Current Events in March 2021

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sent out a reminder to taxpayers on Friday that any money spent on personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes to prevent COVID-19 are “treated as amounts paid for medical care (under Section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code)”.

Any amount paid for personal protective equipment is also eligible to be paid or reimbursed under health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs), Archer medical savings accounts (Archer MSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), or health savings accounts (HSAs).

What to know and how to get started

As with most tax deductions, there are caveats that consumers will need to keep in mind. The IRS says that amounts paid by an individual taxpayer for COVID-19 PPE must meet two important criteria to be eligible for deduction:

• The products must have been for use by the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s spouse, or the taxpayer’s dependent(s) that are not compensated for by insurance or otherwise are deductible under Section 213(a); and

• The taxpayer’s total medical expenses must exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income.

For more information on determining what is deductible, the IRS offers an interactive tax assistant that will walk you through a set of questions to help you determine if you can deduct specific medical and dental expenses. The process takes about 15 minutes and you’ll need to know the following things:

• Filing status.

• Type and amount of expenses paid.

• The year in which the expenses were paid.

• Your adjusted gross income.

• If you were reimbursed or if expenses were paid out of a Health Savings Account or an Archer Medical Savings Account.

ConsumerAffairs is keeping a running update on everything tax-related -- new deadlines, IRS scams, taxes related to student loans, etc. Those updates are available here.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 30,090,221 (30,015,938)

Total U.S. deaths: 546,915 (545,357)

Total global cases: 125,675,674 (124,971,776)

Total global deaths: 2,757,812 (2,746,581)

CDC sees 7 percent rise in U.S. cases

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued another warning about rising coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. The agency reports that the seven-day average of cases has risen by 7 percent in the last week.

In addition to new cases of the virus, Dr. Rochelle Walensky said new hospitalizations are up “slightly,” at roughly 4,700 admissions per day. 

“I remain deeply concerned about this trajectory,” Waleknsky said. “We have seen cases and hospital admissions move from historic declines to stagnations and increases. We know from prior surges that if we don’t control things now, there is a real potential for the epidemic curve to soar again.”

‘No-mask’ Texas shows no increase in cases

Health officials, who were critical of Texas for removing a statewide mask mandate two weeks ago, have been watching the Lone Star State for signs of a spike in COVID-19 cases. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, they have yet to materialize.

Reported infections actually declined after Gov. Greg Abbott lifted the mask mandate, but they have leveled off recently. When Abbott lifted the statewide mask mandate, he also allowed businesses to operate at full capacity, with no limits, starting March 10.

The Journal’s analysis shows there were about 4,900 confirmed cases on the day Abbott issued the order. The latest numbers show a seven-day average of around 3,400 cases.

Pfizer vaccine being tested on babies and kids

The coronavirus vaccines are being opened up to an ever-wider population, but they will go to people who are no younger than 18 until researchers gather more data. That process has now begun.

Pfizer reports that it has begun testing the vaccine it developed in partnership with BioNTech on children from six months old to 11 years old. Based on the results of the clinical trials, the vaccine could soon be administered to children.

The company said researchers will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the selected dose levels in the next phase of the trial, with participants being randomly selected to receive the vaccine or a placebo.

Rutgers to require vaccinations for on-campus students

Most businesses are still grappling with the question of whether to require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but Rutgers University has already made that decision as far as its students and staff are concerned.

University officials have announced that they will require all students attending classes on campus in the fall to prove that they have been vaccinated.

“In support of Rutgers’ commitment to health and safety for all members of its community, the University will be updating its Immunization Requirements for Students to include the COVID-19 vaccine,” the university wrote in a letter to students and parents. “This health policy update means that, with limited exceptions, all students planning to attend in the Fall 2021 semester must be fully vaccinated. In parallel, we continue to strongly urge all Rutgers faculty and staff to get immunized against COVID-19 at the earliest opportunity.”

Small business still getting strong consumer support

Small businesses have been devastated by the pandemic over the last 12 months, but it could have been worse. A new survey from Next Insurance shows that 87 percent of consumers say they have consciously tried to patronize small businesses to keep them afloat.

But it hasn’t always been successful. The survey also showed that 85 percent report at least one small business near them has closed due to the pandemic. Consumers were most likely to say that a local restaurant they liked had gone out of business. 

