Current Events in March 2021

A new study conducted by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine explored the risk of COVID-19 transmission associated with students returning to in-person learning. 

According to their findings, using precautions like wearing face masks and social distancing are likely to be sufficient methods to protect students and teachers from spreading COVID-19 in schools. 

“Schools can operate safely during a pandemic when prevention strategies are followed,” said researcher Dr. Jason Newland. “The pilot study demonstrates low transmission in schools and no student-to-teacher transmission -- and this was during the height of the pandemic in December, during high rates of community spread.” 

Staying safe in school

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 60 public schools throughout Missouri. School officials reported any time a student, teacher, or faculty member was either infected with COVID-19 or exposed to the virus, both of which would require a two-week quarantine at home. There were several safety measures at play in the schools, including virtual learning options, an emphasis on hand-washing, rules for wearing masks, social distancing practices, and daily COVID-19 symptom screeners, among others. 

While some students and teachers did test positive for COVID-19 over the course of the study, the virus didn’t spread rapidly within the school communities. Less than 40 of the nearly 200 people involved in the study tested positive for COVID-19. The researchers also looked at test results from the more than 100 people who had come into close contact with those who had tested positive, and less than 20 of those individuals later tested positive. 

The researchers determined that the spread of COVID-19 within schools was much lower than the rate of transmission within the general community when schools were taking the proper safety precautions. These findings showed that transmission within the school community can be contained, and in-person learning can be a safe option for students and teachers. 

“Schools with proper prevention strategies remain a safe environment for students and teachers during the pandemic,” said researcher Dr. Randall Williams. 

The researchers hope that these findings spark change within schools across the country so that kids have the opportunity to return to in-person school.

“This work is imperative because keeping kids in school provides not only educational enrichment but also social, psychological, and emotional health benefits, particularly for students who rely on school-based services for nutritional, physical, and mental health support,” said researcher Johanna S. Salazar, PhD. 

A new study conducted by researchers from Edith Cowan University explored the best options for consumers who are prone to experiencing muscle cramps after exercising. 

Their findings revealed that opting for drinks full of electrolytes may be better than plain water when it comes to preventing muscle cramps. The study showed that electrolytes served as a protective barrier against muscle cramps after exercising, while drinking water was found to make muscle cramps more likely. 

“Many people think dehydration causes muscle cramps and will drink pure water while exercising to prevent cramping,” said researcher Ken Nosaka. “We found that people who solely drink plain water before and after exercise could, in fact, be making them more prone to cramps. This is likely because pure water dilutes the electrolyte concentration in our bodies and doesn’t replace what is lost during sweating.”

Choosing the right beverage 

To determine which drink was best at preventing muscle cramps, the researchers had 10 men participate in an exercise-based study. In one trial, the men followed up a 60-minute workout with plain drinking water; in another trial, they drank an electrolyte-based drink after the same workout. 

To see how muscle cramps were affected by the different beverages, the researchers used electrical stimulation to produce a muscle cramp in the participants’ legs. They learned that the group that followed up a workout with plain water was more likely to experience muscle cramps than the group that drank the electrolyte solution. The muscle cramp test showed that the electrolyte group required much more stimulation to produce a muscle cramp than the group that drank the water. 

“This indicates that muscles become more prone to cramp by drinking plain water, but more immune to muscle cramp by drinking the electrolyte water,” Nosaka said. 

Additional benefits of electrolytes

While this study was focused on the benefits of electrolytes associated with exercise-based muscle cramps, the researchers explained that drinking beverages with these nutrients can also have other benefits for consumers’ overall health and wellness. 

“Electrolytes are vital to good health -- they help the body to absorb water more effectively than plain water and replace essential minerals lost through sweat or illness,” Nosaka said. “People should consider drinking oral rehydration fluids instead of plain water during moderate to intense exercise, when it’s very hot, or when you are sick from diarrhea or vomiting.” 

The U.S. housing market continues to pose challenges to buyers as prices continue to rise, along with interest rates. The combination makes monthly payments higher and could put many homes out of reach for the average buyer.

From mid-February to mid-March, the median home price surged 17 percent year-over-year to $330,250, according to real estate broker Redfin. The company says it’s the biggest four-week increase since 2016.

"This time last year, the housing market was shutting down as many cities implemented strict shelter in place orders,” said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. “A year later the pandemic is still with us, but the housing market is red-hot.”

