Current Events in November 2020

There’s cause for celebration at Boeing. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has rescinded the order that halted commercial operations of Boeing 737-8s and 737-9s -- aka the 737 MAX -- after the jets were involved in two fatal crashes. 

The FAA’s move gives all airlines under the FAA's authority to take whatever steps necessary to resume service using the aircraft and gives Boeing the all-clear to deliver those planes to buyers.

What the FAA will be watching for

In the traveler’s best interests, the FAA thoroughly examined the 737 MAX from cockpit to rudder to look for anything that could prove troublesome and cause another crash -- like the structural cracks it found on 38 of Boeing’s 737 NG jets. 

The agency’s new Airworthiness Directive spells out the requirements that must be met before U.S. carriers can resume service with their 737 MAX’, including installing software enhancements, completing wire separation modifications, pilot training, and accomplishing thorough de-preservation activities that will ensure the airplanes are ready for service.

"The FAA's directive is an important milestone," said Stan Deal, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We will continue to work with regulators around the world and our customers to return the airplane back into service worldwide."

Boeing’s commitment going forward

Needless to say, Boeing does not want to go through another 20-month period where it can’t sell one of its best-selling jets and certainly can’t afford to lose more billions of dollars in sales cancellations or put its employees at risk of losing their jobs like this setback caused. 

To set itself up for success going forward, the company has realigned its org chart by merging more than 50,000 engineers into a single organization that includes a new Product & Services Safety unit, intended to unify safety responsibilities across the company.

It’s also empowered those engineers to identify, diagnose, and resolve issues with a higher level of transparency and immediacy.

Southwest commits to rigorous testing

Southwest Airlines -- one of two major domestic carriers using the 737 MAX --  likes what it’s seen from the FAA so far. Alan Kasher, Southwest’s Pilot and Senior Vice President of Air Operations, said that “with these changes we believe the MAX is now amongst the most reviewed and tested commercial aircraft in the world.”

Further up the corporate ladder, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said that his company wants to thoroughly test out the the 737 MAX before risking the safety of a single passenger. The executive has committed to flying on the MAX before Southwest returns the aircraft to service — and he promises the same for many other Southwest Leaders.

“Before we return the aircraft to customer service, however, every active Southwest Pilot will complete additional FAA-required flight training in one of our nine 737 MAX simulators and will complete additional FAA-required computer-based training covering MAX procedures,” Kelly said.

“Southwest will also require active Pilots to re-take our original 737 MAX 8 computer-based differences training as a refresher to complement the FAA-required training. Additionally, Southwest will conduct multiple readiness flights on each of our 34 MAX aircraft and complete thousands of hours of work, inspections, and the software updates before any of our Customers board a Southwest 737 MAX.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given approval to the first coronavirus (COVID-19) test consumers can perform at home to see if they are infected with the virus.

The FDA said the test is for prescription home use with self-collected nasal swab specimens in people who are at least 14 years old and who are suspected of having COVID-19 by their healthcare provider. It was approved under the FDA’s emergency use authorization (EUA).

The test is also authorized for use at the point of care (POC), in patient care settings operating under a “CLIA Certificate of Waiver, Certificate of Compliance, or Certificate of Accreditation, with self-collected nasal swab specimens in individuals aged 14 and older, and in individuals aged 13 and under when the specimen is collected by a healthcare provider at the POC.”

The agency said the test utilizes a molecular amplification technology for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in individuals with known or suspected COVID-19.

The home test is produced by Lucira Health, a California biotech company. The company’s website lists the cost of the test as less than $50.

Results in 30 minutes or less

The self-collected sample swab is swirled in a vial that is then placed in the test unit. In 30 minutes or less, the results can be read directly from the test unit’s light-up display that shows whether a person is positive or negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the FDA said.

If the results are positive, the person who took the test will be instructed to self-isolate and seek additional care. People who test negative should follow up with a health care provider to treat the symptoms that caused them to take the test in the first place.

Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, called the test’s approval a significant step forward in the agency’s attempts to significantly improve testing for the virus.

“A test that can be fully administered entirely outside of a lab or healthcare setting has always been a major priority for the FDA to address the pandemic, he said. “Now, more Americans who may have COVID-19 will be able to take immediate action, based on their results, to protect themselves and those around them.” 

