Current Events in March 2021

A new study conducted by researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center explored the brain benefits associated with getting regular exercise. According to their findings, exercise led to better blood flow to the brain for older consumers with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). 

“This is part of a growing body of evidence linking exercises with brain health,” said researcher Rong Zhang, Ph.D. “We’ve shown for the first time in a randomized trial in these older adults that exercise gets more blood flowing to your brain.” 

Brain benefits of exercise

To understand the cognitive benefits associated with exercise, the researchers had 70 participants with MCI between the ages of 55 and 80 involved in the study. For one year, the participants either completed an aerobic exercise routine three to five times per week or went through a stretching regimen for the same amount of time. Then, the researchers analyzed results from MRI brain scans, cognitive exams, and fitness tests. 

While less than 50 participants made it to the end of the study, the researchers found that vigorous exercise was beneficial for brain health and function; however, those involved in the stretching routine didn’t experience any cognitive changes. By exercising regularly, the participants' cardiorespiratory fitness improved, which helped their body process more oxygen during physical activity. Improving this area of physical fitness led to better blood flow to the brain.

This is important because getting proper blood flow to the brain has been found to be associated with a lower risk of dementia and MCI. Because these participants were already struggling with MCI, knowing that exercise helped to improve blood flow may encourage older consumers with cognitive impairments to be more physically active. 

Though the researchers didn’t observe any improvements to the participants’ memory or overall cognitive abilities, they attribute that to the length of the study and believe that these findings are the first step towards seeing better outcomes. 

“There is still a lot we don’t know about the effects of exercise on cognitive decline later in life,” said researcher C. Munro Cullum, Ph.D. “MCI and dementia are likely to be influenced by a complex interplay of many factors, and we think that, at least for some people, exercise is one of those factors.” 

Working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic for the last year has taken a physical and mental toll on health care workers, who have remained at the biggest risk of contracting the virus. 

Now, a new study conducted by researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center has found that vaccinating health care workers early to protect against COVID-19 has led to several benefits. The team says that getting these early vaccinations done has helped reduce infections in this critical sector of the U.S. workforce.

“Real-world experience with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination at UT Southwestern demonstrated a marked reduction in the incidence of infections among our employees, preserving the workforce when we needed it most,” said researcher Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky. 

Keeping health care workers safe

The researchers were able to evaluate the benefits of vaccinating health care workers by analyzing outcomes for 23,000 employees working at UT Southwestern. Thirty percent of employees were fully vaccinated within the first month that treatment was available, and nearly 60 percent had at least gotten the first dose. 

The team found that positive cases of COVID-19 were lower after employees were either fully or partially vaccinated, and the number of employees required to quarantine because of COVID-19 exposure also dropped by more than 90 percent. The infection rate remained just under three percent among unvaccinated employees, but it was around 0.05 percent among vaccinated employees. 

“Our ability to quickly vaccinate a majority of our workforce in the midst of what became the largest surge to date in the region made a critical difference in ensuring we were able to continue providing top-flight care while health systems were strained,” said researcher Dr. John Warner. 

Educating consumers

Though employees at UT Southwestern are all eligible for the vaccine, and nearly 80 percent are now fully vaccinated, some skepticism still remains about the safety and efficacy of these treatments. The researchers plan to utilize several different resources to educate consumers about vaccines in hopes of eliminating some of that fear or hesitancy.

“In light of this real-world experience clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of immunization, further understanding of the reticence of some individuals to take advantage of vaccination bears even greater importance,” said researcher Dr. William Daniel. 

Dealers are paying more for used cars and that likely means those price increases will eventually make their way to consumers.

In its mid-month report for March, Cox Automotive found consumer sentiment in the used car market continued to improve as coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines became more numerous. At the same time, wholesale prices dealers paid for previously-owned cars and trucks moved sharply higher.

