Current Events in October 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a massive number of changes to all of our lives, but one of the larger ones for consumers is the price hike on certain grocery staples. 

Americans across the country have been shelling out more for products like meat, eggs, poultry, and everyday household goods. That trend began to accelerate in March, and there’s no sign that prices will fall to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon. 

At a time when unemployment remains high and the economy isn’t growing, every extra penny adds up. To find the pain point of where consumers feel pinched, C+R Research surveyed 2,040 consumers and asked them how COVID-19 has affected their food budget, shopping habits, and the foods they eat. 

Majority of consumers paying more for groceries

Overall, C+R’s findings look like this:

• Eighty-five percent of American consumers report paying more for groceries during COVID-19, spending $139 a week on average.

• Meat (68 percent), eggs (48 percent), and milk (48 percent) were among the top three food items that Americans say they've been paying more for during COVID-19. In the household aisle, the top two product categories that have seen price increases are cleaning supplies (59 percent) and paper products like toilet paper and paper towels (39 percent). Consumers say they’re also feeling an added pinch when it comes to services, with utilities (33 percent) leading the way.

• Eighty-three percent of respondents are still having difficulty finding the grocery items they would normally purchase. 

• The top ways consumers are cutting back on grocery spending include eating less meat and poultry products, looking for discounts, avoiding organic items, and buying in bulk.

• Seventy-five percent of respondents still feel uncomfortable when shopping at a grocery store (up from 60  percent in April). 

What’s the reason?

ConsumerAffairs asked Terrie Wendricks, the VP of Consumer and Shopper Insights at C+R Research, to weigh in on why consumers seem to be getting hit everywhere they turn.

“There are a handful of trends that are contributing to consumers paying more for groceries during COVID-19,” she said. “There are currently fewer promotions happening, and that is part of the reason why groceries cost more today. It isn’t necessarily that the manufacturers have fewer reasons to offer promotions. It is more a concern that promotions would heighten out of stock issues already created by COVID stockpiling behavior.”

Wendricks pointed to data from Nielsen that shows a decline in discounts is helping fuel larger grocery bills. Statistics show that only 26.2 percent of all items were purchased on sale in August, compared to the average rate of 31.4 percent. The other issue causing higher grocery prices is the demand caused by consumers squirreling away certain items like sanitizing gel and toilet paper. 

“In March, there was initial stockpiling of key grocery items because of panic buying, and consumers have continued to buy more groceries to eat at home due to safety concerns as well as closures of restaurants and capacity limitations in dining rooms,” Wendricks told ConsumerAffairs.

Congress is locked in debate over a second round of direct stimulus payments to Americans, but the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is still trying to distribute money from the first round of payments that were included in the CARES Act.

The IRS has once again extended its deadline for filing to receive the $1,200 per adult payments to Nov. 21, a move that it said will help Americans who don’t normally file federal income tax returns. The first round of payments was distributed to taxpayers.

To make sure everyone who is eligible to receive a stimulus payment gets it, the IRS has set up an online portal here for people who don’t typically file a tax return and haven’t received a stimulus check, known as an economic impact payment. But you need to act quickly since the IRS says the tool won’t be available after Nov. 21.

“We took this step to provide more time for those who have not yet received a payment to register to get their money, including those in low-income and underserved communities,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. 

Time is of the essence

Rettig says the tax agency is running out of time since it will soon be involved in the upcoming tax-filing season. He said the IRS won’t have the ability to manage stimulus payments after Nov. 21. 

Rettig stresses that the additional time is for Americans who don’t file a tax return. The remaining stimulus money is largely earmarked for this group of people. The IRS sent out nearly 9 million letters last month to people who may be eligible for the $1,200 economic impact payments but don’t normally file a tax return. 

“Time is running out for those who don’t normally file a tax return to get their payments,” Rettig said. “Registration is quick and easy, and we urge everyone to share this information to reach as many people before the deadline.”

Non-taxpayers were left out

When Congress passed the CARES Act, it based the stimulus payments on federal tax records. The IRS was given the task of distributing the funds because it already had a way to quickly send out the money. But that left out millions of Americans who don’t file tax returns.

While most eligible U.S. taxpayers have automatically received their stimulus money, others who don’t have a filing obligation are required to register with the IRS to receive their money. Typically, the IRS says, this includes people who receive little or no income -- people for whom $1,200 could make a big difference.

