Current Events in October 2020

On Thursday, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon called on congressional leaders to get a stimulus deal done soon in order to help families and small businesses amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have yet to resolve disagreements on the terms of another stimulus deal, but McMillon says the time for reaching an agreement is now. 

“For both sides, I think what they need to keep in mind is that there are Americans that need them that don’t really care about politics, aren’t really tied up in this election, and they just need some help,” he said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “Doing nothing is not the first and best option.”

Americans still struggling

So far, Democrats and Republicans have been unable to settle on the terms of a new stimulus deal. Republicans recently countered a Democrat-backed $2.2 trillion measure with a deal that would be worth $1.6 trillion. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says measures offered by the GOP fall “significantly” short of what Americans need. 

McMillon says Congress needs to go ahead and agree to a measure soon, even if they need to tweak it over time. He said that judging from consumers’ shopping behaviors, many families are still struggling under the impact of the pandemic.

“Not everyone’s in the same camp,” he said. “There are people that are still at home, who are spending money on their home and doing things to redecorate and those kinds of things. But there are other people that are struggling paycheck to paycheck – if they have a paycheck – and so many people are unemployed that we’re seeing that pressure as well.”

The Senate is reportedly planning to vote on a coronavirus aid package this month. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) says the Republican-favored deal contains $300 billion in aid for state and local governments, $400 per week in extra unemployment benefits until January, direct payments of up to $1,200 for adults and $1,000 per child, and liability protections for businesses.

While every student has a different learning style, a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is exploring the negative effects of students who engage in “distracted learning.” 

The researchers say many students tend to be doing several different things while engaging with schoolwork, and this may have a negative impact on academic outcomes. Instead of multitasking, the team says students should work to maintain better focus if they want to increase their chances of academic success. 

“Listening to a lecture, texting, online shopping, and socializing on Facebook are all complex, very demanding tasks that draw on the same region of the brain, the prefrontal cortex,” said researcher Shelly J. Schmidt. “Under most conditions, the brain can’t carry out two complex tasks simultaneously. But if students do not believe their learning is being hampered by this behavior, they have no incentive or motivation to change it, and the problem just continues.” 

Distractions and electronics

The researchers analyzed several recent studies that looked at the ways that distracted learning can be detrimental to academic success. They learned that multitasking while trying to do schoolwork can make it harder for students to comprehend what they’re learning while also negatively affecting their performance on exams and assignments. To help avoid this, Schmidt and her team are encouraging parents, students, and teachers to prioritize maintaining a stronger focus to help kids reach their highest potential. 

“Armed with an internal locus of control, students are able to recognize and control factors that impede their success, such as distractions while they’re trying to learn,” said Schmidt. 

Because electronics are one of the biggest sources of distraction, the researchers recommend several strategies for students who may be distracted by their phones while doing schoolwork. While some people may work better with a phone or gaming system totally out of sight while working, others may prefer to schedule in times throughout the day to periodically check social media or take a quick break with a show or video. 

Schmidt explained that it’s “virtually impossible to make students limit all distractions;” however, building in time throughout the school day to take breaks, stand up, and move can be beneficial for both students and teachers to get more out of their designated work time. 

“Exercise has been shown to be of enormous benefit to both cognitive functioning and well-being, including mental health,” said Schmidt. “Teachers could incorporate movement into classroom activities by asking students to pair up and go on a brief walk indoors or outdoors to discuss a concept from the day’s lesson.” 

Maintaining better focus

Despite all of the distractions vying for students’ attention, the researchers hope that these findings highlight the importance of maintaining a strong focus, as doing so can be beneficial both inside and outside the classroom. 

“In a world where distractions abound, we have a golden opportunity to help our students and ourselves learn how to control our actions and focus on what really matters,” Schmidt said. “Learning how to become less distractible is an essential and timeless skill for success in education, as well as many other facets of life.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from Anglia Ruskin University found that glitter could be polluting rivers and creating ecological damage. In looking at both biodegradable and nonbiodegradable options, the researchers learned that the presence of glitter in rivers can have lasting effects on existing ecosystems. 