“We see improved momentum in overall used-vehicle sales starting in February and continuing through March,”  the analysts wrote. “Going into 2021, we expect the certified pre-owned (CPO) market to resume its consistent performance of annual growth after a dip in 2020. CPO sales rose 4 percent month over month in February.”

But the prices dealers are paying continued to rise. The seasonally adjusted Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index increased 3.7 percent when comparing the first 15 days of March to the month of February. The non-seasonally adjusted monthly change was 5.5 percent higher. 

Consumer prices are also higher

The used-vehicle prices that consumers pay have also increased every week in March. Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at Cox Automotive, says that trend is likely to continue for a while.

"With spring in the air and cash in pockets, consumer demand is driving prices to new record levels,” Smoke said. “Last week saw an acceleration in wholesale prices equivalent to the fastest pace of increase in early June last year. We are expecting to see records on the Manheim Index each month this spring.”

In part, prices are being driven higher by supply and demand. The Cox Automotive report shows inventory in the used-vehicle market fell to a 48-day supply in February. The supply of unsold used vehicles totaled 2.59 million at the end of February, down from 2.66 million vehicles in January. 

Well below last year

The decline in inventory is even more pronounced when compared to February 2020, just before the pandemic hit. There were nearly 3 million vehicles on used car lots then, 12 percent more than last month.

While the Cox Automotive report did not document the same drop in inventory in the new car showroom, the shortage of vital computer chips could soon change that equation. General Motors is suspending midsize truck production, shutting down its Wentzville, Mo., assembly line for two weeks starting March 29.

The Wall Street Journal reports the chip shortage is already being felt in dealer showrooms, reducing the number of vehicles for sale. Dealers told The Journal they have plenty of buyers but fewer new vehicles to sell.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 94,646 model year 2015-2016 Genesis and model year 2017-2020 Genesis G80 vehicles.

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 are advised to park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete.

The recall is expected to begin May 7, 2021.

Owners my contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 201 and 006G.

Chrysler is recalling four model year 2020-2021 Ram ProMaster City vans.

The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may have internal damage, which could result in a loss of braking performance or autonomous braking functions.

The loss of braking performance or autonomous braking functions can increase the risk of a crash without warning.

What to do

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

The recall is expected to begin April 28, 2021.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403.

Nissan North America is recalling 126,809 model year 2019-2020 Altimas and model year 2018-2021 Titans with Continental tires.

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

Over cured 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.

What to do

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them -- as necessary -- free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin April 28, 2021.

Owners may contact Nissan customer service at (800) 867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC798.

Spring means warmer weather. Warmer weather means vacations. Vacations mean rentals. And rentals mean… scams?

Consumers looking to take a trip following a year of the pandemic can’t let the excitement of being out of COVID-19’s reach get ahead of their need to be vigilant about vacation rental scams. 

If you’re already searching for vacation rentals online, it’s likely you’re probably looking for something unique or very affordable. That’s the trap that scammers have set for consumers -- ads for vacation rentals that tell you what you want to see and get you to thinking, “Gee, that’s too good to pass up!” Unfortunately, behind many of those ads are scammers ready to take your money and leave you without a roof over your head once you get to your vacation site.

Exercise caution

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s golden rule when you’re looking for a rental is to stay skeptical and look out for red flags. The agency says some tip-offs to a scam may include:

Altered ads: Scammers have been known to hijack an honest-to-goodness real rental or real estate listing by simply changing the email address or other contact information and placing the modified ad on another site. They might even go as far as using the name of the person who posted the original ad in their altered, fake one. In other cases, scammers have been known to hijack the email accounts of property owners on reputable vacation rental websites such as VRBO.

Consumers should research both the owner and the listing, as well as reviews from other renters, to avoid falling into this trap. If you find the same ad listed under a different name, that’s a tell-tale clue that it may be a scam. 

