Current Events in April 2021

The computer chip shortage that has existed since early in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has finally created a vehicle shortage. Just ask the Ford Motor Company.

In reporting its first-quarter earnings, Ford showed strong sales but warned that those numbers would fall in the current quarter because it doesn’t have enough chips. As a result, the automaker warned that its vehicle production in the second quarter would be reduced by 50%. Output was down 17% in the first quarter.

“There are more whitewater moments ahead for us that we have to navigate,” Ford CEO Jim Farley said during the company’s earnings call. “The semiconductor shortage and the impact to production will get worse before it gets better.”

That means consumers who want to buy a new Ford car or truck will likely face fewer choices and higher prices. Ford CFO John Lawler said the company expects 1.1 million fewer Fords will roll off the assembly line in 2021.

Ford stated that it has shelved plans to produce additional cars in trucks in some instances. In other cases, the vehicles are mostly complete but are warehoused as they await semiconductors to make them operational.

‘Low inventory warning light’

Cox Automotive reports that the “low-inventory warning light is flashing bright red,” but consumers are still buying what’s available on dealer lots.

"The robust retail sales pace is the story for the industry right now," said Cox Automotive Senior Economist Charlie Chesbrough.

But it may not last. In its sales forecast for April, Cox predicts that auto sales will have dipped slightly from March’s surprise increase. But if other automakers are facing Ford’s challenges, sales could fall in the months ahead. That means consumers searching for bargains aren’t likely to find them.

The chip shortage is the result of extreme caution on the part of the auto industry early in the pandemic. Forecasters predicted that new car sales would plunge, so car companies canceled their chip orders. Instead, the industry adapted to online sales and contactless test drives to keep sales strong, especially among consumers who had relied on ridesharing services before the pandemic and decided they needed personal transportation.

Other automakers have been affected

Ford is not the only automaker whose output is being limited by the chip shortage. Earlier this year, both Ford and General Motors announced production cuts at their factories around the world. GM followed suit in early April with an announcement that it would halt or slow production at facilities in several locations across the country.

For consumers, that may mean driving their current vehicle a while longer. As inventories continue to tighten over the summer, dealers will be less inclined to negotiate. By the end of 2021, when the chip shortage is expected to end, inventories could surge, along with incentives for buyers.

Several recent studies have looked at the increasing prevalence of stress and anxiety among college students. Now, researchers from the University of Kansas explored a link between college students’ test anxiety, sleeping habits, and academic performance. 

According to their findings, all three of these factors are related. Many college students experience anxiety over big exams or projects. This anxiety often leads to poor sleep and worse academic performance. 

“We looked at test anxiety to determine whether that did predict who passed, and it was a predictor,” said researcher Nancy Hamilton. “It was a predictor even after controlling for students’ past performance and increased the likelihood of students failing in class. When you look at students who are especially anxious, it was almost a five-point difference in their score over students who had average levels of anxiety. This is not small potatoes. It’s the difference between a C-minus and a D. It’s the difference between B-plus and an A-minus. It’s real.” 

The long-term effects of test anxiety

The researchers had nearly 170 college students enrolled in a statistics class at the University of Kansas participate in the study. The students completed Sleep Mood Study Diaries in the days leading up to statistics exams, and the researchers compared those responses with the students’ exam scores. 

Ultimately, the link between test anxiety, sleep issues, and poor academic performance was strong. The researchers learned that those with the highest test anxiety in the days before an exam were also likely to have the worst sleep and then perform poorly on their exams. While this trend alone is concerning, the team was also worried about how these influences may impact students’ health and wellness outside of the classroom. 

“Studies have shown students tend to cope with anxiety through health behaviors,” Hamilton said. “Students may use more caffeine to combat sleep problems associated with anxiety, and caffeine can actually enhance sleep problems, specifically if you’re using caffeine in the afternoon or evening. Students sometimes self-medicate for anxiety by using alcohol or other sedating drugs. Those are things that we know are related.” 

What role can teachers play?

Though this trend primarily impacts college students, the researchers learned that it can also impact professors. Hamilton teaches at the University of Kansas and explained that her goal when giving tests is to measure how much her students are learning; however, if their scores are impacted by their anxiety and lack of sleep, that’s not an accurate measure of what they’re absorbing from her class. 

To help combat this issue and encourage health and wellness among college students, Hamilton recommends that universities take a more proactive approach to address test anxiety and the associated risk factors. 

