughout the school day. 

“Removing students from the classroom environment as a form of punishment can be really harmful, as research has shown it not only reduces student achievement but also increases the risk of dropout,” said researcher Colleen Eddy.

“If we want to make schools a positive place for student learning, we first need to ensure it is a positive workplace for teachers," Eddy continued. "By giving teachers strategies to better manage disruptive student behavior, they will have more time for instruction and building those positive relationships with students.” 

Managing teachers’ stress

To gauge how teachers’ stress can impact their students’ bad behavior, the researchers pulled data from firsthand classroom observations and surveys of teachers from nine local elementary schools. They noticed that poor classroom behavior -- and interventions from administrators, like removing disruptive kids from the classroom -- are the most likely when teachers feel overwhelmed or burned out. 

After discovering this relationship, the researchers’ goal was to discover ways that teachers can better manage their stress and kids’ classroom behaviors. In hearing from students, they learned that kids want to feel supported and encouraged at school, which can become difficult for teachers when they’re already feeling stressed and overwhelmed. 

As more and more teachers are ending their careers early due to the exceeding number of job demands, it’s important that administrators do their part to ensure that teachers feel appreciated and respected. This can look different in each school, but the idea is that with better stress management tools, teachers will feel better equipped to handle classroom management in ways that best suit their students’ needs. 

One such option is for teachers to develop a strong support network at school, as this can help them focus on the positive aspects of their jobs, while also giving them a safe space to discuss the things that can lead to stress and burnout. These sorts of discussions are designed to make teachers feel more empowered and show up as their best selves in the classroom for their students. 

“Teachers have the potential to impact the lives of so many students in their classrooms,” said Eddy. “Therefore, supporting them with the skills they need in classroom management is really important because it will have a positive impact on their students in the long run.” 

With an end-all and be-all of the COVID-19 pandemic still undetermined, Southwest Airlines is renewing its vow to support the well-being and comfort of both its customers and employees by continuing to limit the amount of seats sold on every flight to allow middle seats to remain open.

People flying together as family and friends still have the option of sitting together and will be allowed to occupy a middle seat if they like.

Health-conscious Thanksgiving holiday travelers will be happy to know that the airline’s commitment will last through Nov. 30. As part of its COVID-19 plan, the airline will continue to require face masks to be worn at all times. It will also enforce physical distancing measures in airports and onboard aircraft and rigorously clean its facilities and aircraft every single day.

Southwest updates what travelers can expect 

• Face Coverings Required: All airline employees and any passenger over the age of two are required to wear a covering over their mouth and nose from the moment they board the plane until they’re out of the gate area when they land. All travelers are required to a) acknowledge an awareness of the carrier's face covering policy; and b) wear a face covering. If a passenger doesn’t have a mask, Southwest will have them available at the airport and onboard to ensure compliance with the policy.
• Customer Health Declaration: All travelers are required to confirm they do not have symptoms of COVID-19; nor have they been diagnosed with, or exposed to, COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to travel; and that they do not have a fever at travel time.
• Physical Distancing in Airports: If you haven’t flown Southwest lately, boarding a Southwest flight in the COVID-19 heyday, the process may be new to you. To allow for distancing, the airline boards in smaller groups of 10 and only on one side of the boarding poles in the gate areas. In addition, the airline has installed Plexiglas at ticketing and gate counters and baggage service offices to further insure protection during in-person transactions and interactions.

For a complete rundown of Southwest’s updates and policy changes, you can find them here.

There are countless reasons why getting enough sleep is crucial to consumers’ health and well-being, but getting quality sleep can be difficult -- especially during stressful times. 

Now, researchers from the University of British Columbia have found that feeling well-rested can affect how consumers respond to both good and bad news. According to their study, a lack of sleep can make positive events less enjoyable, as well as make bad events even more difficult. 

“The recommended guideline for a good night’s sleep is at least seven hours, yet one in three adults don’t meet this standard,” said researcher Nancy Sin. “A large body of research has shown that inadequate sleep increases the risk for mental disorders, chronic health conditions, and premature death. My study adds to this evidence by showing that even minor night-to-night fluctuations in sleep duration can have consequences in how people respond to events in their daily lives.” 

Prioritizing better sleep

The researchers analyzed over 2,000 diary entries, which were part-sleep log and part-daily record keeper. Participants recorded how long they slept each night, the events of their days, and how they responded to such events for eight consecutive nights. 