FDA officials also say the addition of the test will improve tracking. Health care providers who prescribe the test will be required to report all test results they receive from individuals who use the test.

Good news for internet speed freaks -- the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made way for more Wi-Fi space on Wednesday by voting to open up some additional wireless spectrum for unlicensed indoor use. The move is expected to ratchet up speeds and slow down congestion on 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. 

The move follows the FCC’s vote earlier this year to give internet users access to Wi-Fi that is more stable and two times faster than what was standard at that time. 

The agency apparently took a hard look at the growing desire for Wi-Fi and the number states that are on a tear to increase overall average internet speeds to keep pace with the pandemic-driven increase in video conferencing, streaming, work-from-home connectivity, and gaming.

“Today we put to end two decades of waste and inefficient use of the valuable 5.9GHz band,” FCC commissioner Michael O’Rielly said ahead of the vote. A particularly good benefit for consumers is that many existing Wi-Fi devices can start using the new spectrum simply by downloading a “quick software upgrade.”

An technology upgrade for drivers

The new bandwidth plan is also intended to enhance road safety, traffic efficiency, and energy savings via the use of Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology. C-V2X uses cellular protocols to receive safety information from roadside transmitters and provide direct communications between vehicles and obstacles like other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, and road workers.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that the decision will lead to at least a 13 percent reduction in traffic accidents, resulting in 439,000 fewer crashes per year.

With stress levels at an all-time high in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts have been working to find ways for consumers to improve their mental health. Now, a new study has found that regularly spending time in nature could be a great way for consumers to maintain better mental health during the pandemic. 

“Our results suggest that nearby nature can serve as a buffer in decreasing the adverse impacts of a very stressful event on humans,” said researcher Masashi Soga, PhD. 

Green spaces improve mental health

The researchers conducted a survey of 3,000 adults in Tokyo to see how spending time in nature can give consumers a mental health boost. The survey was designed to help the team figure out how often the participants were spending time outdoors or looking at green spaces from inside their homes. In terms of mental health, the researchers focused on five key factors: loneliness, happiness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and depression. 

The researchers learned that access to nature or having the ability to look out a window to a green space was linked with improved mental health for the participants, and those benefits only got better as exposure increased. These findings were overwhelmingly positive, as the researchers found that regular time in nature led to improvements for each of the five mental health factors they were studying. 

As more and more research boasts the benefits of consumers spending time outdoors, and as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect consumers in countless ways, the researchers hope that these findings can act as a catalyst to affect real change. Access to green spaces can greatly benefit consumers’ mental health, and the researchers hope that more communities prioritize maintaining these spaces as a way to aid in stress relief. 

“Protecting natural environments in urban areas is important not only for the conservation of biodiversity, but also for the protection of human health,” said Dr. Soga. 

General Motors announced Wednesday that it will launch an auto insurance offering that will use data from its OnStar connected vehicles. Insurance coverage rates will be based on miles driven and type of driving. 

Driving habits like following the speed limit, acceleration behaviors, and avoiding hard braking will be taken into account when determining how much consumers will pay for coverage. Good drivers will be rewarded with “significant” savings, said Andrew Rose, president of OnStar Insurance Services. 

“Consumers have chosen, with their consent, to share their driving data with GM,” Rose said. “With that information, we can let you know you can get savings because of your safe driving or not. And we can give you coaching as time goes by to become a better, safer driver.”

The automaker said consumers without GM vehicles will be allowed on OnStar insurance. However, there will be additional discounts for those who are GM owners or subscribe to OnStar’s services. 

GM said it will begin a pilot this week for its own employees in Arizona. It will be offered to the general public by early 2021. 

Bitcoin’s market value has surpassed $18,000 for the first time since December 2017, pushing it closer to hitting another all-time high.  

Three years ago, the cryptocurrency hit its first record high of almost $20,000 before falling to as low as $3,122 in 2018. On Wednesday morning, CoinDesk data showed that its price slightly exceeded $18,000. 

Experts say the volatile digital currency has rallied lately for a variety of reasons. Bitcoin has benefited from a weaker dollar and from being viewed as a more solid alternative to government-backed paper currency. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased interest in Bitcoin from investors such as Paul Tudor Jones and Steven Druckenmiller. PalPal also announced that it will allow customers to buy and sell bitcoins on its platform, giving the cryptocurrency additional momentum.  

