Current Events in March 2021

With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic appearing to fade in the rearview mirror and Democrats in control of Washington, the issue of drug prices may soon be back in the spotlight.

According to The Hill, Democrats plan to attach drug price regulation to an upcoming infrastructure bill, giving the Biden administration the authority to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs. Republicans have opposed that in the past.

Since Medicare subsidizes a large portion of prescription drugs, Democrats argue that allowing the government to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies could save hundreds of billions of dollars.

Some health-related consumer organizations are lending their support to the effort. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has told Congress that in particular, insulin costs for diabetes patients are out of sight.

Nearly tripled in price

"The price of insulin alone has roughly tripled in the past decade, increasing from less than $100 for an average vial in 2009 to nearly $300 for the same vial today, even though today's insulin is nearly the exact same product as it was ten years ago,” ADA CEO Tracey D. Brown said in a statement to a House subcommittee. 

Brown says Americans spend more treating diabetes than any other chronic condition. She told lawmakers that American diabetes patients spend two and a half times more on health care than those who do not have diabetes.

“They account for $1 in every $3 spent on prescription drugs, and 25 cents of every dollar spent on health care, in America today; and that one in four insulin-dependent Americans report rationing their insulin supply due to financial difficulty," Brown said.

The drug price issue has largely been invisible for the last year as major pharmaceutical companies mobilized to counter the coronavirus (COVID-19). As things begin to return to normal the issue is picking up political momentum again.

New policies

Brown says it’s time Congress made policy changes “that will serve the medical interests of patients and put money back in their pockets.” 

“Proposals that simply shift funds among players in the supply chain are not going to serve patients if patients themselves are not realizing savings -- at the pharmacy counter, in their premiums, and in the cost of deductibles,” she said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last week signaled her support for attaching a drug price negotiating measure to the infrastructure bill, saying it would almost certainly pass in the House. 

But The Hill reports some House Democratic committee staff recently told consumer groups measure could face stiff challenges getting through the Senate.

Travelers are trying to stay clear of COVID-19 this summer, and it seems they’re looking at wide-open spaces and outdoor venues to do it.

A new survey of 2,000 campgrounds and RV parks found that advanced bookings for this summer’s camping season are up 50 percent for nearly two-thirds of the respondents. Twenty-four percent reported even higher figures, with advanced bookings up over 80 percent. 

In fact, the whole campground and RV park industry is experiencing a boom. The sector has grown by more than six percent per year since 2015, and revenue is forecasted to top $16 billion. The RV Industry Association estimates that the number of new recreational vehicles in 2021 could possibly eclipse 502,000 -- a 20 percent increase over 2020.

"The outdoors and camping provide a safer alternative to other forms of travel and vacations," stated Mark Koep, founder and CEO of CampgroundViews.com, the survey’s sponsor. "We expect 2021 to be the year of camping with record numbers of Americans camping in tents, RVs and glamping accommodations.”

Prepping for the rush

Campground and RV park managers are working ahead of the rush as best they can, and they’re trying to make sure their facilities adapt to a pandemic-produced change in how they do business. ConsumerAffairs asked Koep what things consumers who choose to vacation at an RV park or campground can expect.

“Campground and RV Park owners are very aware of the increased demand from a changed traveling consumer. After a record year in 2020, many parks changed their procedures and policies to allow campers to social distance and travel ‘safer,’” he said.

The following are some things that parks have told Koep they’re doing in the face of the recent demand:

• Touchless check-in has been a big addition, with some sites allowing guests to enter and drive straight to their campsite without needing to come into the office.

• Campgrounds have vastly improved their booking process during the winter by adding better and more modern online reservation engines.

• Many locations anticipated the extra demand and worked to add additional campsites or improve outdated ones.

• Campgrounds also increased their "glamping" options by providing RVs and tents to non-owners so they could also experience the camping environment.

• Camping is naturally a socially distant form of travel -- some parks are emphasizing this space by purposely closing off in-between sites to further separate campers.

• As a result of all the new campers, parks are being proactive about providing education materials and additional support to help campers get up to speed on etiquette and how to hook up to utilities. 