The researchers learned that not getting enough sleep changed the way the participants’ reacted to both positive and negative events in their lives. Getting less sleep made the participants more irritable and stressed, which made them more likely to lash out due to family or work stressors. Moreover, even positive moments -- like time spent outdoors -- were harder to enjoy. 

“When people experience something positive, such as getting a hug or spending time in nature, they typically feel happier that day,” said Sin. “But we found that when a person sleeps less than their usual amount, they don’t have as much of a boost in positive emotions from their positive events.” 

Encouraging better health outcomes

These findings are important for countless reasons, but particularly from a health standpoint. Recent studies have found that a lack of sleep can have negative impacts on consumers’ heart health, memory, and diet habits, among several other health concerns. 

However, the researchers from this study encourage consumers, especially those with chronic health conditions, to prioritize getting more sleep each night, as being well-rested can have benefits for both physical and emotional wellness. 

“For those with chronic health conditions, we found that longer sleep -- compared to one’s usual sleep duration -- led to better positive experiences on the following day,” Sin said. 

Eli Lilly, one of several drugmakers working on developing antibody drugs for COVID-19, said Wednesday that its antibody drug reduced the rate of hospitalization in patients recently diagnosed with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms. 

The company said data from its mid-stage clinical trial on 450 newly diagnosed patients showed that a 2,800 mg dose of the drug reduced the viral load in patients after 11 days. 

“These interim data from the BLAZE-1 trial suggest that LY-CoV555, an antibody specifically directed against SARS-CoV-2, has a direct antiviral effect and may reduce COVID-related hospitalizations,” Dr. Daniel Skovronsky, Eli Lilly's chief scientific officer, said in a news release. 

"The results reinforce our conviction that neutralizing antibodies can help in the fight against COVID-19.”

Helps neutralize the virus

Across the globe, roughly 29 million people have contracted COVID-19, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University. GlaxoSmithKline and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals are also working on developing antibody drugs to help combat the pandemic. 

Eli Lilly produced its monoclonal antibody drug candidate, LY-CoV555, using neutralizing antibodies collected from patients who have recovered from COVID-19. The experimental treatment works by preventing the virus from entering into human cells. 

The company said the rate of hospitalization and emergency room visit was 1.7 percent for patients taking the drug. By contrast, the rate of hospitalization and ER visits for patients taking the placebo was 6.0 percent. 

Eli Lilly plans to eventually expand the study to involve 800 patients of all ages and in all risk categories.

The 2020 U.S. presidential election is inching ever closer, and Twitter is trying to do its part to ensure a fair process. The platform announced late last year that it was banning political advertisements, with officials saying that political message reach “should be earned, not bought.” 

This year, the company is taking another step by launching its own U.S. election hub. In a blog post, Twitter Public Policy Director Bridget Coyne said that launching the hub will help the company concentrate its efforts on informing consumers about election information they need to know. 

“With just under 50 days to go until election day and when many Americans are already facing registration deadlines and preparing for early voting, we’re launching our 2020 U.S. election hub to make it simpler for people to find accurate information and resources on Twitter,” she said. 

Providing election information

Users can check out the new election hub by looking at the top of their Explore tab on the platform. Within the hub, users will be able to read election-related news in both English and Spanish that is produced by “reputable news outlets” or by a team of curators within Twitter.

Additionally, the hub will feature region-specific election information so that users can learn about their own local and state elections -- including races for the House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship. Twitter will also host live streams of major election events like debates.

Finally, users will find public service announcements about voter education from nonpartisan government groups and voting advocacy organizations.

“Twitter wants to empower every eligible person to vote in the 2020 U.S. election, and we’re focused on helping people register, better understand the voting process during COVID-19 including early voting options, and feel informed about the choices on their ballot,” Coyne said.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly preparing to file an antitrust lawsuit against Facebook, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. 

Citing unnamed sources, the Journal said the agency is looking into whether Facebook is using its dominant position in the social media landscape to suppress competition. The FTC is said to be considering filing the suit before the end of the year. 

Facebook has been investigated by the FTC before. The agency previously looked into whether Facebook strategically purchased companies like Instagram and WhatsApp to support its main mission or to remove potential competitors from the field.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has testified to the agency in the investigation, the Journal reported. The company acknowledged in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it is under investigation by the FTC and the Justice Department for potential antitrust charges. 