"This bull run is different than 2017. We're seeing adoption from major players," Alex Adelman, CEO and co-founder of Lolli, a Bitcoin rewards company, told CNN Business. "They're all betting big on bitcoin as a safeguard against inflation, uncertainty, and the turmoils of 2020."

Simon Peters, an analyst at investment platform eToro, told Reuters that Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency market as a whole has gained new acceptance during the pandemic. 

“The crypto industry has consolidated, matured and is seeing real traction with institutional investors. Investors are using bitcoin as an inflationary hedge to combat the prospect of continued government stimulus,” Peters said.

Twitter has launched a new feature called “Fleets” that lets users share text, photo, and video content that will disappear from the platform in 24 hours. 

Twitter said it developed the new feature after hearing from users that tweeting sometimes feels “uncomfortable because it feels so public, so permanent.” The company is touting the new feature as a “lower pressure way for people to talk about what’s happening.” 

“We're launching Fleets so everyone can easily join the conversation in a new way – with their fleeting thoughts,” Twitter’s design director, Joshua Harris, and product manager, Sam Haveson, wrote in a blog post.

Ephemeral format

The feature was tested in Brazil, Italy, India, and South Korea prior to going live in the U.S. on Wednesday. Twitter said Fleets users reported feeling more comfortable using the platform.

“Because they disappear from view after a day, fleets helped people feel more comfortable sharing personal and casual thoughts, opinions, and feelings,” Haveson said.

The new tool is similar to the “Stories” features on both Instagram and Snapchat. Fleets will be displayed at the top of users’ home timelines, as well as on the sender’s full profile. Users can respond to Fleets via direct message. 

“To share a Tweet in a Fleet, tap the ‘Share’ icon at the bottom of the Tweet and then tap, ‘Share in Fleet,’” the company explained. “Then, add what you think about it with some text or emojis.”

Some users said the new feature creates the potential for online harassment, for example though allowing unwanted direct messages. Twitter said it’s listening to user feedback and will improve the new tool over time. 

Many parents worry about the effect too much time in front of screens will have on their kids, but a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder suggests that those limitations may not amount to much when it comes to long-term tech habits.

According to their findings, parents don’t have much to worry about when it comes to kids and technology addiction. The study revealed that kids and teenagers who spend a lot of time in front of screens aren’t likely to keep up that pace into young adulthood. 

“Are lots of people getting addicted to tech as teenagers and staying addicted as young adults?” said researcher Stefanie Mollborn. “The answer from our research is ‘no.’ We found that there is only a weak relationship between early technology use and later technology use, and what we do as parents matters less than most of us believe it will.” 

The evolution of tech use

For the study, the researchers utilized two primary data sources: interviews of nearly 60 young adults and survey responses from over 1,200 participants that were followed from adolescence through young adulthood. In both cases, participants were asked about how their parents approached technology with them as kids and how their own habits with technology had formed as young adults.

Ultimately, the researchers learned that parents’ technology restrictions during adolescence had little effect on how the participants used technology as young adults. Instead, where the participants were in life played the biggest role in how they used technology as adults. 

Those who were in college at the time of the study reported the highest tech use levels, whereas those who were married spent less time with screens. Interestingly, those in college believed that once their schooling ended, their screen time would naturally decrease. 

“They feel like they are using tech a lot because they have to; they have it under control, and they see a future where they can use less of it,” Mollborn said.

Getting teens moving

While these findings give parents less reason to worry about long-term tech addiction, the study did find that physical activity suffered when teens spent more time in front of screens. However, this didn’t turn out to be a long-term issue. 

Moving forward, the researchers hope that this work opens up a dialogue between parents and their kids about technology use.

“What these data suggest is that the majority of American teens are not becoming irrevocably addicted to technology,” said Mollborn. “It is a message of hope.” 

General Motors is recalling all model year 2017-2018 and 50,932 model year 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs.

The high-voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity, posing an injury risk.

What to do

GM will notify owners and, as an interim repair, dealers will reprogram the hybrid propulsion control module 2 (HPCM2) to limit the full charge to 90% free of charge.

Owners are advised to activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, or park outside, until the software update is completed.

The final remedy is still under development.

