Current Events in June 2021

If you’re someone who has mocked others for seemingly having their heads buried in their phone, you might find yourself more attached to yours, too, before long. In the post-pandemic world, you can expect a lot less human interaction, especially when doing things like dining out, going to events, or traveling on a plane or local transportation.

If my recent COVID-19 revenge tour taught me anything, it was that I need to be app-ready at every corner.

Apps become a bigger part of life

The pandemic has spurred more businesses to deploy digital payment options. That, in turn, has forced consumers to do the same. Many apps are touch-free like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal’s QR code-driven payment. The number of contactless-enabled merchants is growing, according to a recent study by MasterCard, as is the consumer demand for touch-free payments. 

Where else might you need an app? Here are just a few examples.

Events: How about buying a ticket to see a San Francisco Giants baseball game. When I went to the ticket window, I was told that I had to use an app. When I did that and tried to buy a single ticket, I couldn’t because tickets were only sold in “pods” of two or more. Luckily, one kind soul overheard me asking a Giants representative how I could buy just one ticket and offered to sell me one of his. 

Transportation: The same was true when I wanted to ride on public transportation. I had to buy tickets via my phone and scan those tickets when I got on a bus or subway. Airlines have been pushing people to use their check-in apps for a while, but the industry is moving quickly to everything digital -- from checking in at the gate to ordering onboard food. 

Dining out: Restaurants are largely doing away with physical menus and forcing diners to scan a QR code to see what food and drink options are available.

Museums: At the museums I visited, there were apps that essentially curated my visit -- from where to find a certain exhibit to the background of certain pieces.

Apping up means powering up too

I have a Google 4 5G phone that served me well before my trip. Having a battery life that lasted more than a day and a flexible Google Fi data plan allowed me to easily manage day-to-day tasks without racking up added costs.

But that all went away during my trip because more app usage means more drain on the battery. I found my phone battery on its last legs before the day was done two times during my trip. Because I had an extra reliance on apps -- especially GoogleMaps to help guide me around places I was unfamiliar with -- my data usage soared and cost me some extra money.

The fix -- for me anyway -- was to get a power bank. Once a power bank is fully charged, it has enough juice to quickly repower a mobile device -- sometimes up to two times depending on the product you have -- before it has to be recharged.

A quick suggestion list

If you’re going on vacation anytime soon, think about adding these apps and tools to your mobile device’s arsenal. It could save you some time and hassle, especially if you’re somewhere that requires interfacing or using an app to make a purchase.

QR code reader: There are plenty of available QR code reader apps, and they all work pretty much the same. My choice was Google Lens, which is available on the Play Store and Apple’s App Store.

Payment app: If your mobile device isn’t ready for touch-free buying, it’s easy to set up and simpler than swiping a credit card. If techy things stress you out, your local bank might be willing to help you set up not only their banking app but connect it to something like Google Pay, PayPal, or Apple Pay. 

Events: If you’re going to a sporting event or concert, it’s likely that you will have to use your mobile device to buy tickets. Some venues even allow you to buy food via the same app. For sporting events, Major League Baseball and the NBA both have their own. If you’re going to a concert, you’ll need to show your ticket via an app (most likely Ticketmaster or the platform you purchased your tickets from) to get in.

Power bank: There are plenty to choose from that are available on Amazon, at Best Buy, and through other vendors. Most are in the $25-$50 range.

Airline app: Each airline has its own app, and they’re getting smarter and more integrated by the day. Some allow you to order snacks, and some even track your luggage. I also strongly recommend the MyTSA app. It provides airline passengers with 24/7 access to the most frequently requested airport security information.

Language app: Going somewhere where they speak a different language? With Google Translate, you can hit the microphone button, ask a question, and a translation will automatically appear. 

Going with others: If you’re going somewhere with friends and think you’ll be splitting up at times to take separate mini-adventures, I’ve read that Apple’s exclusive Find My Friends app might help if you get separated and need to find out how to get back to the same place.

Banking app: Make sure you have the latest version of your bank’s app so that you don’t run into any unforeseen problems while away from home. 

Rideshare apps: If you’re not driving and don’t plan on getting around on foot, you’ll probably need either the Uber or Lyft app. I suggest both since there may be times when one will be busier -- and more expensive -- than the other.