“Many of the microplastics found in our rivers and oceans have taken years to form, as larger pieces of plastic are broken down over time,” said researcher Dr. Dannielle Green. “However, glitter is a ready-made microplastic that is commonly found in our homes and, particularly through cosmetics, is washed off in our sinks and into the water system. 

“Our study is the first to look at the effects of glitter in a freshwater environment and we found that both conventional and alternative glitters can have a serious ecological impact on aquatic ecosystems within a short period of time.”

The damages of microplastics

For the study, the researchers observed the effects of different types of glitter on an aquatic ecosystem for five weeks. They analyzed both traditional, nonbiodegradable glitter, and two eco-friendly options: mica glitter, which is typically used in make-up products, and another type that is made of modified regenerated cellulose (MRC). 

The researchers learned that all three glitters negatively affected the aquatic ecosystem. They looked specifically at chlorophyll and root levels, which are responsible for the health and longevity of plant species, and each glitter sample yielded nearly identical results. Chlorophyll levels were roughly three times lower due to the presence of glitter and duckweed roots were half as long. 

The study also revealed that the eco-friendly glitter options attracted an invasive species of New Zealand mud snails. These creatures monopolize food and other resources, and they are more likely to populate an area that has a polluted water source. 

“All types, including so-called biodegradable glitter, have a negative effect on important primary producers which are the base of the food web, while glitter with a biodegradable cellulose core has an additional impact of encouraging the growth of invasive species,” Dr. Green said. 

While the researchers plan to do more work to better understand why glitter has this significant impact on aquatic ecosystems, they hope these findings highlight the dangers associated with microplastics. 

“We believe these effects could be caused by leachate from the glitters, possibly from their plastic coating or other materials involved in their production, and our future research will investigate this in greater detail,” Dr. Green said. 

Barnes & Noble has disclosed that it was recently the victim of a cybersecurity attack, leading to "unauthorized and unlawful access to certain Barnes & Noble corporate systems."

In emails sent to customers, the bookseller said the personal data of some customers may have been accessed during the breach. The potentially exposed information includes customer email addresses, billing and shipping addresses, telephone numbers, and transaction histories. 

"It is with the greatest regret we inform you that we were made aware on October 10, 2020 that Barnes & Noble had been the victim of a cybersecurity attack, which resulted in unauthorized and unlawful access to certain Barnes & Noble corporate systems,” Barnes & Noble said in the email. "We currently have no evidence of the exposure of any of this data, but we cannot at this stage rule out the possibility.”

Barnes & Noble stressed that no financial data -- which it stores "encrypted and tokenized" for security purposes -- was taken or available to the hackers. However, the company warned that leaked email addresses could be used to carry out phishing campaigns. 

Nook platform affected

Nook Digital, the company’s eBook and e-Reader platform, was also affected by the breach. Since Sunday, Nook owners have been unable to download books to their devices. The bookstore giant acknowledged the issue in a tweet, telling customers that it was investigating the cause and that service restoration was taking longer than expected.

“We are continuing to experience a systems failure that is interrupting NOOK content. We are working urgently to get all NOOK services back to full operation. Unfortunately it has taken longer than anticipated, and we sincerely apologize for this inconvenience and frustration,” the company said.

Barnes & Noble assured customers that there was “no compromise of customer payment details” and said it will let users know when service has been restored.

“We expect NOOK to be fully operational shortly and will post an update once systems are restored,” the company wrote in an October 14 tweet. 

Hilly Acres Farm is recalling various brands of eggs with best before dates from September 2, 2020, through October 31, 2020, where the lot code contains "38" or "N38" or where there is no lot code on the package.

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

A list of the recalled products, sold in the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland & Labrador and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, may be found here.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them, but discard or return them to the store where purchased.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (845) 482-4296.

Sunshine Mills is expanding its earlier recall of dog food products that were made with corn that may contain aflatoxin at levels exceeding FDA guidelines.

The expansion includes corn-based pet food products produced between April 3, 2020, and April 5, 2020. 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.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

A listed of the affected products sold in retail stores throughout the U.S. may be found here.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should discontinue using them 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.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 7,864,910 (7,811,401)

Total U.S. deaths: 216,060 (215,251)

Total global cases: 38,275,349 (37,894,452)

Total global deaths: 1,088,051 (1,082,201)

Government halts Eli Lilly antibody trial

Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has confirmed that U.S. health authorities have halted a clinical trial of its antibody treatment for the coronavirus (COVID-19) over safety concerns.