• Changes have been made to public amenities like gathering areas and family events to promote safer interaction that is tailored to the guest's risk tolerance (i.e. they can be as close or as far as they feel comfortable.)

Site owners have also gotten more tech-savvy, according to Koep. "The timing is perfect as we release campground virtual tours and allow campers to see the roads and sites while being able to click and book specific campsites," he added.

Staying physically active can have benefits for consumers’ physical and mental health. That’s why several studies have highlighted the importance of following an exercise regimen during COVID-19-related lockdowns. 

Now, researchers from the University of Basel have found that physical activity is crucial for mental health; however, they say incorporating a variety of different activities is likely to lead to the greatest mental health benefits for consumers. 

“Our results suggest that activity alone is not enough to reduce symptoms of mental disorders, but can at least improve subjective well-being,” said researcher Andrew Gloster. 

The importance of staying active

The researchers had 106 people with mental health struggles participate in the study. Over the course of one week, they were given an additional cell phone to carry around that tracked their physical movement. After that period, the participants answered questions about their overall mental health and wellness, which the researchers used to compare to their physical activity logs. 

Ultimately, physical activity didn’t change the participants’ mental health-related symptoms. However, the researchers learned that when participants moved more frequently, and varied the type of movement that they did, they had improved levels of overall well-being. The study also showed that variety of movement was associated with greater psychological flexibility. 

Staying active during COVID-19

Though this study was conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers believe that these findings can translate to this last year of quarantine and stay-at-home orders. Physical activity and mental health took a serious hit in 2020 because consumers’ day-to-day routines were impacted so greatly and regular activities were prohibited.

Consumers have had limitations on where they can go and the kinds of physical activity that they can engage in, and the researchers believe this has likely had a significant impact on mental health. Based on these results, the researchers hope more consumers think about how they’re moving and work to incorporate more variety when they can. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the American Heart Association discovered a unique association between dental hygiene and blood pressure.

Their findings showed that consumers with severe gum disease (periodontitis) may have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. The team hopes these findings encourage consumers to pay closer attention to their dental habits because they could have long-term impacts on heart health. 

“Patients with gum disease often present with elevated blood pressure, especially when there is active gingival inflammation, or bleeding of the gums,” said researcher Eva Muñoz Aguilera, DDS. “Elevated blood pressure is usually asymptomatic, and many individuals may be unaware that they are at an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. We aimed to investigate the association between severe periodontitis and high blood pressure in healthy adults without a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension.” 

The link between oral health and heart health

To understand how dental hygiene can affect blood pressure, the researchers evaluated results from past studies that included data on 250 adults with severe gum disease and 250 adults with healthy gums. Over the course of nearly two decades, the participants gave blood samples, had their blood pressure measured, and underwent dental exams to assess the severity of their gum disease. 

Though none of the participants had any health issues when the study began, the researchers noted a clear correlation between those who had severe gum disease and poorer heart health. Participants with active gum inflammation and severe gum disease were more likely to have high blood pressure, which the researchers defined as having 50 percent or more of the teeth infected. 

Ultimately, severe periodontitis made participants two times more likely to have high blood pressure. Bad dental health was also linked with lower good cholesterol levels, higher glucose levels, and higher bad cholesterol levels. Overall, gum disease -- because of the inflammation it causes -- can significantly impact consumers’ heart health. 

“This evidence indicates that periodontal bacteria cause damage to the gums and also triggers inflammatory responses that can impact the development of systemic diseases including hypertension,” said researcher Francesca D’Aiuto, DMD. “This would mean that the link between gum disease and elevated blood pressure occurs well before a patient develops high blood pressure. Our study also confirms that a worryingly high number of individuals are unaware of a possible diagnosis of hypertension.” 

The researchers say it’s important for dentists and primary care physicians to identify risk factors and recommend patients for further testing and observation. Consumers can do their part by practicing healthy dental habits.

“Oral health strategies such as brushing teeth twice daily are proven to be very effective in managing and preventing the most common oral conditions, and our study’s results indicate they can also be a powerful and affordable tool to help prevent hypertension,” Dr. D’Aiuto said. 