AirHelp: You may never use this app, but it can be a lifesaver if you ever get stuck in a position where your flight has been delayed or canceled -- or, worse yet, you’ve been denied boarding a flight because it was oversold. The AirHelp app has all the laws that regulators in the U.S. and EU mandate for compensation in such cases. 

All your travel information in one place: While I depended more on my Google suite of apps to get me through my trip, I recently installed the TripIt app to keep track of all travel-related information -- flights, hotel reservations, COVID-19 guidance, important travel documents, etc.

Accommodations app: If you think you’ll be making hotel or vacation rental reservations during your trip, having an app like Hotels.com or Airbnb might come in handy. The Airbnb app can be particularly helpful because it allows guests and Hosts to stay in touch.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 33,654,602 (33,642,146)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 604,510 (604,179)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 181,926,290 (181,‌533,728)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 3,940,211 (3,932,077)‌

NIH study makes a case for frequent antigen testing

Researchers affiliated with the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative have concluded a study that found regular coronavirus testing using the rapid antigen tests is the most effective way to screen for the virus.

While the PCR molecular test is the gold standard for accuracy, it costs more and takes longer to get results. The study found that frequent testing using the cheaper, faster antigen test was just as accurate.

“Rapid antigen testing at home, two to three times per week, is a powerful and convenient way for individuals to screen for COVID-19 infection,” said Bruce Tromberg, Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), part of NIH. “With schools and businesses reopening, an individual’s risk of infection can change from day to day. Serial antigen testing can help people manage this risk and quickly take action to prevent spread of the virus.”

Supreme Court leaves eviction moratorium in place

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by property groups to lift the moratorium placed on evictions early in the pandemic for non-payment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently extended the moratorium through the end of July. Originally, it would have expired today.

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Bret Kavanaugh sided with the court’s three liberal justices in refusing to lift the moratorium. In a brief concurrence, Kavanaugh expressed doubts about the legality of extending the moratorium but concluded that the extension would allow for a more orderly distribution of rental assistance.

Before extending the moratorium, The CDC expressed concerns that evicting people from their homes could contribute to a public health hazard if the former renters became homeless.

Study finds some COVID-19 symptoms linger

Most people who have gotten COVID-19 have recovered, but some patients who had even mild symptoms reported that they hung around after recovery. Most notably, they experienced a continued loss of or reduced sense of smell and taste, along with shortness of breath.

Research findings from Aarhus University Hospital and Regional Hospital West Jutland showed that women and elderly patients were the most likely to experience continuing symptoms following their recovery. 

"We saw that the prevalence of a longer lasting reduced taste and smell is significantly increased in patients with mild COVID-19 disease who did not require hospitalization,” said Henrik Kolstad, who led the study. “This pattern is also seen for shortness of breath, but far fewer people were affected." 

Around the nation

• New Jersey: Public school students will not be required to wear masks in class when the school year resumes in the fall. Gov. Phil Murphy said that’s contingent, however, on rising vaccination levels and continued lower rates of infection.

• California: A federal jury convicted four California residents of scheming to submit fraudulent loan applications seeking millions of dollars in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) COVID-19 relief funds. Charges included fraud and money laundering.   

• Iowa: The pandemic helped some businesses while hurting others. The Iowa Lottery Board said it is on track to smash records thanks to homebound residents looking for a little entertainment. Through May, lottery sales stood at nearly $417.2 million, compared with $335.1 million for the same 11-month period one year ago.

• Indiana: While many states have ended enhanced jobless benefits early, Indiana won’t join them. An Indiana judge ruled that the state must continue paying the extra $300 a week benefit, saying its early termination could cause "irreparable harm." 

• Kansas: A state government audit COVID-19 to be the leading cause of death in Kansas during the final four months of 2020. The audit revealed that COVID-19 caused more than 2,500 deaths during those four months, surpassing deaths from each of the traditional top 10 causes.

Cases of the COVID-19 variant first identified in India, codenamed Delta, are on the rise. However, Dr. Scott Gottlieb says it’s unlikely that Delta will send the country into another “raging epidemic.” 

Although the Delta variant is more contagious than the original version of COVID-19, Gottlieb says the percentage of vaccinated people in the United States will help keep it in check.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a raging epidemic across the country like we saw last winter,” Gottlieb said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “I think that there’s going to be pockets of spread, and prevalence overall is going to pick up.” 

Risk varies by region

The former U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner said some parts of the U.S. are better positioned than others to keep the Delta variant from spreading. 