“Safety is of the utmost importance to Lilly, spokeswoman Molly McCully told CNBC. “We are aware that, out of an abundance of caution, the ACTIV-3 independent data safety monitoring board (DSMB) has recommended a pause in enrollment.”  

McCully said the company supports the government’s decision. Twenty-four hours earlier, Johnson & Johnson paused clinical trials on its vaccine candidate after a participant had an unexplained illness.

Senate plans vote on another stimulus bill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) says the Senate will vote on a coronavirus aid package favored by Senate Republicans but opposed by Democrats. McConnell said the package targets aid to American workers but also revives Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) small business loans.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says measures offered by the GOP fall “significantly” short of what’s needed. Meanwhile, Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have gotten a little closer on a deal, with the administration offering a $1.8 trillion package.

The administration offer reportedly  contains $300 billion in aid for state and local governments, $400 per week in extra unemployment benefits until January, direct payments of up to $1,200 for adults and $1,000 per child, and liability protections for businesses.

AstraZeneca testing longer-lasting antibodies

Drugmaker AstraZeneca is moving ahead with Phase 3 clinical trials for a potential COVID-19 therapy that deploys two long-acting antibodies discovered by the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and optimized by researchers at the pharmaceutical firm.

AstraZeneca has received U.S. government support for the development and supply of the treatment, AZD7442, under an agreement with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

Antibodies are produced by white blood cells in response to infection. Several companies are working on similar antibody treatments, which some medical experts believe can be an important weapon in stemming the pandemic.

Researchers say brain damage from COVID-19 is common

Researchers at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine say the coronavirus has caused a range of brain damage in many patients infected with the virus. However, they say the damage was not caused by infection.

The scientists say one in seven COVID-19 patients has suffered neurological damage because of a lack of oxygen caused by infection in the lungs. The damage has ranged from minor and temporary to severe and even life-threatening.

In their conclusion to the study, the researchers said neurological complications should be taken seriously because they dramatically raise a patient's risk of dying and increase a coronavirus patient's likelihood of needing long-term care or rehabilitation therapy. 

CDC: Small gatherings are feeding the surge

Getting together with a small group of friends or family members may seem safe -- at least safer than being with a large group -- but one health expert thinks that kind of activity is leading to a nationwide surge in coronavirus cases.

Dr. Robert Redfield, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says people should be mindful that it just takes one infected person to spread the virus to many others. He says there have been successful efforts to curtail large public gatherings.

"But what we're seeing as the increasing threat right now is actually acquisition of infection through small household gatherings," Redfield said in a call to governors. "Particularly with Thanksgiving coming up, we think it's really important to stress the vigilance of these continued mitigation steps in the household setting."

Around the nation

• New York: The coronavirus has claimed an iconic New York City landmark. The Roosevelt Hotel has announced that it is closing its doors because it cannot operate profitably during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Ohio: Gov. Mike Dewine says the state is making progress, but he predicts that the pandemic will get worse before it gets better. This week, Ohio exceeded 5,000 total deaths from the disease and a total of 170,000 cases.

• West Virginia: While many states are seeing a surge in coronavirus cases heading into winter, Gov. Jim Justice says his state is moving in a positive direction. Justice reported that West Virginia’s statewide rate of COVID-19 transmission – also known as Rt – dropped to 0.92 this week; that’s tied for the second-best such rate of any state in the country.

As forecast, Apple’s new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini have made their debut, and they pack quite a punch. At the top of the list of upgrades is 5G speed. 

But Apple knows that speed alone won’t be reason enough for consumers to pick up the new device. Its competitors, like Samsung, are already producing 5G phones to keep up with quickly expanding 5G networks. To get as far ahead of the competition as possible, Apple is also adding the A14 Bionic chip -- “the fastest chip in a smartphone” -- an advanced dual-camera system, and a Super Retina XDR display with the Ceramic Shield front cover which it claims will increase drop performance by four times. 

iPhone 12 models also introduce MagSafe, which the company says offers high-powered wireless charging and an “all-new ecosystem” of Apple-made and third-party accessories that attach to the new iPhones.