BMW of North America is recalling 258 model year 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5 xDrive45e, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i and XB7 vehicles.

The head restraints on the second-row outer seats may be the incorrect type for the vehicle.

The head restraints could detach in a crash and increase the risk of injury.

What to do

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, and replace them -- as necessary -- free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin May 3, 2021.

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

Inyo Pool Products of Longwood, Fla., is recalling about 800 PureLine 1.5 HP Pool Pump Motors

The pump motors can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

The firm has received 26 reports of motors burning, smoking, or melting. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves two models of 1.5 HP electric motors that drive pool pumps sold under the PureLine brand name with model numbers PL1152 and PL2152.

The PL1152 model has a round flange and the PL2152 has a square flange. The model number can be found on the white label on the top of the recalled motors, which are black.

The PL1152 motors are 11-7/8 inches long and 5-1/2 inches in diameter. The PL2152 motors are 12-1/2 inches long and 6-1/2 inches in diameter.

The motors, manufactured in China, were sold online at www.inyopools.com from April 2017 through May 2020, for between $140 and $160.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled pool pump motors and contact Inyo Pool Products for a free replacement.

After replacement, consumers should cut one of the wires connecting to the capacitor and dispose of the recalled pump motors in accordance with local requirements.

Consumers are asked to send a photo of the cut wires to Inyo Pool Products at recall@inyopools.com.

Inyo Pool Products is contacting all known purchasers directly.

Consumers may contact Inyo Pool Products toll-free at (888) 575-0485 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday, by email at recall@inyopools.com, or online at www.inyopools.com and click on “Recall” at the bottom of the page for more information, including an instructional video on replacing the recalled motor and cutting one of the wires

Users of Apple iOS devices welcomed the week with a security threat. Now, Android users are being warned of malware posing as a security update that can allow hackers to take complete control of devices. 

The sophisticated new malicious app disguises itself as a System Update application, according to mobile security company Zimperium (zLabs). Once it takes control of an Android device, it’s able to steal data, images, and messages. Once they infiltrate a device, hackers can also record audio and phone calls, take photos, monitor GPS locations, steal phone contacts, take instant messenger database files, review browser history, access WhatsApp messages, and more. 

Worse yet, it can do its damage undetected by hiding the icon from the device’s drawer/menu.

Stay away from third-party software sites

zLabs confirmed with Google that the app is not -- and has never been -- on Google Play. However, users who download system software from unsecured, third-party platforms can be targeted and become victims if they’re not careful.

Before clicking on “accept” for any app update or before installing a new app on your Android device, users should ask themselves where exactly that software is coming from. You’re probably safe if it’s from the Google Play store, but stay away from installing any software that was sent via text message unless it is from a trusted source you know and have installed software from before. 

One telltale sign of this scheme is any Android update that is offered in the form of a new, self-contained app. Android updates do not come packaged like that. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that it will be extending its moratorium on evictions through June 30 in order to stem the spread of COVID-19. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a historic threat to the nation’s public health,” CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a statement. “Keeping people in their homes and out of crowded or congregate settings — like homeless shelters — by preventing evictions is a key step in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

The eviction ban was set to expire on Wednesday, but many renters are still unable to afford their rent due to pandemic-related financial problems. Those in favor of extending the CDC’s eviction ban said doing so would help prevent a spike in evictions, and therefore prevent a spike in COVID-19 cases in both affected families and in the communities they live in. 

During a pandemic, evictions affect public health

Around 20 percent of adult renters, and closer to 33 percent of Black renters, said they didn’t pay last month’s rent, according to a recent survey conducted by the Census Bureau. 

“When you’re looking at an infectious disease like Covid-19, evictions can have an impact not only on the health of evicted families, but also on the health of the broader community,” said Kathryn Leifheit, a postdoctoral fellow at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and one of the authors of a study examining the effects of expiring eviction bans on COVID-19 transmission rates. 

While Congress has set aside money to go towards rental assistance, it’s likely to take several months for that money to be distributed to those who need it. In the meantime, the CDC’s eviction ban applies to individuals who earn less than $99,000 a year and couples who make under $198,000. 