Phantom rentals: Some rip-off artists make up listings for places that aren’t for rent or, worse, don’t even exist. The scammers then try to lure you in with the come-on of a low rental price or great amenities -- maybe a hot tub, daily maid service, or a free happy hour. The FTC says the scammer’s goal is to get your money before you find out the truth.

Georgia’s Attorney General offers another good way to search for phantom rentals: Google Maps. “Consider checking the location and neighborhood through Google Earth or Google Street View to get a sense of whether you would feel safe and comfortable staying there,” said Attorney General Chris Carr in his forewarning of vacation rental scams.

Another surefire search practice is doing an online search of the rental company. Enter its name plus words like “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” If you find bad reviews, you may want to look elsewhere.

The signs of a scam

When you’re online looking for the perfect vacation rental, it might be smart to keep a list of these other red flags beside your computer: 

You’re asked to wire money or give a renter credit card information: Stop right there if this happens because this is the surest sign of a scam. “There’s never a good reason to wire money to pay a security deposit, application fee, first month’s rent, or vacation rental fee. That’s true even if they send you a contract first. Wiring money is the same as sending cash — once you send it, you have no way to get it back,” the FTC warns.

You’re asked for a security deposit or first month’s rent: That’s a normal course of business once you’ve signed a lease or met the agent in person, but if you haven’t, then it’s a bad idea. Two things to remember: 

• If the “rental agent” gets pushy about a deposit before you’ve signed a lease, beware; and

• If you can’t visit a rental in person, the FTC suggests you find someone you trust who can do that for you and confirm that the listing is honest. 

They say they’re out of the country: The FTC considers this a huge red flag. “If they say they have a plan to get the keys into your hands. It might involve a lawyer or an ‘agent’ working on their behalf. Some scammers even create fake keys,” the agency said.

“Don’t send money to them overseas. If you can’t meet in person, see the apartment, or sign a lease before you pay, keep looking. What if the rental itself is overseas? Paying with a credit card or through a reputable vacation rental website with its own payment system are your safest bets.”

The “international” thing came up several times in ConsumerAffairs research on vacation scams. One interesting thing to watch out for are the timestamps of the emails/messages that the rental agent sends. On the Community section of Airbnb, one person noted the disparity in times in their communication with a property owner. The owner claimed to be in Madrid, Spain, but all of the email timestamps appeared to be U.S. Eastern Time -- a five-hour difference.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 29,928,341 (29,872,398)

Total U.S. deaths: 543,933 (543,057)

Total global cases: 124,378,693 (123,839,047)

Total global deaths: 2,736,980 (2,726,061)\

CDC head sees variants driving most new U.S. cases

The increase in cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) reported in a growing number of states is likely the result of more contagious variants of the virus, according to the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Dr. Rochelle Walensky says steps need to be taken now to head off another surge in cases, and she suggests that some states that have recently loosened restrictions may need to rethink that policy. She said the variants appear to be causing most of the new illnesses.

In addition to the variants found in the U.K. and South Africa, the CDC says two variants that appear to be unique to the U.S. have shown up recently -- one in California and one in New York City.

Vaccinated Americans ready to get out and spend

A growing number of consumers say they are comfortable with the idea of going to restaurants and traveling after being fully vaccinated, but a Harris Poll conducted for USA Today shows that more than a quarter expect to wait until the country reaches “herd immunity.”

The poll cites 33 percent of respondents who said they would feel comfortable eating indoors at a restaurant after their second shot. Twenty-eight percent said they would feel safe taking an airline flight a few weeks after being fully vaccinated.

“The vaccine is certainly a game-changer for getting back to doing the things we love,” said John Gerzema, CEO of The Harris Poll.

Money earmarked for school reopenings

In addition to getting Americans vaccinated, the Biden administration has prioritized getting public schools back open. To that end, the president will reportedly announce $81 billion in additional money for schools.

According to CNN, Biden will use an appearance at a Department of Education event today to announce the release of funding from the $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief package. Public schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will be eligible for the funds.