Fairweather says the competition for the declining number of homes for sale is so intense that some buyers are acting irrationally. He says bidding wars have stretched valuations in some markets, and buyers are coming up with extra cash to make the purchase.

Not a bubble

If that sounds like a bubble, Fairweather says it isn’t. He says the demand is real, and there are enough people who can afford to pay the higher prices homes are now bringing.

“Bubbles burst; I don't see that happening,” he said. “The best hope buyers have is that home prices start to grow at a slower pace, but I don't expect prices to fall."

While homes cost more, so do mortgages. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is around 3.25 percent, about a half-point higher than a month ago. On a $250,000 mortgage, the difference in the monthly payment is $61 a month or $732 a year.

Rates are rising because the yield on the Treasury Department’s 10-year bond has risen sharply over the last month over concerns that monetary and fiscal policy will set off a round of inflation.

Get creative

So, what’s a buyer to do? Some are getting creative.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the pandemic and resulting increase in home demand and prices have led to a rise in multi-generational family members chipping in and buying a home together. Around 15 percent of home sales between April and June last year were multigenerational purchases.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), past multi-generational home sales were largely motivated by caring for aging parents. In the last few months, affordability has also been a driver of the trend.

Homebuilders, such as DR Horton, have begun offering multi-generational home plans. These homes usually offer a separate living area under one roof, often with a separate entrance.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 1,258 model year 2021 Mustang Mach-Es.

The front subframe bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, which could result in loose bolts.

Loose subframe bolts may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front subframe bolts and tighten them-- as necessary -- free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin March 22, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S09.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 29,677,422 (29,611,598)

Total U.S. deaths: 539,868 (538,182)

Total global cases: 122,036,229 (121,400,246)

Total global deaths: 2,694,915 (2,683,381)

Economy shows signs of shaking off the pandemic

Vaccinations are up, and cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) are down. As a result, more Americans are traveling and dining out, pleasures largely put on hold over the last 12 months.

The Wall Street Journal reports that not only are restaurants filling up, but so are hotels and planes. Economists questioned by the newspaper now estimate that the U.S. economy will grow nearly 6 percent this year.

“You’re looking at the biggest surge in economic growth that most people who are working today have ever experienced in their working lives,” Tim Quinlan, senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities, told The Journal.

European health regulators clear AstraZeneca vaccine

European health officials have given a green light to the resumption of vaccinations using the AstraZeneca vaccine. Several countries stopped using it in the last week after it was linked to potential blood clots in recipients.

After an investigation of these reports, health officials issued a statement saying the vaccine is “safe and effective” and does not contribute to blood clotting.

Following the statement, officials in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands said they would resume vaccinations because the benefits of the vaccine appear to outweigh its potential risks.

Masks still provoke arguments

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House’s chief COVID-19 adviser, got into a tense exchange during a Senate hearing this week with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), over whether vaccinated people still need to wear masks in public.

Fauci, citing the COVID-19 variants, insisted that masks are still necessary. Paul, who is also a physician, was just as insistent that masks aren’t necessary and accused Fauci of engaging in “theater” by wearing two masks, even though he has been vaccinated.

″Can I just state for the record that masks are not theater,” Fauci shot back. “I totally disagree with you.”

Doctors say Tamiflu could be an effective COVID-19 treatment

Even after most people are vaccinated, health experts believe people will still get COVID-19 from time to time. There will be far fewer cases, and they won’t be as severe.

A growing number of physicians say having an easy-to-obtain, easy-to-administer treatment will help keep the virus from becoming a major health threat. They suggest that taking Tamiflu pills early in the illness may become the preferred treatment.

"One of the real things for controlling the pandemic is making sure that drugs can get to the people who need them," Merck researcher Dr. Jan Butterton told MedPage Today. "An oral drug for COVID-19 would be something that people could take quickly. You wouldn't have to go to a clinic to get an infusion or have a van drive around and bring the infusion to you. It could be something that you could just order and pick up at a pharmacy."

Three major retailers join Ad Council campaign

There’s no question that millions of Americans have been eager to roll up their sleeves and get the COVID-19 vaccine. At the same time, there are some people who have expressed doubts about getting vaccinated.

CVS Health, Walgreens, and Walmart have joined with the Ad Council to overcome vaccine hesitancy by providing information about the process. The campaign features pharmacists addressing common questions about COVID-19 vaccinations.