Renters must also fill out a form declaring that they are unable to afford their rent and that being evicted could result in becoming homeless, needing to move into a homeless shelter, or needing to move into a new residence shared by other people who live in close quarters. 

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 30,267,561 (30,219,071)

Total U.S. deaths: 549,364 (548,828)

Total global cases: 127,319,002 (126,810,891)

Total global deaths: 2,785,838 (2,778,682)

COVID-19 deaths are down for seven straight days

New cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) are rising in some states, but the nationwide death toll from the virus is falling as more members of the most vulnerable populations get vaccinated.

The COVID-19 Tracking Project at Johns Hopkins University reports a weekly average of 970 virus deaths per day. That’s significant because the average daily death toll has remained below 1,000 for seven straight days for the first time since November.

A handful of states reported no new COVID-19 deaths on Sunday. It’s a far cry from January, when the death toll was averaging around 4,000 per day.

Birx: Most U.S. deaths could have been prevented

The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 is closing in on 550,000, but Dr. Deborah Birx, part of the Trump administration’s COVID-19 task force, says most of those deaths could have been prevented had the administration acted more forcefully early in the pandemic.

In an interview with CNN, Birx accused the administration of acting too slowly and failing to learn lessons from the first wave of infections last spring. She said more forceful social-distancing guidelines and shutdown regulations could have made a major difference.

“I look at it this way,” Birx said. “The first time we have an excuse. There were about a hundred thousand deaths that came from that original surge. All of the rest of them, in my mind, could have been mitigated or decreased substantially.”

New York becomes first state to offer ‘vaccination passport’

New York is rolling out a digital “vaccination passport” that state residents can load to their mobile device to offer proof that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo touted the passport as something that will make it easier to quickly reopen sporting and concert venues. 

The app, called the Excelsior Pass, is designed to help New Yorkers voluntarily show they have either been vaccinated or recently tested negative for the virus. 

Cuomo said Excelsior Pass can be used at theaters, stadiums, arenas, and wedding venues, all of which have largely been empty during the pandemic. He said Madison Square Garden and Times Union Center have already agreed to implement the system.

Antibody treatment credited with hospitalization decline

Health officials in South Carolina say the state has seen a significant decline in hospitalizations in the last month. They say vaccinating vulnerable populations has made a difference, but they also cite early treatment with monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibody treatments are currently approved only for emergency use, but doctors say they have proved to be highly effective when given to patients before they reach the critical stage. Data suggests that they have helped reduce hospitalizations and emergency room visits due to COVID-19. 

“Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-designed antibodies that can detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the virus that causes COVID-19, and can help your immune system get rid of it,” said Dr. Jonathan Knoche, medical consultant to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. “Health care providers typically use these treatments for patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms but who are at high risk for developing severe complications from the virus.”

Scientists find clue to COVID-19’s high infection rate

COVID-19 has always spread easily, and the newly discovered variants of the virus are even more contagious. Bioengineering researchers at Lehigh University think they now understand why.

The scientists have identified a previously unknown interaction between receptors in human cells and the spike, or "S," protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. They say this new information could aid in the development of new strategies to block SARS-CoV-2 entry into human cells.

"Our goal was to characterize SARS-CoV-2 and study the protein-protein interactions during its invasion of human cells to provide more insights into the mechanisms that make this first step in its successful invasion process possible," said researcher Frank Zhang.

Around the nation

• New Jersey: Starting today, a lot more people are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The new pool is based on occupation, not age. Among the workers who can now be vaccinated are those in food distribution and agriculture, warehousing and logistics, and hospitality.

• Michigan: State health officials are expressing concern about a rise in new cases across the state, noting that children now account for a much larger portion of the infections. Testing is holding steady at around 35,000 diagnostic tests per day, with the seven-day positive rate holding above 10 percent as of Friday, the highest mark since December.

• New Mexico: While some states are seeing increases in new coronavirus cases, the numbers are falling in New Mexico. In Sunday’s report, the state health department reported only 167 new cases and no deaths.

Apple users who have been on pins and needles about a critical security breach can rest easy. On Friday, the company released a new update for its iOS software system that fixed the issue.