Taco Bell prepares for the post-pandemic world

The fast-food industry adapted very quickly to the realities of the pandemic, stepping up curbside service and at-home delivery to compensate for closed dining rooms. Evidence suggests some of those changes may be long-lasting.

For example, Taco Bell is launching a new set of designs for future restaurants with new builds and remodels that the company believes will “take modernization to new levels from coast to coast.” While the brand will continue building destination restaurants, it will simultaneously prioritize digital elements to maximize efficiency for on-the-go customers.

"Prioritizing our development plans continues to be a major focus for 2021, especially as we look towards building our next 1,000 restaurants," said Mike Grams, Taco Bell's president and global COO. "Our restaurant portfolio continues to rapidly evolve, striking a crucial balance between being technology-forward and social-oriented.”

Poll suggests people are eager to return to stadiums

Stadiums have been largely quiet and empty over the last 12 months. But if a new survey is any indication, that will radically change as more Americans get vaccinated.

In a survey by Oracle Food and Beverage, 32 percent of people said they plan to return to stadiums for sporting events and concerts immediately. Fifty-four percent say they’ll return within the first four months after stadiums reopen.

But this enthusiasm comes with caveats. Fifty-six percent of respondents said social distancing measures should remain in place, with stadiums operating at a reduced capacity. Many also want operators to rethink concessions, such as offering in-seat delivery to reduce crowded lines. Responses suggest that some are willing to pay more for that option.  

Around the nation

• Tennessee: Restaurants around the state are beginning to reopen, but they’re reporting a problem: It’s hard to find employees. A consistent theme highlighted by hiring managers is that fewer people want restaurant jobs. When people do apply, they often don’t show up for an interview.

• Florida: After spring break crowds mobbed Miami Beach last week, state health officials are keeping a close eye on COVID-19 numbers. They reported 5,302 new cases on Tuesday and 301 new hospitalizations.

• Texas: Texas nursing home residents who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are now allowed visits from their loved ones as long as the facility permits it. The new rule from state health officials ends a year of isolation for all nursing home residents. The rule change is taking place effective immediately.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has proposed a 10-year plan to help it improve its finances -- a plan that would increase postage prices and slow mail delivery.

USPS Postmaster General and CEO Louis DeJoy said the plan would head off a $160 billion deficit over the next 10 years without a government bailout, which DeJoy said the company does not want.

"The need for the U.S. Postal Service to transform to meet the needs of our customers is long overdue," DeJoy said. "Our plan calls for growth and investments, as well as targeted cost reductions and other strategies that will enable us to operate in a precise and efficient manner to meet future challenges, as we put the Postal Service on a path for financial sustainability and service excellence."

Included in the proposed cost cuts is a reduction in the speed at which the mail travels. It reduces the current one-to-three-day service goal for first-class mail to one-to-five days. However, the plan shows that 61 percent of current first-class mail would maintain the current standard.

More trucks, fewer airplanes

USPS would use more ground transport to move the mail, reducing its reliance on more expensive air transport. At the same time, the plan calls for consolidating mail processing and reducing hours at some post offices.

The plan also projects increased revenue. It estimates it could receive $44 billion in added revenue through various price increases. It also expects to generate $24 billion in net revenue in part from enhanced package delivery services for business customers, including same-day, one-day, and two-day delivery offerings.

USPS said earlier this month that it could not meet the Biden administration’s goal of replacing its fleet of delivery trucks with electric vehicles without a federal subsidy. Under current projections, DeJoy said USPS would only be able to electrify about 10 percent of its fleet.

Cool reception

USPS’s proposed 10-year plan did not get a warm reception on Capitol Hill. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Congress may include provisions in an upcoming infrastructure bill to ensure the company can maintain current levels of service.

“Unfortunately, Postmaster DeJoy’s planned cutbacks, if enacted, would undermine this mission, resulting in serious delays and degradation of service for millions,” Pelosi said in a statement.