Pricing and Availability

All of these new bells and whistles don’t come cheap. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini will be available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB models starting at $799 and $699, respectively. Consumers can also go the monthly route for $22.87 a month for the iPhone 12 and $18.70 for the iPhone mini. If consumers have another device to trade in, the total price could drop to $549 and $449, respectively.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 12 begin Friday, October 16, with availability beginning Friday, October 23. The iPhone 12 mini will be available for pre-order beginning Friday, November 6, and will appear in stores beginning Friday, November 13.

Other features

On top of the upgrades in speed, camera, etc., here’s other iPhone features ConsumerAffairs found that might be of interest: 

• Color: The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini come in five aluminum finishes, including blue, green, black, white, and red.

• Extended battery life: Apple claims that its new Smart Data mode should extend battery life by “intelligently assessing 5G needs and balancing data usage, speed, and power in real time.”

• More responsive: People who use their phones for things like video games and streaming are a good target for the iPhone 12. Apple promises higher quality streaming and more responsive gaming capabilities, as well as real-time interactivity within apps.

• More resistant: For the clumsy among us, Apple has come to the rescue. Both new iPhone 12 models have water resistance up to approximately 20 feet for up to 30 minutes. The company says they are also durable enough to withstand everyday spills from drinks like coffee and soda.

• iOS 14: The cherry on top might be the newest Apple operating system -- iOS 14 -- that’s built into the iPhone 12. The latest system software offers new ways to customize the Home Screen and a new App Library that automatically organizes all of a user’s apps into one simple, easy-to-navigate view. “iOS 14 also brings new ways to discover and use apps with App Clips, powerful updates for staying connected in Messages, greener ways to explore cities with Maps, and enhanced privacy features for even more transparency and control,” the company promised.

Extra perks

To sweeten the deal, Apple has a number of bonuses it’s going to pass along to iPhone buyers. Those include:

• One year of Apple TV+ for free and three months of Apple Arcade for free. (Note: this is a limited time offer.)

• U.S. customers get 3 percent cash back when they buy directly from Apple using an Apple credit card. If they choose Apple Card Monthly Installments, they can pay over time and interest-free.

• Every person who buys an iPhone from Apple will also be offered a free Online Personal Session with an Apple Specialist. This professional can help users get comfortable with their new device and show off some of the cool things it can do. 

There’s a chance that you might die from the coronavirus (COVID-19), but there’s an even better chance that you could suffer a brain injury, researchers say.

Writing in the journal Neurology, researchers at NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine say about one out of seven people infected with the virus suffer some form of neurological injury. But they say the damage isn’t from the infection itself.

Rather, the injury is caused by the virus’ symptoms. Because the virus attacks the lungs, it can limit the patient’s ability to breath, and that can damage the brain. The injuries range from temporary confusion because of low body-oxygen levels to stroke and seizures in the most serious cases.

Increases risk of death

Even though scans showed that infections from the virus had not invaded the brain, the researchers say there is real cause for concern because the brain damage suffered by COVID-19 patients magnifies the severity of their illness and increases their chances of dying by 38 percent.

These adverse effects also make it 28 percent more likely a patient will require long-term care or rehabilitation therapy immediately after their stay in the hospital.

"The results of our study showed no signs that the coronavirus directly attacks the nervous system," says study lead investigator Dr. Jennifer Frontera. "The neurological complications seen in COVID-19 are predominately the secondary effects of being severely ill and suffering from low oxygen levels in the body for prolonged periods of time." 

Older consumers most at risk

Some coronavirus patients have reported symptoms that could be related to neurological damage. These have ranged from confusion and memory loss to hallucinations.

The researchers say these effects were first reported in Asia and Europe, where the pandemic gained momentum before it hit U.S. shores. Doctors at NYU Langone Health said they were prepared to look for signs of brain impairment in the COVID-19 patients they treated.

Just as older patients appear to be most at risk of dying from the virus, they also are at the greatest risk of suffering neurological effects. The researchers said half of those suffering neurological effects were over age 71. Sixty-six percent were men and 63 percent were white.

While the coronavirus is known to attack other vital organs, including blood vessels and the heart, it mainly affects the lungs. It makes breathing difficult by starving the body of the oxygen it needs to stay alive. Study results suggest that low levels of oxygen in the body and brain is another common neurological problem that could lead to confusion, coma, or permanent brain damage.