“I think in parts of the country where vaccination rates are high, and that’s certainly true in the Northeast, I think we’re largely protected — at least from the current variants that are circulating,” he said. 

Gottlieb, who serves on the board of Pfizer, added that parts of the country -- specifically, those with low rates of people who have previously been infected or have low vaccination rates -- will be more vulnerable to outbreaks involving the Delta variant. Missouri, he noted, is currently experiencing a rise in Delta cases and hospitalizations. He said that’s particularly true in parts of the state with lower vaccination numbers. 

“If you’re someone even who has been vaccinated living in those parts of the country, and there’s a dense epidemic of this new Delta variant, you’re at risk as well because we know the vaccines aren’t 100% and we know in vulnerable populations — people who are immunocompromised, people who are much older — the vaccines may not work as well over time,” he said.

‘We shouldn’t be cavalier about this’ 

Gottlieb said we shouldn’t take the variant’s risk lightly. However, he remains optimistic that the nation is in a significantly better place in terms of vaccination rates than it was when the pandemic was at its worst. About 46.4% of the U.S. population is now fully vaccinated, and 54% of Americans have received at least one dose of a vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“The goal should be to try to reduce transmission as much as possible here in the United States. I don’t think we should be cavalier about this,” Gottlieb said. “But we’re going to see the overall impact of the virus be substantially reduced because so many people have become vaccinated.”

He also stated that boosting vaccination numbers should also take precedence over reintroducing pandemic precautions.

“I think the right response, first and foremost, is to get more people vaccinated,” Gottlieb said. “We’re at a point right now where our mitigation really should be reactive, not proactive,” he added. “We shouldn’t be shutting things down or putting in mask mandates in anticipation of spread. I think we should do it when we see signs of spread, signs of outbreaks.”

Royal Caribbean is doubling down on safety as the cruising industry opens back up. Effective immediately, any guest age 16 or older departing from a U.S. port will be required to be vaccinated. Effective August 1 through December 31, anyone 12 or older will have to meet that same standard.

One exception to the mandate covers travelers setting sail from Florida ports. They are not required to be vaccinated, but it is encouraged. Floridians have Gov. Ron DeSantis to thank for that. In April, he signed an executive order preventing any business -- cruise lines included -- from asking customers if they had been vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Royal Caribbean is feeling good about its chances. It said guest surveys indicate that 90% of its passengers will already be vaccinated when they board. However, the company is not taking any chances. During July and August, it will be launching six simulation cruises with no passengers to test safety protocols. Those cruises were approved Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and will depart out of Florida, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington state.

Cruising and travel insurance

The additional requirement of having unvaccinated travelers covered by travel insurance may turn a few heads. The insurance policies the cruise line will require must cover any guest over the age of 12 and contain coverage of at least $25,000 per person in medical expenses and $50,000 per person for quarantine and medical evacuation that is connected to a positive COVID-19 test result.

You may be wondering if this level of travel insurance coverage might be a good idea even if you’re not traveling with Royal Caribbean. Brian O’Connell, a senior analyst at InsuranceQuotes.com, told ConsumerAffairs that all travelers should be thinking along these lines.

“Even though the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has relaxed COVID restrictions, with vaccinated Americans no longer having to wear masks (unless they’re in public transport, or at a medical facility or nursing home), it’s still a good idea to buy travel insurance,” he said. 

“The fact is, events are still unfolding even as the travel environment improves -- things could change fast. That’s especially true for trip cancellation insurance, which accounts for 95% of all consumer travel insurance.”

Better coverage to counteract pandemic chaos

While U.S. states like Florida and Texas may be taking a more lenient approach to pandemic-related protocols, O’Connell noted that many foreign countries in Europe, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and some Middle Eastern Countries still have restrictions that require good travel insurance -- and in some cases, a vaccine passport.

The level of travel insurance that consumers should consider depends on a few key factors. As an example, O’Connell suggested that seniors and those with higher health risks may want to opt for better coverage, especially if they’re traveling outside the U.S. to an area where their health care provider isn’t available.

“Overall, travelers still need travel insurance, especially in the age of COVID,” O’Connell said. “In the current chaotic scenario, insurance that covers trip cancellation, trip delays, and trip medical coverage is almost mandatory for travelers. Those who want to travel will pay the freight.”

What travelers should look for in travel insurance

According to O’Connell, the most significant change travelers will see in travel insurance, for the time being, is how insurers treat COVID-19 coverage.