The most common reason consumers gave for supporting local businesses was to help their neighbors and keep the local economy strong.

Around the nation

• Florida: Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced a major expansion of the vaccination eligibility pool that will allow state residents who are at least 40 years old to get inoculated starting Monday. On April 5, anyone 18 or older will be eligible for the shots.

• Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent relaxation of virus mitigation rules, including a statewide mask mandate, created a political firestorm. The Texas Tribune reports that it has also cost the state a decline in convention business, with some hotels reporting significant cancellations.

• Iowa: Hospitalizations are defying a national trend, rising throughout the state this week. The state health department reports that 207 people are currently hospitalized with the virus, compared to 190 reported hospitalizations on Wednesday.

GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology are seeking emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a monoclonal antibody drug designed for the early treatment of COVID-19. 

On Friday, the biotech companies applied for the EUA, citing promising trial results. The companies said their antibody drug (VIR-7831) has been shown to dramatically cut the risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms among high-risk people aged 12 and older. 

In a phase three trial involving 583 COVID-19 patients at risk of hospitalization, the drug reduced hospitalizations or death from COVID-19 by 85 percent compared to the placebo. 

“As a result, the Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended that the trial be stopped for enrolment due to evidence of profound efficacy,” the companies said in a statement.

GSK and Vir added that they would continue discussions with the European Medicines Agency and other global regulators to make the drug available to patients with COVID-19 as soon as possible. 

Antibody treatments garnered attention following former President Donald Trump’s contraction of COVID-19 and use of the drugs. However, health officials say the two antibody drugs that have been authorized for use (from Regeneron and Eli Lilly) are being underutilized. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that abusing or misusing the nasal decongestant propylhexedrine (Benzedrex) can produce serious cardiovascular and psychiatric events. 

The inhaler, which is sold over-the-counter, is marketed to temporarily relieve nasal congestion due to cold, hay fever, or other upper respiratory allergies. But since the beginning of 2000, 460 cases of propylhexedrine abuse or misuse have been reported to U.S. poison control centers. Another 53 cases were reported directly to the FDA, and seven other cases were identified through emergency department visits between 2016 and 2018. 

Although the nasal decongestant is safe and effective when used for short periods of time for its intended use, poison control centers say they have received reports of toxicity associated with the use of Benzedrex. 

"Benzedrex inhalers can be legally purchased, but propylhexedrine abuse occurs as people try to find legal ways to get high or increase productivity and concentration," the National Capital Poison Center stated. "There have been many reports of toxicity associated with propylhexedrine extracted from an inhaler and swallowed or injected. Swallowing the contents of one propylhexedrine inhaler has caused heart attack and lung injury in adults and children."

FDA calls for design changes

Patients who abused or misused the inhaler most commonly reported the following side effects: tachycardia, severe anxiety or agitation, hypertension, angina, tremor, hallucinations, delusions, confusion, nausea, and vomiting. Twenty-one people experienced life-threatening adverse reactions after misusing the inhaler.

The FDA said people who experienced adverse health complications primarily cited using the products “by routes other than nasal inhalation.” The agency is now urging the makers of the inhalers to change the design to prevent misuse. 

“For example, modifying the product to create a physical barrier that would make tampering with the device and abusing the propylhexedrine inside more difficult,” the agency said. “In addition, decreasing the amount of medicine the device contains could also reduce the risk of serious side effects if abused or misused.” 

The agency said it’s continuing to “evaluate this safety issue” in order to determine whether additional regulatory actions are needed. In the meantime, consumers can report adverse events linked to propylhexedrine to the FDA MedWatch program.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers that scammers are sending out emails posing as the agency’s Acting Chairwoman Rebecca Slaughter. 

In the emails, the scammers lie and say the FTC is sending people coronavirus relief money. The bad actors then request personal information from the email recipient, claiming that they need to know where to send the money. 

“The Acting Chairwoman didn’t email you,” the federal agency said in a release. “Scammers who spoofed her email did.”

FTC says it doesn’t ask for personal information

Although coronavirus stimulus payments are still going out, the FTC said it isn’t involved in that process. The Treasury Department and the IRS are the only two government agencies handling COVID-19 stimulus payments. 