Recent studies have shown how spending time in nature can be beneficial for consumers’ mental and physical wellness, and now a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter found that those benefits can also be felt virtually. 

According to their findings, essentially any experience with nature can give consumers a mental health boost. Their study found that whether it’s watching a nature-related TV show or experiencing nature in a virtual reality (VR) setting, this kind of experience was found to promote mental wellness for consumers. 

“Our results show that simply watching nature on TV can help to lift people’s mood and combat boredom,” said researcher Nicky Yeo. “With people around the world facing limited access to outdoor environments because of COVID-19 quarantines, this study suggests that nature programmes might offer an accessible way for populations to benefit from a ‘dose’ of digital nature.” 

Spending time with nature

The researchers had nearly 100 participants involved in this two-part study. Because they were interested in understanding how a virtual experience with nature could affect the participants’ mood, they started by showing them an instructional video that was designed to make them feel bored and restless. The participants then watched scenes from a tropical coral reef in one of three methods: a VR headset with computer graphics, a VR headset with full video features, or on a TV. The researchers assessed the participants’ boredom, overall mood, and connectedness with nature both before and after the experience. 

The study revealed that consumers don’t need to go outside to feel connected to nature or to boost their mood. Findings suggested that having a virtual experience with nature can be beneficial to consumers’ well-being. While the researchers observed that the VR experience allowed the participants to feel more connected to nature than those who watched the scenes on a TV, all of the participants reported that they felt less bored and negative.

Though VR headsets aren’t readily available to all consumers, access to a TV is much easier. This study showed that something as simple as nature programming can have powerful effects for mental wellness. The researchers hope that these findings can benefit consumers from the comfort of their homes while more work is done to integrate VR experiences into health care. 

“We’re particularly excited by the additional benefits immersive experiences of nature might provide,” said researcher Dr. Matthew White. “Virtual reality could help us to boost the well-being of people who can’t readily access the natural world, such as those in the hospital or long-term care. But it might also help to encourage a deeper connection to nature in healthy populations, a mechanism which can foster more pro-environmental behaviors and prompt people to protect and preserve nature in the real world.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry explored how certain medical procedures could put health care providers at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. 

According to their findings, any procedure that creates aerosols is a cause for concern because these small particles cling to the air and can carry infections across large, contained spaces. The researchers explained that more extensive protective equipment is necessary to protect medical professionals from the virus. 

“What we sought to do was to understand which procedures generate aerosols and therefore require a higher grade of personal protective equipment,” said researcher Sebastian Straube. “Where there is 80 percent agreement from a number of different source documents, we are reasonably confident that, yes, the classification of these procedures as aerosol-generating is accurate.” 

What are the biggest risks?

The researchers analyzed nearly 130 medical journals and databases to understand how medical procedures are classified based on the levels of aerosols that they generate. Though they did run into some issues because of how procedures are officially classified, they did learn that several medical procedures require more than the average amount of protective equipment. 

Their work revealed that many procedures that involve breathing or resuscitation generate the most aerosols, and this was agreed upon by the overwhelming majority of the sources. This includes things like intubation, tracheostomies, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), among several others. Performing autopsies was also included in this category. 

However, not all of the sources categorized every procedure in the same way. In terms of generating aerosols, procedures like dental work and endoscopies weren’t always considered to pose that great of a risk. The researchers hope their work can help spur changes that will better protect health care workers.

“We are providing a summary of the evidence to inform policy-making decisions and guideline development,” Straube said. “[Personal protective equipment] is typically displayed at the bottom rung of the hierarchy of hazard controls. Elimination of the hazard or substitution as well as engineering and administrative approaches to hazard control should also be considered.” 

The pandemic continues to lay waste to the commercial aviation industry. 

On Wednesday, Delta Air Lines pressed pause on flights to another 16 cities across America, putting the airline in the unlucky position of suspending more flights in more cities and for far longer than its direct competitors. Earlier this year, Delta said its planned reduction would impact 10-15 percent of its U.S. flights.

