Current Events in May 2021

By now, just about everyone on the planet has a cell phone or smartphone. For wireless companies like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to gain new subscribers, they usually have to take them from their competitors.

All three companies offer generous sign-up incentives and make boasts about their coverage area, but is one of these companies better than the others? When we checked the overall ratings ConsumerAffairs reviewers gave the big three, we found that not a lot separates them in their customers’ eyes.

Based on 693 reviews, ConsumerAffairs reviewers give AT&T a rating of 3.2 stars. It’s slightly ahead of Verizon, with 3 stars based on 961 reviews. Both trail the newly combined T-Mobile and Sprint entity with 3.3 stars, based on 704 reviews.

With the big three virtually neck-and-neck, we decided to do a deep dive into the reviews to see what reviewers like and dislike about the companies and see if any themes emerge.

AT&T

Farhad, of Seattle, was a very unhappy AT&T customer when he posted a 1-star review to our site in April.

“After almost 18 years with AT&T wireless service, I am forced to cut the tie,” Farhad wrote. “The reason is pretty simple. It is due to their poor customer service, un-helpful management and not to mention their outrageously high service rates. While their service is ok, their agents mislead customers to add plan that supposedly would reduce my monthly cost, instead it went up.”

There are several 1-star reviews in which the main grievance was a promotion not living up to how it was presented. While it’s possible that customers misunderstood how it worked, it does suggest that the pitches often lead to misunderstandings.

“I transferred cellular service from Verizon wireless August 5, 2020, enticed by a $700 offer to trade in my and my wife’s cell phones and port our numbers to AT&T wireless,” James, of Covington, Georgia, wrote in a ConsumerAffairs post. “The offer was supposed to go into effect 60 days from the date I signed up. I have made numerous attempts to get AT&T to resolve this issue, they even gave me a case number and promised it would be taken care of by January 4, 2021. I am getting the runaround but not the credits for moving my services to AT&T.”

But Sonia, a reviewer from Houston, gave AT&T a 5-star review after she switched from another company.

“I have great service,” she wrote. “I used to have another provider but I used to lose signal all the time and it wasn't cheap. So now with my provider, I have service and haven't had any issues on signal or anything. Plus I get my devices and on a way that I can afford to pay. Am happy with it.”

Patricia of Warrenville, Illinois, found something to complain about even as she gave AT&T a 5-star review.

“I love the service, have never had any problems,” she wrote. “Very few calls dropped. However, I do feel their plans are expensive compared to others. Customer service is also good. Selection of phones is very good.”

Verizon

Verizon has its share of 1-star reviews, with common problems being mistakes on bills and issues with customer service. Charles, of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, said he liked the coverage area Verizon provided but finally couldn’t put up with the level of customer service he received.

“It is impossible to get through to a person who can actually do something about Verizon's mistakes,” Charles wrote. “And when you try it will eat up gobs of your time and leave you frustrated and defeated.”

Charles wrote that the last straw was when the company billed him $13,000 instead of his normal $124 a month. He said customer service reps he communicated with agreed it had to be a mistake, but no one could do anything about it. 

Misty, of St. Augustine, Florida, had just the opposite experience. She wrote in a 5-star review that she called Verizon in tears about her bill.

“I spoke with Shantelle,” Misty wrote. “She listened to me cry as I explained my situation. Before anything else she made sure I was ok and spoke to me in a calm voice. Once I was ok she went on to address my issues. So many times she assured me it would be ok. She took care of every single issue and even a few I myself didn't see! I truly felt cared about by the end of our conversation. She definitely changed my feelings.”

There appear to be very few issues with Verizon’s coverage area. Most of the dissatisfaction appears to stem from frustration in trying to resolve some kind of issue with a phone or plan.

T-Mobile

Customer service is a common topic in 1-star reviews of T-Mobile, which recently merged with Sprint. Sometimes we’ll get bad reviews about a particular store from one reviewer, but then we’ll receive a positive review from someone in another city who will praise the local store in a 5-star review. Like the other two major carriers, misunderstandings about plans show up in some T-Mobile reviews.

“T-Mobile ran a promo to receive free phones, via monthly credits for every old phone number ported in,” writes Erick, of St. George, Utah. “The T-Mobile rep confirmed our phones were eligible and ported the numbers for us.”

Erick said the first bill was correct but that the second one included a charge for one of the “free” phones.

“Subsequent follow-up was told we weren’t told, though should have been, that our phones weren’t eligible for the free phone promo,” Erick said.

Rona, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, gave T-Mobile a 5-star review in which she said she’s happy with both the service and her plan’s terms.

“All unlimited, no slowdowns or sharing for considerably less than any other provider,” Rona wrote in her ConsumerAffairs post. “They are always willing to change us to the best available deal all with no contract. They don't need to lock you in. You stay because your bill is always right, perfect connection anywhere.”

Do your research and choose the best plan for you

When it comes to the big three wireless providers, some consumers have encountered problems while others haven’t. Problems with customer service appear common in all three.