“What would be really helpful for a university to do is to talk about testing anxiety and to talk about the fact that it’s very common and that there are things that can be done for students who have test anxiety,” Hamilton said. “A university can also talk to instructors about doing things that they can do to help minimize the effect of testing anxiety.” 

The COVID-19 vaccination campaign is well underway, and 2.7 million shots are being administered each day in the U.S. Those who have already been vaccinated know that getting the jab is free -- but that hasn’t stopped scammers from trying to convince unvaccinated people otherwise. 

Now, the FTC and National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) have teamed up to remind people that COVID-19 vaccines shouldn’t cost anything. 

“No matter what anyone tells you, you can’t buy COVID-19 vaccines online and there’s no out-of-pocket cost to get the shots,” the groups said in a statement.

Consumers don’t need to pay anything for the vaccine at any time during the process -- not before, during, or after the appointment. 

“If you’re insured, the vaccination site might bill your insurance company for an administration fee,” the FTC said. “If you’re not insured, there’s a fund set up with the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA — part of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) where sites can recover their administrative costs. Either way, though, they’re not supposed to bill you or charge a co-pay.” 

Avoiding a scam

Here are some more tips from the FTC to help consumers avoid falling victim to a vaccine-related scam:

• Ignore ads or posts claiming you can buy the vaccine. Any social media post, online ad, or phone call offering you the opportunity to buy a COVID-19 vaccine is bogus. “You can’t buy it — anywhere. The vaccine is only available at federal- and state-approved locations,” the FTC said.

• Never pay to sign up for the vaccine. Any offer to put you on a list in exchange for a payment, make an appointment for you, or reserve a spot in line should be disregarded as a scam. 

• Don’t share sensitive information with people you don’t know. Personal, financial, or health information should never be shared with people you don’t know. “No one from a vaccine distribution site, health care provider’s office, pharmacy, or health care payer, like a private insurance company or Medicare, will call, text, or email you asking for your credit card or bank account number to sign you up to get the vaccine,” the FTC said. 

• Don’t post your vaccination card to social media. After getting a COVID-19 vaccine, refrain from posting a photo of it on social media. The card contains personal information that could be used by a scammer looking to steal your identity. 

The FTC recommends only going to trusted sources for information regarding coronavirus vaccines. Consumers can check with their state or local health department to learn when and how to get the COVID-19 vaccine, or they can talk with their health care provider or pharmacist. 

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 32,179,505 (32,130,876)

Total U.S. deaths: 573,452 (572,794)

Total global cases: 148,859,866 (148,018,784)

Total global deaths: 3,138,755 (3,123,782)

U.S. case count still falling

Health officials across the U.S. are reporting a continued decline in the overall number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases as millions of Americans each day get a vaccination. On Tuesday, researchers at The COVID-19 Tracking Project at Johns Hopkins University reported just over 50,000 new cases.

Unfortunately, deaths are still rising. There were 863 deaths on Tuesday, nearly double Monday’s total. However, health experts point out that deaths tend to be a lagging indicator and are usually the result of infections that occurred during the previous four weeks.

As cases continue to trend lower, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued revised guidance for wearing masks outdoors. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said his state would immediately adopt the CDC’s recommendations.

Vaccination rate steady at 2.7 million shots a day

One reason for the decline in new COVID-19 cases may be the rate at which states are vaccinating their citizens. The CDC’s latest data shows that most states have vaccinated half their populations, with the national vaccination rate holding steady at 2.7 million a day.

For the nation as a whole, 20.1% of the adult population is now fully vaccinated. Another 42.7% have received at least one dose.

The numbers are much higher for the most vulnerable population -- people 65 and older. Among that group, two-thirds have been fully vaccinated and nearly 82% have received at least one shot of a vaccine.

Oregon struggles to get cases under control

As many states report increasing vaccinations and declining cases of the coronavirus, Oregon is moving in the opposite direction. Gov. Kate Brown has added 15 Oregon counties to the “extreme risk” level. Nine more counties were classified as “high risk.”

Brown expressed concern about the rapid spread of the virus across the state. She noted that more than 300 people are currently being treated for COVID-19 in Oregon hospitals.

“If we don’t act now, doctors, nurses, hospitals, and other health care providers in Oregon will be stretched to their limits treating severe cases of COVID-19,” Brown said. “Today’s announcement will save lives and help stop COVID-19 hospitalizations from spiking even higher. With new COVID-19 variants widespread in so many of our communities, it will take all of us working together to bring this back under control.”