"As people across the country seek answers to their questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, we know local pharmacists are among the most trusted resources for the latest information," said Lisa Sherman, CEO of the Ad Council. "This extraordinary coalition of companies – CVS Health, Walgreens and Walmart – plays a critical role in getting Americans the information they need about COVID-19 vaccination so they can make the right choice for themselves and their families."

Around the nation

• Florida: Gov. Ron DeSantis is telling state residents to take whatever vaccine is offered. The one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine has proved to be popular, but the governor says supplies of that vaccine are nearly depleted and it could be weeks before new supplies arrive.

• Louisiana: The state has launched an intensive effort to get vaccines into the arms of its residents. Gov. John Bel Edwards this week announced nine pilot programs — one in each Office of Public Health region of the state — and will include community vaccination events the second and third weeks of April.

• Pennsylvania: State health officials are increasing the number of residents who can now line up for a vaccination. Gov. Tom Wolf and the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force say they plan to use the next round of Johnson & Johnson vaccine for front-line workers, including those in food and agriculture; meat, poultry, and dairy processing; fresh fruit and vegetable packing operations; and food and feed manufacturing.

It wasn’t long ago that President Joe Biden announced his goal of having 100 million Americans vaccinated during the first 100 days of his administration. While the goal seemed lofty at the time, health officials are expressing optimism about the current rate of vaccinations. They say at least 72 million people -- representing just over 20 percent of the U.S. population -- have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

But will vaccines themselves be enough to put an end to the pandemic? Researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center aren’t so sure. They point out that, while vaccines are an important tool, they may not decisively put a stop to the virus’s spread.

"We can't rely on vaccination alone to control the pandemic. Vaccines are great for protecting people against disease, but we don't yet know how well they work to protect against transmission,” said Dr. Angela L. Rasmussen. “Just like the vaccines don’t offer a hundred percent protection against getting sick, they also aren’t a hundred percent likely to protect against transmission.” 

Trouble with symptomless cases

Further complicating the goal of tackling transmission of the virus is the pervasiveness of symptomless cases of COVID-19. The researchers point out that silent transmission of the virus is a key factor allowing it to spread, likely because consumers may be less careful about mitigation efforts if they don’t feel sick or haven’t developed symptoms yet. 

The team says that tracking asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission of COVID-19 is difficult to achieve, but health officials will need to do their best as more vaccinations are completed and the pandemic moves into its next stage.

"Until there is widespread implementation of robust surveillance and epidemiological measures that allow us to put out these smokeless fires, the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be fully extinguished,” the researchers stated.

In a follow-up to the Biden administration’s announcement that it will give full debt relief to students defrauded by private, for-profit colleges, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has released the specifics of how the program will work.

First off, the program will replace the student loan relief program established during the Trump administration under former DOE Secretary Betsy DeVos. After completing a comprehensive review of that methodology, the Biden-era DOE concluded that DeVos’ version did not result in an appropriate relief determination.

Officials say this is just a beginning -- a first step in addressing borrower defense claims as well as the underlying regulations. They say they will be pursuing additional actions, including re-regulation of student loans, in the future.

In its place, the “new” DOE under Secretary Dr. Miguel Cardona will be employing what it calls a “streamlined approach for granting full relief under the regulations to borrower defense claims approved to date.” The agency believes this change will help approximately 72,000 borrowers who will receive $1 billion in loan cancellation.

Who this applies to

The forgiveness program employs the “borrower defense to repayment" and is for borrowers who a) seek cancellation of their William D. Ford Direct Loan; and, b) have “claims approved to date that their institution engaged in certain misconduct.” 

Among the 72,000 eligible claims, a DOE spokesperson told ConsumerAffairs that the vast majority of these borrowers attended Corinthian Colleges. A smaller subset attended ITT Technical Institute.

The new loan forgiveness program also includes borrowers with previously approved claims that received less than a full loan dismissal. Full relief under the regulations of the new program will include:

• 100 percent discharge of borrowers’ related federal student loans;

• Reimbursement of any amounts paid on the loans, where appropriate under the regulations;

• Requests to credit bureaus to remove any related negative credit reporting; and 

• Reinstatement of federal student aid eligibility, if applicable.

Changes to the claims process

The DOE will begin applying this new approach effective immediately. Affected borrowers should receive notices over the next several weeks with loan dismissals following after that. 

An agency spokesperson told ConsumerAffairs that it is not changing the process of adjudicating claims. A thorough review will still be conducted to determine whether there is sufficient evidence of misconduct to merit a valid claim. 