When it comes to selecting a wireless provider, give strong consideration to the monthly cost and the provider’s coverage area where you live. If you are considering a special promotion, make sure you completely understand it and ask questions.

As you do your research, be sure to check out ConsumerAffairs’ guide to wireless services, which also includes reviews for some independent providers.

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 33,192,974 (33,171,024)

Total U.S. deaths: 592,432 (591,116)

Total global cases: 168,520,476 (167,961,302)

Total global deaths: 3,500,945 (3,488,454)

FDA gives emergency approval to new treatment drug

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to a new coronavirus treatment drug made by GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology. The monoclonal antibody drug has been shown to be effective in treating early COVID-19 infections.

The drug, called sotrovimab, is the third antibody product that the FDA has authorized to treat patients in the early stages of the disease but who may be vulnerable to a severe case.

“Monoclonal antibodies like sotrovimab are potentially one of our most effective tools for fighting COVID-19,” said Dr. Adrienne E. Shapiro, an infectious disease specialist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.  “While preventive measures, including vaccines, can reduce the total number of cases, sotrovimab is an important treatment option for those who become ill with COVID-19 and are at high risk.”

Getting to the bottom of COVID-19’s origin

President Biden has ordered U.S. intelligence services to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 virus and report within 90 days. Specifically, he wants to know whether the virus is natural or man-made.

It was initially believed that the virus occurred in an animal in a live market in Wuhan, China, and spread to humans. However, from the start, there has been speculation that the virus escaped from a lab that was conducting research on vaccines.

The Wall Street Journal cites a U.S. intelligence report suggesting that three researchers at China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology were so ill in November 2019, that they were hospitalized. The first official case of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan the following month.

Claims for jobless benefits still falling

As businesses struggle to find employees to meet the demands of reopening, fewer Americans are filing for unemployment. The Labor Department reports that initial claims for jobless benefits fell even more last week to 404,000.

That’s a decline of 38,000 from the previous week, which was even lower than the week before. In fact, claims have been steadily falling since the economy began to reopen last month.

The number of Americans who previously filed for benefits and are still receiving them also continues to fall. Continuing claims last week totaled 15,802,126, a decrease of 175,255 from the previous week. 

Disneyland ready to reopen to non-California residents

In another sign that things are starting to get back to normal, Disneyland -- which was closed for much of the last 14 months -- will allow non-California residents into the park near Los Angeles starting June 15.

Only residents of California have been admitted since the park reopened a month ago in an effort to limit group sizes and mitigate risks from the coronavirus.

In a blog post, Disney said the state of California strongly recommends that all guests be fully vaccinated or obtain a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the theme park. In addition, all guests will be required to wear an approved face-covering throughout their visit at the Disneyland Resort.  

CVS offers vaccination rewards

CVS Health is the latest brand to offer incentives to its customers who get a COVID-19 vaccination. The pharmacy retailer has announced that beginning June 1, eligible customers who received or plan to receive a COVID-19 vaccination through CVS Health may choose to enter the #OneStepCloser sweepstakes.

Entrants will have an opportunity to win one of over a thousand prizes through weekly drawings and grand prizes over a six-week period. 

"We're grateful for the millions of people who've received one of the well over 17 million doses we've administered at CVS Health, but we have a long way to go," said Dr. Kyu Rhee, senior vice president and a chief medical officer of CVS Health. "Getting as much of the population fully vaccinated will bring us one step closer to all the things we've missed during the past 14 months, and keep our country moving in the right direction."

Around the nation

• Virginia: The mass inoculation effort staged at the Richmond International Raceway that provided thousands of vaccinations over the last several months will end operations after today. The state reported only 76 new cases of the virus on Monday, and hospitalizations are at their lowest rate since early April 2020.

• North Carolina: The state senate is considering a measure to encourage people receiving generous unemployment benefits to take a job. The bill would pay a $1,500 bonus to people receiving unemployment benefits who return to work this summer.

• Missouri: Missouri State University has announced that its mask mandate and other protocols put into place during the COVID-19 pandemic will end Monday, May 31. “I’m very excited for the fall and for things to be back in a mostly normal kind of situation,” said university president Clif Smart.

New car dealers are prevented, by law, from selling vehicles with open recalls. Used car dealers face no such prohibition. Four U.S. Senators say it’s time they did.

Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) have co-sponsored the Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act, saying it would help get dangerous vehicles off the road until they are repaired.

The bill requires car dealers to repair any outstanding safety recalls in used cars prior to selling, leasing, or loaning them to consumers. The lawmakers cite data showing that there are currently 72 million cars on the road with open recalls, some of which could pose dangers.

“Americans deserve peace of mind that they are buying safe cars from car dealers, yet too many used cars today are sold or leased with known and unrepaired safety issues,” said Blumenthal. “This measure will close this unacceptable safety loophole, and protect drivers and the public from hazardous cars.”