Researchers find new ways to treat COVID-19

While the emphasis since the beginning of the year has been on vaccinations, doctors say it’s also important to continue finding ways to treat patients if and when they get the virus. The latest breakthrough is a combination of commonly used hepatitis C drugs and the antiviral drug remdesivir.

A team of international researchers writing in Cell Reports found that, when combined with drugs currently used to treat hepatitis C, remdesivir is 10 times more effective in treating cells infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. 

Remdesivir, which blocks viral replication by interfering with a viral polymerase, is administered intravenously; this limits its use to patients who are sick enough to be admitted to a hospital. But the researchers believe a drug combining the two medicines could be produced in pill form, meaning it could be taken at home. 

Miami school orders teachers NOT to get vaccinated

Here’s one that has a lot of people scratching their heads: While some employers are deciding whether to require employees to get vaccinated before returning to work, a private school in Miami has ordered teachers and employers NOT to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Press accounts say the school’s administrators have cited erroneous claims circulating on the internet that people who are vaccinated can somehow adversely affect people they come in contact with. CBS News said it obtained an email the school sent to parents explaining the policy.

"We also recommended that all faculty and staff hold off on taking the injection until there is further research available on whether this experimental drug is impacting unvaccinated individuals," the email reads. "It is our policy, to the extent possible, not to employ anyone who has taken the experimental COVID-19 injection until further information is known."

Around the nation

• New Jersey: Gov. Phil Murphy has loosened restrictions on indoor gatherings so that people can attend indoor events like proms, weddings, and performances. Attendees will still be required to wear masks and socially distance. The new rules take effect May 10.

• Louisiana:  Gov. John Bel Edwards has lifted the statewide mask mandate. However, the requirement remains in place for K-12 schools, colleges and universities, public transportation, state government buildings, and health care facilities.

• South Dakota: State health officials are reporting more progress in getting everyone vaccinated. At last count, an estimated 43.89% of South Dakota's 16 and older population was fully vaccinated  A total of 54.22% of the state's adult population has received at least one dose of the vaccine.

President Biden will give a speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday evening in which he will propose opening the government’s checkbook again to support a number of initiatives that may resonate with consumers.

After a $1.8 trillion COVID-19 relief bill that sent nearly every American $1,400, the president has proposed spending another $2 trillion on loosely defined infrastructure. He’s now poised to propose another $1.8 trillion in spending to support families. The White House says the spending would boost the economy and workers.

The new spending proposal increases government spending in support of child care, education, and paid leave from jobs. It would also extend some middle-class tax cuts that are set to expire.

A preview of the president’s plan shows a lot of the new spending would go toward education. It would establish universal preschool for children who are three and four years old and pay for two years of tuition at community colleges. There would be no income requirements for eligibility for this benefit, but the program would require states to provide some of the funding.

Financial assistance for child care

Under Biden’s proposal, Americans at low- and middle-income levels would receive financial assistance to pay for children’s care. When a family member is sick, it would pay a portion of a caregiver’s salary while that person took off work to care for a child or other family member.

Someone taking leave under the program could take off up to 12 weeks by the 10th year of the program while receiving up to $4,000 a month in compensation.

Under the plan, the U.S. government would spend $1 trillion over 10 years while reducing taxes by another $800 billion. To pay for it, the government would raise taxes on Americans who earn the most money. The top marginal income tax rate would rise from 37% to nearly 40%.

Households earning more than $1 million a year would see a sharp rise in the capital gains tax, paid on profits from asset sales. The current 20% tax rate would nearly double.

Broad popular support

According to polls, the president’s general plan enjoys broad popular support. Reuters/Ipsos polling shows that 55% of Americans approved of the proposal when told of the specifics. Americans also told pollsters that they like the idea of wealthy Americans paying higher taxes.

But getting the plan through Congress may be a tall order. Even though the president’s party controls both chambers, the margin is extremely narrow, especially in the Senate. 

With Republicans in the Senate united in their opposition to increased levels of spending, on top of what has already been spent, it would take only a single defection of a Democratic senator to defeat the plan.

In a filing with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Tesla defended itself against accusations of violating environmental regulations. 

Regulators in the U.S. have accused the electric automaker of failing to prove that it’s complying with the federal emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants. The EPA has specifically requested more information about how the company handles the “surface coating” process for vehicles at its paint facility in Fremont, California. 

In 2019, Tesla employees told CNBC that the Fremont plant had sometimes conducted paint retouching in an open-air tent without full automation. Employees said they were exposed to extreme cold and smoke-filled air in 2018, a time when wildfires were an issue. 