Big tech facing scrutiny

Technology companies have been at the center of investigations related to privacy and anti-competitive behavior for the past several years. Government regulators have raised concerns about several major players in industry, including Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Apple. 

Some members of Congress have argued that Facebook and Alphabet should be broken up to prevent a monopoly. 

“Digital technology companies are a big part of the economy and our daily lives,” FTC Chairman Joe Simons said earlier this year. “This initiative will enable the Commission to take a closer look at acquisitions in this important sector, and also to evaluate whether the federal agencies are getting adequate notice of transactions that might harm competition. This will help us continue to keep tech markets open and competitive, for the benefit of consumers.

Daimler AG, parent company of Mercedes Benz, is putting its diesel emissions cheating allegations behind it with a $1.5 billion settlement with the U.S. government and the state of California.

Two federal agencies and the California attorney general’s office charged the German automaker with using a “defeat device” to make it appear that its diesel engines were in compliance with emissions standards when they were not.

Another German carmaker, Volkswagen, was the first to face these charges when it was revealed the car employed software that reduced emissions only when the vehicle was being tested. As it turned out, the engines could not meet emissions requirements and deliver the promised fuel economy.

In early 2017, Volkswagen agreed to pay $4.3 billion in penalties to the U.S. government and spent billions more buying back affected vehicles from consumers.

According to the Daimler settlement, the company sold close to 250,000 diesel-powered vehicles in the United States with engines that failed to comply with state and federal laws.

Officials say the settlement, which includes civil penalties, will also require the automaker to modify vehicles so that they meet emissions requirements.

Payment to California

The agreement will pay around $700 million to settle numerous lawsuits filed by consumers. It will also compensate the state of California with a $300 million payment that includes $17.5 million to the California Department of Justice for future environmental enforcement, monitoring, and investigation.

“Longterm, if you cheat, you're going to get caught,” said California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. “Daimler is finding that out today. But they’re not the first — nor likely the last — to try.” 

In a statement issued to news outlets, Daimler said it disputes allegations that it cheated and said the settlement does not reflect any admission of guilt on its part. It said the settlement resolves the civil proceedings without making any determination that Daimler vehicles used “cheat” devices.

“By resolving these proceedings, Daimler avoids lengthy court actions with respective legal and financial risks,” the company said in its statement.

BMW of North America is recalling 397 X7 xDrive40i and M50i vehicles.

The tire information labels may contain tire size and cold tire inflation pressure information that does not match the specific tires that were installed on these vehicles.

The vehicle operator may be confused by the information on the label, leading to the installation of an inappropriate size tire and/or inflation pressure, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tire information label free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin October 19, 2020.

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

Royal Gourmet Corporation of Norcross, Ga., is recalling about 1,100 Patio 2-Burner Propane Gas Grills with Side Shelves.

The grill’s plastic regulator hose can melt and catch fire, posing a fire hazard.

The firm has received six reports of incidents involving grill catching on fire. No injuries have been reported

This recall involves Royal Gourmet Patio 2-Burner deluxe gas grills with a porcelain cast iron firebox that houses two stainless steel burners, delivering 24,000 total BTUs and two shelves.

The model numbers of the recalled units are GG2004, GG2005, and GG2006 with date codes EBA20170525D-1, EBA20170525D-2, and EBA20170525D-3.

The recalled gas grills include Model Number GG2004 in red color, GG2005 in black color and GG2006 in silver color.

The model numbers can be found on the rear base of the gas grills.

The grills, manufactured in China, were sold exclusively online at Wayfair.com from August, 2017, through November 2019, for about $240.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled grill and contact Royal Gourmet for a free accessory repair kit.

Consumers may contact Royal Gourmet at (800) 618-6798 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday, by email at service@royalgourmetusa.com or online at royalgourmetusa.com and click on “Recall” at the top of the page for more information.

Cycling Sports Group of Wilton, Conn., is recalling about 2,000 front racks with bamboo trays sold in the U.S. and Canada.

The front racks can detach and cause the front wheel to stop abruptly, posing a fall hazard.

The firm has received two reports of of the tray detaching and contacting the bicycle wheel -- one resulting in a fall involving minor cuts and bruises, and the other involving both bruising and a concussion.

This recall involves the front rack with a bamboo tray for Cycling Sports Group Cannondale Treadwell bicycles. The rack has a black metal frame and a bamboo tray.