Owners will be notified of the interim repair beginning November 23, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when the final repair becomes available.

Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at (833) 382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N202311730.

Ford Motor Company is recalling about 11,000 model year 2020 Ford Explorers and Lincoln Aviators.

Eighteen of the affected vehicles were produced with a driveshaft that may fracture along the weld seam. Defective driveshafts could lose the mechanical connection between the transfer case and rear axle, which may result in unintended vehicle movement and/or loss of motive power.

Defective driveshafts may also deform and separate from the driveline and potentially contact the fuel tank, increasing the risk of fuel leaks and/or fire.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driveshaft label and replace the driveshaft as needed.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S65.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 11,218,305 (11,082,027)

Total U.S. deaths: 247,263 (246,586)

Total global cases: 55,243,538 (54,615,099)

Total global deaths: 1,330,930 (1,320,742)

Pandemic loans failed to save all businesses

Congress passed a number of emergency measures in the early days of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including money for more small business loans for businesses hard-hit by the economic shutdown.

However, not all the companies that got their loans were able to overcome the challenges they faced, according to an analysis by The Wall Street Journal. It shows that about 300 businesses receiving a total of a half-billion dollars have already filed for bankruptcy.

The Journal said the total is likely much higher since it focused only on large firms. It said that accounted for only about 13.5 percent of total participants in the loan program.

Iowa governor reverses course, orders masks

It’s no secret that there has been a political undercurrent running through the controversy over requirements to wear masks. With a few exceptions, Republican officials have been less supportive of these measures than Democrats.

But as large increases in coronavirus cases have swept the Midwest, Iowa Gov. Kim Richards is the latest GOP officeholder to reverse course. Starting today, she’s requiring Iowans to wear a mask in indoor public places.

"No one wants to do this,” Reynolds told reporters. “I don't want to do this, but if Iowans don't buy into this, we'll lose. Businesses will close once again, more schools will be forced to go online, and our health care system will fail."

Toilet paper hoarders are back

Have you tried to buy toilet paper at the supermarket lately? Reports from shoppers say shelves are beginning to look as bare as they did during the toilet paper panic back in April.

The run on the essential item appears to be worse in states that have recently enacted new restrictions on activity to curtain the virus. In Spokane, Wash., local media outlets report that area grocery stores have placed purchase limits on toilet paper to keep shelves from being picked clean.

“I really hope we don't have hoarding going on in our stores. That's really not necessary and most unhelpful,” said Gov. Jay Inslee, who recently imposed new restrictions, including indoor seating at bars and restaurants and social gatherings.

Survey shows consumers aren’t using cash

The use of cash has been on the decline for years, but new research from Blumberg Capital, a venture capital firm, suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has hastened cash’s demise.

A survey of consumer behavior and attitudes on fintech since the start of the pandemic shows that COVID-19 lockdowns stepped up the need for electronic payments for a clear majority of consumers. Fifty percent of respondents said they were now significantly less reliant on cash.

"The general public is far more receptive and far less resistant to fintech solutions now than ever before and the COVID-19 lockdowns, social distancing, and work from home were clearly catalysts that accelerated the rapid broader adoption," said David Blumberg, founder and managing partner at Blumberg Capital.

Dolly Parton helped make the Moderna vaccine possible

If you end up getting inoculated against COVID-19 with Moderna’s vaccine, you can thank, in part, country music icon Dolly Parton. In the footnotes of the New England Journal of Medicine’s announcement about the vaccine’s successful clinical trial, “the Dolly Parton Covid-19 Research Fund” is noted as one of the sponsors.

In April, Parton made a $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville to combat COVID-19. The hospital channeled the donation into a number of projects, including Moderna’s vaccine research.

“We can’t save the world, but we can save the world we’re living in,” Parton told the Today Show this week. “Maybe I’m dreaming. But I don’t think so.”

Around the nation

• North Carolina: Coronavirus cases are spreading fastest in rural areas of the state, according to researchers at Harvard. Nearly half of North Carolina’s 100 counties are described as being close to “a tipping point” when it comes to outbreaks of the disease.

• Florida: Alberto Moscoso, in charge of public information for the Florida Department of Health throughout the pandemic, has abruptly resigned. The move reportedly came during a  reshuffling of personnel at the state agency. 