The IRS Non-Filers tool is specifically designed for people with incomes typically below $24,400 for married couples, and $12,200 for singles who could not be claimed as a dependent by someone else. This includes couples and individuals who are homeless.

Anyone using the Non-Filers tool can speed the arrival of their payment by choosing to receive it by direct deposit. Those not choosing this option will get a check.

Meanwhile,  Americans would receive another $1,200 stimulus payment under a $2.2 trillion aid package passed by Democrats in the House. However, Republicans have not agreed to support the package.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 7,464,372 (7,423,328)

Total U.S. deaths: 210,313 (209,857)

Total global cases: 35,559,026 (35,252,679)

Total global deaths: 1,045,390 (1,038,307)

White House reportedly blocks FDA vaccine guidelines

The Trump administration has reportedly blocked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposed guidelines to vaccine developers on steps they must follow before bringing a vaccine against the coronavirus (COVID-19) to market -- steps that would have precluded a vaccine before the Nov. 3 election.

The guidelines called for vaccine developers to carefully follow subjects in Phase 3 clinical trials for two months after the trial to make sure the vaccine had not caused any adverse effects. After that time, the drug companies would be allowed to apply for emergency use authorization.

A senior administration confirmed the move to Reuters, saying the White House believed there was “no clinical or medical reason” for the additional requirement.

Seventeen more retailers at risk of bankruptcy

There has been a wave of retail bankruptcies since the coronavirus shut down the economy, and industry experts predict there will be more in the months ahead. According to the retail publication Retail Dive, there are at least 17 national retailers at risk of default.

The publication notes that bankruptcies have largely slowed as the industry heads into the holiday season. Depending on how the holidays shake out, it says 2021 could bring another wave of bankruptcies. 

Of the 17 retailers on CreditRiskMonitor’s “at-risk” list, 11 are apparel retailers that could join Brooks Brothers, J. Crew, and Lord & Taylor, which filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year.

Doctors concerned by White House photo op

President Trump returned to the White House Monday after being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for COVID-19, saying he felt great. But his photo op on the White House balcony is giving health officials a bad case of heartburn.

Trump stood on the balcony and removed his mask, something COVID-19 patients are never advised to do. Even though Trump was alone on the balcony, doctors say it was not a good idea.

Trump, meanwhile, told Americans in a tweet that they should not live in fear of the virus. "One thing that's for certain – don't let it dominate you. Don't be afraid of it. You're going to beat it," he said. 

Wisconsin searches for answers

In many Midwestern states where coronavirus cases have spiked, college students were primary suspects for causing the spread and have been called out for partying and not social distancing. But in Wisconsin, health officials are having second thoughts.

They note that while there were initial outbreaks in college towns like Milwaukee and Madison, cases lately have surged in communities where there are no colleges.

“To say that A caused B, we need to have more than just A happened before B,”  Ryan Westergaard, Wisconsin’s chief medical officer for the Bureau of Communicable Diseases, told The Wall Street Journal. “Saying that these rapid outbreaks at college campuses caused statewide transmission to go up -- we don’t have enough evidence to make that link with any certainty.”

Who’s most likely to die from COVID-19?

Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 210,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus. The Wall Street Journal has broken down nine months of data to determine who has died from the virus.

Information from death certificates shows that around 79 percent of recorded deaths are among people aged 65 and over while people under age 35 account for just 1 percent of known deaths.  Nearly a third of deaths have affected people who are at least 85 years old.

Fifty-four percent of the fatalities are men while 46 percent are women. Being in a long-term care facility is also a risk factor, with that population consistently making up about 40 percent of coronavirus deaths.

Around the nation

• Vermont: The state’s annual apple harvest has been linked to the state’s worst outbreak since June 3. The state health department reported 33 new cases Monday, mostly among migrant workers at an Addison County apple orchard. 

• Nevada: The Division of Industrial Relations (DIR) reports that four businesses in the state were cited during the week beginning Sept. 28 for non-compliance with COVID-19 rules. Officials say the state has recorded an 89 percent compliance rate since the rules went into effect.

• Indiana: Gov. Eric Holcomb says the state has made good progress in reducing coronavirus cases, so he’s lifting some restrictions on businesses. However, he says the mandate to wear masks in public will remain in effect until Oct. 17.