What is changing, however, is what happens once a claim is recommended for approval.  Previously, the DOE would calculate the share of a borrower’s loan balance that would be cancelled under the partial relief methodology. That will not happen under the new process. As things stand now, claims that were approved for partial relief will now be granted full relief.

Updated information for borrowers, applications for Borrower Defense, and application management is all available at StudentAid.gov/borrower-defense.

Scammers will go to any length to snare a victim, and now the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers about a new way they’re doing it. 

Here’s how the scam works: a consumer receives an email from a company, like antivirus and antimalware provider Norton. They’re told they’re about to be charged for a company product, like a new order or auto-renewal, and that they should contact the company via a certain phone number if there’s a mistake.

Of course, the sender isn’t a company representative at all — and if the victim calls the number, they’ll only wind up talking to a scammer. In a blog post, FTC attorney Emily Wu warns that these malicious actors could steal your credit card information, install malware on your computer, sell you worthless or bogus services, or block you from accessing your own files (which is the crux of any classic ransomware scam).

What to do

The FTC says there are several things consumers need to keep in mind to avoid falling victim to this phishing scheme. 

First, it says you should never click on any links in these kinds of emails since it’s one of the easiest ways for your computer to be infected with malware. If you’re given a phone number to call, DO NOT USE IT. Instead, go to the company’s official website and use the contact information posted there to speak with a verified company representative. 

Here are some other best practices the agency recommends when it comes to safeguarding your personal information:

• Make your passwords long, strong, and complex. 

• Never give your password to a stranger on the phone, even if they claim to be from a company you recognize.

• If you did give out your password, change it right away. Update your computer’s security software, run a scan, and delete anything it identifies as a problem. 

• Don’t give your bank account, credit card, or personal information over the phone to someone who contacts you out of the blue.

Consumers who receive any kind of scam email should report it to the FTC so it can take action. You can learn how by visiting the agency’s site here.

Workers across the U.S. are still trying to figure out if and when they’ll need to return to the office, but Ford employees now know exactly where they stand. 

The company reportedly told its staff Wednesday that it will be moving to a hybrid work schedule that will allow some workers to come into the office on some days and work from home on others. Around 30,000 workers will be able to work from home indefinitely, with the addition of flexible hours approved by managers. 

Ford now joins several other major companies that have decided to extend work-from-home schedules. Microsoft also told its employees back in October that it would be adopting a hybrid work schedule, and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that nearly half of the platform’s employees could be working remotely on a permanent basis within the next 10 years. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all of us to think, live, and work in new ways,” said Microsoft Chief People Officer Kathleen Hogan. 

Working from home after the pandemic

Ford’s decision is one that may become increasingly common in the U.S. A recent report by The Conference Board suggests that employers are starting to come around to the idea of workers staying at home to reduce the amount of money spent on office space and other associated costs.

What does that mean for American workers? For one, it could allow them to move to new, more affordable areas of the country. That shift could represent a tipping point that changes the economy and job market as we know it. 

“If [working from home] trends hold, millions of workers may relocate over the next decade in search of lower living expenses and higher quality of life,” said The Conference Board Chief Economist Dana Peterson. “As employees disperse beyond commuter zones, companies may find it increasingly difficult to reverse a decision to embrace remote work.” 

The National Football League (NFL) has reached a multi-year deal with Amazon for exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football games on Amazon Prime, beginning with the 2023 season.

The league’s first-ever exclusive deal with a streaming service further blurs the line between broadcast television and streaming video.

Under the terms of the deal, which runs for 10 years, Prime will be the exclusive outlet for 15 Thursday Night Football games each season, along with one pre-season game. All games will air on Prime Video as part of a Prime membership.

“NFL games are the most-watched live programming in the United States, and this unprecedented Thursday Night Football package gives tens of millions of new and existing Prime members exclusive access to must-watch live football on Prime Video,” said Mike Hopkins, senior vice president of Prime Video and Amazon Studios. 

The NFL and Amazon began a relationship in 2017 when Prime simulcast some Thursday night NFL games. Last season, Amazon had exclusive broadcast rights to one Thursday night game, a late-season match-up between the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals, which drew an estimated 11.2 million viewers.

Other media deals

The Amazon deal was one of many the league announced with other, more traditional broadcast outlets. The $100 million package ties up the NFL for 11 years with CBS, ESPN/ABC, Fox, and NBC. 