“The biggest shift we see is that travel insurance won’t continue to cover anything COVID-related. You may see some insurers offer COVID insurance policies, but those policies will come at a higher cost and with fees and conditions attached. By the November/December holidays, they may be gone for good,” he said.

On the flip side, travelers are likely to see a shift against “no questions asked” (NQA) cancellations – which is different from before the pandemic when insurers were more amenable about covering NQA insurance.

If you’re planning on traveling in the near future, check out ConsumerAffairs' complete guide on travel insurance here.

Trading app Robinhood has been fined $70 million by the Financial Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the largest penalty imposed in the organization's history. 

On Wednesday, FINRA accused Robinhood of “systemic supervisory failures” and of hurting investors by giving them “false or misleading information.” The fines are tied to a pattern of behavior that the organization said it has seen over the course of a few years. However, the system outages that hit in March 2020, are the focus of FINRA’s sanctions. 

"The fine imposed in this matter, the highest ever levied by FINRA, reflects the scope and seriousness of Robinhood's violations," Jessica Hopper, head of FINRA's department of enforcement, said in a statement.

Under the terms of the settlement, Robinhood must pay a $57 million fine and $12.6 million (plus interest) in restitution to affected customers.

A number of violations

FINRA accused Robinhood of violations connected to options and margins trading, system outages that cost customers money, and failing to report tens of thousands of customer complaints. Although the platform said its mission was to “de-mystify finance for all,” FINRA said its own investigation found that the company has "negligently communicated false and misleading information" since September 2016.

The organization noted, for example, that 20-year-old trader Alexander Kearns believed he had a negative balance of $730,000 in his trading account just before he tragically died by suicide last year. 

“In a note found after his death, he expressed confusion as to how he could have used margin to purchase securities because, he believed, he had not ‘turned on’ margin in his account,” FINRA said. “As noted in the settlement, Robinhood also displayed to this individual (and certain other customers) inaccurate negative cash balances.”

Other alleged examples of Robinhood’s communication failures have to do with shortcomings in informing customers how much buying power they have, how much cash they have in their accounts, and the risk they face in options transactions. 

Costly ‘misstatements’

Collectively, FINRA said customers have amassed more than $7 million in losses “due to Robinhood's misstatements."

“This action sends a clear message—all FINRA member firms, regardless of their size or business model, must comply with the rules that govern the brokerage industry, rules which are designed to protect investors and the integrity of our markets,” Hopper said. “Compliance with these rules is not optional and cannot be sacrificed for the sake of innovation or a willingness to ‘break things’ and fix them later.” 

In a statement, Robinhood noted that it has made changes to the app. The company said it’s sought to improve customer support, enhance educational tools, and ensure that the platform is stable. 

"We are glad to put this matter behind us and look forward to continuing to focus on our customers and democratizing finance for all," a Robinhood spokesperson said in the statement.

Gold tumbled to its lowest value since mid-April on Tuesday, in part due to a stronger dollar and because of anticipation related to this week’s U.S. jobs report. 

The Labor Department is set to release data on Friday that will show a gain of 690,000 jobs this month, compared with 559,000 in May, according to a Reuters poll. Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO Futures, says a stronger dollar is combining with the expected jobs data to put downward pressure on gold. 

“The calls for interest rates to trend higher are going to be much louder from the Fed if we do get a better-than-expected jobs number,” he told Reuters. 

In the run-up to the release of the report, Spot gold fell 0.93% to $1,761.66 per ounce (as of 1:39 pm EDT Tuesday) after reaching $1,749.20 -- its lowest value since April 15. U.S. gold futures slipped about 1%, hitting $1,763.60.

Market uncertainty waning 

In early June, gold was valued at over $1,900 an ounce -- a six-month high. The precious metal performed well throughout the pandemic, a trend reflective of its tendency to be utilized as a “safe haven” asset during times of market uncertainty. 

But now that markets are strong, investors are finding it harder to make a bullish case for gold. Friday’s employment numbers will come on the back of comments from Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin, who suggested that the Fed had made “substantial further progress” in its inflation goal in order to begin tapering asset purchases.

"It's pretty clear to me we have had substantial further progress against our inflation goal," Barkin said during an event at the Rotary Club of Atlanta. "I'm pretty optimistic about the labor market. ... If the labor market opens as I suggested it might, then I think we're going to get there in relatively short order."