On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed its website to state that COVID-19 can be spread by airborne transmission. 

The update comes two weeks after the agency mistakenly published a “draft version of proposed changes” to the section of its website that detailed how COVID-19 is spread. At the end of September, the CDC changed its website to say that the virus spreads through airborne particles that can remain in the air and travel distances beyond six feet. A few days later, the CDC said the guidance was “posted in error.” 

“CDC is currently updating its recommendations regarding airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Once this process has been completed, the update language will be posted,” the agency said at the time. 

Now, the CDC has officially acknowledged that COVID-19 can be spread via droplets that can remain in the air for hours. 

"Some infections can be spread by exposure to the virus in small droplets and particles that can linger in the air for minutes to hours,” the CDC said Monday. “These viruses may be able to infect people who are further than 6 feet away from the person who is infected or after that person has left the space.”

"This kind of spread is referred to as airborne transmission and is an important way that infections like tuberculosis, measles, and chicken pox are spread,” CDC officials added. 

Most commonly spread through close contact

The CDC said the main way that the virus spreads is still through close contact with an infected individual. However, COVID-19 has been found to also be spread through the air, potentially infecting people who are more than six feet away in cases where people are in a confined space without proper ventilation. 

For example, the CDC said the virus can be spread in cases where people are breathing heavily or singing in an enclosed space. 

“People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others,” the agency added. “We are still learning about how the virus spreads and the severity of illness it causes.”

Southwest Airlines says it will ask its workers to take pay cuts in order to avoid losing their job due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.  

On Monday, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly told employees that he needs them to take a 10 percent pay cut to avoid furloughs in 2021. In an interview with CNBC, he said the action would help save the airline around $500 million a year -- “real money,” as Kelly described it. 

Like other airlines, Southwest is struggling to weather the economic impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Demand for flights remains significantly lower than before the pandemic. Kelly told employees that airline revenue is down 70 percent from a year ago.

“We will all need to sacrifice more,” he said, adding that company leaders are taking a 10 percent pay cut in the year ahead. Kelly himself has taken reduced pay since March and has agreed not to take a salary next year. 

"For our union contract employees, I promised you I would let you know if and when we decide to approach your union representatives for concessions," said Kelly, according to a memo seen by CNN. "Because of the inaction of the federal government, and the ongoing losses, that time has arrived."

Kelly said the airline “simply cannot afford to continue with the conditions required to maintain full pay and employment."

Federal aid needed

Airlines and labor unions are hoping that the White House will approve $25 billion in additional federal aid to support airline worker payrolls. Kelly told employees that he’s aiming to have cost-saving agreements in place with labor unions by January 1. Furloughs will be a “last resort,” he said. 

Pay could be restored to normal if Congress approves additional payroll support for carriers, he added. 

“If we’re so fortunate to have the federal government act and extend the PSP through next March as has been proposed, then all these pay-cut efforts will be discontinued or reversed,” said Kelly.

A new study conducted by researchers from the American Psychological Association explored the academic advantages associated with attending preschool versus going straight to kindergarten. According to their findings, preschool is instrumental in developing kids’ skills in a variety of areas, but children who go straight to kindergarten are still able to catch up by the end of their first year.  

“One interesting part of our findings was that children’s classroom experiences in kindergarten had little to do with whether the benefits of pre-K persist over time,” said researcher Arya Ansari. 

“Instead, what our findings appear to suggest is that even though children’s skills are susceptible to improvement as a result of pre-K, their longer-term outcomes are likely to be affected by factors that are outside the scope of early schooling. We need to view pre-K as one of many investments we make to ensure that all children have an equal opportunity to succeed in life.” 

Understanding educational progress

The researchers had over 2,500 kindergarteners involved in the study; over half of the group attended pre-K while the remaining children went straight to kindergarten. For the entirety of the kindergarten school year, the researchers evaluated the students on three primary outcomes: social-emotional skills, literacy and math, and executive functioning, which includes things like memory and self-control. 

The study revealed that pre-K graduates outperformed those who didn’t attend pre-K in the early parts of the kindergarten school year when it came to both academic and executive functioning outcomes. However, by the end of the year, the researchers found that students who hadn’t attended pre-K were able to close that gap. 