"These new media deals will provide our fans even greater access to the games they love.  We're proud to grow our partnerships with the most innovative media companies in the market," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "Along with our recently completed labor agreement with the NFLPA, these distribution agreements bring an unprecedented era of stability to the league and will permit us to continue to grow and improve our game."

Most of the other deals continue existing relationships. However, the new agreement gives ABC rights to televise two Super Bowls while continuing its existing exclusive agreement with ESPN to broadcast Monday Night Football.

Many consumers struggle with taking time away from their desks during the workday; however, findings from a new study conducted by researchers from North Carolina State University may encourage more employees to maximize their break time. 

The researchers found that when consumers feel tired during a day at work, taking a brief break from their responsibilities can actually be the best thing for their productivity and job performance.

“A micro-break is, by definition, short,” said researcher Sophia Cho. “But a five-minute break can be golden if you take it at the right time. Our study shows that it is in a company’s best interest to give employees autonomy in terms of taking microbreaks when they are needed -- it helps employees effectively manage their energy and engage in their work throughout the day.”  

The benefits of taking microbreaks

The researchers conducted two concurrent surveys to determine what effect taking frequent short breaks had on consumers’ workplace productivity and energy levels. One study surveyed more than 200 workers in South Korea, and another surveyed nearly 100 U.S. workers. Participants completed surveys several times per day and answered questions about their typical workplace behavior, how often they take breaks, and how their energy levels varied throughout the workday. 

The researchers learned that microbreaks were an essential part of maintaining employees’ overall wellness and energy levels. Their study showed that the participants were more likely to preserve their energy and complete their tasks more efficiently when they took frequent short breaks throughout the day.

Taking more breaks was even more beneficial when employees reported feeling tired at the start of the workday. Taking microbreaks boosted their performance at work and helped them feel less tired as the day progressed. 

“Basically, microbreaks help you manage your energy resources over the course of the day -- and that’s particularly beneficial on days when you’re tired,” said Cho. 

Ultimately, the researchers hope that more employers prioritize their employees’ mental health and wellness. When taking microbreaks is encouraged within the company, employees are more likely to utilize that time and give a better work performance. 

“When people think their employer cares about their health, they feel more empowered to freely make decisions about when to take microbreaks and what type of microbreaks to take,” Cho said. “And that is ultimately good for both the employer and the employee.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Arizona explored the relationship between sleep and the grieving process.

Their work showed that consumers who have trouble sleeping after losing a loved one are more likely to experience "complicated grief;" this occurs when someone struggles to heal and process through their grief, which prolongs the mourning process. 

“We know that, for many people, experiencing the death of a loved one is followed by sleep disruption -- not surprisingly, given how stressful it is to lose a loved one,” said researcher Mary-Frances O’Connor. “We also know that people who have a more prolonged grief disorder tend to have persistent sleep problems. That led us to ask: What if the reverse is possible? Could it be that people who have had sleep disruption and then experience the death of a loved one are more likely to develop complicated grief?” 

How grief and sleep complicate each other

To better understand the link between sleep and the grieving process, the researchers followed participants enrolled in the Rotterdam Study across several years. Over the course of several interviews, the participants answered questions about their mental and emotional wellness, documented their sleeping patterns in a diary, and wore devices that tracked the quality of their sleep. The researchers then compared their responses from the start of the study to their responses six years later. 

While traumatic events greatly impacted consumers’ sleeping habits, the study showed that persistent sleep troubles after the loss of a loved one were also problematic long-term. In looking at both the participants’ sleep diaries and their tracked sleep activity, the researchers found that having trouble sleeping was often associated with complicated grief. 

“What we saw was that if at the first time point you had sleep disruption -- both objective and self-reported -- you were more likely to be in the complicated grief group than the non-complicated grief group at the second time point,” said O’Connor. “So, poor sleep might not only accompany grief, but also be a risk factor for developing complicated grief after a loss.” 

Sleep affects so many of the body’s processes -- both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, it can become disrupted when the added stress of losing a loved one is factored in.

“We know that sleep is important for processing emotional events that happen during the daytime,” O’Connor said. “Sleep also helps us to rest and restore our physical body, and grief is a very stressful experience for the body. Being able to rest and restore probably helps us wake up the next day a little more physically prepared to deal with the grief.” 

Moving forward, the researchers hope that more health care providers consider the relationship between grief and sleep to ensure that their patients are receiving the care that’s best suited to their needs.  