Support from a key consumer group

The measure has the backing of the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), which says the proposed legislation is especially important now because of the strong demand for used cars during the pandemic. The group says the potential danger associated with open recalls increases with the age of the vehicle, with about 56% of recalled vehicles 5-10 years old having open recalls. It says 71% of the recalls associated with vehicles over 10 years old are still uncorrected.

“Without major intervention by the Federal Government, consumers will increasingly be put at risk,” said CFA Executive Director Jack Gillis.

Gillis says used car dealers are opposing the bill, even though it would cost the car’s manufacturer, not the dealer, to repair the vehicle. Cars and trucks with open recalls can be easily identified using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) online database. 

Takata airbags

Some of the older cars on the road with open recalls are equipped with defective Takata airbags that have been linked to at least 18 deaths in the U.S. Earlier this week, the fund compensating airbag victims paid out another $46 million to 161 claimants. 

Safety officials have known about the defect since 2008, and millions of vehicles have already been recalled and repaired. Eric Green, who manages the Takata fund, said he expects hundreds of additional claims to be made in the future because not all the cars with the defective airbags have been repaired. 

Many are older vehicles that have changed hands numerous times on used car lots, so the current owners may be unaware of the original recall. Green calls these vehicles “time bombs getting more dangerous by the day.”

Gillis said passing the senators’ bill would defuse that bomb and make used cars a lot safer.

The Biden administration has announced that it will require the nation’s leading pipeline companies to disclose any significant cyberattacks to the government. 

Companies aren’t currently required to report cyberattacks, meaning experts don’t have a clear picture of how vulnerable the industry is to hackers. Earlier this month, the repercussions of a cyberattack on a pipeline were on full display after the Colonial Pipeline was hit by one. The incident led to panic and fuel shortages across nearly half of the East Coast. 

Alejandros N. Mayorkas, the secretary of homeland security, said Thursday morning that the Colonial Pipeline case showed “that the cybersecurity of pipeline systems is critical to our homeland security.” 

"Ransomware, which is primarily criminal and profit-driven, can rise to the level of posing a national security risk and disrupt national critical functions," he said. 

New security directive

In addition to requiring major pipeline companies to report cyberattacks, the Biden administration’s new directive calls for the creation of 24-hour emergency centers focused on heading off these threats if they do occur. 

A cybersecurity coordinator will be designated to coordinate with both the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) -- which was tasked with controlling pipeline security post-September 11, 2001 -- and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in the event of a cyber attack. The New York Times noted that it’s unclear “what that employee would be empowered to do other than raise an alarm.” 

The order also requires pipeline companies to “identify any gaps and related remediation measures to address cyber-related risks” and report them to the TSA and CISA within the next 30 days. 

Homeland Security officials added that they will “continue to work closely with our private-sector partners to support their operations and increase the resilience of our nation’s critical infrastructure.”

HSBC -- the 14th largest bank in the U.S. and sixth largest bank in the world -- is pulling up its stakes in America and completely getting out of the retail banking market.

The bank’s new end game will be to reposition its U.S. Wealth and Personal Banking business with a focus on the more affluent crowd, especially those who are globally connected and have a high net worth.

“We are pleased to announce the sale of the domestic mass market of our US retail banking business. They are good businesses, but we lacked the scale to compete,” said Noel Quinn, Group Chief Executive of HSBC.

“Our continued presence in the US is key to our international network and an important contributor to our growth plans. This next chapter of HSBC’s presence in the US will see the team focus on our competitive strengths, connecting our global wholesale and wealth management clients to other markets around the world.”

How the deal shakes out

Pending regulatory approval, the company’s overall exit strategy includes:

• Exiting 90 branches out of a current branch network of 148 branches.

• Retaining a small network of physical locations in existing markets which will be repurposed into 20-25 international wealth centers.

• Winding down between 35-40 of its remaining branches.

• Exiting all Personal, Advance, and certain Premier banking customers (those with balances below $75,000).

• Exiting all retail business banking customers (small businesses with turnover of $5 million and under).

Who gets HSBC’s current customers?

HSBC said its initial plan is a mixture of divestitures and a wind-down of its branch banking network. The company has already lined up two buyers -- Citizens Bank and Cathay Bank -- to help with part of that. 

Citizens Bank is buying HSBC’s East Coast market and retail banking businesses, as well as its online bank portfolio. Citizens will get 10 additional branches, another 800,000 customers, and $9.2 billion in deposits in the deal.

Cathay Bank, a Sino-American bank based in Los Angeles, California, is purchasing HSBC’s West Coast consumer and retail business banking. That acquisition will add 10 branches, some 50,000 customers, and $1 billion in deposits to Cathay’s balance sheet. HSBC thinks its current customers will be happy with both Citizens and Cathay.

“It was also important for us to find buyers who would be a good fit for our customers and employees,” said Michael Roberts, CEO of HSBC US and Americas. The transactions are expected to close by the first quarter of 2022.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) was anything but elated on hearing the news of Amazon’s proposed purchase of MGM. She was so out of sorts that she called on the Justice Department to investigate the deal before it’s finally put to bed.