Democrats generally panned the plan. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) called it “draconian.” Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), who chairs the House Oversight Committee, said she is “extremely concerned,” saying Congress and the public should “fully review” the plan and “provide substantive feedback.”

USPS was originally a department of the U.S. government, but Congress changed its status in 1970 to make it an independent agency.

The price of a Disney+ subscription is set to go up on March 26, so consumers who want to save a little money may want to sign up now. The monthly cost of a Disney+ subscription will soon go up by $1 to $8 per month, or $80 upfront for an entire year. 

The pricing changes will also affect the Disney Bundle, which gives consumers access to  Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. The price of the package will increase from $12.99 per month to $13.99 per month, or from $18.99 per month to $19.99 per month for the plan that includes an ad-free Hulu experience.

The company said at the end of last year that it would have to raise prices in order to recoup the losses it’s incurred from investing in new content. Over the past year, Disney+ has debuted a number of new shows like WandaVision, The Mandalorian, and new Marvel and Star Wars content. It has also added new releases like Soul and added classics like Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. 

Disney announced this week that Cruella and Black Widow will be released in May and July, respectively, on Disney+ as $30 Premier Access titles. The one-time $30 Premier Access fee lets consumers watch brand new movies as many times as they want as long as they remain a Disney+ subscriber. 

Travel lovers are ready to hit the high seas again, but are cruise lines ready to sail again too? The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) thinks so and is asking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lift its conditional sail order to make that happen.

In an open letter, the CLIA called on the CDC to lift the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO) and allow cruise lines to resume operations by July. That date was chosen because it meets President Biden’s forecast for when the United States will be “closer to normal.” 

However, the CDC isn’t taking its cue from the White House. When it first established the CSO, the agency said the order would remain in effect until one of two determinants are made: “the expiration of the Secretary of Health and Human Services’ declaration that COVID-19 constitutes a public health emergency; or the CDC Director rescinds or modifies the order based on specific public health or other considerations.”

Why is cruising being left off the approved travel list?

The CLIA says it’s frustrated because the CDC has lifted restrictions on other travel and tourism. It notes that other countries have also found a way to allow cruises to restart carrying passengers and that the U.S. should move to do the same.

“Over the past eight months, a highly-controlled resumption of cruising has continued in Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific—with nearly 400,000 passengers sailing to date in more than 10 major cruise markets. These voyages were successfully completed with industry-leading protocols that have effectively mitigated the spread of COVID-19,” said Kelly Craighead, CLIA’s President and CEO.

“Our Members continue to follow [a] multi-layered approach to enhancing health and safety that has proven effective, making cruising one of the best and most adaptable choices for travel,” she added. 

The CDC started lifting its ban on cruises and allowed them to start phasing in travel last October, but CLIA officials say the agency is now letting other travel-related segments return to business while leaving cruising as the only sector of the U.S. economy that remains restricted.

"The outdated CSO, which was issued almost five months ago, does not reflect the industry's proven advancements and success operating in other parts of the world, nor the advent of vaccines, and unfairly treats cruises differently," said Kelly Craighead, CLIA's CEO. "Cruise lines should be treated the same as other travel, tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors."

Cruise lines are finding a way to get around the CSO

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) recently released a statement related to the situation and threw in the fact that cruise lines have already found a way to get around the CDC’s restrictions.

“In response to the ongoing situation, late last week, two of the leading cruise lines announced that they would resume cruise operations in the Caribbean by bypassing U.S. ports altogether. Clearly, when legislative, regulatory, and diplomatic ‘fixes’ all fail, businesses are forced to make alternative arrangements,” Zane Kerby, President & CEO of ASTA, wrote.

An ASTA spokesperson confirmed to ConsumerAffairs that there are actually three individual cruise lines skirting U.S. regulations. 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.