Rising demand for gasoline and declines in available supply continued to push gasoline prices higher this week, and the end of those increases may not be in sight.

The AAA Fuel Gauge Survey shows that the national average price of regular gas is now $2.88 a gallon, five cents higher than last Friday. The price has shot up 30 cents a gallon over the last month. The average price of premium gas is $3.47 a gallon, up from $3.41 last week. The average price of diesel fuel is $3.10 a gallon, six cents more than a week ago.

Jeanette McGee, a AAA spokesperson, said consumers, many of whom have already been vaccinated, are beginning to resume normal activities a year after the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. That’s drawing down supplies and driving up prices.

“On average, Americans are paying 14 percent more to fill-up compared to February,” McGee said. “With increased demand and tighter gasoline supplies, we are looking at more expensive pump prices with little relief in the weeks ahead.”

There was some good news for motorists this week, however. The price of crude oil, which had been rising since the start of the year, has finally begun to level off. After rising to about $66 a barrel, the price at the end of the week is now around $60.

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 ($3.87)

• Hawaii ($3.58)

• Washington ($3.30)

• Nevada ($3.26)

• Oregon ($3.15)

• Arizona ($3.11)

• Alaska ($3.11)

• Illinois ($3.09)

• Pennsylvania ($3.04)

• Idaho ($2.98)

The states with the cheapest regular gas

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

• Mississippi ($2.61)

• Louisiana ($2.64)

• Texas ($2.64)

• South Carolina ($2.65)

• Missouri ($2.68)

• Alabama ($2.68)

• Tennessee ($2.69)

• Kansas ($2.69)

• Oklahoma ($2.69)

• Arkansas ($2.70)

Nissan North America is recalling 2,407 model year 2020-2021 Altimas.

The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.

A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners -- as necessary -- free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin March 31, 2021.

Owners may contact Nissan customer service at (800) 867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PC795.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is granting taxpayers a short reprieve when it comes to filing 2020 tax returns. Instead of the traditional April 15th deadline, federal returns will not have to be filed until May 17.

The tax agency said it is granting additional time for taxpayers, as well as tax preparers, because of issues surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19).

"This continues to be a tough time for many people, and the IRS wants to continue to do everything possible to help taxpayers navigate the unusual circumstances related to the pandemic, while also working on important tax administration responsibilities," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. 

Despite the additional time, Rettig says taxpayers who are able should file their federal returns as soon as possible, especially if they are owed a refund.

"Filing electronically with direct deposit is the quickest way to get refunds, and it can help some taxpayers more quickly receive any remaining stimulus payments they may be entitled to," Rettig said.

Estimated payments and state taxes not affected

Taxpayers who make quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS are not affected by the deadline extension. Estimated tax payments for the first quarter of 2021 should be paid by April 15.

The IRS extension does not affect taxpayers’ obligation to state governments. Those deadlines remain the same unless state authorities announce changes. Taxpayers should check with their state tax agencies to confirm filing deadlines.

Taxpayers in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana have even more time to file their federal returns. After February ice storms in those states, the IRS extended the deadline until June 15. The deadline extension applies automatically, so taxpayers do not need to file any forms or call the IRS to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief. 

People who need even more time to file can, as always, file for an extension until October 15. The extension can be requested using Form 4868, but it does not extend the time to pay any additional taxes that are due. The IRS says taxpayers should pay their federal income tax due by May 17 to avoid interest and penalties.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 29,611,598 (29,551,973)

Total U.S. deaths: 538,182 (536,978)

Total global cases: 121,400,246 (120,861,983)

Total global deaths: 2,683,381 (2,673,264)

U.S. ahead of schedule on vaccinations

As he took office in January, President Biden set a goal of having 100 million Americans vaccinated against the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the first 100 days of his administration. He’s on track to accomplish that goal.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 72 million Americans have received at least one dose of a vaccine. That amounts to about 21 percent of the U.S. population.

That’s allowing many people to resume normal activities. The CDC reports that there is emerging evidence that fully vaccinated people are less likely to transmit the virus to others. While research continues, health experts say vaccinated people should err on the side of caution.

Employers struggle with how to get employees back in the office

A new survey from Forrester finds that U.S. employers are trying to deal with the question of getting employees back in the office. After a year of working remotely, many employees have gotten accustomed to the new routine.