“This is a major acquisition that has the potential to impact millions of consumers,” Klobuchar said in a statement on Wednesday. “The Department of Justice must conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that this deal won’t risk harming competition.” 

While the Amazon/MGM deal seems good in theory because of all the added content that Amazon Prime Video members will now have access to, Klobuchar says the move will only give the company more power in another consumer category. 

Amazon reportedly has its eye on yet another prize that’s certain to get Klobuchar’s attention -- opening up brick-and-mortar pharmacies.

Lawmakers on both sides are wary of Amazon’s deal

Klobuchar is certainly in the right place to raise such a concern. She chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights -- the committee that has a responsibility to keep an eye on competition in digital markets.

Just ask Google or Apple how much power she wields. Under her supervision, the committee forced the two tech giants to appear before them for a hearing over app store antitrust practices. And while the Justice Department is pretty strong on its own, she’s proven that she’s not afraid to press the agency about its handling of Big Tech.

Klobuchar’s anxiety over Amazon’s newest in-road isn’t limited to Democrats. Two key Republicans -- Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) --  also made it known that they feel Amazon should not be permitted to purchase MGM.

“This sale should not go through. Amazon is already a monopoly platform that owns e-commerce, shipping, groceries & the cloud. They shouldn’t be permitted to buy anything else. Period,” Hawley said in a tweet Wednesday. Buck tweeted back his support with a simple “Agreed.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorization to a monoclonal antibody drug developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in partnership with Vir Biotechnology. 

The FDA approved Sotroimab for treating mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 and older who are at a heightened risk of having a severe case of the virus. The drug isn’t for hospitalized patients or those who require oxygen therapy. 

“With the authorization of this monoclonal antibody treatment, we are providing another option to help keep high-risk patients with COVID-19 out of the hospital,” Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. “It is important to expand the arsenal of monoclonal antibody therapies that are expected to retain activity against the circulating variants of COVID-19 in the United States.” 

Reduces risk of severe symptoms

In a trial involving 868 adults, the monoclonal antibody drug was shown to cut the risk of hospitalization or death in “high-risk” adults by 85%. Adverse events were generally mild or moderate and included rash and diarrhea. 

In a separate statement, GSK and Vir said sotrovimab will be available for the patients that it’s intended to help “in the coming weeks.” The companies said they plan to file for full approval of the drug sometime in the second half of this year. 

Antibody treatments garnered attention following former President Donald Trump’s contraction of COVID-19 and use of the drugs. Monoclonal antibodies are designed in a laboratory to replicate the immune system’s ability to fight viruses. 

“Sotrovimab is a monoclonal antibody that is specifically directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and is designed to block the virus’ attachment and entry into human cells,” the FDA explained.

Eli Lilly has also received FDA authorization for an antibody therapy that significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization as a result of COVID-19. 

A new study conducted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital explored the link between women with osteoporosis or low bone density (LBD) and an increased risk of hearing loss. According to their findings, women with osteoporosis or LBD were 40% more likely to experience moderate or severe hearing loss. 

“Adult onset hearing loss is typically irreversible; therefore, the [Conservation of Hearing Study] focuses on identifying potentially modifiable risk factors that may contribute to hearing loss,” said researcher Dr. Sharon Curhan. 

“We were inspired by a recent study that found bisphosphonates may help prevent noise-induced hearing damage in mice. We wanted to investigate whether bisphosphonates alter risk of hearing loss in adults, in addition to whether there is a longitudinal association between osteoporosis or LBD and risk of subsequent hearing loss.”  

The link between bone health and hearing loss

To understand how bone health can impact hearing loss in women, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 144,000 participants enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study I and II and the Conservation of Hearing Study (CHEARS). Participants completed questionnaires that measured their hearing function every two years, and the researchers also monitored their bone health over more than three decades. 

Ultimately, it was clear that osteoporosis and LBD increased the risk of hearing loss; the additional risk was as high as 40% for women with bone health issues, and that risk remained regardless of whether or not the participants took bisphosphonates to improve bone health. 

The researchers also learned that the risk of hearing loss differed depending on where in the body the bone issues were. The team found that vertebrae injuries were linked with an even higher risk of long-term hearing loss. 

“The different findings between these skeletal sites may reflect differences in the composition and metabolism of the bones in the spine and in the hip,” said Dr. Curhan. “These findings could provide new insight into the changes in the bone that surrounds the middle and inner ear that may contribute to hearing loss.” 

While it remains unclear why the link between bone health and hearing loss exists, the researchers plan to do more work in this area to better understand how consumers’ lifestyles can impact their health long-term. 

“Osteoporosis and low bone density may be important contributors to aging-related hearing loss,” said Dr. Curhan. “Building lifelong healthy diet and lifestyle habits could provide important benefits for protecting bone and hearing health in the future.” 