Meanwhile, German officials have accused the company of failing to take back and properly dispose of old customer batteries. In Germany, there’s a law requiring automakers selling electric cars to take back batteries and dispose of them in an environmentally sustainable way.

In the Wednesday filing, Tesla said it “has responded to all information requests from the EPA and refutes the allegations.” The company said it does not expect any “material adverse impact” on its business to stem from its talks with the EPA on this matter.

In response to the accusations from German officials, Tesla said it has “continued to take back battery packs.” It added that the issue was “primarily relating to administrative requirements.” 

Buy Now, Pay Later -- one of the darlings of the personal credit world -- got a boost on Wednesday when Uplift announced a new deal with Southwest Airlines to offer travelers an added financing option at checkout. 

Starting immediately, customers can book a flight on Southwest to more than 100 domestic and international destinations and take advantage of the new flexible payment options. Travelers will be able to see them for purchases as low as $100.

Both parties cited an example where a $300 flight could be spread over 11 months at $29 a month with $0 down, which would make the total cost of the flight $319. Mind you, that’s only an example. The actual terms are based on the customer's credit score and other factors. The companies also noted that not everyone is eligible, and some states are not served, including Iowa and West Virginia.

"Southwest Airlines is one of America's most beloved airlines, with a strong brand reputation based on a spirit of freedom and empowering customers with affordable travel," said Brian Barth, CEO of Uplift. "For travelers who already appreciate the low fares and world-renowned hospitality that Southwest is known for, the payment flexibility of Uplift's Buy Now, Pay Later solutions will be another addition to Southwest's customer-friendly offerings."

Driven by pent-up demand

With COVID-19 restrictions starting to ease in the U.S. and vaccinations continuing to rise, there is a pent-up demand for finally being able to jump on an airplane and go somewhere after more than a year of laying low. 

That’s not only good for airlines but for finance companies like Uplift that can make an escape more affordable. Business is good for Uplift. It’s signed partnership deals with several domestic airlines, including Alaska Airlines, United, Allegiant, Spirit, and Frontier.

“Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services like Uplift are definitely having a moment,” travel expert Sara Rathner told ConsumerAffairs. “Yes, any time you take on debt, it’s a bit scary, and depending on the payment service and options you can choose from, you may be subject to fees or interest on your purchases. However, there’s transparency. You know exactly how much a purchase will cost you before you agree to the payment plan.”

Rathner said the sweet spot for consumers is unexpected, last-minute travel where fares are higher. She said that services like Uplift make those situations a little less troublesome and a little more affordable.

“Of course, take care to avoid getting in over your head. Keep your other monthly obligations in mind when you add on paying over time for a purchase. If you already struggle to afford your bills, it may not be the right time to add more to your plate unless you’re experiencing an emergency,” Rathner stated.

Beware of overusing BNPL

While higher conversion rates and an improved customer experience are good for retailers who offer BNPL, consumers should be cautious about using that option to satisfy their whims. 

“While they are marketed as consumer-friendly finance products, [one] drawback of BNPL is that it often encourages customers to purchase more products than they can afford,” said Martha Pearson, a Content Marketing Manager at Finturf. “This can put consumers in a difficult financial situation, and even hurt their credit scores if they are unable to pay on time.” 

Lyft has decided it’s going to play things safe going forward. The rideshare company is getting out of the self-driving business altogether and is selling its autonomous division -- Level 5 -- to Woven Planet, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. The deal will net the company around a half-billion dollars. 

The company will still keep a toe in the self-driving water. Under the buy-sell agreement, Lyft and Woven Planet will continue to work together on the development and safety of automated driving technology.

“Today’s announcement launches Lyft into the next phase of an incredible journey to bring our mission to life,” Lyft Co-Founder and CEO Logan Green said. “Lyft has spent nine years building a transportation network that is uniquely capable of scaling AVs. This partnership between Woven Planet and Lyft represents a major step forward for autonomous vehicle technology.”

Toyota is the perfect landing spot for Level 5. As of November 2020, Toyota owned 521 autonomous driving patents in the U.S. -- the most of any automaker. 

Even the best-laid plans don’t always work

When Lyft announced its self-driving project in 2017, everyone in the self-driving world was wearing rose-colored glasses -- especially Lyft President John Zimmer. He predicted that a majority of Lyft rides would be done in self-driving vehicles by 2021.