In looking at specific academic areas, the researchers noted that pre-K graduates started out the year 80 percent stronger in literacy and 45 percent stronger in general knowledge; however, by the end of the year, those differences were eliminated. 

“We found that pre-K graduates entered Kindergarten demonstrating stronger academic skills than those who did not attend preschool,” Ansari said. “The same was true for executive functioning, but there was no aggregate difference in kindergarten teachers’ reports of their socio-emotional skills. However, we also found that the differences between attenders and nonattenders diminished between the fall and spring of kindergarten, primarily because nonattenders who entered school for the first time in kindergarten made larger learning gains as compared to their classmates with pre-K experiences.” 

Moving forward, the researchers hope that more work can be done on the effects of attending preschool, as understanding these differences in academic performance can be beneficial to both parents and educators. 

“Ensuring that young children enter kindergarten ready to learn has been of great research and policy interest,” said Ansari. “By all accounts, pre-K programs have helped achieve this goal. However, there have been lingering questions as to whether contemporary and scaled-up pre-K programs provide children with enduring benefits as they progress throughout their educational careers.” 

Not to be outdone by Walmart, Amazon, or Target’s special single-day promotions, Apple has jumped on the bandwagon with a “speed” event of its own on Tuesday, October 13.

Analysts -- or should we say people who know how to interpret Apple’s teaser campaigns -- believe the company’s invitation to the event, which included the phrase “Hi, Speed,” likely means the company is going to unveil its long-awaited iPhone 12 with 5G service.

This year’s release date is later than usual for iPhones. Apple usually rolls out new devices in mid-September, but company executives had cautioned investors that new models likely wouldn’t be available until October. 

What’s to expect in the way of new iPhones

If you’re an Apple person, here’s what you can start dreaming about:

Size: MacRumors says it’s placing its bets on four iPhones in three different sizes -- the most affordable being the ‌iPhone 12‌, which will come in 5.4, and 6.1-inch size options. If the 5.4-inch version makes the party, it will be the smallest ‌iPhone‌ that Apple has released in a while, and word has it that it could even be called the "‌iPhone 12‌ mini." 

For iPhone lovers who think that size matters when it comes to phones, MacRumors expects there to be a 6.1-inch iPhone 12‌ Pro and a 6.7-inch ‌iPhone 12‌ Pro Max, the largest display size that Apple has ever offered.

Camera: To stay ahead of the photography curve, it’s also expected that the new iPhones will have upgraded camera technology, featuring scanner technology that was introduced in the recent iPad Pro release.

Audio: Apple watchers say it’s possible that the company will also release new AirPods with over-ear wireless headphones and tags so users can find lost items using wireless pings.

Speed: Another copy-and-paste inclusion from the latest iPad Pro may be quicker 5-nanometer A14 chips, which should boost the phone’s performance and prowess.

Missing in action: iPhone users have been slowly weaned off accessories that Apple used to bundle with every iPhone. Two of those are the power adapter and earbuds. “Because 5G technology is expensive, Apple is planning to eliminate the power adapter and earbuds that traditionally come with an ‌iPhone‌, instead offering a separate power adapter for purchase,” MacRumors Juli Clover forecasted.

“A braided Lightning to USB-C cable could be included, however, and the power adapter rumor has been all but confirmed by the Series 6 Apple Watches, which were also shipped without a power adapter.”

The Commerce Department reported Tuesday that the United States’ trade deficit rose nearly 6 percent in August to $67.1 billion -- the highest level since 2006.

Exports of goods and services were worth $171.9 billion ($3.6 billion more than July exports), but imports recovered faster at $239 billion ($7.4 billion more than in July). The widening gap between U.S. imports and exports reflects the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. exporters are still struggling to get back to pre-pandemic levels. 

Exports have rebounded slower than imports and are about 18 percent lower compared to the last month before the pandemic. Many investors are optimistic that another fiscal stimulus will help aid the recovery of the global economy and, in turn, increase exports and lower the deficit. 

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly had a phone call Monday to discuss a $2.2 trillion relief bill that was approved by House Democrats last week. Pelosi and Mnuchin are expected to speak again on Tuesday. 

“As [U.S.] production continues to ramp up, there is plenty of scope for exports to catch up over the coming months,” said senior U.S. economist Andrew Hunter of Capital Economics.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California at Davis explored the risks associated with folic acid during pregnancy. Based on findings taken from tests of pregnant mice, the team says brain development is likely to be compromised when folic acid levels are imbalanced during pregnancy. 