New car shoppers are encountering the same problem faced by people trying to buy homes -- declining selection and rising prices.

As a result, Cox Automotive reports that new car sales are slowing after a near-record sales pace in April. Sales were down slightly in May, and company analysts expect a lower but stronger number for June when all the data is in.

Sales volume in June is expected to be up 24% over last year, but it’s lower than the monthly gains seen earlier this spring. Sales volume is expected to decline by nearly 200,000 units from May, a drop driven in part by one less selling day and no big holiday weekends to drive more sales.

“While new-vehicle sales volume in the first half of 2021 is healthy—and on par with the first half of 2019—the market could be stronger if not for the lack of available supply,” said Charlie Chesbrough, senior economist, Cox Automotive. “Concern about the supply situation really cannot be overstated as we are in untested territory for the market.”

The industry has yet to recover from the pandemic. Factories shut down early in the pandemic, and that left the industry with limited inventory to start 2021. Since then, supply chain disruptions have made the issue worse.

A business model from the past

The lack of new vehicles has caused some dealers to change their business model in the post-pandemic world. Instead of consumers roaming a lot filled with vehicles and choosing one to their liking, they are putting in their orders for future delivery, much the way dealers operated decades ago.

Ford has employed this system for two new trucks that have not yet begun production. Dealers are taking orders for the all-electric Ford F150 Lightning and the compact hybrid pickup, the Ford Maverick.

The Maverick will begin deliveries to customers in the fall, and the Lightning is expected to be available in the spring of 2022. Ford said it logged 36,000 Maverick orders the first few days after it began taking them.

Prices are going up

The shortage of cars and trucks means consumers are paying more. Before the pandemic, buyers usually negotiated a price lower than the manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) on the window sticker. These days, consumers are paying the sticker price -- and sometimes more.

J.D. Power reports that the combination of strong retail volumes and higher prices mean that consumers are on track to spend $45.6 billion on new vehicles this month, the highest on record for the month of June. Consumer spending to purchase a new car or truck is expected to reach a record $149.7 billion for the second quarter, in part because dealers are getting more than the MSRP on more vehicles.

The Wall Street Journal cites the case of one consumer who offered a Florida Kia dealer $3,000 over the MSRP for a Kia Telluride. The offer was rejected because the dealer wanted $10,000 over the sticker price.

Automotive experts say that situation is more common in the case of popular, in-demand vehicles. They say consumers would be better off waiting if they have their heart set on one of these models, or settle for a less-popular vehicle.

A new study conducted by researchers from Rutgers University explored patterns related to preschoolers' learning and general motivation. It suggests that in order for preschoolers to feel motivated to seek out more information, they need to be introduced to a topic without knowing everything about it.

“There is an infinite amount of information in the real world,” said researcher Jenny Wang. “Yet despite having to learn so much in such a short amount of time, young children seem to learn happily and effectively. We wanted to understand what drives their curiosity.” 

What makes kids interested in learning?

For the study, the researchers had 100 preschoolers participate in various experiments. The team designed books on a variety of topics and analyzed how well the kids understood them and how likely they were to seek out more information on any given topic. 

The study showed that the key for preschoolers to want to learn more is to not be bored or overloaded with information on any subject matter. When they begin to learn about something new that interests them, they’re more likely to be motivated to learn more when not all of the information is revealed right away. 

The researchers also explained that curiosity plays a big role in this. Kids’ interests impact what topics they’re most likely to want to know more about, but staying in that middle ground of knowledge is what sparks them to ultimately seek out more information. 

“Intuitively, curiosity seems to belong to those who know the most, like scientists, and those who know the least, like babies,” said Wang. “But what we found here is quite surprising: it was children in the middle who showed the most interest in learning about contagion, compared to children who knew too little or too much.”

Moving forward, the researchers hope these findings can help parents and educators of preschoolers stay engaged with new material. 

“Ultimately, findings like this will help parents and educators better support children when they actively explore and learn about the world,” Wang said. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered an interesting finding related to removing wisdom teeth. According to the researchers, consumers that have gotten their wisdom teeth removed may develop a strong sense of taste. 

“Prior studies have only pointed to adverse effects on taste after extraction and it has been generally believed that those effects dissipate over time,” said researcher Richard L. Doty, Ph.D. “This new study shows us that taste function can actually slightly improve between the time patients have surgery and up to 20 years later. It’s a surprising but fascinating finding that deserves further investigation to better understand why it’s enhanced and what it may mean clinically.” 