The demand from travelers is already strong -- CDC restrictions or not. Within 24 hours of announcing it was going to base a cruise out of the Bahamas, Crystal said nearly 4,000 travelers made reservations. The line added that some 200 guests were so happy to have a chance to sail again that they reserved back-to-back voyages on board the cruise ship.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent warning letters to two companies for illegally selling over-the-counter products labeled as containing cannabidiol (CBD). 

The FDA accused the two companies -- Honest Globe Inc. and Biolyte Laboratories LLC -- of labeling certain products as containing CBD without receiving its approval to do so. The agency said this is a violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

To date, the FDA has only approved one prescription drug containing CBD. The drug is intended to help treat seizures associated with several syndromes. Since CBD has “demonstrated risks” to consumers’ health, the agency said it “cannot be legally marketed as an inactive ingredient in OTC drug products” without its approval. 

"The FDA continues to alert the public to potential safety and efficacy concerns with unapproved CBD products sold online and in stores across the country," said Dr. Amy Abernethy, the FDA’s principal deputy commissioner, in a statement. 

"It’s important that consumers understand that the FDA has only approved one drug containing CBD as an ingredient. These other unapproved, CBD products may have dangerous health impacts and side effects. We remain focused on exploring potential pathways for CBD products to be lawfully marketed while also educating the public about these outstanding questions of CBD’s safety. Meanwhile, we will continue to monitor and take action, as needed, against companies that unlawfully market their products – prioritizing those that pose a risk to public health.”

Clock is ticking for company responses

In the letter sent to Honest Globe Inc., the FDA said the company’s "ELIXICURE ORIGINAL PAIN RELIEF with CBD" and "ELIXCURE LAVENDER PAIN RELIEF with CBD" are "misbranded drugs" that haven’t received approval to be marketed as a way to treat, cure, or prevent disease or “affect the structure or any function of the body.” 

Biolyte Laboratories LLC was warned about its "(b)(4) Silver Gel," "(b)(4) Silver Gel with Aloe," "(b)(4) Silver Liquid Supplement," "(b)(4) Therapeutic Pain Gel," "(b)(4) Pain Relief Cream," and "(b)(4) Magnesium Oil Spray” for the same reason. 

The companies have 15 days to let the FDA know how they plan to address the violations or provide supporting information on why they believe the products aren’t in violation of the law. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the Taylor & Francis Group found that COVID-19 may have a lasting impact on consumers’ hearing abilities. According to their findings, COVID-19 has been associated with hearing loss and other auditory complications. 

“Over the last few months, I have received numerous emails from people who reported a change in their hearing, or tinnitus after having COVID-19,” said researcher Kevin Munro. “While this is alarming, caution is required as it is unclear if changes to hearing are directly attributed to COVID-19 or to other factors, such as treatments to deliver urgent care.” 

Consumers with COVID-19 are struggling with hearing

To understand the association between COVID-19 and hearing loss, the researchers looked at data from more than two dozen earlier studies. They analyzed medical records and self-reported questionnaires to determine what effect the virus had on hearing outcomes. 

Ultimately, the researchers discovered a direct link between COVID-19 and an increased risk of hearing loss. While none of the participants in the studies received a formal hearing test, more than 7.5 percent of the people involved in these studies experienced hearing loss after contracting COVID-19. Tinnitus, which is characterized by a ringing in the ears, occurred nearly 15 percent of the time. Out of the patients who were hospitalized for COVID-19, more than 13 percent of them reported some kind of hearing loss after leaving the hospital. 

While the researchers hope that these findings highlight a previously unknown side effect of COVID-19, they also explained that more work should be done in this area to get concrete answers as to why this relationship exists. 

“There is an urgent need for carefully conducted clinical and diagnostic study to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the auditory system,” said Munro. “Though this review provides further evidence for an association, the studies we looked at were of varying quality so more work needs to be done.” 

Staying physically active is an important part of all consumers’ routines, but findings from a recent study suggest that it may be even more important for kids.

Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä have found that kids who participate in regular physical activity can experience several health benefits, including reducing low-grade inflammation throughout their bodies. 

“Our study showed that children who were physically more active and less sedentary had a healthier inflammatory profile than children who were physically less active,” said researcher Dr. Eero Haapala. “However, our results suggest that the positive effects of high levels of vigorous physical activity and low levels of sedentary time on low-grade inflammation are partly explained by their positive effects on body composition.” 

Benefits of staying active

The researchers analyzed data from nearly 400 children between the ages of six and eight who were enrolled in the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) study. The team looked at several different health measures -- including diet quality, physical activity, and low-grade inflammation -- and assessed both blood samples and activity monitor data. 

Participants with the lowest physical activity levels were at an increased risk of several health conditions. In contrast, kids who regularly engaged in physical activity were able to enjoy several health benefits. The researchers found that inflammation levels were highest in kids who were less physically active. Participants who struggled to be physically active also tended to eat more unhealthy foods and had higher body mass indices (BMIs). 

The findings are concerning because these risk factors put kids at an increased risk for developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes later in life. Because there is such a strong connection between lifestyle choices and disease risk, it’s important to know that being more active can help to reduce these risks. 

“The key message from our results is that increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time are key in preventing low-grade inflammation since childhood,” Dr. Happala said. “They would be particularly important for overweight children.” 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says it wants to hear directly from consumers about their broadband experiences as the agency attempts to extend high-speed service across the country. 

Specifically, the FCC wants consumers to tell it whether service is even available where they live, and if so what kind of speed it offers. It’s part of an effort to extend internet service to underserved areas such as inner cities and the rural countryside.

“Far too many Americans are left behind in access to jobs, education, and healthcare if they do not have access to broadband,” said Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  “Collecting data from consumers who are directly affected by the lack of access to broadband will help inform the FCC’s mapping efforts and future decisions about where service is needed.”

Currently, the FCC relies on internet service providers (ISP) for this information. Officials say tapping into consumer feedback may provide a more comprehensive picture of which areas have good service and which ones do not.

A webpage to collect the data

Consumers are asked to go to this FCC webpage where they can detail their experience, both positive and negative. 

“Your experience with the availability and quality of broadband services at your location will help to inform the FCC’s efforts to close the digital divide,” the agency said. “We may also send you additional information by email in the future as we develop tools for consumers to share data with the FCC. You can also follow our efforts to improve the accuracy of these maps at www.fcc.gov/BroadbandData .”

Agency officials have complained that relying solely on information from the ISPs was inadequate and could in fact be misleading. For example, for a 50 square mile area to be considered as having broadband access, only one customer in the area had to have 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds.

Impact of COVID-19

The issue has taken on added urgency over the last 12 months of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. When schools closed last year, students had to attend class online, an issue in areas where service was spotty.

In a speech this week, Rosenworcel said nearly 17 million children in the U.S. fall into what she called the “homework gap,” meaning they lacked adequate access to the internet. Worldwide, she noted 67 percent of children are in that category.

“I believe this is the cruelest part of the digital divide,” she said. “We need to make it a priority to fix this homework gap and connect every student so they can have a fair shot at continuing their education.”

Audi is recalling 3,388 model year 2021 Audi RS6 Avants, RS7s, model year 2020-2021 A6 Allroads, S6 Sedans, S7s, and model year 2019-2021 A6 Sedans and A7s.

The score line on the passenger airbag may not have been manufactured correctly.

An incorrectly manufactured airbag may not deploy properly, and could also eject plastic debris into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Audi will notify owners and dealers will inspect the passenger air bag score line, and repair it as – necessary -- free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin May 7, 2021.

Owners may contact Audi customer service at (800) 253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70i2.

Ford Motor Company is recalling about 16,000 model year 2018-20 F-250s & F-350s, model year 2018 F-150s, and model year 2019 Escapes sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico with with Continental tires.