“We believe there’s a Goldilocks effect with folic acid,” said researcher Ralph Green. “Too little is not good, too much is not good; you have to get it just right.”

Finding the right amount 

The researchers tested various amounts of folic acid on pregnant mice to determine how the supplement affected the health and development of their offspring. Some of the mice were given no folic acid, some were given the recommended daily dose of 400 micrograms, and some were given 10 times the recommended daily dose. 

After analyzing the effect that folic acid had on the mice, the researchers confirmed that too much or too little folic acid can be detrimental to infants’ health and development. Brain development was particularly affected, as the study revealed that taking high doses of folic acid can affect brain structure and growth. The results were similar for the mice who didn’t take any additional folic acid. 

“It’s not subtle,” said researcher Konstantinos Zarbalis. “It’s substantial. It makes a marked difference in brain structure if you take very high amounts of folic acid.” 

The researchers explained that folic acid is good for pregnant women because it can protect against several complications, learning disorders, and birth defects. However, as these findings made clear, it’s important that pregnant women consult with their doctors about getting the right amount of folic acid because too much or too little can have negative consequences. 

“Addition of folic acid to the diet was a good thing, and I’ve supported fortification, but there is a ‘best amount’ of folic acid, and some people may be getting more than is optimal,” said Green. 

Moving forward, the researchers hope that more work can be done in this area to better understand the risks associated with folic acid during pregnancy. 

“In animal models, we have indications that very high amounts of folic acid can be harmful to brain development of the fetus, and the clinical community should take this indication seriously, to support research in this area to reevaluate the amount of folic acid that is optimal for pregnant women,” said Zarbalis. 

Venmo has introduced its first credit card, issued by Synchrony and powered by Visa. Members can manage their card in the Venmo app and earn cashback on each purchase.

Just like the app, the card allows users to transfer money or split purchases with friends. A nice feature of the card is that the top reward category changes based on the customer’s biggest spending category.

Instead of having to choose a category or have one assigned by the credit card issuer each quarter, the new Venmo card will pay 3 percent cash back on the customer’s largest purchase category during a billing cycle. One month it might be airlines, another month it might be groceries.

The card pays 2 percent cash back on items in the second-largest category and up to 1 percent on all other purchases. There is no annual fee.

Spending categories include groceries, bills and utilities, health and beauty, gasoline, entertainment, dining and nightlights, transportation, and travel.

Cash goes into the Venmo account

When a customer earns cash, it’s automatically placed in their Venmo account, allowing them to easily use the money. They can use it to make statement payments, make purchases, or send it to family or friends using the app.

The card has many of the same features of the app. Users can manage their card and spending using the mobile app and track spending activity in real time, organized by spending categories, and split and share purchases.

They can also monitor how much cashback they’ve received, make payments, and otherwise manage the credit card – all in the app. Customers can also choose to receive real-time alerts to help them see when and where purchases are made, and when cashback is applied to their account.

Minimal contact during purchases

Venmo says its credit card is also easier to use. It has an RFID-enabled chip so customers can tap to pay at the point-of-sale, allowing for minimal contact, instead of inserting the chip or swiping their card at the point-of-sale.

Venmo’s card also takes advantage of parent company PayPal’s QR code-scanning for credit-card purchases at some brick and mortar and online retailers. To start, the Venmo card’s QR code will only work for card activation and for other Venmo users to send card customers a payment.

Venmo is doing a soft rollout, making the new card available only to a small percentage of current Venmo users this year. The card will be fully available in the first quarter of next year.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 620,246 model year 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger & Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus & Corsair vehicles.

Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.

Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin November 7, 2020.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.

Homestead Creamery of Wirtz, Va., is recalling one lot of Homestead Creamery chocolate ice cream.

The product may contain pecans, an allergen not declared on the label.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The chocolate ice cream in quart packages dated May 13, 2921 on the bottom of the container were sold in May by retail stores and direct delivery in Virginia and North Carolina.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled product should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (540) 721-2045.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 7,423,328 (7,399,459)

Total U.S. deaths: 209,857 (209,610)

Total global cases: 35,252,679 (34,986,505)

Total global deaths: 1,038,307 (1,034,538)

President Trump’s condition improves

Doctors treating President Trump for the coronavirus (COVID-19) say the chief executive has improved since being admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Friday. His treatment includes remdesivir, an antibody cocktail, and a steroid drug.