• Nevada: Concern is growing among business leaders in Nevada that another economic shutdown could be looming as the virus quickly spreads across the state. Gov. Steve Sisolak has yet to impose mandatory restrictions, but he has urged residents to stay home as much as possible.

Did someone say free Thanksgiving meal? Yep... Walmart. The mega retailer has looped in Butterball, Campbell’s, Coca-Cola, and others to offer consumers everything they need for a Thanksgiving dinner -- from cranberry sauce to the turkey itself -- compliments of the brands involved. 

Walmart locations nationwide are participating in this event through Thanksgiving Day, November 26.

The freebies

In total, there are nine gratis food products in the promotion, though some include caveats about specific sizes and other factors. Here are the details:

• Butterball Turkey Breast Roast: Offer valid for 100 percent cash-back on all flavors of the 3 lb Butterball turkey roast, which includes a gravy packet. Also valid for $9.98 cash-back on Butterball whole turkeys.

• McCormick Gravy: Offer valid for all 0.87 oz. McCormick gravy packet flavors.

• Great Value Stuffing Mix: Offer valid for all 6 oz. Great Value Stuffing Mix flavors.

• Idahoan Mashed Potatoes: Offer valid for all 8 oz. Idahoan Mashed Potato flavors.

• Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: Offer valid on 10.5 oz. can only.

• Great Value Cranberry Sauce: Offer valid for all canned 14 oz. cranberry sauce varieties.

• Great Value Green Beans: Offer valid on Great Value Fine Green Beans, 12 oz. frozen bag.

• French’s Crispy Fried Onions: Offer valid on French’s Original Crispy Fried Onions, 2.8 oz..

• Coca-Cola: Offer valid on 2-liter bottles of Coca-Cola: Cherry Zero Sugar, Vanilla, Caffeine Free, Caffeine Free Zero Sugar, Original Taste, and Zero Sugar.

A 12 oz. bag of green beans or a 3 pound turkey may not go very far for some families. To get enough for everyone, it might take multiple people using separate Walmart accounts connected to Ibotta to stretch “free” into a family-size windfall.

“Free” takes some doing 

In all fairness, while Walmart and its partners are throwing around the word “free,” it’s a slight misnomer because the promotion is really a “cash-back” one. 

In reality, a consumer can’t just walk into a Walmart, load up their cart with the foods that are part of the promotion, and then check out without having to scan their credit card. To take advantage of the deal, a consumer has to complete two key steps:

• Install the Ibotta browser extension on their computer

• Link their Walmart account with the Ibotta plug-in

Once that’s done, the consumer simply logs in to their Walmart account. They’ll immediately find all nine free Thanksgiving items in their browser extension (and via the Ibotta phone app within an hour) in the form of cash-back for the entire purchase (approx. $20.27).

Consumers are likely to see more “thanks” from major retailers and brands in the run-up to Thanksgiving. On Monday, Zoom announced that it was lifting its 40-minute time limit on the free version of its software so families could enjoy a longer virtual Thanksgiving together. BJ’s Wholesale Club also announced that it’s handing out free turkeys in advance of Thanksgiving.

Excess weight has been identified as one of the biggest risk factors for diabetes, and now researchers from the University of East Anglia are exploring how weight loss could benefit consumers who are most vulnerable to the condition. 

According to their findings, massive weight loss isn’t necessary to reduce the risk of diabetes. This study revealed that losing as few as two to three kilograms (or roughly seven pounds), can reduce the risk of diabetes by nearly 50 percent. 

“This trial again highlights how achieving modest weight loss through diet and physical activity changes can lead to huge benefits for people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” said researcher Dr. Elizabeth Robertson. “Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition, but with the right help many cases can be prevented or delayed.” 

Creating lasting changes 

The researchers analyzed data from the Norfolk Diabetes Prevention Study (NDPS), which is a prevention program designed to identify those at the highest risk of diabetes and find ways to reduce the risk of the disease. While more than 144,000 were found to be at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, the study included data on 1,000 participants who had been given blood glucose tests to determine that they were prediabetic. 

Participants were divided into two groups for the two-year study. One group went about their daily routines as they normally would, and the second group was guided by health care professionals to make changes to their diets and exercise routines. 

The study revealed that eating healthier foods and exercising more was an effective way for those with prediabetes to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The researchers learned that losing around seven pounds reduced the participants’ risk of diabetes by nearly 50 percent. 