Additionally, the FTC said it does not email, call, text, or message people on social media to ask for personal information such as banking information, date of birth, or social security number. 

Consumers should also be wary of unexpected emails asking for personal information since “scammers could use that information to rip you off,” the FTC said. 

The agency added that consumers who suspect they received an email from a scammer should report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Phishing emails can also be forwarded to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org. Reporting these types of scams can help officials crack down on them.

Mortgage rates continue to move higher, putting the squeeze on buyers who are on the edges of affordability.

Freddie Mac reports that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.17 percent in the last week, up from 3.08 percent the previous week. That puts the metric at its highest level in nine months. While still near historic lows, that kind of move can make a big difference in the monthly payment on a large mortgage.

“Since January, mortgage rates have increased half a percentage point from historic lows and home prices have risen, leaving potential homebuyers with less purchasing power,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Unfortunately, this has disproportionately affected the low end of the market, where supply is the slimmest.”

Higher prices haven’t slowed sales

A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.50 percent, so why is 3.19 percent such a big deal? The reason is because home prices have risen a lot since then. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to a surge in home buying, which in turn pushed up the price of homes. Demand hasn’t lessened since then, suggesting that home prices will continue to creep higher.

So far, that has yet to discourage home buyers. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reports that applications for home loans fell 2.5 percent last week from the previous week. But most of the decrease occurred in the refinance category. Applications for home purchases were higher during the week.

"Purchase applications were strong over the week, driven both by households seeking more living space and younger households looking to enter homeownership,”  said Joel Kan, MBA's associate vice president of Economic and Industry Forecasting. “The average purchase loan balance increased again, both by quickening home-price growth and a rise in higher-balance conventional applications."  

‘Affordability challenges’

Kan says borrowers are having to take out increasingly larger mortgage loans to pay steadily rising prices. He blames a stubbornly low inventory level for the higher home prices. That, he says, could potentially dampen the housing market.

“As both home-price growth and mortgage rates continue this upward trend, we may see affordability challenges become more severe if new and existing supply does not significantly pick up," he noted.

While a lack of available homes for sale is driving up home prices, mortgage rates are going up because of rising yields on the Treasury’s 10-year bond. The 10-year bond is the biggest factor affecting mortgage rates, and bond rates are rising to their highest level since the start of the pandemic.

Economists attribute the rise in bond yields to expectations of strong economic growth as the economy reopens and rising inflation.

Going out to a nice meal can be a great way for consumers to celebrate a special occasion or spend quality time with their family and friends. However, a new study may have some consumers rethinking how often they’re eating food prepared outside of their homes. 

According to experts, eating a lot of take-out -- whether that’s eating in a restaurant or ordering food to-go -- may increase a person’s risk of dying. Instead, they say consumers should make a conscious effort to prepare the majority of their meals at home. 

“This is one of the first studies to quantify the association between eating out and mortality,” said researcher Dr. Wei Bao. “Our findings, in line with previous studies, support that eating out frequently is associated with adverse health consequences and may inform future dietary guidelines to recommend reducing consumption of meals prepared away from the home.” 

Cooking at home can have health benefits

To understand what effect eating take-out food had on mortality, the researchers analyzed 15 years’ worth of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants answered questions about their eating habits, and the researchers then followed up by looking at death records linked to a number of different causes. 

The researchers learned that participants who primarily ate take-out food were at an increased risk of death in general, as well as death from heart disease or cancer. Compared to those who ate fewer than one meal per week that was prepared outside the home, those who ate two or more take-out meals per day were nearly 1.5 times more likely to die from any cause and nearly 1.7 times more likely to die from cancer. 

“The take-home message is that frequent consumption of meals prepared away from home may not be a healthy habit,” the researchers wrote. “Instead, people should be encouraged to consider preparing more meals at home.” 

Controlling what is in your meals

According to the researchers, the adverse health effects incurred from eating a lot of take-out food likely stems from the quality of food served at many restaurants. Though a lot of establishments offer healthier options, it’s impossible for consumers to completely control what’s going into their meals when someone else prepares the food.

Moving forward, the team recommends that health care professionals do their part to encourage healthy eating -- both inside and outside the home. 