That prophecy never happened, but it can’t be said that Lyft didn’t give self-driving cars a shot. It acquired an augmented reality start-up to help improve its chances, partnered with Google’s Waymo to offer rides in self-driving minivans, and even hired a former associate administrator of vehicle safety research at the U.S. Department of Transportation to help gain some ground.

Is there anyone left in the self-driving game?

With both Uber and Lyft out of the self-driving game, the viable spread of the technology is shrinking fast. Other than the small taxi service that Waymo has in Phoenix, there are no major companies chasing the idea of transporting passengers without a driver at the moment.

However, that could all change. Zoox, a robotaxi start-up that’s trying its hand at things like a self-driving pizza delivery service, was acquired by Amazon for more than $1 billion in late 2020. When the acquisition was announced, Zoox CEO Aicha Evans said Amazon’s purchase would allow the company to have an even greater opportunity to realize a fully autonomous future.

Several studies have looked at the ways that loneliness can affect consumers’ mental and physical health. Now, a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Eastern Finland has identified another health risk linked with loneliness. 

According to their findings, loneliness has been associated with an increased risk of cancer for middle-aged men. 

“It has been estimated, on the basis of studies carried out in recent years, that loneliness could be as significant a health risk as smoking or [being] overweight,” said researcher Siiri-Liisi Kraav. “Our findings support the idea that attention should be paid to this issue.” 

Health risks of loneliness

To understand the health risks associated with loneliness, the researchers analyzed results from over 2,750 men involved in a Finnish study. The study started in the 1980s, and the team has consistently followed up with the men and their long-term health outcomes. 

The study looked at several factors that can influence cancer risk, including sleep quality, body mass index (BMI), and age. Among the findings, the team found that loneliness increased the risk of cancer by 10%. 

The researchers learned that marital status played a significant role in these cancer cases. Those who were divorced, widowed, or unmarried had the highest likelihood of cancer mortality compared to other patients in the study. Additionally, those who were unmarried or uncoupled at the time of a cancer diagnosis were likely to have poorer health outcomes than those who had a spouse or significant other. 

Moving forward, the team hopes that more work is done to better understand how loneliness can weigh on consumers’ health and wellness. 

“Awareness of the health effects of loneliness is constantly increasing,” said Kraav. “Therefore, it is important to examine, in more detail, the mechanisms by which loneliness causes adverse health effects. This information would enable us to better alleviate loneliness and the harm caused by it, as well as to find optimal ways to target preventative measures.” 

Recent studies have highlighted the benefits associated with breastfeeding newborns. Now, a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center is adding to that body of work.

According to the team, infants that are breastfed tend to have better cognitive outcomes as they develop through childhood. The researchers looked at results from neurocognitive assessments of nine- and ten-year-olds and found that those with the highest scores were also the ones who were breastfed. 

“There’s already established research showing the numerous benefits breastfeeding has for both mother and child,” said researcher Hayley Martin, Ph.D. “This study’s findings are important for families particularly before and soon after birth when breastfeeding decisions are made. It may encourage breastfeeding goals of one year or more. It also highlights the critical importance of continued work to provide equity focused access to breastfeeding support, prenatal education, and practices to eliminate structural barriers to breastfeeding.” 

Benefits of breastfeeding

To understand how breastfeeding impacted children’s long-term brain function, the researchers analyzed results from over 9,000 kids enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. As part of the study, children completed neurocognitive assessments that tested things like memory, executive functioning, and general cognitive ability. The researchers analyzed their results and compared them with data on breastfeeding, which included information on whether the children were breastfed and for how long. 

Ultimately, children who were breastfed as infants had the strongest outcomes on the neurocognitive tests. In fact, the longer the children were breastfed, the better they did on the cognitive evaluations by the time they were nearing the end of elementary school. 

“The strongest association was in children who were breastfed for more than 12 months,” said researcher Daniel Adan Lopez, Ph.D. “The scores of children who were breastfed until they were seven to 12 months were slightly less, and then the one to six-month-old scores dips a little more. But all scores were higher when compared to children who didn’t breastfeed at all.” 

Moving forward, the team hopes that these findings encourage more women to try breastfeeding, as there could be significant long-term brain benefits. 

“Our findings suggest that any amount of breastfeeding has a positive cognitive impact, even after just a few months,” said Dr. Lopez. “That’s what’s exciting about these results. Hopefully from a policy standpoint, this can help improve the motivation to breastfeed.” 

With millions of Americans now vaccinated and eligibility open to just about everyone, consumers have decided things are looking up. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose sharply in April.