The researchers said many participants were able to stick with these changes beyond the scope of the study because they were manageable, and they wound up keeping the extra weight off long-term. 

“If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, this approach offers a way to take a different direction in your life -- to get off the path to type 2 diabetes and onto the road to a healthier future,” said researcher Colin Greaves. 

Importance of prevention programs

Because these findings yielded such positive results, the researchers hope that more work is done to create similar diabetes prevention programs.

“Type 2 diabetes is a huge health challenge globally,” said researcher Dr. Jane Smith. “NDPS is an incredibly positive story for individuals and health care systems, and underlines the importance of providing national diabetes prevention programmes, which can use our research findings.” 

To find more information about weight loss plans for diabetes, check out ConsumerAffairs’ comprehensive list here. 

A trio of Amazon sellers have been hit with a fine from New York Attorney General Letitia James for price gouging hand sanitizer during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

On Tuesday, James’ office said three third-party sellers -- Mobile Rush, EMC Group, and Northwest-Lux -- sold upwards of 1,000 units of hand sanitizer on Amazon’s marketplace “at prices that grossly exceeded the price at which the same or similar products were readily obtainable” elsewhere.

During February and March, Northwest-Lux was charging Amazon customers $79.99 to $129.99 for 2-liter bottles of Purell. Mobile Rush was charging $19.99 to $29.99 for single, 8-ounce bottles of Germ-X hand sanitizer. EMC was charging consumers $35.98 to $52.99 for 8-packs of 1-ounce Purell bottles. 

James said she has stopped the merchants from selling hand sanitizer at expensive rates. She also said she will reimburse New Yorkers that bought the high-priced hand sanitizer.

Consumer reimbursement ordered

The sellers have been ordered to pay a fine of $52,000 to the state of New York. Defrauded consumers will collectively be reimbursed almost $23,000. 

“Price gouging on necessary consumer supplies during an unprecedented public health emergency is absolutely unconscionable and will not be tolerated,” said Attorney General James in a press release. 

“Instead of ensuring individuals could protect themselves from the coronavirus, these businesses operated with dirty hands by charging exorbitant prices on hand sanitizer and other cleansing products. My office will continue to clean up this unlawful practice by using all of the tools at our disposal to prevent price gouging during this pandemic.”

Consumers who purchased overpriced hand sanitizer products from any of the three sellers don’t need to do anything to receive restitution. James said the companies are required to automatically issue partial refunds to the credit card, debit card, or bank account that consumers used to make their original purchases. 

What are the best vehicle brands or best certified pre-owned cars and trucks consumers should consider? The latest U.S. News & World Report’s vehicle awards have been announced, and it’s an interesting mix of imports, domestic-built vehicles, and trucks.

To determine the winners, U.S. News Best Cars panelists averaged the overall total scores of all a given brand's products in each award class with the brand receiving the highest overall average score being named the winner in the category. The overall scores the judges use come directly from the U.S. News Best Cars rankings, which are based on a combination of the consensus of the other automotive reviewers, safety scores, and reliability data.

The best vehicle brand winners

The Best Vehicle Brand awards evaluated 34 different brands and four categories -- luxury, truck, SUV, and cars. For the Best Certified Pre-Owned Program (CPO) award, the report looked for the CPO program that offers buyers the most benefits.

Here are this year’s best of the best:

Best Car Brand

U.S. News awarded Mazda the Best Car Brand award simply on the strength of the well-loved Mazda3, Mazda6, and Mazda MX-5 Miata. “All three models have top-notch performance that puts an emphasis on direct, sporty handling, as well as quality interiors that are more upscale than their price tags might suggest,” the judges wrote. Mazda’s getting used to winning. This is the sixth consecutive year the company has won this award.

Best SUV Brand

The review panel found a new winner for the SUV category this year -- the Hyundai SUVs (Tucson, Palisade, Santa Fe, et al). The judges said the lineup’s new take on sport utility vehicles did the trick. “With so many updated models, Hyundai SUVs win points for offering buyers the latest in driver assistance and infotainment technology at an affordable price.”