“ISO11243:2016 YUENI MAX 10KG” is printed on the bamboo tray.

The racks, manufactured in Taiwan, were sold at authorized Cannondale dealers nationwide from April 2019, through June 2020, for between $950 to $2,750 for the bicycles sold with the front racks, and $100 for the racks sold separately.

The front racks were included as original equipment on some bicycles. On other bicycles, they were sold separately as ad-on equipment.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop riding the bicycle until the front rack is removed, and contact their local authorized Cannondale dealer or Cycling Sports Group to arrange for a free repair.

Consumers may contact a local authorized Cannondale dealer, or Cycling Sports Group at (800) 245-3872 (800-BIKE USA) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET), by email to ridersupport@cannondale.com, or at www.cannondale.com and click on “Recalls and Notices” at the bottom of the page for more information.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 180,000 model year 2019-2021 Tucsons.

The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin October 30, 2020.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 6,559,527 (6,528,077)

Total U.S. deaths: 194,674 (194,203)

Total global cases: 29,355,527 (29,075,608)

Total global deaths: 929,613 (925,284)

Bipartisan lawmakers push for more relief and stimulus

With talks between Republicans and Democrats deadlocked over extending coronavirus (COVID-19) aid and stimulus to businesses and consumers, some bipartisan lawmakers in the House are offering a compromise.

The lawmakers, who call themselves “the problem-solver caucus,” say they have tried to come up with a plan that they think can pass the Democrat-controlled House and the GOP Senate before the election.

Fox News reports that the package contains $120 billion for extra unemployment benefits, at a rate of $450 per week, for an eight-week transition period. It also contains $500 billion for state and local governments.

Substance abuse may make COVID-19 more likely

A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) concludes that people with a substance use disorder (SUD) may be more likely to become infected with the coronavirus. The research shows that people suffering from substance abuse account for about 15 percent of coronavirus cases despite only making up 10 percent of the U.S. population.

The researchers’ analysis revealed that those with a recent SUD diagnosis on record were more likely than those without one to develop COVID-19, an effect that was strongest for those suffering from opioid addiction.

“The lungs and cardiovascular system are often compromised in people with SUD, which may partially explain their heightened susceptibility to COVID-19,” said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “Another contributing factor is the marginalization of people with addiction, which makes it harder for them to access health care services. 

One in seven Americans think they’ve had COVID-19

With the semi-official case count approaching 7 million, a new survey from the Pew Research Center doesn’t come as a huge surprise. Taken in early August, it found that 14 percent of American adults have either tested positive for COVID-19 or are “pretty sure” they’ve had the virus.

Americans in lower-income families have been disproportionately affected, with 5 percent saying they have received at least one positive test result, compared with 2 percent of adults in middle- and upper-income homes. Having a higher education was also associated with fewer cases.

The survey also finds a sharp increase since the spring in the share of Americans who say they know someone else who has been hospitalized or died due to COVID-19.

Harsh but effective

The economic lockdown imposed within the United States in the early stages of the pandemic was painfully harsh, but a new study from Columbia University suggests that there is no doubt it was effective in curtailing the spread of the coronavirus in New York City.

The researchers report that school closures and voluntary or mandated stay-at-home measures contributed to around a 70 percent reduction in the transmission of COVID-19 in New York City during the spring pandemic wave from March to the June reopening. 

When most people wore a mask or other face covering, the researchers found there was another 7 percent reduction in the spread of the virus.

Lowe’s offers a hand to battered businesses

After six months of the pandemic, many businesses and industries are still reeling. The National Restaurant Association reported this week that nearly 100,000 restaurants have closed in the last six months, many to never reopen.

Meanwhile, Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison has announced a new program to help small businesses get their products on Lowe’s store shelves and website. The new program, called “Making It... At Lowe’s,” will solicit pitches from small business operators that will compete for slots.

“The demand from this program led us to understand that there’s a lot more that we should be doing,” Ellison told CNBC. “So we came up with an idea to try to get more products on our shelves and on Lowes.com that originate from diverse entrepreneurs.”

Around the nation

• Pennsylvania: Gov. Tom Wolf says the state will appeal a federal court ruling that struck down Pennsylvania’s ban on large gatherings. The governor says his order was not that different from those issued by governors in other states.