“It is important to note that the study design for this research examines associations between frequency of eating meals prepared away from home and mortality,” said researcher Linda G. Snetselarr, Ph.D. “While encouraging clients to consider preparing healthy meals at home, registered dietitian nutritionists might also focus on how selections from restaurant menus can be healthy. Tailoring strategies to each client by reviewing menus from restaurants they frequent can help them make healthy food choices.” 

Regularly eating fruits and vegetables can have important physical and mental health benefits for consumers. 

Now, a new study conducted by researchers from Edith Cowan University has found that vegetables also play a key role in consumers’ long-term muscle function. According to their findings, green leafy vegetables, which contain large quantities of nitrates, can lead to stronger muscles and improved physical abilities. 

“Our study shows that diets high in nitrate-rich vegetables may bolster your muscle strength independently of any physical activity,” said researcher Dr. Marc Sim. “Nevertheless, to optimise muscle function we propose that a balanced diet rich in green leafy vegetables in combination with regular exercise, including weight training, is ideal.” 

Getting your greens in

For the study, the researchers analyzed results from more than 3,700 participants involved in Melbourne’s Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute AusDiab study. Experts followed the participants’ diets and health outcomes for over a decade and compared how consumption of leafy green vegetables impacted their muscle capacity. 

The researchers learned that participants who ate the most nitrate-rich diets had the best physical outcomes -- particularly when looking at lower body strength. The study showed that consuming higher amounts of leafy green vegetables led to faster walking speeds and greater muscle function overall. 

“We should eat a variety of vegetables every day, with at least one of those servings being leafy greens to gain a range of positive health benefits for the musculoskeletal system and cardiovascular system,” said Dr. Sim. 

These findings are especially important for older consumers who may be more susceptible to falls. The researchers say eating more green vegetables is a good way for seniors to reduce the chances of these accidents happening.

A decline in crude oil prices provided motorists with a much needed break at the gas pump this week. Prices ended a multi-week series of increases, at least for now.

The AAA Fuel Gauge Survey shows the national average price of regular gas is $2.86 a gallon, a decline of two cents from last Friday. At this time a year ago, gas prices were sinking rapidly at the start of the pandemic and were 60 cents a gallon less.

The average price of premium gas is $3.46 a gallon, about the same as last week. The average price of diesel fuel is $3.10, also unchanged from last week.

Despite the stability in the national average, a number of states saw wild swings in the price of gas. The price fell seven cents a gallon in Ohio, five cents a gallon in Indiana, four cents a gallon in Wisconsin, and three cents a gallon in North Carolina.

The average price rose five cents a gallon in Kentucky and three cents a gallon in Florida.

Despite the pause in rising prices nationwide, AAA’s Jeanette McGee says prices are at their highest level since May 2019.

“A dip in demand along with a simultaneous increase in supply and refinery utilization has contributed to slower movement in gas price increases,” she said. “On the week, 32 states had increases of only 3 cents or less. This does not mean gas prices have hit their peak, but is a positive sign for consumers.”

The decline in demand, and the leveling off of prices at the pump, may be short-lived. AAA predicts demand will pick up as more Americans are vaccinated and hit the road for long-postponed vacations.

The states with the most expensive gas

These states currently have the highest prices for regular gas, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Survey:

• California ($3.88)

• Hawaii ($3.63)

• Nevada ($3.30)

• Washington ($3.23)

• Oregon ($3.16)

• Utah ($3.15)

• Arizona ($3.10)

• Alaska ($3.12)

• Illinois ($3.05)

• Idaho ($3.03)

The states with the cheapest regular gas

The survey found these states currently have the lowest prices for regular gas:

• Mississippi ($2.61)

• Ohio ($2.61)

• Texas ($2.62)

• South Carolina ($2.62)

• Louisiana ($2.64)

• Wisconsin ($2.65)

• Missouri ($2.66)

• Alabama ($2.66)

• North Carolina ($2.66)

• Kansas ($2.67)

Nissan North America is recalling 15,223 model year 2020 Muranos.

The left and/or right-hand transverse link may not have been manufactured correctly, which could result in it separating from the ball joint.

Ball joint separation can cause a loss of vehicle control, and increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transverse link's lot codes, and -- if necessary -- replace them and perform a vehicle alignment free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin April 21, 2021.