Best Truck Brand

The Dodge Ram won the Best Truck Brand award on the strength of its Ram 1500 model. Despite the reality that the Ram 1500 has become a frustration of several recalls, it got glowing marks from the judges because it functions as both a work vehicle and a daily driver. The panel gave several thumbs-up to Dodge for its “top-notch” infotainment system and interiors that are as good as the trim of luxury SUVs.

Best Luxury Brand

Another six-time winner is Porsche, which while pricey and thought of as more of a sports car, “offers a lineup of vehicles that effortlessly marry performance with upscale panache.” 

"Many buyers know the type of vehicle they want but not the best brands for their needs," says Jamie Page Deaton, executive editor of U.S. News Best Cars. "The Best Vehicle Brand awards point consumers to the brands that excel in producing the type of vehicle each buyer is interested in."

Best Certified Pre-Owned Program Winner

Lexus -- which only manages a 3.5 star rating from ConsumerAffair reviewers -- won its fourth straight Best Certified Pre-Owned Program award. The judges cited the brand’s lengthy warranty coverage, numerous program perks, and the dependability record of its pre-owned vehicles as main factors in its victory.

The Lexus CPO warranty includes coverage for up to two years, no mileage limit, and no deductible. Lexus CPO buyers are also given free roadside assistance and a free loaner car, not to mention four complimentary factory maintenance service visits in their first two years or 20,000 miles of ownership.

"Lexus has a well-deserved reputation for reliability that makes Lexus models appealing CPO cars," says Page Deaton. "On top of that record of dependability, Lexus offers used car buyers an excellent CPO warranty, as well as a long list of CPO program benefits, like free maintenance visits and a free loaner car."

The lack of a second COVID-19 relief package appears to be taking a toll on U.S. retail sales. 

On Tuesday, Reuters reported that retail sales increased less than expected in October -- just 0.3 percent, according to the Commerce Department. Reuters said sales could slow even further due to the impact of the second wave of COVID-19 infections and unemployed Americans’ loss of federal aid.  

Earlier this week, President-elect Joe Biden called on Congress to pass another COVID-19 relief package. However, experts say that’s unlikely to happen before the end of the year. 

“It looks like consumer spending is increasingly turning into a headwind for this recovery from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression,” Chris Rupkey, chief economist at MUFG in New York, told Reuters. “Fed officials are saying they might have to do more and today’s data may turn that thinking into a reality.”

Loss of aid and rise in cases 

A large number of unemployed and underemployed workers are set to lose benefits in December, when the six-month period of eligibility for government funded programs ends. 

Additionally, the rise in daily new COVID-19 cases has prompted many businesses to impose new restrictions, and many consumers may be reverting back to a place of caution in light of the surge in infections. 

Economists expect “moderate retail sales growth” for the rest of 2020, according to Reuters. 

“The reopening of businesses has been the key to keeping income gains up, but the resurgence of the virus is putting that into question,” said Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economics in Holland, Pennsylvania. “Manufacturing can only hold up if households keep buying and they need income to do that.”

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has announced the first recipients of his “Earth Fund,” a $10 billion fund established earlier this year to help address the climate crisis. 

In his announcement of the fund back in February, Bezo said grants from it would go to scientists, activists, and other environmental advocacy groups that have set out to combat climate change. The Amazon executive said the goal of the fund is to financially support individuals and groups that are seeking to “preserve and protect the natural world.”

On Monday, Bezos named the first 16 beneficiaries of the fund. Grants will be going out to the following groups: The Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund, ClimateWorks Foundation, Dream Corps Green For All, Eden Reforestation Projects, Energy Foundation, Environmental Defense Fund, The Hive Fund for Climate and Gender Justice, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, NDN Collective, Rocky Mountain Institute, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, The Solutions Project, Union of Concerned Scientists, World Resources Institute, and World Wildlife Fund.

These initial recipients will get a collective $791 million. The amount allocated to each organization varies, but it ranges from between $5 million to $100 million. 

Taking action

In an Instagram post, Bezos said the first round of grants was “just the beginning” of his multi-billion dollar commitment to fighting climate change. 

“I’ve spent the past several months learning from a group of incredibly smart people who’ve made it their life’s work to fight climate change and its impact on communities around the world,” Bezos said. “I’m inspired by what they’re doing, and excited to help them scale.” 

“We can all protect Earth’s future by taking bold action now,” he added.