• Texas: Bars in the state are still closed, but owners are pressing Gov. Greg Abbott to lift the order because coronavirus cases have declined. Abbott ruled that bars must remain closed as long as the rate of positive tests in Texas remained above 10 percent. It’s been below that since Sept. 1.

• New Hampshire: New Hampshire’s Division of Travel and Tourism Development is bracing for the annual influx of visitors to gawk at the autumn foliage. This year, state officials are advising visitors to go online and review all the state’s coronavirus restrictions before their arrival.

A new study conducted by researchers from Rutgers University has found that many consumers are experiencing severe injuries at the hands of glass tables. They explained that while tempered glass is the standard when making doors, regulations for tables aren’t as strict. In the event of an accident, the team says injuries tend to be more serious with untempered glass. 

The researchers are hoping that these findings prompt changes to current regulations regarding glass-made items so that fewer consumers are hurt by these products.

“It is imperative to push for stricter regulation as consumers of glass tables should not be incurring life-threatening trauma injuries due to neglect of manufacturers in not using tempered glass,” said researcher Stephanie Bonne. 

A safer option

To understand the severity of the injuries incurred from untempered glass, the researchers analyzed injury data from two sources: two dozen cases at a level 1 trauma center and over 3,200 cases from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. With more than 2.5 million glass-related injuries occurring each year, these types of incidents are certainly a cause for concern and can affect consumers’ in countless ways.

Surgery was necessary for half of all of the injuries involved in the study, while 15 percent were classified as severe injuries. The researchers explained that young kids and men were the most likely people to receive these types of injuries. 

Regardless of whether someone falls from a glass table or is by glass shards when the table breaks, these types of injuries shouldn’t be taken lightly. Patients experienced everything from organ damage to minor lacerations, and eight percent of all these injuries ended in death. 

With its biggest season of the year at risk because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Hershey is offering advice to consumers on how to safely trick-or-treat in a time of social distancing.

The company says it has consulted with both public health experts and retailers to produce a website that tells consumers what they should and should not do on Halloween night, depending on where they live. 

In areas where there are few cases, the website suggests Halloween can be a little more normal, with precautions. In areas where the virus is raging, Halloween will admittedly look very different.

“We’re taking a proactive approach,” Phil Stanley, Hershey’s global chief sales officer, told The Wall Street Journal. “We’re really focused on helping consumers find creative ways to celebrate with treats, even though trick-or-treating is going to look different this year.”

Black Friday for candy makers

The stakes for Hershey and other candy makers are extremely high. Halloween is their Black Friday, a season that is normally responsible for about 10 percent of annual sales.

To cope, Hershey is not only attempting to help worried parents safely make the most of the holiday for their children, it’s also making adjustments to its business. This year, the company has changed the variety of its Halloween candy lineup and gotten products to retailers even earlier than normal.

The Hershey Halloween 2020 website features a color-coded map of the U.S. By hovering over the county where you live, you’ll see the county is ranked either “green,” “yellow,” “orange,” or “red,” with green being the lowest risk and red being the highest.

For each of the four categories, the website offers tips on safe Halloween celebrations. In green areas, Hershey says it's safe for traditional trick-or-treating, with social distancing and other safety precautions.

But in red areas, the site suggests small holiday gatherings of just a few close friends and family members or celebrating with friends on Zoom. Hershey said the tips it offers are in line with guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some public health officials are skeptical

What Hershey and other candy makers are trying to prevent is a wholesale cancellation of Halloween this year. Earlier this month, the Los Angeles County Department of Health put a scare into candy makers when it banned Halloween activities, including trick-or-treating. It later revised its edict, saying activities are permitted but not recommended.

Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at University of California Davis Health, told USA Today that he advises against trick-or-treating this year. He says the risk is too great, even in areas with low transmission rates.

"I just don’t see how it’s feasible to do this safely," he said in an interview with the newspaper. “It's not realistic to think children will be able to maintain social distancing recommendations, as they walk around in groups and are handed treats.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) said Monday that around 46,000 veterans had their personal information exposed in a data breach

The VA said that hackers gained unauthorized access to their systems with the aim of stealing payments that were meant to go to health care providers who provided treatment to veterans. Some veterans may have had their social security number leaked.

"The Financial Services Center (FSC) determined one of its online applications was accessed by unauthorized users to divert payments to community health care providers for the­ medical treatment of Veterans,” the Department said in an announcement. “The FSC took the application offline and reported the breach to VA’s Privacy Office.” 