Owners may contact Nissan customer service at (800) 867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC797.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 552 model year 2019-2021 Genesis G70s.

The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and short circuit.

An electrical short circuit inside the ABS module could cause an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module fuse free of charge.

Owners should park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete.

The recall is expected to begin May 7, 2021.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 007G.

The cruise industry gave its best effort to try to convince the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lift its No Sail Order, but no dice. The CDC has formally rejected the industry’s request, leaving cruise lines to either sit and sulk or try to entice anxious American travelers to fly elsewhere to board a cruise ship.

The CDC wasted no time responding to the cries of cruise operators. On Wednesday, the agency made it clear that the shutdown will remain in effect until at least November 1, 2021.

“Returning to passenger cruising is a phased approach to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19,” Jade Fulce, a Public Affairs Specialist for the CDC, told ConsumerAffairs. “Details for the next phase of the CSO are currently under interagency review.”

When ConsumerAffairs reached out to the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) for a comment on the CDC’s stance, its president Zane Kerby expressed his deep disappointment 

“The CDC’s continued inaction in removing cruise restrictions imperil livelihoods and communities in South Florida, up to now the de facto cruise capital of the world, and far beyond. It is a shame that the CDC’s inflexibility has brought us to this point,” he said.

Senator also turns up heat on CDC 

The cruise industry isn’t the only source of pressure that the CDC is facing. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski went after CDC director Rochelle Walensky last week to try to pin down which agencies had the authority to make decisions concerning the No Sail Order. However, Walensky wasn’t exactly sure.

"This is an interagency decision, it is not a decision solely up to the CDC. The decision is not totally up to us," Walensky said. When Murkowski pressed Walensky for a clearer answer, she said she couldn’t provide one because she didn’t believe that “it's solely in our jurisdiction to address."

Like Florida, Alaska is in the thick of this cruise-related issue. Not only are businesses in the state reliant on the economic impact that cruise ships bring, but some cruise itineraries go through Canadian waters, and Canada has banned all cruise ships -- another burr in Murkowski’s saddle.

“We sent two letters to Prime Minister Trudeau. It’s hard, because we’re all operating in a time of COVID so we don’t want to imply that we want to risk health and safety for the purpose of our economy, but we are seeking areas of cooperation as to how we can move people safely. To do that, Canada must be willing to work with us,” Murkowksi said in a meeting with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan.

“We don’t have many points of entry that they have to worry about, but they have cut off all points of entry—by land and by sea. We are truly an island,” she added.

Consumers still have options

Impatient travelers still have options, but they’re going to have to invest in extra travel costs to satisfy their cruise craving. Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises plan to restart operations in June from the Bahamas and St. Maarten. Crystal Cruises has also announced plans to base one of its cruise ships in the Bahamas starting in July.

Greece is also opening its doors to international visitors in mid-May. Vaccinated Americans over 18 and minors with negative COVID-19 tests will be welcome aboard. Crews will also be fully vaccinated.

Celebrity Cruises is the first cruise line to take advantage of the situation, announcing that its new Edge series ship will make its world debut in Greece this summer beginning June 19.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 30,015,938 (29,928,341)

Total U.S. deaths: 545,357 (543,933)

Total global cases: 124,971,776 (124,378,693)

Total global deaths: 2,746,581 (2,736,980)

U.S. reporting more cases but fewer deaths

Here’s where the U.S. stands 12 months into the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: New cases of the virus have begun to climb again after a steep drop last month, but the rate of deaths is significantly lower when compared to earlier in the year.

At a White House briefing, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said the U.S. is logging a seven-day average of about 55,000 new cases per day. That’s 3 percent higher than last week. In the last 24-hours, the number of U.S. cases went over 30 million.

At the same time, hospitalizations and deaths remain significantly below January levels, before vaccinations were widespread. The U.S. is currently averaging about 4,600 new hospitalizations and nearly 1,000 deaths per day.

AstraZeneca releases new data on its vaccine

AstraZeneca has released new U.S. clinical trial data on its coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, just days after its initial release was criticized by U.S. health officials. On Monday, the company declared that the vaccine had an efficacy rate of 79 percent. The following day, the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), headed by Dr. Anthony Fauci, raised questions about the results, saying the trial relied on outdated information.