Long-term taste improvement

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 1,200 patients who had their taste evaluated at Penn’s Smell and Taste Center. Of that group, nearly 900 had their wisdom teeth removed. In the taste test, participants tested five different solutions and then had to report on whether they were salty, sweet, bitter, or sour. 

Overall, those who had their wisdom teeth removed performed better on the taste test than those who still had their wisdom teeth. The findings showed that women who had their wisdom teeth removed tended to outperform men who also had their wisdom teeth removed. The study showed that the difference was subtle -- participants experienced as much as 10% difference in taste when their wisdom teeth were removed. 

The researchers explained that this trend may exist because of the way the nerves are affected following extraction surgery. Exposing the nerves in the mouth during surgery can actually make taste buds across the entire mouth more sensitive. 

“Further studies are needed to determine the mechanism or mechanisms behind the extraction-related improvement in taste function,” Dr. Doty said. “The effects are subtle but may provide insight into how long-term improvement in neural function can result from altering the environment in which the nerves propagate.” 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a Standing General Order that requires manufacturers and drivers to report serious accidents to the agency if the vehicle is “equipped with SAE Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) or SAE Levels 3-5 automated driving systems (ADS).”

The agency is taking this action after a number of accidents involving Teslas in which the cars’ Autopilot system was engaged. Tesla has repeatedly warned drivers that the system is not designed for autonomous driving and that both hands must be kept on the wheel at all times.

By collecting information about these accidents NHTSA said it can maintain a database of incidents and their causes and the role if any, a driver-assist technology played in accidents.

“NHTSA’s core mission is safety. By mandating crash reporting, the agency will have access to critical data that will help quickly identify safety issues that could emerge in these automated systems,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, NHTSA’s acting administrator. “In fact, gathering data will help instill public confidence that the federal government is closely overseeing the safety of automated vehicles.” 

Report within 24 hours

Under the new order, operators, manufacturers, and law enforcement must report within a day when there’s a serious accident involving a driver-assist vehicle. Specifically, it applies to “a Level 2 ADAS or Levels 3-5 ADS-equipped vehicle that also involves a hospital-treated injury, a fatality, a vehicle tow-away, an airbag deployment, or a vulnerable road user such as a pedestrian or bicyclist.”

A wide range of vehicles will fall under the order. Level 2 ADAS is an increasingly common feature on many new vehicles and provides driver assist functions that combine technologies, like lane-centering assistance and adaptive cruise control, where the vehicle is able to control certain aspects of steering and speed. 

ADS-equipped vehicles, which are able to perform the complete driving task in limited circumstances, are not currently sold to consumers but are in limited use on public roads around the country for testing, ride-sharing, and goods delivery.

Arizona accident

In 2018, a self-driving Uberstruck and killed a pedestrian in Arizona. A subsequent investigation determined the vehicle’s sensors saw the pedestrian but did not take action to avoid the collision.

By collecting data on all serious accidents involving cars equipped with driver-assist technology, NHTSA said it will help it identify potential safety issues and impacts resulting from the operation of advanced technologies on public roads and increase transparency. 

The agency also said access to ADS data may show whether there are common patterns in driverless vehicle crashes or systematic problems in operation as these vehicles come into wider use.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 17,616 model year 2021 F-350s, F-450s, F-550s and F-600s with dual rear wheels and front wheel hub extenders.

The front wheel hub extenders may be improperly attached to the front rotor hub assemblies, which could result in separation of the wheels and wheel extenders from the vehicle.

A detached wheel and wheel extender can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and tighten the front wheel hub extender nuts, free of charge.

Owners should not drive their vehicles until the torque of the wheel extender nuts can be verified.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S26.

Sunshine Mills is recalling Sportsman’s Pride, Sprout Sporting, Intimidator, FRM Gold Select dog food.

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

No illnesses, injuries or complaints have been reported to date.

A list of the recalled products, with best buy date and lot code on the back of each package, may be found here.

The recalled products were sold in retail stores and online.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should discontinue using them and return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers may contact Sunshine Mills at (800) 705-2111 from 7AM to 4PM (CT), Monday through Friday, or by email at customer.service@sunshinemills.com for additional information.

Nissan North America is recalling 1,618 model year 2017 Infiniti QX30s.