Caffeine is the go-to way many consumers start their mornings. While it may help fight lingering fatigue, a new study explored how caffeine can impact consumers who struggle with getting enough sleep. 

According to researchers from the University of Michigan, no caffeinated beverage can replace a good night’s sleep. Their work showed that caffeine can help consumers feel more alert, but the body needs regular sleep to perform at its best. 

“Caffeine increases energy, reduces sleepiness, and can even improve mood, but it absolutely does not replace a full night of sleep,” said researcher Kimberly Fenn. “Although people may feel as if they can combat sleep deprivation with caffeine, their performance on higher-level tasks will likely still be impaired. This is one of the reasons why sleep deprivation can be so dangerous.” 

The importance of a good night’s sleep

To understand the effect that caffeine and sleep deprivation can have on consumers, the researchers had 276 people participate in an overnight study. Participants were assigned to either stay awake in the lab all night or sleep at home. The next morning, they were given either a 200mg capsule of caffeine or a placebo pill. Both prior to the sleeping experiment and after the caffeine consumption, participants completed assessments that measured their ability to perform tasks in a given order and also maintain focus and attention. 

The researchers learned that caffeine certainly gave the participants an energy boost, but combining it with poor sleep led to more mistakes when completing assessments. Having caffeine was beneficial when it came to attention-based tasks, but it proved to be ineffective when it came to doing more difficult things, like keeping order in a procedure. 

“Caffeine may improve the ability to stay awake and attend to a task, but it doesn’t do much to prevent the sort of procedural errors that can cause things like medical mistakes and car accidents,” said Fenn. 

The researchers hope that these findings encourage consumers to adopt healthier sleep routines. While caffeine can still be a regular part of consumers’ mornings, these findings highlight that there is no substitute for getting quality, restful sleep each night. 

“If we had found that caffeine reduced procedural errors under conditions of sleep deprivation, this would have broad implications for individuals who must perform high stakes procedures with insufficient sleep, like surgeons, pilots, and police officers,” said Fenn. “Instead, our findings underscore the importance of prioritizing sleep.” 

Americans are expected to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend and when they do, they’ll find highways more crowded and gas prices higher than last Memorial Day.

AAA expects 37 million people in the U.S. to travel at least 50 miles from home this weekend and most will travel by car. Last year, in the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) shutdown, only 23 million Americans ventured away from home.

A better comparison may be Memorial Day weekend 2019, which had 6 million more travelers than expected to travel this year. Then, the average gas price was around $1.95 a gallon because of the huge drop in demand. This year, prices at the pump are a lot higher.

The AAA Fuel Gauge Survey shows the national average price of regular is $3.04 a gallon, matching last Friday’s price. The price spike caused by the Colonial Pipeline shutdown has begun to fade.

The average price of premium gas is $3.64, the same as last week. The average price of diesel fuel is $3.17, also unchanged from a week ago.

Jeanett McGee, a spokesperson for AAA, says it means that holiday travelers will face the highest gas prices since 2014.

“With the increase in travel demand, gas prices are going to be expensive no matter where you fill up, so plan ahead,” she said.

But there’s good news for motorists along the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic coasts. Gas stations that ran out of fuel earlier this month should have adequate supplies this weekend.

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 ($4.17)

• Hawaii ($3.91)

• Nevada ($3.61)

• Washington ($3.56)

• Oregon ($3.41)

• Utah ($3.35)

• Alaska ($3.31)

• Illinois ($3.24)

• Idaho ($3.24)

• Pennsylvania ($3.16)

The states with the cheapest regular gas

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

• Mississippi ($2.71)

• Louisiana ($2.71)

• Missouri ($2.73)

• Texas ($2.73)

• Oklahoma ($2.75)

• Arkansas ($2.76)

• Kansas ($2.83)

• Minnesota ($2.83)

• Alabama ($2.83)

• North Dakota ($2.85)

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

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 33,171,024 (33,145,906)

Total U.S. deaths: 591,116 (590,758)

Total global cases: 167,961,302 (167,416,621)

Total global deaths: 3,488,454 (3,475,888)

CDC to allow Royal Caribbean to simulate a cruise

If you’re ready to get back on a cruise ship, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is clearing the way. Royal Caribbean Group announced on Twitter that it would be the first to undertake a CDC test cruise.

“After 15 months of hard work and collaboration, @RoyalCaribbean has received CDC approval for simulated cruises on #FreedomoftheSeas in June,” the company posted. “This is the latest promising step to return to sailing in the U.S. We look forward to seeing our crew and loyal guests this summer.”

It’s a significant milestone for the cruise industry. Ships have been confined to ports in the U.S. since March 2020, when a number of outbreaks aboard ships resulted in several deaths from the coronavirus.

CDC director: ‘Enjoy the Memorial Day holiday’

Millions of vaccinated Americans are no doubt looking forward to the Memorial Day weekend and the official kickoff to summer. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky has some advice: be careful but enjoy yourself.