The new report is based on the analysis of 190 cases of symptomatic COVID-19 that occurred in the trial; that’s 49 more than were in the initial release. While the efficacy rate declined slightly -- from 79 percent to 76 percent -- the effectiveness against severe forms of COVID-19, including death, remained at 100 percent. 

Fauci called AstraZeneca’s misstep “an unforced error” and said it is unfortunate because the product “is probably a very good vaccine.”

A big drop in unemployment claims last week

The job market took a big step forward last week as more businesses reopened around the country. The Labor Department reports that initial claims for unemployment tumbled to 684,000 -- the lowest number since the pandemic forced huge layoffs a year ago.

The decrease was dramatic. In the week ending March 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was a decline of 97,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 11,000 from 770,000 to 781,000. 

But the news from last week wasn’t all good. Continuing claims for unemployment benefits increased by 733,862 from the previous week to 18,952,795.

Cuomo allegedly let family members cut in line

Embattled New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo allegedly gave members of his family priority to COVID-19 testing in the early days of the pandemic. The Washington Post quotes sources who claim Cuomo’s family members and other well-connected figures got special access to state-administered coronavirus tests

According to the newspaper account, Cuomo sent a top state doctor and other state health officials to the homes of family members and others who requested access to tests, which were in short supply during the early days of the pandemic. 

A Cuomo spokesman denied any impropriety, saying that in the early days of the pandemic the state was taking extraordinary steps to make sure people who might have been exposed to the virus got tested.

CDC rejects plea to lift its ‘no sail’ order

You should probably put your cruise plans on hold for a while. The CDC has rejected a plea from the cruise industry to lift its No Sail Order, now in place until Nov. 1.

The Cruise Lines International Association petitioned the CDC to lift the order several months early, saying it believed it was safe for vaccinated people to be aboard ships as early as July. The CDC said it disagrees.

"Returning to passenger cruising is a phased approach to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19. Details for the next phase of the CSO are currently under interagency review," the agency said. 

Around the nation

• Minnesota: State health officials report that a small number of residents who have been fully vaccinated have tested positive for COVID-19, patients referred to as “breakthrough cases.” Officials have counted 89 such cases, with a small number of them requiring hospitalization. 

• Virginia: The wedding industry has been hard-hit by the pandemic because large gatherings have largely been prohibited. Now, wedding venues in the state have banded together to sue Gov. Ralph Northam, charging that his updated coronavirus restrictions are continuing to treat them unfairly.

• Illinois: Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady is expressing concern about a sharp rise in new COVID-19 cases in the city. "I was very much hoping today to be able to do some further reopening," Arwady said. "In the setting of what these numbers look like, we're just keeping a close eye. We've got to come back down to moderate risk in all of our indicators."

Drugmaker AstraZeneca has sought to quell a week-long dust-up over its coronavirus (COVID-19) trial results, issuing new data that suggests the vaccine is 76 percent effective against the virus.

Previous results, released on Monday, declared that the vaccine had an efficacy rate of 79 percent. The following day, the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), headed by Dr. Anthony Fauci, raised questions about the results, saying the trial relied on outdated results.

The London-based drug company, which produced its vaccine in collaboration with scientists at Oxford University, has now released additional data that is based on an analysis of 190 cases of symptomatic COVID-19 that occurred in the trial. That’s 49 more than were in the initial release.

While the efficacy rate declined slightly -- from 79 percent to 76 percent -- the effectiveness against severe forms of COVID-19, including death, remained at 100 percent. Company scientists said the updated results are in line with the initial report on Monday.

“The primary analysis is consistent with our previously released interim analysis, and confirms that our COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective in adults, including those aged 65 years and over,” said Mene Pangalos, executive vice president, BioPharmaceuticals R&D. “We look forward to filing our regulatory submission for Emergency Use Authorization in the US and preparing for the rollout of millions of doses across America.”

‘Unforced error’

Many health experts have raised concerns about the controversy that has been associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Fauci told CNN that the botched data release was “an unforced error” that clouds “what is probably a very good vaccine.”