The monthly measure of how consumers are feeling about the economy checked in at 121.7, a substantial gain from 109 in March. Much of the overall gain was based on how consumers feel right now. 

The Present Situation Index — based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions — jumped from 110.1 to 139.6. However, consumers are less certain about the future. The Expectations Index showed only a slight gain from March to April.

Lynn Franco, senior director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board, says the index that measures consumer’s confidence about their financial standing is at its highest level since February 2020, just before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic brought the economy to an overnight standstill.

"Consumers' assessment of current conditions improved significantly in April, suggesting the economic recovery strengthened further in early Q2,” Franco said. “Consumers' optimism about the short-term outlook held steady this month.”

Jobs and stimulus checks

Franco said there could be a couple of factors driving the optimism. Job prospects are improving as businesses are actively looking for employees. And it doesn’t hurt that most consumers by now have received the latest round of stimulus checks.

“Vacation intentions posted a healthy increase, likely boosted by the accelerating vaccine rollout and further loosening of pandemic restrictions," Franco said.

But while there was a big increase in the percentage of consumers who think business conditions are good and jobs are plentiful, that optimism doesn’t carry too far into the future.

The percentage of consumers who think business conditions will improve over the next six months increased, but only slightly -- from 40.3% to 40.5%. Only 11.9% think things will get worse in that time but that’s the same percentage as March.

The percentage of consumers predicting an increase in jobs in six months actually declined, from 35.9% to 34.5%.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 2,362 model year 2020-2021 GLB250s.

The wheel arch covers on the front fenders might not have been installed correctly, allow them to detach.

Detached wheel arch covers can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the installation of the front wheel arch covers and correct them as necessary free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin May 31, 2021.

Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at (800) 367-6372.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 32,130,876 (32,080,017)

Total U.S. deaths: 572,794 (572,226)

Total global cases: 148,018,784 (147,312,053)

Total global deaths: 3,123,782 (3,112,019)

California man suffers Johnson & Johnson vaccine reaction

A California man in his 30s who received the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine two weeks ago has been hospitalized in the San Francisco area after developing a blood clot in his leg. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented at least 15 cases of rare but serious blood clots in the U.S., all of which have occurred in patients with low platelet counts.

The U.S. had placed a pause on the use of the vaccine while health experts studied the data. The pause was lifted last weekend after health officials say the reaction was “exceptionally rare.”

Demand for vaccine slows as the case count falls

The U.S. has passed another COVID-19 vaccination milestone. The CDC reports that the number of fully vaccinated Americans now is greater than the number of people who only have one shot. But the numbers also suggest that demand for the vaccine is tapering off around the country.

Demand has fallen to such a low level in Connecticut that Gov. Ned Lamont has announced that some clinics will no longer require appointments to get the shots. He said the move is aimed at encouraging people to get a vaccination.

Meanwhile, the CDC reports that both cases and deaths from the coronavirus have trended lower over the last 30 days. The daily case count fell to just over 34,000 this week; the seven-day moving average of cases is more than 54,000.

Family charged with selling bleach as COVID-19 cure

Members of a Florida family have been charged in federal court with selling thousands of bottles of bleach as a “miracle cure” for COVID-19. Three people face charges of fraud and of violating a previous court order to stop selling the bogus cures.

According to court documents, the family marketed the bleach mix as “Miracle Mineral Solution,” or MMS, which contained a sodium chlorite solution. The directions called for mixing it with an acidic activator to become chlorine dioxide, or bleach. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that consuming any chlorine dioxide product “can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and symptoms of severe dehydration.”

New treatment could keep patients off ventilators

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a treatment that they say could prevent COVID-19 patients from getting severely ill. They say it could also reduce the need for ventilators.

In research on mice, the scientists found that the treatment normalized blood oxygen levels and reduced inflammation in mouse lungs – effects that could make a person well enough for hospital discharge.

“The most important and impressive thing in this study is the fact that we have benefits even when we treat late in the disease process,” said Ian Davis, senior author of the study. “If we could develop a drug based on these findings, you could take somebody who’s going to have to go on a ventilator and stop that completely.” 

Plastic surgeons see surge in post-pandemic appointments

Health care providers treating anything but COVID-19 saw a big drop in appointments when the coronavirus pandemic shut down the economy last year. Providers expressed concern that people were neglecting treatments and screenings for things like heart disease and cancer. Elective surgeries also fell sharply.

But all of that is changing with the pandemic starting to fade. Plastic surgeons, who experienced among the biggest drops in appointments and procedures, are reporting a “post-pandemic boom.”