Specifically, the new update impacts Webkit, a browser engine developed by Apple and used primarily in its Safari web browser on various Apple devices. The original problem reported to Apple suggested that Webkit contained a vulnerability that would allow “maliciously crafted web content” to create “universal cross site scripting.” The company said it was aware that the threat may have been actively exploited.

Apple has its peer Google to thank for finding the threat. The issue was first detailed by members of Google’s Threat Analysis Group.

Who should be concerned and what should be done

Apple reaffirmed the importance of iOS users updating their software, saying the update “provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.”

Consumers who own at least one of the following Apple products should update their system software as soon as possible:

• iPhone: iPhone 6s and later

• iPad: iPad Pro (all models); iPad Air 2 and later; iPad 5th generation and later; iPad mini 4 and later

• iPod Touch (7th generation)

The iOS and iPadOS 14.4.2 updates are free and can be downloaded on all of the aforementioned devices via the Settings app. To access the software update, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

A new CDC study has found that just one dose of the vaccines produced by either Pfizer and Moderna are 80 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 infections.  

The study, which was conducted among nearly 4,000 vaccinated health care workers with no previous documentation of COVID-19 infection, found that one shot of either vaccine conferred significant immunity two weeks later. Health officials still recommend getting the full two shots of the vaccines, as the study found that  the effectiveness rose to 90 percent two weeks after the second dose. 

“These findings indicate that authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are effective for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection, regardless of symptom status, among working-age adults in real-world conditions,” the CDC wrote. “COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all eligible persons.”

Experts say the study’s findings could help stretch the vaccine supply and get more Americans at least partially vaccinated at a faster pace. However, Dr. Anthony Fauci and other top health officials have said that Americans should definitely prioritize returning for a second shot. 

The second dose of the vaccines from both Pfizer and Modern contain a host of “virus-specific neutralizing antibodies that is almost 10 growth fold greater than after the first dose,” Dr. Paul Offit, a voting member of the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory, told CNBC. 

Offit said the study’s findings are generally “good news,” but he noted that other studies show that the second shot appears to instill longer-lasting immunity to the virus. 

CDC director warns of ‘impending doom’

The findings come as health officials express concern about a reversal in the downward trend of COVID-19 infections. During a press briefing on Monday, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said the U.S. is heading toward “impending doom” as daily infections rise again. 

“We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are and so much reason for hope, but right now I’m scared,” Walensky said. 

She said cases have risen over the last week or so -- a marker that typically predicts that they will “surge and surge big” shortly thereafter. Walensky urged Americans to persevere and get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. 

“I’m speaking today not necessarily as your CDC director and not only as your CDC director, but as a wife, as a mother, as a daughter, to ask you to just please hold on a little while longer,” she said.

With pandemic-related financial stresses still burdening many consumers, three national credit reporting agencies -- Equifax, Experian, and Transunion -- have announced that they are extending free weekly credit report monitoring until April 2022. 

The companies said they will continue to offer free weekly credit reports until after next year’s Tax Day so that Americans can continue keeping tabs on their financial data during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Access to financial information and records on a more frequent basis helps people plan for their future while also taking care of the present," said Equifax CEO Mark W. Begor, Experian CEO Brian Cassin and Transunion CEO Chris Cartwright in a joint statement this month. "We strive to make credit more accessible and available to people every day and we hope continuing to make free credit reports available each week is helpful to consumers."

Check your credit report regularly

Credit reports have information about your credit history and payment history that lenders look at before approving loans and determining what interest rate to offer. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. consumers were entitled to one free credit report from each agency per year.

By checking your credit report regularly, you can ensure that the report is correct. If the report contains an error in any section, you can notify the credit reporting agency to initiate a dispute of that information.

“For consumers, ensuring that one’s credit remains in good standing during this time goes beyond paying mortgages, auto loans, credit card bills and other financial obligations each month," said Francis Creighton, President and CEO of the Consumer Data Industry Association.

Consumers can obtain free credit reports by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.

The idea of using cryptocurrency to pay for everyday purchases is gaining traction. Visa has announced it will allow the use of USD Coin (USDC), to settle transactions.