While Delta doesn’t want to leave any consumer without a way to get someplace, it has no choice but to be frugal in the COVID-19 environment. Also on Wednesday, the company announced a quarterly pre-tax loss of $2.6 billion -- a decline of 79 percent on 63 percent lower capacity when compared to the previous year -- and another $4.0 billion of items directly related to the impact of coronavirus, including early retirement programs for Delta employees.

Impacted cities

The cities that Delta has not set plans to return to are:

• Akron-Canton, Ohio (CAK)

• Aspen, Colorado (ASE)

• Bangor, Maine (BGR)

• Erie, Pennsylvania (ERI)

• Flint, Michigan (FNT)

• Fort Smith, Arkansas (FSM)

• Lincoln, Nebraska (LNK)

• Manchester, New Hampshire (MHT)

• New Bern, North Carolina (EWN)

• Newburgh/Stewart, New York (SWF)

• Newport News/Williamsburg, Virginia (PHF)

• Peoria, Illinois (PIA)

• Santa Barbara, California (SBA)

• Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania (AVP)

• Williston, North Dakota (XWA)

• Worcester, Massachusetts (ORH)

How long will these flights be suspended?

According to The Points Guy, Delta could resume flights to any of these 16 cities whenever it likes, but no changes are likely for at least a month because that’s how long the airline takes to finalize its monthly schedules. For example, if Delta were to restart service to Lincoln, Nebraska on October 14, travelers could possibly see service resume to Lincoln by December.

Despite the suspensions, Delta CEO Ed Bastian feels encouraged by what he’s seeing. 

“While our September quarter results demonstrate the magnitude of the pandemic on our business, we have been encouraged as more customers travel and we are seeing a path of progressive improvement in our revenues, financial results and daily cash burn,” he said. “The actions we are taking now to take care of our people, simplify our fleet, improve the customer experience, and strengthen our brand will allow Delta to accelerate into a post-COVID recovery.”

Netflix has confirmed that it will stop offering free trials to U.S. customers. Instead of touting a free 30-day trial, the streaming giant has changed its sign-up page to emphasize that it lets subscribers cancel anytime at no cost. 

“We’re looking at different marketing promotions in the U.S. to attract new members and give them a great Netflix experience,” a Netflix spokesperson said Tuesday. 

Those promotions include content sampling for consumers in the U.S. For example, Netflix recently made one of its films (“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”) available to watch without a Netflix subscription. It has also posted some educational content on YouTube for free. The platform says content sampling promotions like these are expected to continue into 2021. 

The Verge noted that Netflix has spent the last couple of years gradually pulling the free trial option in other countries. Meanwhile, newer streaming platforms like Apple TV and Disney Plus have extended their free trial periods in order to grow their customer base.  

Netflix currently has more than 192 million subscribers. 

Federal researchers have paused Eli Lilly’s late-stage trial of a potential COVID-19 antibody therapy after a patient experienced an unexpected health event. Eli Lilly said it supports the National Institute of Health’s decision to pause the trial.

“Safety is of the utmost importance to Lilly. We are aware that, out of an abundance of caution, the ACTIV-3 independent data safety monitoring board (DSMB) has recommended a pause in enrollment,” spokeswoman Molly McCully told CNBC. “Lilly is supportive of the decision by the independent DSMB to cautiously ensure the safety of the patients participating in this study.”

No details about the safety concern were given, nor is it known whether the patient received the vaccine or the placebo.

Pauses not uncommon in large trials

Experts say pauses during clinical trials of this scale aren’t uncommon. Earlier this week, Johnson & Johnson also confirmed that it paused its COVID-19 vaccine trial after a patient reported an adverse health event. In large trials, experts note that a participant might experience an adverse reaction as a result of an unrelated illness. 

"Adverse events -- illnesses, accidents, etc. -- even those that are serious, are an expected part of any clinical study, especially large studies,” Johnson & Johnson said. 

Eli Lilly’s paused trial has enrolled 326 participants who are hospitalized with COVID-19. It’s testing a high-dose version of the company’s monoclonal antibody combined with the drug remdesivir. It’s sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. 

“At this time, only the DSMB has reviewed the data from the trial, and NIH leadership and Lilly remain blinded to the ongoing trial results,” the company said in a statement on its website. “Lilly trusts the judgment of the independent DSMB and supports its decisions to exercise caution in ensuring the safety of the patients participating in this study.”