"The pandemic isn't over, but thanks to vaccines, a new normal is starting to define itself – and some surgeons' offices that were closed or offered only limited services within the last year are seeing higher demand," said Dr. Lynn Jeffers, a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Around the nation

• Washington: Hospital officials are reporting that more young people with COVID-19 are suffering severe symptoms of the virus. “We are seeing younger patients than what we saw in earlier surges: Patients in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are being hospitalized,” said Tom DeBord, the chief operating officer of Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue.

• Virginia: Two Richmond nurses have started a business to provide immediate-result COVID-19 tests for large groups. The nurses say they’ve been hired to ensure the health of people attending weddings and other large events.

• Iowa: State health officials report that demand for vaccinations has dropped sharply in the last two weeks as more people have been vaccinated. “We’re hearing it across the board,”  said Heather Meador, a Linn County public health supervisor. “Their phones aren’t ringing off the hook anymore.”

A new strain of password-stealing Android malware is infecting consumers’ devices around the world. Mobile network operators and security researchers worldwide have sent up a flare about a text message scam infecting users with Flubot, a malicious piece of spyware. 

Flubot is able to spy on consumers and access contact details once it infiltrates a user’s phone system. It can even go on a text message spree that will send out more malicious messages to further spread the spyware.

How Flubot works

The way Flubot appears on a user’s phone is pretty innocuous -- a text message simply pops up claiming to be from a delivery company. Within that message, users are prompted to click on a link to track their supposed package. However, once that link is clicked, Flubot takes over and installs more phishing malware on the device.

Britain’s National Security Cyber Centre reports that the malicious messages have claimed to be from DHL so far, but researchers warn that other delivery companies can easily be cited for the purposes of the scheme. The organization also reports that Apple device users are not currently at risk, but it’s possible the scam text messages might still redirect them to a website that may steal their personal information.

Protecting yourself against Flubot

Dealing with malware is a hassle that nobody wants, so it’s important that everyone is aware of what to look out for when it comes to these scams. If you receive a text message from a company that you don’t normally do business with or someone you don’t frequently get text messages from, that should immediately raise red flags.  

If you receive one of these suspicious messages, this is what you should do:

1. Do not click the link in the message, and do not install any apps if prompted.

2. Forward the message to 7726 (SPAM), a free spam reporting service endorsed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and offered by telephone companies.

3. Delete the message.

4. In situations in which you were actually expecting a DHL delivery, it’s recommended that you visit the official DHL website to track your delivery. Make sure that you do not use the link in the scam text message.

All is not lost if you have already clicked the link to download the application, but you are going to have to do a system reset and wipe your device clean. One important thing: Do not enter your phone’s password or log into any accounts until you have done all the steps.

1. Perform a factory reset. The process for a reset on an Apple device is here; for Android devices, follow the steps posted here. Sadly, you will lose the data on your phone if you don’t have a backup installed for your device.

2. Once you set up the device after the reset, you might be asked if you want to restore it from a backup. Make sure that you are not restoring to a version of your phone that came after you downloaded the malicious app because that backup will also be infected.

Two final suggestions: take preventive measures if you haven’t been hit by Flubot. Back up your device and only install apps from your device’s “official” app store like Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store. An additional suggestion for Android users is to make sure Google’s Play Protect is enabled on your device. Every additional layer of protection is worth the effort when fighting against malware and spyware.

You should also investigate steps the FTC suggests as possible ways to protect your phone from malware and spyware. Those suggestions are available here.

Recent studies have found that COVID-19 has been linked with a number of long-term health risks, including hearing loss, heart complications, and brain damage. Now, a new study conducted by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine explored how the virus has impacted consumers’ long-term health and overall mortality risk. 

“Our study demonstrates that up to six months after diagnosis, the risk of death following even a mild case of COVID-19 is not trivial and increases with disease severity,” said researcher Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly. 

“It is not an exaggeration to say that long COVID-19 -- the long-term health consequences of COVID-19 -- is America’s next big health crisis. Given that more than 30 million Americans have been infected with this virus, and given that the burden of long COVID-19 is substantial, the lingering effects of this disease will reverberate for many years and even decades. Physicians must be vigilant in evaluating people who have had COVID-19. These patients will need integrated, multidisciplinary care.” 

What are the long-term health risks?

The researchers analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and compared information on more than 5 million patients who hadn’t had COVID-19 with more than 73,000 patients who were diagnosed with the virus but weren’t hospitalized. The team also compared long-term health outcomes of patients that were hospitalized with COVID-19 versus patients who were hospitalized with the flu. 