USDC is what is known as a “stablecoin,” which is backed by the U.S dollar. Consumers using it will be able to settle a transaction with Visa with Ethereum, an open-source blockchain. Visa’s partner in the project is Crypto.com, a large cryptocurrency platform. It may be offered to other partners later this year.

In a press release, Visa said support for digital currencies as a new type of settlement currency “marks an important step forward for Visa’s network of networks strategy.” The company said that strategy works to increase the efficiency of moving money. The fact that USDC’s value is tied to the dollar makes it simpler.

Cheaper and easier

The standard way to handle the settlement process is to use a traditional fiat currency, but that system carries higher costs and complexities. The company says the ability to settle in USDC can ultimately help “crypto native” companies better manage their resources without the need to hold large quantities of different currencies.

“Crypto-native fintechs want partners who understand their business and the complexities of digital currency form factors,” said Jack Forestell, executive vice president and chief product officer at Visa. “The announcement today marks a major milestone in our ability to address the needs of fintechs managing their business in a stablecoin or cryptocurrency.”

The new partnership eliminates the need for Crypto.com, which has issued a Visa card, to convert cryptocurrency held in a wallet into a traditional currency -- like dollars or yen -- to settle transactions. When a cardholder makes a purchase using the card, the settlement will take place using the stablecoin.

Other players

Mastercard is also at work on paving the way for digital coins to be used in consumer commercial transactions. In August 2019, the company advertised to potential job candidates that they could “work at the cutting-edge intersection of payments and cryptocurrencies.” 

Mastercard said at the time that applicants selected for these positions will “monitor cryptocurrency ecosystem trends” while developing new products.

Another payment system, PayPal, has embraced cryptocurrency in recent months. Late last year, the platform announced that it’s allowing all users in the U.S. to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrency by using their PayPal account.

The company said the move was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and growing interest in digital currencies from both consumers and banks. The company said it will make digital currency available as a funding source for purchases at its 26 million merchants worldwide.

Giving up coffee during pregnancy can be difficult for many women. Now, researchers from the National Institute of Health (NIH) are exploring the risks associated with women can’t kick that caffeine habit during pregnancy. 

According to their findings, even moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy can affect newborns -- particularly when it comes to birth weight and height. The researchers learned that having as little as half a cup of coffee every day during pregnancy can impact infants’ size at birth. 

Cutting back on caffeine

For the study, the researchers analyzed health outcomes from more than 2,000 women who enrolled in the study during their first trimesters. The women reported on their caffeine intake, including quantity and the type of caffeinated beverages, and gave blood samples for the researchers to analyze for caffeine levels. When the women eventually gave birth, the researchers compared women’s caffeine intake with their infants’ birth weight. 

Ultimately, women’s caffeine consumption during pregnancy had a direct impact on their children’s size at birth. The study showed that even low levels of caffeine during pregnancy led to smaller babies in nearly every category: weight, height, thigh circumference, and head circumference. 

Compared to women who reported drinking the lowest quantities of caffeine, those who drank around half a cup of coffee each day had infants that were more than two ounces smaller at birth. Similarly,  those with the highest levels of caffeine in their blood had infants that were nearly three ounces lighter and nearly 0.2 inches shorter at birth. 

Consult with your doctor

The researchers believe that caffeine directly affects newborns’ stress levels and the blood supply they receive through the placenta, which is most likely why higher levels of caffeine limited their growth. Moving forward, they recommend that women consult with their doctors about the appropriate levels of caffeine to have during pregnancy. 

“Until we learn more, our results suggest it might be prudent to limit or forego caffeine-containing beverages during pregnancy,” said researcher Dr. Katherine L. Grantz. “It’s also a good idea for women to consult their physicians about caffeine consumption during pregnancy.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the NYU School of Medicine explored the negative health risks associated with pregnant women’s exposure to flame retardants. 

According to their findings, exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature birth. PBDEs are often used in products around the home to prevent the likelihood of a fire; however, the researchers worry about how the chemicals will affect kids’ health long term. 