Facebook announced on Wednesday that it’s banning ads that encourage people to avoid getting vaccines. 

Under its previous policy, Facebook didn’t allow organizations to run ads that made false claims about vaccines. Ads that outright discouraged or “expressed opposition” to vaccines were previously allowed, but now Facebook is taking action against these ads too.

“Today, we’re launching a new global policy that prohibits ads discouraging people from getting vaccinated,” Facebook said in a statement. “We don’t want these ads on our platform.”

The company added that the ban doesn’t apply to ads that “advocate for or against legislation or government policies around vaccines.” It also won’t prevent non-paid misinformation about vaccines from appearing on users’ feeds. However, the company noted that it has already taken steps to make posts containing misinformation regarding vaccines less visible. 

Flu shot reminders

In announcing the new policy, Facebook also encouraged users to get flu shots. Facebook said it will begin showing flu shot reminders and information on its app within its new COVID-19 Information Center.

Facebook noted that public health officials think it’s “especially important” to get a flu shot this year in order to “minimize the risk of concurrent flu and COVID-19.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of preventive health behaviors. While public health experts agree that we won’t have an approved and widely available COVID-19 vaccine for some time, there are steps that people can take to stay healthy and safe. That includes getting the seasonal flu vaccine,” the company said. 

Pilgrim’s Pride, the nation’s second-largest chicken producer, has reportedly agreed to a plea deal with the U.S. Justice Department, which accused it of price-fixing.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the company will pay a $110.5 million fine and admit to what government prosecutors have long argued -- that major producers have worked together to inflate the price of chicken.

The company told The Journal that its agreement with the government resolves all charges in connection with the case and does not require restitution, a probation period, or a compliance monitor.

“We are encouraged that today’s agreement concludes the Antitrust Division’s investigation into Pilgrim’s, providing certainty regarding this matter to our team members, suppliers, customers and shareholders,” said Pilgrim’s Chief Executive Fabio Sandri in a statement.

Long-standing probe

Chicken producers have been suspected of artificially inflating prices for years. In 2018, two food service companies sued 17 chicken producers, including Pilgrim’s Pride, alleging that they conspired to boost chicken prices by reducing supplies.

In advance of the reported plea deal, Pilgrim’s Pride this week was named in a criminal-information document. It charged the company of price-fixing and bid-rigging. Federal  prosecutors accused the company of working with other companies to reduce competition in the chicken market from 2012 to early 2019.

According to The Journal, the indictment is a normal part of such a plea agreement. Pilgrim’s Pride is expected to plead guilty to the charges in court later this week.

Other producers under investigation

The Justice Department is also investigating other chicken producers. In June, Tyson Foods revealed that it is cooperating with government prosecutors. At the time, the company said it had obtained information relevant to the investigation and had alerted authorities.

The government’s case maintains that actions by major chicken producers raised the cost of chicken paid by consumers, not just at the supermarket but also at restaurants. Pilgrim’s Pride is primarily a supplier of chicken to food service companies and fast food restaurants.

The government alleges that executives at chicken producers communicated regularly and encouraged actions that resulted in reducing supplies and increasing prices. It subpoenaed electronic communications, including emails and texts, as part of its probe.

Chrysler is recalling 2,114 model year 2019 Jeep Wranglers and Ram 2500s, model year 2019-2020 Ram 1500s, and model year 2020 Jeep Gladiators.

The front seat belt retractors may not lock as intended during a crash.

Failure of the front seat belts to lock in a crash increases the risk of injury.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin November 13, 2020.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W67.

Meijer, in conjunction with Eagle Produce of Aguila, Ariz., is recalling recall whole cantaloupes and select cut cantaloupe fruit trays and bowls.

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

No illnesses are reported to date.

The multi-state recall involves whole cantaloupe and select cut cantaloupe fruit trays and bowls in various weights ranging from 6–40 ounces sold between September 26 and October 5, 2020, at all Meijer stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.

The recalled whole cantaloupe has a sticker label stating Kandy Brand from Eagle Produce. If there is no sticker label to identify it, then it should be considered part of the recall.

In addition, Meijer may have used cantaloupe ingredients that originated from Eagle Produce in the store made products.