The president, meanwhile, is coming under fire for his visit to supporters Sunday, riding in the back of an SUV as it drove through the hospital grounds. Dr. James Phillips, an attending physician at Walter Reed and doctor of emergency medicine at George Washington University, took to Twitter, calling the ride “insanity.”

“Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary presidential ‘drive-by’ just now has to be quarantined for 14 days,” he wrote. “They might get sick. They may die. For political theater.”

Businesses make new appeal for help

The House has approved a $2.2 trillion aid package to help businesses and consumers as signs indicate that more companies face the prospect of closing or cutting staff. The airline industry says it will have to furlough 30,000 workers without help from Washington.

Businesses and industries outside the U.S. may be in even worse shape. Bars in Paris have been ordered to close next week as cases spike across Europe in what doctors say is a second wave of the virus.

“The global economy is in its worst state in a century,” Yousef Al-Benyan, chairman of the Business Twenty (B20), a group made up of high-level CEOs from around the world, told CNBC. “The challenging opportunity is to build back better, with real urgency required from policymakers and business leaders.”

New York City plans to shut down nine ZIP codes

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says nine ZIP codes in Queens and Brooklyn will be ordered to shut down later this week if the state government gives the green light. Those areas have seen significant increases in cases of the virus in recent days.

The shutdown would represent a rewind to April, when non-essential businesses were ordered to close their doors. It would also close public and private schools.

“I’m very aware of challenges it will cause,” de Blasio said Sunday. “I’m very aware for the people in the nine ZIP codes, there’s a tough period ahead, but I know we will overcome.”

Regal closing U.S. theaters

Cineworld, parent company of Regal, said it is temporarily closing its 536 theaters in the U.S. beginning Thursday to wait out the coronavirus. 

"This is not a decision we made lightly, and we did everything in our power to support a safe and sustainable reopening in the U.S.– from putting in place robust health and safety measures at our theatres to joining our industry in making a collective commitment to the CinemaSafe protocols to reaching out to state and local officials to educate them on these initiatives,” said Mooky Greidinger, CEO of Cineworld.

The theater chain has faced twin headwinds. Its theaters have not been allowed to open in some large markets, and it’s facing a shortage of new movies because studios are putting off the release of major films. 

United resuming flights to China

For the first time in eight months, when the coronavirus pandemic was mostly confined to China, United Airlinesplans to offer flights to that country again. The airline said United’s service between San Francisco and Shanghai will resume Oct. 21.

"United continues playing a critical role in keeping people and global supply chains connected to Shanghai and to cities around the world," said Patrick Quayle, United's vice president of International Network and Alliances. "We look forward to resuming nonstop service and offering our customers greater convenience and shorter flight times between San Francisco and Shanghai."

United will operate four flights a week between the U.S. and China and will no longer be required to stop in Seoul, South Korea.

Around the nation

• Michigan: The state Supreme Court has ruled that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lacks legal authority to continue Michigan’s coronavirus emergency orders. The court ruled that Whitmer overstepped the law when she extended the emergency order that expired at the end of April.

• Missouri: Gov. Mike Parson has returned to his office after being treated for COVID-19. Parson, a firm opponent of mandatory mask rules, said on Facebook that both he and his wife -- who also tested policy -- have been cleared to work from home while they recover from the virus.

• Florida: A family court judge has denied a mother visitation rights with her son for one reason -- she refuses to wear a mask. Broward Circuit Judge Dale Cohen called the mother an “anti-mask person” who had bragged about it on Facebook. Her 14-year-old son has asthma.

A defective Takata airbag has claimed a 17th life in the United States. Honda has confirmed that the recalled airbag was responsible for a fatality on August 20 in Mesa, Ariz.

Since 2014, when automotive manufacturers using the airbags initially recalled 3 million vehicles, the defective inflators -- which can explode and send tiny bits of metal flying through the inside of a vehicle, are linked to 26 deaths worldwide and 290 injuries.

Today, tens of millions of vehicles with Takata airbags -- mostly older models -- are under a recall order, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency said long-term exposure to high heat and humidity can cause these airbags to explode when deployed. 