The steering shaft bore hole for the universal joint bearing may allow excessive movement that -- over time -- could result in the separation of the bearing and universal joint.

A separated universal joint bearing can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the lower steering shaft free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 30, 2021.

Owners may contact Nissan customer service at (800) 867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PG1CF.

Banner Smoked Fish of Brooklyn, N.Y., is recalling the smoked fish in all package sizes, all package types and all lots listed here.

The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported to date

The recalled products, which come in various sizes in both air pack and vacuum packages with the lot number or sell by date on the back, were sold through retailers and distributors, and also online in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Pennsylvania, California, Florida, Nebraska, Arizona, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, Nevada, Oregon, Wisconsin, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them, but return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (718) 449 – 1400 from 8 AM – 4 PM (EST).

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 33,642,146 (33,627,131)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 604,179 (603,979)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 181,‌533,728 (181,198,800)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 3,932,077 (3,925,198)‌

Masks are back in LA

Due to the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, Los Angeles County has reinstated guidance for the public to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces, even if fully vaccinated. 

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health called the mask guidance “voluntary,” saying it is necessary until health officials can "better understand how and to whom the Delta variant is spreading."

Scientists say fully vaccinated people have a high degree of protection against the Delta variant. Even so, LA health officials say they are concerned about what might happen if the variant mutates again.

How to tell if a vaccinated person has COVID-19

While all the vaccines currently in use provide a high level of protection, there are still cases of vaccinated people testing positive for COVID-19. Scientists say the symptoms can be different from those affecting someone who has not been vaccinated.

According to researchers with the ZOE COVID Symptom Study, the biggest sign that a vaccinated person has been infected is they sneeze a lot more than usual.

"If you've been vaccinated and start sneezing a lot without an explanation, you should definitely get a COVID test, especially if you are living or working around people who are at greater risk from the disease," researchers wrote in their study. 

They said vaccinated people with COVID-19 might also display typical symptoms of the virus, but they usually aren’t as severe as those affecting someone who hasn’t been vaccinated.

Is the pandemic over? Depends on your politics

With most states reopened and COVID-19 restrictions falling by the wayside, it feels to many as though the pandemic is finally over. But is it?

A Gallup Web Survey put that question to the public and found that 62% of people believe their lives are now “somewhat back to normal.” But when responses were broken down by party affiliation, there was a huge divide.

The poll found that 57% of Republicans believe the pandemic is behind us, but only 4% of Democrats expressed that view. Older Americans were also more likely than young people to think the virus is now mostly over.

Around the nation

• Louisiana: The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections is coming under scrutiny after a state auditor reported that it has no data on whether inmates have been screened for COVID-19 or offered vaccinations. The report said various sheriffs around the state either withheld information or didn’t collect it.

• Florida: Florida is the latest state to end extra unemployment benefits of $300 a week. It joins 26 other states that have taken similar action as small businesses complain that they can’t find the employees they need to fully reopen.

• Connecticut: As part of the return to normal, the state is ending its restrictions on rental home evictions, which were put in place to help people cope with the economic impact of the pandemic. “Fifteen months now, landlords have been asked to bear the burden without a lot of help up until this point,” said John Souza, head of the Connecticut Coalition of Property Owners.

• Michigan: President Biden will travel to the state this weekend as part of the nation’s Independence Day celebration. The President said he wants to highlight Michigan’s progress in battling the pandemic.

• Oregon: The Oregon Lottery is preparing to select random winners from among 2.3 million Oregonians who have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, part of the state’s effort to encourage vaccinations. Cases are on the decline with only 87 reported Monday.

A federal judge has dismissed two antitrust lawsuits against Facebook, saying the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a number of states failed to make their case that the social media giant is a monopoly.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled that prosecutors had failed to explain what social networking is or how they determined that Facebook controls more than 60% of the market. He also said the FTC had failed to show how Facebook’s business model harms the public, noting that the public pays nothing to use Facebook.

“The exact metes and bounds of what even constitutes [social networking] — i.e., which features of a company’s mobile app or website are included in that definition and which are excluded — are hardly crystal clear,” Boasberg wrote in his opinion. “The FTC’s inability to offer any indication of the metric(s) or method(s) it used to calculate Facebook’s market share renders its vague '60%-plus' assertion too speculative and conclusory to go forward.”