According to the survey results, employers are grappling with how to accelerate a "return to normal" without overstepping their bounds. Among the issues they must face are new privacy, ethical, legal, and compliance challenges.

"While COVID-19 is loosening its grip, it's not going away," said Enza Iannopollo, senior analyst at Forrester. "Vaccine passports don't offer the silver-bullet solution that many might hope for easing pandemic protocols and restrictions, and businesses should be planning for life with COVID in the medium to long term. Our overarching message to organizations everywhere is one of caution. With the right planning and consideration, the return to work will be smoother and more successful for all involved."

New claims for jobless benefits tick higher

Despite optimism about a reopening economy, the coronavirus is apparently still serving to dampen the job market. The Labor Department reports that first-time claims for unemployment benefits rose to 770,000 last week when most economists were expecting a further decline.

Claims rose by 45,000 from the previous week, even as more restaurants and entertainment venues began to reopen. AMC Theaters announced it would reopen most of its theaters this weekend.

Despite last week’s increase, the long-term numbers are moving in the right direction. The total number of continued weeks claimed for benefits in all programs for the week ending February 27 was 18,216,463, a decrease of 1,902,005 from the previous week. 

Disneyland will reopen next month

California officials have given the green light to Mickey and his pals to reopen the Disneyland theme park, but with some limitations. Out-of-state residents are barred from visiting the Magic Kingdom.

The gates will reopen on April 30 after being closed for more than a year. California's public health directives have kept all theme parks in the state closed since last March, but new guidance released this week has allowed for the reopening.

"It's been a long, long time since we've been able to create magic for our guests, and put our cast members back to work and help the associated businesses around the Anaheim area that currently depend on Disneyland for their livelihood," Disney CEO Bob Chapek said in an interview on CNBC.

Researchers find aspirin may reduce severity of COVID-19

Low-dose aspirin has long been recommended by some physicians for patients at risk of heart attack or stroke. Now, researchers at George Washington University say their study suggests that it could also prevent COVID-19 patients from requiring ventilators or treatment in an intensive care unit.

The researchers say it’s no coincidence that aspirin helps prevent strokes and severe forms of COVID-19. Dr. Jonathan Chow of GW’s School of Medicine says it has to do with aspirin’s blood-thinning properties.

“As we learned about the connection between blood clots and COVID-19, we knew that aspirin – used to prevent stroke and heart attack – could be important for COVID-19 patients,” Chow said. “Our research found an association between low dose aspirin and decreased severity of COVID-19 and death.” 

Around the nation

• Colorado: Colorado has joined the states employing mass vaccination sites to speed up the vaccine rollout. State health agencies opened vaccination sites in Colorado Springs and Grand Junction this week, with four more scheduled for Denver, Commerce City, Loveland, and Pueblo by early April.

• Minnesota: The state has relaxed some virus mitigation restrictions, but health officials warn that cases have started to trend higher. The positivity rate has seen a small uptick to about 4 percent but has remained below 5 percent for the last month. Officials say they would be concerned if the rate reached the 5 percent threshold again.

• Tennessee: The University of Tennessee Volunteers football program has halted all program activities due to a COVID-19 outbreak. The team had been scheduled to start spring practice next week.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to drink bottled alkaline water from a company called “Real Water.” The agency says it’s currently investigating several cases of hepatitis among children in the Las Vegas area where a common link is the consumption of “Real Water” brand water. 

“We are advising consumers, restaurants and retailers to not consume, cook with, sell or serve ‘Real Water’ alkaline water until more information is known about the cause of the illnesses,” the agency said in a statement. 

“We are working to determine how the alkaline water may be related to the illnesses. Although the investigation is ongoing, epidemiologic information currently indicates that this alkaline water product may be the cause of the illnesses.” 

Investigation ongoing 

The five pediatric patients who developed non-viral hepatitis after drinking the product were all hospitalized with acute liver failure but have since recovered. 

The FDA said additional members of the patients’ households (four separate families) reported having experienced less severe symptoms of hepatitis, including fever, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, and fatigue. 

All of the patients and their household members said they consumed “Real Water” brand alkaline water prior to becoming ill. The agency said it was alerted to the five cases that required hospitalization on March 13. The illnesses occurred in November 2020. 

Although the investigation is ongoing, the FDA said “epidemiologic information currently indicates that this alkaline water product may be the cause of the illnesses.” Officials say it’s possible that more products are connected to this outbreak, and additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.