Vehicles under recall for this safety defect should be repaired immediately, the agency said. Models made before 2015 should be checked for the defect with Honda and Ford vehicles most likely to have installed Takata airbags.

How to check your vehicle

Owners can check to see if their vehicle is affected by entering their vehicle identification number (VIN) here. A vehicle’s VIN can be found on the title or registration. It is also embossed into the dashboard on the driver’s side.

Honda said the vehicle involved in the Aug. 20 accident was a 2002 Honda Civic that had been under a recall since 2011 for airbag inflator replacement. The company said in this particular case it mailed 15 recall notices to the vehicle’s registered owners over a period of eight years.

But tragically, the person who died in the accident was not the registered owner of the vehicle and likely was unaware of the safety hazard the vehicle posed.

Until all of the vehicles with defective airbag inflators are repaired or removed from the road, safety officials warn that deaths and injuries may continue. Meanwhile, earlier this year Honda and Nissanrecalled another 1.3 million vehicles with Takata PSDI-5D driver airbag inflators.

Due to a manufacturing error, the companies said the inflator may not function properly or may explode in a crash that necessitates airbag deployment.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Bath explored what effect coffee can have on consumers’ metabolisms. To ensure that our metabolisms are operating at optimal levels, their findings suggest that it’s better for consumers to have their morning coffee after eating breakfast instead of having it immediately after waking up -- especially after a night of disrupted sleep. 

“We know that nearly half of us will wake in the morning and, before doing anything else, drink coffee -- intuitively the more tired we feel, the stronger the coffee,” said researcher James Betts. “This study is important and has far-reaching health implications as up until now we have had limited knowledge about what this is doing to our bodies, in particular for our metabolic and blood sugar control.”

Making the most of morning coffee

The researchers had 29 adults participate in three overnight scenarios in different orders. The experiments each night of the study tested how disrupted sleep held up against uninterrupted sleep, and then how consuming caffeine or sugar in the morning affected the participants’ bodily systems. 

After analyzing blood samples from the participants after each of the trials, the researchers learned that having coffee too soon after waking can affect the body’s blood sugar response. The study revealed that when study participants drank coffee first thing in the morning, their blood sugar response spiked by 50 percent compared to when they ate breakfast before having coffee. 

“Put simply, our blood sugar is impaired when the first thing our bodies come into contact with is coffee, especially after a night of disrupted sleep,” said Betts. “We might improve this by eating first and then drinking coffee later if we feel we still feel the need for it. Knowing this can have important health benefits for us all.” 

The researchers also found that the body’s blood sugar response was similar when the participants experienced disrupted sleep versus uninterrupted sleep; the caffeine was what had the biggest impact on the body’s metabolism. They recommend that consumers rearrange their morning routines to ensure that their blood sugar levels don’t spike after having coffee too early. 

“There is a lot more we need to learn about the effects of sleep on our metabolism, such as how much sleep disruption is necessary to impair our metabolism and what some of the longer-term implications of this are, as well as how exercise, for instance, could help to counter some of this,” said researcher Harry Smith. 

Uber and Lyft are putting nearly $100 million toward a November California ballot that would weaken a state labor law requiring each company to classify their drivers as employees. 

Reuters’ calculations show that the $100 million the ride-hailing services are pouring into the initiative is significantly less than the sum of the annual payroll taxes and workers’ compensation costs Uber and Lyft would have to pay in compliance with the new law. 

The publication said it calculated that each full-time driver would cost the company an additional $7,700 on average under compliance with the law. 

“That includes roughly $4,560 in annual employer-based California and federal payroll taxes and some $3,140 in annual workers’ compensation insurance, which is mandated in California,” Reuters said. 

Arguing against converting gig workers

Uber and Lyft have said classifying drivers as employees rather than gig workers would cause them to have to raise prices to help pay the additional costs of supporting drivers. That, in turn, would cause a drop in consumer demand.

The companies are now reportedly sponsoring a new measure under which independent contractors would receive some of the benefits they would receive if classified as employees. 

Uber and Lyft have argued that drivers are appropriately classified as gig workers because they have the ability to set their own schedules. The firms have claimed that the majority of their drivers value their flexibility and don’t want to be employees. However, many drivers have said they have been forced to take on other jobs in order to supplement their income. 