“This kind of thing does nothing but cast some doubt about the vaccines and maybe contribute to the hesitancy (to take them),” Fauci said. “It wasn’t necessary. If you look at it the data really are quite good.”

Armed with the updated data, AstraZeneca said it plans to move forward with an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization (EUA) for distribution in the U.S. The vaccine is already widely used internationally.

Consumers who were affected by online retailer Fashion Nova’s violations of the Federal Trade Commission’s rules regarding shipping notifications will soon receive refunds. 

The FTC said it’s sending out $6.5 million in payments to more than half a million consumers impacted by the retailer’s violations of its Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule.

The agency said Fashion Nova violated the rule in several ways, including by promising consumers fast shipping of their orders by including phrases like “Fast Shipping,” “2-Day Shipping,” and “Expect Your Items Quick!” However, the agency says it regularly failed to deliver on those promises.

Fashion Nova also violated the FTC’s rules by never giving consumers the opportunity to cancel their orders and receive refunds. Finally, the company used gift cards to compensate consumers for items that did not ship instead of providing refunds, which isn’t permitted under FTC’s Mail Order Rule. 

“The same rules that we have enforced for nearly 50 years against catalogers and other mail-order companies also apply to online sellers,” said Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, in a statement. “Online retailers need to know that our Mail Order Rule requires them to notify customers in the event of shipping delays and offer the right to cancel with a full refund—not just a gift card or a store credit.”

Millions in refunds

All told, 518,552 consumers will receive a refund of $12.60 each from the FTC. Most of the payments will be sent via PayPal to the email addresses of affected customers, but a small number of consumers will receive mailed checks. 

The FTC’s order also requires Fashion Nova to refund some customers directly. The retailer has agreed to send out direct refunds totalling $2.26 million to customers affected by its shortcomings. 

Consumers with further questions can contact the refund administrator -- Rust Consulting, Inc. -- at 1-866-483-0376.

Restrictions are starting to be eased as the number of COVID-19 vaccinations in the U.S. continues to rise. One example of that can be seen in the return of certain services aboard aircraft. 

Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines have announced that they’re all bringing back some form of in-flight food and beverage service. Below you can find what those three major carriers now have to offer.

Southwest options

For Southwest travelers, it’s only water and soft drinks for the time being. Passengers on flights of 250 miles or longer can choose from Coke, Diet Coke, 7Up, or bottled water.

However, passengers flying Southwest should bone up on their non-verbal skills before taking off. Instead of the flight attendant asking for the passenger’s preference, the airline wants travelers to place their order using their phone.

Southwest told ConsumerAffairs that passengers can choose their drink by zooming in on a graphic of their choice on their phone while accessing the carrier’s online portal. An attendant will then verify the choice and bring the beverage. But what if a traveler doesn’t have a phone? No problem -- flight attendants will hold up a menu with numbered options and travelers can respond by holding up the number of fingers reflecting their choice.

Southwest is going the point-to-your-choice route because it wants to steer clear of any trouble. For now, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) still requires passengers to wear a mask while onboard an airplane.

Delta Air Lines’s updated food and beverage service

Starting April 14 on domestic flights, Delta will offer a revamped snack and beverage service that includes coffee, water, tea, soft drinks (in new 7.5 ounce cans, no less), and ready-to-drink old fashioned cocktails and margaritas. Travelers will need to pay a dollar more than before for these alcoholic drinks, though.

For snacks, Delta’s new selection has its traditional Biscoff cookies, plus Goldfish, almonds, and Clif Bars. Customers can have one sweet and one savory snack. 

Taking a hands-off approach like Southwest, Delta flight attendants will use the company’s new contactless payment technology for onboard purchases of food, beverages, and earbuds. The new system also allows for emailed receipts. 

United’s in-flight changes

United’s dining menu has also been retooled. Effective April 1 on select routes, the airline will offer fliers their choice of snack boxes, a la carte snacks, and a variety of alcoholic beverages.

Just about everyone on a United flight will have to pay for their food and drink. The exception is the “premium-cabin” passenger, who can enjoy alcoholic beverages for free. Among those options is White Claw, a new addition to United’s offerings. 

Everything will be exclusively contactless when United debuts its new food and beverage line-up, which means customers seated in Coach class will have to use the United app.