The Nature Conservancy said it will be putting some of its grant money towards supporting programs that benefit temperate rainforests.

“These vast forests are globally critical for carbon capture, and our conservation strategy prioritizes Indigenous and local communities,” said Eric Delvin, a program director for The Nature Conservancy. “In direct collaboration with Indigenous peoples across the rainforest’s diverse regions, we support sovereign authority and supporting sustainable economies.”

A new study conducted by researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that young people who are overweight or obese are at an increased risk of developing severe cases of COVID-19. Their work found that age wasn’t a protective factor against infection; instead, obesity increased the likelihood for serious medical complications associated with COVID-19. 

“In general, obese individuals are more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than normal weight individuals,” said researcher Dr. Nicholas Hendren. “In the hospital, obese individuals are at a higher risk for death, or the need for medical ventilation to help them breathe, even if they are young.” 

Risks of obesity

To better understand the risk that obesity poses to young people with COVID-19, the researchers analyzed data from more than 7,600 patients involved in the American Heart Association’s COVID-19 Cardiovascular Disease Registry. They broke down the data by patients’ ages, prior health concerns, and body mass indices (BMIs). 

Overall, the researchers found that patients under the age of 50 were more likely to be overweight or obese than patients over the age of 70, which translated to poorer health outcomes for the younger group. The researchers learned that obesity in younger COVID-19 patients increased the risk of death by more than 35 percent, and that percentage only went up as BMI scores increased.

“There is a greater proportion of obese people among those hospitalized for COVID-19, and obese patients are at higher risk for complications,” said researcher Dr. Justin Grodin. 

While the team had no concrete explanation for why obesity greatly affects COVID-19 outcomes, the researchers noted several possible reaons. Having excess body weight can have an effect on breathing without the virus; once infected, those breathing troubles are only exacerbated. They also explained that obesity is often accompanied by other health complications, like diabetes, which can weaken the immune system and increase the risks associated with coronavirus. 

“If you’re young and obese, you’re still at a high risk despite your age,” said Dr. Grudin. 

In one of its most ambitious expansions to date, Amazon has launched an online pharmacy that allows consumers to order prescription medication at the same place they order household products and groceries and have them delivered to their homes.

Amazon Pharmacy, accessible through Amazon’s website and app, will allow customers in most of the U.S. to have prescription medication delivered to their homes. Prime members will get free delivery.

At the same time, the online retailer is launching a prescription discount program for Prime members who don’t have prescription drug coverage. The benefit applies not only at Amazon Pharmacy but also at 50,000 other participating drug stores in the U.S.

Amazon says the two services together make it easier for customers to shop around for the best prices and to conveniently order medications for home delivery.

Builds on Amazon’s PillPack acquisition

Amazon’s move into health and medicine doesn’t exactly come as a surprise since it’s been inching in that direction for years. In 2018, it acquired PillPack, a mail-order prescription service. Analysts say Amazon Pharmacy is using much of the PillPack infrastructure and experience to build out its new online pharmacy business.

“As more and more people look to complete everyday errands from home, pharmacy is an important and needed addition to the Amazon online store,” said Doug Herrington, senior vice president of North American Consumer at Amazon. “PillPack has provided exceptional pharmacy service for individuals with chronic health conditions for over six years. Now, we’re expanding our pharmacy offering to Amazon.com, which will help more customers save time, save money, simplify their lives, and feel healthier.”

Amazon says the Amazon Prime prescription savings benefit will cut the price of generic medication by up to 80 percent and reduce brand name medication prices by up to 40 percent. The company explains how it works here.

Integrated into the site and app

Amazon Pharmacy is fully integrated into the Amazon site and app. After clicking on “Amazon Pharmacy,” consumers enter the state in which they live and then complete a three-step registration process that ends with the placing of an order.

To start, five states --  Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Minnesota -- are not served by the new service, although Amazon said it expects to serve consumers in those states in the future. In cases where medication is needed in the immediate future, Amazon recommends using a local pharmacy. 

T.J. Parker, founder of PillPack and Amazon’s vice president in charge of Amazon Pharmacy, says one of the goals of the new service is to take a complex business and make it simple for the consumer.

“We work hard behind the scenes to handle complications seamlessly so anyone who needs a prescription can understand their options, place their order for the lowest available price, and have their medication delivered quickly,” he said.