The team found that being hospitalized due to the coronavirus was worse than being hospitalized with the flu. Not only was the coronavirus linked with more long-term health issues, but the number of excess deaths was also higher among COVID-19 patients than flu patients. 

“Compared with flu, COVID-19 showed remarkably higher burden of disease, both in the magnitude of the risk and the breadth of the organ system involvement,” Dr. Al-Aly said. “Long COVID-19 is more than a typical post-viral syndrome. The size of the risk of disease and death and the extent of organ system involvement is far higher than what we see with other respiratory viruses, such as influenza.” 

Sixty percent higher risk of death in first six months

Overall, the researchers learned that the risk of death in the first six months after a coronavirus infection was nearly 60 percent higher. 

“These later deaths due to long-term health complications of the infection are not necessarily recorded as deaths due to COVID-19,” said Dr. Al-Aly said. “As far as total pandemic deaths, these numbers suggest that the deaths we’re counting due to the immediate viral infection are only the tip of the iceberg.” 

The team found that having COVID-19 affected nearly every bodily system, and many patients are likely to experience several issues after infection. As more time passes and more research is done on the long-term effects of COVID-19, the researchers expect to learn even more about how the virus affects consumers’ health and wellness.

“Some of these problems may improve with time -- for example, shortness of breath and cough may get better -- and some problems may get worse,” said Dr. Al-Aly. “We will continue following these patients to help us understand the ongoing impacts of the virus beyond the first six months after infection. We’re only a little over a year into this pandemic, so there may be consequences of long COVID-19 that are not yet visible.” 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Tuesday that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a mask in small outdoor gatherings or when dining outside with friends from multiple households. 

"If you are fully vaccinated and want to attend a small outdoor gathering with people who are vaccinated and unvaccinated, or dine at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households, the science shows if you are vaccinated, you can do so safely unmasked," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a virtual White House briefing on Tuesday.

While masks can now come off for small outdoor gatherings, the CDC still recommends that vaccinated individuals avoid large gatherings. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people should still wear masks in indoor public spaces, like malls, movie theaters, or museums. Walensky said that in these settings, “we really do worry about protecting the unvaccinated people."

"Generally, for vaccinated people, outdoor activities without a mask are safe. However, we continue to recommend masking in crowded outdoor settings and venues, such as packed stadiums and concerts where there is decreased ability to maintain physical distance and where many unvaccinated people may also be present," Walensky said. "We will continue to recommend this until widespread vaccination is achieved."

The agency didn’t specify how many people would have to be in attendance in order for it to be considered a large gathering. However, the CDC website describes "large gatherings" as those that bring together "many people from multiple households in a private or public space."

Encouraging vaccinations

President Biden used the CDC’s Tuesday announcement as an opportunity to encourage all Americans to get vaccinated. 

"The bottom line is clear, if you're vaccinated, you can do more things, more safely, both outdoors as well as indoors," Biden said during remarks at the White House on Tuesday afternoon. "So for those who haven't gotten their vaccination yet, especially if you're younger, or thinking you don't need it, this is another great reason to go get vaccinated. Now."

The president added that it's “never been easier” to get a vaccine. “And once you're fully vaccinated, you can go without a mask when you're outside, and away from big crowds," Biden said.

Later this week, President Biden is expected to unveil a plan to give the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) an extra $80 billion and more authority to crack down on tax evasion among high-earners and large corporations. 

Biden believes the ten-year funding measure will increase revenue for the government by $780 billion or more and that it will help “level the tax playing field between typical American workers and very high-earners,” according to a New York Times report. 

Under the plan, the IRS would have increased power to conduct audits. New disclosure requirements would be put in place for people who own businesses that are not set up as corporations, as well as for high-income earners who could be shielding their income from the government in order to avoid taxation.

Boosting the IRS’ funding by $80 billion over a decade would represent an increase of two-thirds over the agency’s entire funding levels over the past decade. Economists and tax experts are lauding the plan as a way to potentially reverse years of lax IRS enforcement actions against large corporations and the rich. 

“The plan is good news for honest filers and businesses, the budget, and the rule of law,” Chye-Ching Huang, executive director of the Tax Law Center at N.Y.U. Law, told the Times. “Stopping tax cheats from having an unfair advantage helps honest businesses to compete and thrive.”

The proposal is part of Biden’s American Families Plan and is expected to be released before his address to Congress on Wednesday.