The tires may have been over-cured and may experience a framework break in the sidewall, with sudden air loss, or a belt edge separation that could lead to a partial or full tread/belt loss.

These conditions may increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect tires and replace those that match the suspect tire list provided by Continental and also replace the corresponding tire on the opposite side of the axle. If a pair of tires is replaced, the new tires will be installed/moved to the rear axle.

The recall is expected to begin the week of March 29, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 29,872,398 (29,821,403)

Total U.S. deaths: 543,057 (542,382)

Total global cases: 123,839,047 (123,321,541)

Total global deaths: 2,726,061 (2,716,990)

U.S. agency questions AstraZeneca vaccine results

A day after drugmaker AstraZeneca released the results of a U.S. trial for its coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, U.S. health officials are calling those results into question.

The National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is headed by Dr. Anthony Fauci, issued a statement saying AstraZeneca may have relied on out-of-date information and “provided an incomplete view of the efficacy data.” The drugmaker said the vaccine showed a 79 percent efficacy rate.

NIAID said AstraZeneca should “review the efficacy data and ensure the most accurate, up-to-date efficacy data be made public as quickly as possible.”

COVID-19 cases rise in 27 states

At a time when millions of Americans are being vaccinated and businesses are beginning to return to normal, health officials warn that we’re not out of the woods just yet. According to Johns Hopkins University’s compilation of data, the U.S. seven-day average of daily new coronavirus cases is up by at least 5 percent in 27 states.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is cautioning policymakers about lifting COVID-19 restrictions too soon, saying that could be a “serious threat” to recent progress against the pandemic.

“We are at a critical point in this pandemic, a fork in the road,” she said at a briefing.

Former CDC director: vaccines have saved 40,000 lives

More than a half-million Americans have died from COVID-19 in the last year, but a lot of people are still breathing because they’ve been vaccinated. That’s the assessment being given by former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden.

Frieden credits the vaccines, which have been administered to more than 80 million Americans so far, with already saving 40,000 lives. Because of the variants that are now circulating, Frieden believes the U.S. is likely to see another surge in virus cases but far fewer deaths.

"These are really good vaccines and the quicker we get them out the better," he told CNN.

Another theater chain is ready to reopen

In a sign that things may be getting back to normal, another theater chain has announced reopening plans. Regal Cinemas says it is ready to reopen its U.S. theaters that have been empty for the last six months.

The chain said it plans to reopen about 500 locations on April 2. The theaters will operate at a limited capacity based on local guidelines. In most cases, that will be no more than 50 percent capacity.

The move follows AMC’s decision, announced last week, to reopen 98 percent of its theaters with capacity limits and social distancing.

Study finds pandemic causes humans to be nicer to machines

We humans often take machines for granted and get angry when they don’t perform as expected. But researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) say people affected by COVID-19 are showing more goodwill to both their fellow humans and to machines.

"The new discovery here is that when people are distracted by something distressing, they treat machines socially like they would treat other people,” said Jonathan Gratch, senior author of the study. 

Gratch said the study found that as people interacted more via machines during the past year, perceptions about the value of technology increased, which led to more favorable responses to machines. 

Around the nation

• California: Vaccine supplies continue to roll out across the country, but shortages persist in parts of California. Solano County health officials are asking for more vaccine doses, complaining that its vaccine allocation per 1,000 residents has dropped to the third-lowest in the state over the past two weeks. 

• Nevada: State health officials are breathing a little easier. As of Monday, the state’s rate of positive coronavirus tests dropped below 5 percent for the first time since the pandemic started. Its 4.8 percent rate is now below the goal set by the World Health Organization.

• Vermont: The state department of health reports that 171,000 residents have received at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine. That’s nearly one-third of people over the age of 16. Starting Thursday, eligibility is being raised to everyone over the age of 60.