Facebook’s response

Facebook expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision and said it shows how flawed the government’s argument against it was. 

"We are pleased that today’s decisions recognize the defects in the government complaints filed against Facebook," Facebook said in a statement posted on Twitter. "We compete fairly every day to earn people’s time and attention and will continue to deliver great products for the people and businesses that use our services."

The FTC was likely less than pleased. An agency spokesperson told CNN that its lawyers are reviewing the judge’s decision to determine a course of action. One option open to the agency is filing an appeal to a higher court.

The lawsuit was seen as the government’s opening offensive against Big Tech. Some officials had argued that Facebook was too big and powerful and should be broken up. Its acquisition of smaller competitors over the years, including Instagram, has united critics on both the left and the right.

Changing antitrust laws?

In October 2020, House Democrats released a report recommending that antitrust laws be modified to require large technology companies to spin off parts of their businesses and make it harder to acquire companies in the future. In the wake of the decision, some lawmakers have said that recommendation has new urgency.

The October report, compiled over a 16-month period, investigated how Facebook and three other large technology companies operate and how they went about acquiring other companies, including potential competitors. 

While Republicans and Democrats generally agree that Washington needs to take on Big Tech, they have different motivations. Democrats have complained about what they see as anticompetitive behavior that harms consumers and stifles competition. Republicans have long maintained that Silicon Valley tech firms discriminate against conservative viewpoints.

Amazon announced Monday that Amazon Music Unlimited customers in the U.S. and Canada can get up to six months of free Disney+. 

Existing subscribers to Amazon’s ad-free music streaming service can get three months of Disney’s streaming service, while new Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers can activate six months of Disney Plus. Current subscribers to Disney+ aren’t eligible for Amazon’s “Disney+ on Us” promotion.

“Amazon Music customers will now be able to watch films like Disney and Pixar's Luca and Marvel Studios' new series Loki,” the company said in an announcement. “In the coming months, Disney+ will be launching additional new series, including Monsters at Work (July 7th) and Turner & Hooch (July 21st).” 

Disney is releasing new titles on the service every week. The company has said that users can expect 100 new titles from Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic to be added to Disney Plus each year. 

Eligible customers can redeem the promo or and sign up for an Amazon Music Unlimited subscription here. 

Amazon’s music streaming service has a catalog of approximately 75 million songs and podcasts. The service is priced at $8 a month for Prime members or $10 per month for non-Prime members. Alternatively, subscribers can pay $80 for the whole year. 

This Fourth of July weekend, consumers are expected to spend $7.5 billion on food, drinks, and other celebrations of U.S. independence. That comes out to an average of about $80 per person, according to the National Retail Federation. 

The NRF’s annual Independence Day spending survey drew responses from 7,893 consumers. The organization said it found that 84% of consumers plan to celebrate Independence Day this year -- an increase from 2020’s figure of 76%. 

Sixty-one percent of those surveyed said they plan to put money towards hosting or attending a cookout, barbeque, or picnic. Around 33 percent of consumers said they plan to take in a fireworks show or go to a community celebration of some sort. 

Gas supplies running low

Twelve percent of respondents to the NRF’s poll said they plan to travel or leave for a vacation this weekend. Separately, AAA forecasted that 43.6 million Americans will travel by car this Fourth of July weekend -- the most so far this year. Unfortunately, gas demand and prices are both high. 

The national average price for a gallon of regular is currently sitting at $3.10, the highest since October 2014, according to GasBuddy. Industry experts say gas stations are running short on supplies because of a shortage of tank truck drivers and rising gas demand. 

"It used to be an afterthought for station owners to schedule truck deliveries. Now it's job No. 1," Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis for the Oil Price Information Service, which tracks prices for AAA, told CNN Business. "What I'm worried about for July is the increased demand works out to about 2,500 to 3,000 more deliveries needed every day. There just aren't the drivers to do that."

Experts are concerned that travelers may see a station without gas here and there and take it as a sign that they should top off their tanks. However, doing so will only make a shortage worse, said Jeff Lenard, vice president of strategic industry initiatives for the National Association of Convenience Stores. 

As was the case when there was a gas shortage caused by the Colonial Pipeline attack, Lenard says consumers should refrain from topping off their tank more than necessary. 

"We have the same advice we had then, this is not the time to fill up every car you have and every container you have," he said. "We hate to see shortages and outages caused by drivers panicking and topping off their tanks."