In a briefing, Walensky expressed optimism that the U.S. would not see a spike in new cases of the virus after this weekend, much like it has had following other recent holidays. She said the U.S. is better protected with 130 million people vaccinated.

“Thanks to vaccines, tens of millions of Americans are able to get back to something closer to normal: visiting friends and family,” she said while advising unvaccinated people to continue wearing a mask in public.

Most businesses may adopt a hybrid approach

If you’ve gotten accustomed to remote work over the last year and want to continue, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to. A study by researchers at Forrester predicts that 70% of all U.S. and European companies will adopt a hybrid work model after the pandemic.

In a hybrid model setup, some employees can work anywhere they want for two or more days a week while coming into the office on the remaining workdays. The research shows that companies that do this will benefit, especially in the areas of recruitment and employee retention.

Forrester reports that 55% of U.S. employees said they hope to work from home more often, even after the pandemic ends. 

COVID-19’s devastating after effects

Some people who recovered from severe cases of COVID-19 were left with lingering symptoms. Researchers at the University of Michigan (UM) medical school say their numbers are greater than first reported.

Publishing their findings in the journal PM&R, investigators reported that 45% of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 experienced a significant functional decline after being discharged. Eighty percent of that group required additional therapy and 20% could no longer live independently.

"Rehabilitation needs were really, really common for these patients," said lead author Dr. Alecia K. Daunter, a pediatric physiatrist at Michigan Medicine. "They survived, but these people left the hospital in worse physical condition than they started.”

Pandemic may have changed ‘spring cleaning’

After spending most of their time at home for a year or more, Americans have approached spring cleaning a little differently this year. Retail chain Meijer reports that it tracked two new trends in customers' spring cleaning habits after spending 14 months at home.

As everything opens up, consumers are preparing to open their homes to visitors again. That, the company says, is leading homeowners to start cleaning with a balance between natural and disinfecting products and with increased kitchen organization.

"We saw our customers focus on home cleaning in a big way over the last year and many of those habits aren't going away any time soon," said Angie Pagel, director of Merchandising for Household Consumables at Meijer. "In fact, we're already seeing some of those cleaning habits evolve as they begin to start opening their homes up to more guests."

Around the nation

• New York: New York City apartment rents plunged during the pandemic, wiping out two years of increases. But a report from StreetEasy suggests that they may have bottomed at the relative bargain of $2,495 a month.

• Idaho: State health officials are expressing concern that efforts to vaccinate 12- to 15-year-olds appear to be lagging, with only about 9% of eligible children receiving at least one shot. “We’re concerned that people will lose their interest in this, and we have a lot of work to do before school starts,” said Dr. Christine Hahn, Idaho’s top public health researcher.

• Florida: Anecdotal evidence suggests that Florida’s population has grown since the pandemic began, and now there’s something a little more concrete. The state motor vehicles department reports that at least 33,565 people exchanged New York driver’s licenses for Florida credentials between September 2020 and March 2021.

Recent studies have explored the unique protection that many children experience when infected with COVID-19. However, researchers from Yale University explained that some children have developed multi-system inflammatory response (MIS-C) nearly a month after being exposed to the virus.

“Why does this happen when there is no virus or antiviral response still present and in kids?” asked researcher Carrie Lucas. “And why is it only occurring in youth?” 

In a recent study, the team learned that the differences in kids’ and adults’ immune systems could be responsible for these severe reactions.  

Identifying immune system differences

The researchers analyzed blood samples from four different groups: children and adults unaffected by COVID-19, adults with severe cases of COVID-19, and children with MIS-C. 

The blood tests showed significant immune differences between children diagnosed with MIS-C and the other groups involved in the study. While the body is designed to have certain immune responses that protect against infection, MIS-C was associated with higher levels of immune cells called alarmins; though they’re supposed to attack viruses like COVID-19, they can actually harm the body when there are too many of them. 

When caught early, the researchers say MIS-C can be treated with medication and isn’t harmful long-term. However, if undetected, an infection can ultimately become life-threatening. In relation to COVID-19, experts have found that roughly 1 in 1,000 children who are diagnosed with the virus, whether a mild or asymptomatic case, have gotten MIS-C more than a month after the initial infection. 

Though most kids only experience mild cases of COVID-19 because of the way their immune systems respond to the virus, the researchers explained that it could be this unique immune response that leads to MIS-C. 

“Innate immunity may be more active in children who are infected with the virus,” said Lucas. “But on the flip side, in rare cases it may get too revved up and contribute to this inflammatory disease.” 

Facebook and Instagram will soon let users hide like counts on their posts. In an announcement, Facebook said the option is meant to alleviate some of the pressure users may feel when posting on the platforms. 

Research has suggested that focusing too heavily on receiving validation in the form of likes and engagement can take a toll on users’ mental health. Instagram already started testing hiding likes back in 2019, and now Facebook users will get the option as well. 

Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, said it initially started testing the ability to hide like counts “to see if it might depressurize people’s experience on Instagram.” The results were mixed. 

"What we heard from people and experts was that not seeing like counts was beneficial for some and annoying to others, particularly because people use like counts to get a sense of what’s trending or popular, so we’re giving you the choice," the company said in its blog post.

To appease both groups of users, Instagram and Facebook are making it optional to hide like counts. Those who opt to hide like and view counts will be able to hide them on their own posts and the posts they see. 

Instagram users can choose to hide likes by visiting a new Posts section in Settings. Facebook users can access the new setting from the “Settings & Privacy” area under News Feed Settings. From there, users will be able to toggle an option to “Hide number of reactions”.

Reports are circulating that Amazon is seriously thinking about building out brick-and-mortar pharmacies in the U.S. The news -- first reported by Business Insider -- was met with silence at Amazon. 

A company spokesperson said the company doesn’t comment on rumors. However, they did say Amazon Pharmacy -- the company’s online Rx delivery service that was launched last November -- is focused on making at-home delivery pharmacy easier and more convenient for customers.

If Amazon goes the brick-and-mortar route, it seems like a logical step. Amazon Pharmacy was built on the back of the company’s acquisition of PillPack. At the time, Amazon promised that its new acquisition would remain separate from its main online business and was simply an outlet to cater to consumers who prefer pre-packaged doses of medications.

The stock market goes wild on the news

The news that Amazon might jump into other pharmacies' space spurred a price drop of the stocks of drugstore chain operators CVS Health, Rite Aid, and Walgreens.

All of these moves are speculative, but there’s usually a knee-jerk reaction whenever Amazon says it’s “considering” something. When word hit the street that the company was looking at buying Whole Foods in 2017, grocery store chain stock values went crazy for nearly a month as investors feared that the whole grocery experience was about to change forever.

“I would encourage investors to remember this: It will take decades for Amazon to roll out the thousands and thousands of stores that CVS and Walgreens have open, and try to replicate that model,” one Yahoo Finance analyst advised. “Just because Amazon opens five pharmacies outside rural locations trying to hawk medicine doesn’t mean they’re going to be the next CVS or Walgreens, or actually want to be the next CVS or Walgreens.”

Google has teamed up with hospital chain HCA Healthcare to develop health care algorithms using patients’ medical records. 

In a press release, HCA said the goal of its multi-year partnership with Google is to “develop a "secure and dynamic data analytics platform" that it will use to advance operational models that will result in "actionable insights and improved workflows.” 

“Next-generation care demands data science-informed decision support so we can more sharply focus on safe, efficient and effective patient care,” said Sam Hazen, chief executive officer of HCA Healthcare. 

Improving operating efficiency  

The deal will give Google permission to extract certain patient data when needed, but the tech giant will also be able to develop analytical tools without patient records, the Wall Street Journal reported. HCA will be able to test the models independently. 

The hospital chain, which operates across about 2,000 locations in 21 states, said the data will help it see where improvement in clinical care is needed. 

“Data are spun off of every patient in real time,” noted Dr. Jonathan Perlin, HCA’s chief medical officer. “Part of what we’re building is a central nervous system to help interpret the various signals.” 

Sam Hazen, CEO of HCA Healthcare, added that the partnership will bolster the health system's efforts to improve and modernize several facets related to patient data.

"Next-generation care demands data science-informed decision support so we can more sharply focus on safe, efficient and effective patient care,” Hazen said. “We view partnerships with leading organizations, like Google Cloud, that share our passion for innovation and continual improvement as foundational to our efforts." 

Focusing on privacy

In announcing their collaboration, HCA and Google stressed that data privacy and security will be prioritized. Access and use of patient data will be addressed through Google Cloud’s infrastructure and HCA’s security controls and processes. 

Identifying information would be culled from HCA patient records prior to being shared with Google’s data scientists, and the health system will have control of access to the data, the Journal reported. 

In the race to have the largest library of streaming content on the planet, Amazon has just pulled into the lead by buying Metro Goldwyn Mayer’s (MGM) immense library of over 4,000 beloved films and 17,000 TV shows. 

With the stroke of a pen on a check for $8.45 billion, Amazon now owns movie classics like12 Angry Men and The Pink Panther, favorites like Rocky and Silence of the Lambs, the rights to upcoming films like House of Gucci starring Lady Gaga and the new James Bond flick “No Time to Die”, and TV series like The Handmaid’s Tale and Fargo.

“The real financial value behind this deal is the treasure trove of IP in the deep catalog that we plan to reimagine and develop together with MGM’s talented team. It’s very exciting and provides so many opportunities for high-quality storytelling,” said Mike Hopkins, Senior Vice President of Prime Video and Amazon Studios. 

Kevin Ulrich, Chairman of the Board of Directors of MGM called it a historic day, adding that the “opportunity to align MGM’s storied history with Amazon is an inspiring combination.”