“Our findings illustrate that flame retardants may have a tremendous impact on childbirth even if exposure occurred early on in the pregnancy,” said researcher Morgan Peltier, Ph.D. “Although PBDE chemicals are used with good intentions, they may pose a serious health concern that may have lasting consequences for children.” 

Protecting kids’ long-term health

To understand the effects of PBDE exposure on pregnancy, the researchers analyzed blood samples from over 3,500 pregnant women. The women were divided into groups based on the levels of PBDEs that were in their blood, and the researchers also assessed other risk factors -- like age and smoking status -- that could contribute to premature delivery. 

The study showed a clear link between women with the highest levels of PBDEs and those that had premature births. Compared to women with the lowest chemical exposure, those with the highest traces of PBDEs in their blood were 75 percent more likely to have a premature delivery. 

The researchers determined that the threshold of exposure to PBDEs was 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood; when pregnant women’s exposure exceeded that figure, premature birth was more likely. Surpassing that benchmark of chemical exposure also complicated women’s otherwise healthy pregnancies and increased the likelihood of procedures like C-sections and induced labor.

Long term, the researchers worry about how this exposure to PBDEs during pregnancy will affect kids’ health. While premature birth comes with risks, chemical exposure in utero may add to those risks beyond the infant years. 

New York has become the first state to offer residents a digital “vaccine passport” they can load to their mobile device to offer proof they have been vaccinated against the coronavirus (COVID-19).

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the passport will make it easier to quickly reopen sporting and concert venues, as well as other smaller businesses where people tend to gather.

Called the Excelsior Pass, the app is designed to help New Yorkers voluntarily show they have either been vaccinated or recently tested negative for the virus. The app can be downloaded here.

Cuomo said Excelsior Pass can be used at theaters, stadiums, arenas, and wedding venues, all of which have largely been empty during the pandemic. He said Madison Square Garden and Times Union Center have already agreed to implement the system.

The app is similar to a mobile airline boarding pass. With it, people will be able to either print out their pass or store it on their smartphones using the Excelsior Pass Wallet app.

Scannable QR code

Each pass will have a secure QR code that can be scanned at entrances and stadium gates using a companion app to verify proof of COVID-19 negative test results or proof of vaccination. Cuomo said an individual's data is kept secure and confidential.

"New Yorkers have proven they can follow public health guidance to beat back COVID, and the innovative Excelsior Pass is another tool in our new toolbox to fight the virus while allowing more sectors of the economy to reopen safely and keeping personal information secure," Cuomo said. 

Cuomo said the passport can be a critical step in reopening the economy, giving business owners and customers alike confidence that the risk from the virus is extremely low.

Economy and public health

"The question of 'public health or the economy’ has always been a false choice — the answer must be both,” Cuomo said. “As more New Yorkers get vaccinated each day and as key public health metrics continue to regularly reach their lowest rates in months, the first-in-the-nation Excelsior Pass heralds the next step in our thoughtful, science-based reopening."

The app is based on IBM’s Digital Health Pass solution and is designed to enable the secure verification of health credentials such as test results and vaccination records without the need to share underlying medical and personal information.

Mark Dorr, president of the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, said the introduction of the app comes at a critical time and can help the tourism industry recover from the devastation it suffered over the last 12 months.

American Honda Motor Co. is recalling 1,093 model year 2019-2020 Passports and Pilots with Continental tires.

One or more tires may have been cured for too long during tire production.

Overcured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation, which could lead to tread/belt loss.

Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace them -- as necessary -- free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin April 19, 2021.

Owners may contact Honda customer service at (888) 234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UA2.

MG Foods of Charlotte, N.C., is expanding its earlier recall of turkey sandwiches.

The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

No illnesses have been reported to date.

A list of the additional products, packaged in clear plastic wedges & plastic wrap were distributed between March 3, 2021 and March 5, 2021 and packaged in clear plastic wedges & plastic wrap and sold exclusively by vending machines and micro markets in business locations in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia from March 3 – 5, 2021, may be found here.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should discard them.

Consumers with questions or who want to request a full refund may contact MG Foods at (855) 424-8390 Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 7:00 pm (EST).