Investigation in progress 

The VA added that hackers were able to breach the system by “using social engineering techniques and exploiting authentication protocols.” The agency said it’s launching a security review. 

"To prevent any future improper access to and modification of information, system access will not be reenabled until a comprehensive security review is completed by the VA Office of Information Technology," it added.

The Department said it’s notifying veterans whose information was exposed in the breach. In cases where the affected veteran is deceased, the Department will notify the next-of-kin. 

“The department is also offering access to credit monitoring services, at no cost, to those whose social security numbers may have been compromised," the VA said. "Veterans whose information was involved are advised to follow the instructions in the letter to protect their data. There is no action needed from Veterans if they did not receive an alert by mail, as their personal information was not involved in the incident.” 

While many consumers think of changing their diet or exercise habits in an effort to promote better heart health, a new study is exploring how a person’s attitude plays a bigger role in health outcomes than they might realize. 

According to researchers from the European Society of Cardiology, having a hostile attitude could make recovering from a heart attack more complicated. Their study revealed that a good attitude is key for heart attack patients because being more irritable could increase the risk of death in the event of a second heart attack. 

“Hostility is a personality trait that includes being sarcastic, cynical, resentful, impatient, or irritable,” said researcher Dr. Tracey Vitori. “It’s not just a one-off occurrence but characterises how a person interacts with people. We know that taking control of lifestyle habits improves the outlook for heart attack patients and our study suggests that improving hostile behaviours could also be a positive move.” 

Maintaining a good attitude

To understand how hostility could affect future health outcomes, the researchers assessed over 2,300 heart attack patients’ attitudes and behaviors over the course of two years. Ultimately, they found that having a more hostile attitude was associated with poorer health outcomes. 

The researchers explained that hostility wasn’t necessarily an indicator of future health concerns, as nearly 60 percent of the participants were categorized as having hostile attitudes. However, over the long-term, being angry and aggressive appeared to increase the likelihood that patients wouldn’t survive a subsequent heart attack. 

“There is much cardiac patients can do to take control of their own health,” said Dr. Vitori. “From a physical side -- smoking cessation, increase physical activity, and eat a balanced diet. Our study also indicates that managing hostile behaviours could be important.” 

Paying attention to mental health

Several recent studies have explored the ways mental health can have an effect on heart health -- especially for young people. Because of this, the researchers hope that these findings inspire further research that can help medical professionals better understand why hostility is such an important component in heart attack recovery. 

“Hostility has been linked with cardiovascular disease since the 1950s, but we still don’t fully understand why,” Dr. Vitori said. “Our study shows that hostility is a common trait in heart attack survivors and is associated with poor outcomes. More research is needed on how this characteristic affects the body.” 

Delta Air Lines has been busy this week. On Monday, the carrier found a creative way to finance operations for the near future by securing loans by exchanging frequent flier rewards. Its workers caught a break on Tuesday, saving tens of thousands from the unemployment line. 

In a memo to staff, Delta CEO Ed Bastian reported that thanks to shorter work schedules and other cost-saving measures more than 40,000 employees agreed to accept, the furlough wolf is away from the carrier’s door for the time being.

Bastian said that a 25 percent reduction in work hours for its ground-based employees also played a significant role in protecting jobs. The airline still plans to furlough close to 2,000 pilots as of October 1, but the company said it is working around the clock to cut the best deal possible with the pilots union.

Delta’s new focus

Bastian laid out the company’s new priorities in the memo. He said Delta wants to protect workers’ health, safety, and jobs; preserve the company’s liquidity and cash balance to get it through the crisis; and position the carrier for success in the future.

“The work our teams have done to ensure a safe environment on our planes, at the airport and in our workspaces is nothing short of remarkable. We have also made great strides to protect Delta jobs amid an unprecedented drop in our revenues,” Bastian wrote.

“We had an enormous response to the enhanced early retirement and departure packages that were offered this summer, with 20 percent of our people choosing voluntary exits,” Bastian said. “While it is difficult to see so many of our colleagues leave, every one of those departures helped save Delta jobs.”

Bastian said Delta’s flight attendants and ground-based frontline employees in the U.S. will likely avoid involuntary furloughs, but they’ll be performing some new tasks. Flight attendants will support the airline’s catering processes and take part in its rotating month-on, month-off Fly On/Off program. Ground workers will also take on new responsibilities such as wheelchair handling, plane refueling, and cargo handling.