Streaming gets more expensive

The unexpected COVID-19 outbreak that forced people to stay at home was a boon to streaming services. As people grew fond of all they found on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and other platforms, entertainment moguls figured that consumers wanted more.

There’s certainly lots of money to be had in streaming services. A recent study from ResearchNester predicts that global video streaming revenue will grow from 17.5 billion in 2020 to nearly 55 billion by 2028.

And where does that revenue come from? The consumer. After adding 26 million new subscribers worldwide in the first half of the 2020 pandemic, Netflix decided that if it raised its prices a dollar or two a month, that would make its bottom line even fatter. 

On Thursday, the company raised the prices of its standard and premium plans to $13.99 (from $12.99) and $17.99 (from $15.99) per month, about the same jump in price it took in 2019. Hulu also tweaked its prices in late 2020, increasing the cost of its live streaming option from $54.99 to $64.99 per month. Google’s YouTubeTV also raised its rates from $50 per month to $65.95 per month last July. 

Maybe it’s time for an audit of all your streaming services. “These rate increases can add up over time without you noticing, as all of them rely on ‘evergreen’ automatic payments and yearly renewals via your credit card. That means if you want to cancel, you have to go out of your way to opt out of renewal,” said Lifehacker’s Mike Winters.

“The danger comes in the fact that it’s easy to overlook these increases over time, which can be substantial—just look at Hulu’s live TV plan, which has gone up by $25 per month over the last few years. That’s a lot of money if you aren’t paying attention to what you’re being charged.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has given Royal Caribbean the go-ahead to begin testing one of its ships in U.S. waters. 

Starting in June, Royal Caribbean's “Freedom of the Seas” ship will be allowed to sail with volunteer passengers in preparation for regular sailings. It’s the first cruise ship to receive CDC approval to begin sailing on a provisional basis following more than a year of being out of service due to the pandemic. 

“After 15 months and so much work by so many during very challenging times, to all our colleagues, loyal guests and supporters all over the world, I am proud and pleased to share some bright and wonderful news,” CEO and President Michael Bayley wrote on Facebook. “We look forward to welcoming our crew, loyal guests and supporters from around the world this summer.”

Conditional sailing order

The ship will sail out of Port Miami starting June 20. All volunteer passengers must be 18 years of age or older and commit to following a number of pandemic precautions while sailing. 

Under the CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, vaccine requirements are not mandatory for test sailings. Volunteers who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19 must have written documentation from a health care provider that they aren’t at high risk of contracting a severe illness if they are exposed to the virus. 

Additional safety precautions that will be in effect include social distancing, mask requirements, and testing for COVID-19 before and after the trip. The test cruises are only for a limited number of unpaid volunteers invited by the cruise line.

The CDC said it discussed the safety of allowing simulation cruises at length prior to approving it. Health officials ultimately decided that it will be a safe step closer to pre-pandemic normalcy for the cruise industry. 

“Over the past month, senior leadership from CDC have met multiple times a week with cruise line senior executives to discuss the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO),” CDC spokesman Benjamin Haynes said in a statement. “During these meetings, participants asked questions and discussed the fastest path back to sailing without compromising safety. CDC and the cruise industry agree that the industry has what it needs to move forward and no additional roadblocks exist for resuming sailing by mid-summer.”

The previous 12 months haven’t exactly been good for travel, but now that half of U.S. adults are vaccinated against the coronavirus (COVID-19), millions of people are planning trips this summer.

A new survey from Deloitte shows that 40% of Americans plan to take at least one vacation this summer, a percentage similar to the pre-pandemic summer travel of 2019. A significant number plan to travel by air.

Airlines have reported that demand for flights is now on the rise, so they are adding flights and raising fares. The survey suggests that rising ticket prices will not be much of a deterrent after a year of sheltering in place and working from home.

Around 55% of the survey respondents said their longest trip this summer will include an airline flight. Amid Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) reports of increased passenger volume, consumers are also considering new factors for mitigating the health risks, including taking a non-stop flight.

"As many Americans return to the skies this summer, the impacts of the pandemic continue to influence the entire travel experience,” said Anthony Jackson, principal, Deloitte & Touche.

“With ongoing health concerns, airlines should remain flexible to accommodate shifting preferences for direct flights, as well as last-minute reservation and flight changes."

Private rental growth will continue

The survey shows that the majority of travelers will stay in a hotel, but the survey found that private rentals, which surged during the pandemic, should continue to grow this year. More than a quarter of consumers who said they plan to stay in a private rental used that form of accommodation for the first time last year.

Airbnb this week rolled out upgrades to its platform as the company predicts “the biggest travel rebound in a century.” 

“We are seeing three fundamental shifts in travel as people become less tethered and more flexible,” said Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb. “People can travel anytime, they are traveling to more places and they are staying longer.”

Chesky says the lines between travel, living, and working are blurring, and the company’s upgrades are designed to make it easier for people to integrate travel into their lives.