​Regal Cinemas will temporarily close all 536 of its locations in the U.S. on October 8 due to limited consumer demand and a “challenging theatrical landscape.” Regal’s parent company, Cineworld Group, said Monday that the pandemic has led to prolonged theater closures in key markets, which has taken a massive toll on its business. 

Additionally, studios haven’t been releasing new movies due to suppressed demand and the popularity of streaming. The lack of new movies has, in turn, perpetuated low demand, even after Regal implemented new COVID-19 protocols. 

"This is not a decision we made lightly, and we did everything in our power to support a safe and sustainable reopening in the U.S.– from putting in place robust health and safety measures at our theatres to joining our industry in making a collective commitment to the CinemaSafe protocols to reaching out to state and local officials to educate them on these initiatives.

“We are especially grateful for and proud of the hard work our employees put in to adapt our theatres to the new protocols and cannot underscore enough how difficult this decision was," said Mooky Greidinger, CEO of Cineworld.

Will resume business at “appropriate” time

Regal said it will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation as it pertains to its business. The theater chain said it hopes to resume operations “at the appropriate time, when key markets have more concrete guidance on their reopening status and, in turn, studios are able to bring their pipeline of major releases back to the big screen.” 

In the U.S., the suspension of operations will affect about 40,000 jobs. Cineworld will also be suspending operations at 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse cinemas in the U.K.

Just days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended its no-sail order for U.S. cruise ships through October 31, Norwegian Cruise Line has decided to play it safe by keeping its ships docked until December 1.

All Norwegian-branded cruise ships -- Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruise -- will suspend cruising until that date.

Guests who are currently booked on cancelled voyages on any of those lines are asked to contact their travel advisor or the cruise line for more information.

Not taking any chances

Being on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean is one of the worst places anyone can be when a contagious disease has broken out. The confined spaces make it difficult to avoid contact with germs and other infected people. Even more concerning is that a third of all cruisers are age 60 or older, the demographic most susceptible to severe negative effects of coronavirus.

In late September, Norwegian -- in partnership with Royal Caribbean Group -- established the Healthy Sail Panel to take a long look at how the cruise industry can see its way forward in response to COVID-19. The Panel is headed by former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, and Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former Commissioner of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

The Panel left no pandemic stone unturned in its recommendations, detailing 74 best practices to protect the public health and safety of guests. The Panel discussed everything from sanitation and ventilation to the benefits of face masks onboard a cruise ship. 

“This Panel undertook an ambitious, cross-disciplinary, public health examination to develop standards and guidelines that create the highest level of safety in the complex environment of a cruise ship,” Gov. Leavitt said regarding the Healthy Sail Panel.

“We studied the industry’s experiences combating the pandemic – and we then incorporated the many lessons learned and advances made by medicine and science over the past six months. The Panel’s recommendations are grounded in the best scientific and medical information available and are intended to meaningfully mitigate public health risks to those who sail.”

Facebook appears to have prepared an argument against breaking up Instagram and WhatsApp, according to a document seen by The Wall Street Journal. 

The leaked document suggests that if Facebook were to be ordered by the government to split up its services, the company would argue that a breakup would be a “complete nonstarter.” 

Lawmakers have contended that Facebook wields too much power in the tech ecosystem, which raises concerns about anticompetitive behavior. The FTC is said to be preparing an antitrust lawsuit before the end of the year, and the House could release its antitrust investigation results in October. 

Lack of past FTC action 

If talks of government regulation eventually become an actual plan, Facebook would reportedly argue that splitting up its services would be difficult to do -- and that doing so could hurt the user experience.  

The company may plan to argue that its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp were approved by the FTC without objections and that it invested a great deal of money in getting the services running as separate-but-integrated systems. 

“In the paper, Facebook says unwinding the deals would be nearly impossible to achieve, forcing the company to spend billions of dollars maintaining separate systems, weakening security and harming users’ experience,” the Wall Street Journal reported. 

Facebook would argue that “a ‘breakup’ of Facebook is thus a complete nonstarter,” according to the 14-page document. 

From a legal standpoint, Columbia University professor and tech policy expert Tim Wu says Facebook’s plan to pin the blame on the FTC for its past approval would be a “weak” defense. Wu said that Facebook’s contention that a breakup would be too difficult would also be a flimsy legal argument. 

“There is no ‘it’s too hard’ defense,” Wu told the Journal.