The following packaged products are in clear plastic containers under the Meijer brand label:

• 9450 – Gas Station Mixed Melon Chunk Cup
• 9505 – Gas Station Mixed Fruit Cup
• 9644 - Gas Station Cantaloupe 6 oz
• 21921000000 – Fruit Frenzy Bowl 40 oz
• 21921400000 – Fruit Tray
• 21924800000 – Fruit Tray with Dip
• 21932300000 – Cantaloupe Chunks Large PLU 4960
• 21933400000 – Mixed Melon Chunks Large Bowl
• 21933700000 – Mixed Melon Chunks Small Bowl
• 21960100000 – Fruit Frenzy 16 oz Bowl PLU
• 21971100000 – Strawberry/Pineapple Cup 6 oz
• 21971200000 – Mixed Fruit Cup 6 oz
• 21971700000 – Berry Explosion Cup 6 oz
• 21971800000 – Mixed Melon Chunk Cup 6 oz
• 21984400000 – Mixed Melon Cup
• 22012400000 – Mixed Fruit Cup
• 22019600000 – Cantaloupe Chunks Small Bowl
• 22020000000 – Fruit Frenzy 32 oz Bowl PLU 1
• 22021900000 – Cantaloupe and Honeydew Slices
• 22022000000 – Mixed Melon Slices
• 22045000000 – Fruit Palooza
• 22045200000 – Melons & Berries
• 22045300000 – Triple Treat & Melon
• 22061600000 – Cantaloupe Chunks Large Kosher
• 22061700000 – Cantaloupe Chunks Large Kosher
• 28873400000 – Fruit Salad

What to do

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

Consumers with questions may contact Meijer at (800) 543-3704, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Amazon’s Prime Day 2020 is in full swing. Unfortunately, scammers are also out in full force and trying to convince consumers that they can get them an even better Prime Day deal. It’s important not to fall for that ploy though since thieves will simply run off with your money and personal information.

With a surge in online shopping this year, Prime Day scams will likely be even more prevalent, says Tim Sadler, CEO and co-founder of email security company Tessian. 

“Popular shopping days like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday create the perfect environment for hackers’ phishing attempts,” Sadler told ConsumerAffairs. He also weighed in with a rather stark warning for people looking for a great deal. 

“Firstly, consumers expect to receive more marketing and advertising emails during popular shopping periods, and this makes it easier for cybercriminals to ‘hide’ their malicious messages in people’s noisier-than-usual inboxes. Attackers can also leverage the ‘too-good-to-be-true’ deals, using them as lures in their scams to successfully deceive their victims.”

Piggy-backing is the new game

While COVID-19 has garnered most of the headlines, cybercriminals have also been upping their game this year by “piggy-backing” on high profile events to make their phishing attacks as convincing as possible. 

Sadler says consumers should expect similar tactics during Prime Day, with hackers impersonating Amazon in their emails and supposedly providing people with deals that are too good to be true. 

These schemes are a huge issue for retailers. Research shows that over half of U.S. retailers are worried about their brand being impersonated during the upcoming holiday shopping season.

Spotting and squelching a scam

ConsumerAffairs asked Sadler how Prime Day shoppers can spot a Prime Day scam and what they can do to combat them. Here’s what he had to say:

“Be wary of emails that offer special deals or coupons associated with Prime Day -- especially if those discounts can only be accessed by clicking on a link or from a brand or name you don’t recognize,” he said. He also provided the following pointers:

• Always check the sender and verify that it’s a legitimate email address. Scammers will take advantage of the fact that mobile email only shows a display name, as opposed to the full email address. This means that a bad actor could send a message from an unknown email address, but change the display name to ‘Amazon’ to make it appear legitimate.

• If you receive an email or text that has an associated action or a sense of urgency or deadline, it’s most likely a scam. Ask yourself, do you normally receive an email or text after purchasing an item? Does the request make sense?

• Check for spelling or grammar mistakes. Legitimate messages from large companies will rarely have errors.

• If a message contains a link or attachment, it is likely fraudulent. As a rule of thumb, be skeptical of any hyperlinks and don’t click on them.

The bottom line? Sadler says it’s the same as any other supposed deal: “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.”