Current Events in July 2021

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2021

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    Data shows it paid to switch jobs during the pandemic

    People who took new jobs increased their pay nearly 6%

    With people suddenly able to work for anyone from anywhere during the pandemic, lots of people changed jobs. When they did, the data shows they earned more money.

    In a report from ADP, researchers found that wage growth among people who changed jobs increased 5.8% since June 2020. But they appear to be the exception since overall wage growth slowed by 2.3% in the second quarter.

    "ADP data shows a rise in U.S. job switchers across industries along with increased wage growth for switchers," said Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP. 

    Richardson said there could be a number of reasons for that. One possibility is employers increasingly had a difficult time finding talent and were willing to offer competitive compensation to get the people they wanted.

    Hospitality workers didn’t benefit

    But there was one area where job switchers didn’t benefit. Leisure and hospitality employees not only experienced the greatest job loss during the pandemic, but both job holders and job switchers are now earning lower wages on average compared to a year earlier.

    Some of the biggest wage increases were provided to job switchers in mining and resource businesses, such as oil production. Their new jobs paid an average of nearly 12% more than the jobs they left.

    Job switchers in professional and business services earned nearly 10% more in their new jobs and those who took new jobs in information services saw their salaries go up more than 9%.

    Employment growth for all age groups increased as the economy continued to reopen and COVID-19 related restrictions were lifted in the second quarter. Younger workers got the most new jobs during the period.

    Younger workers’ paycheck grew less

    Workers 24-years-old and younger increased their employment by 13.5% last month. However, wage growth was lower among that age group.

    The possibility of continued remote work could mean 2021 could see even more job switching. In a recent investigation, Slate interviewed a number of people who have already quit their jobs because they didn’t want to return to an office.

    Employers may be reevaluating their return-to-office mandates in light of this trend. It not only might help retain their current workforce, it could also make it easier to recruit top shelf talent -- those willing to switch jobs if it means they continue working remotely.

    With people suddenly able to work for anyone from anywhere during the pandemic, lots of people changed jobs. When they did, the data shows they earned more...

    GM recalls model year 2015-2016 GMC Sierras and Chevrolet Silverados

    The roof rail airbag inflator may rupture

    General Motors is recalling 410,019 model year 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks.

    The roof-rail airbag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

    A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

    What to do

    Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge.

    Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. A second notice will be sent when the remedy is available.

    Owners may contact GMC customer service at (888) 988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at (800) 222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202324251.

    General Motors is recalling 410,019 model year 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail...

    Polaris Recalls GENERAL ROVs

    The vehicles may lose braking function

    Polaris of Medina, Minn., is recalling about 1,530 model year 2021 GENERAL 1000, GENERAL 4 1000, GENERAL XP 1000 and GENERAL XP 4 1000 ROVs sold in the U.S. and Canada.

    The weld between the brake pedal pivot bracket and the EPS mounting bracket can separate, which can result in a loss of brake function, posing a crash hazard.

    No incidents or injuries are reported.

    This recall involves Model Year 2021 GENERAL 1000, GENERAL 4 1000, GENERAL XP 1000, and GENERAL XP 4 1000 recreational off-highway vehicles.

    The two or four-seat vehicles were sold in burgundy, gray, graphite, tan, titanium and white.

    POLARIS is stamped on the front grille and POLARIS and GENERAL are printed on the sides of the vehicles.

    The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the left rear vehicle frame below the cargo box.

    The ROVs, manufactured in Mexico, were sold at Polaris dealers nationwide from March through May 2021, for between $16,300 and $27,700.

    What to do

    Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled vehicles and contact a Polaris dealer to schedule a free inspection and if needed, a free repair. Polaris is notifying dealers and contacting registered owners directly.

    Consumers may contact Polaris at (800) 765-2747 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday or online at www.polaris.com and click on “Off Road Safety Recalls” at the bottom of the page for more information.

    Polaris of Medina, Minn., is recalling about 1,530 model year 2021 GENERAL 1000, GENERAL 4 1000, GENERAL XP 1000 and GENERAL XP 4 1000 ROVs sold in the U.S...

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      BrightFarms recalls packaged salad greens

      The product may be contaminated with Salmonella

      BrightFarms is recalling various packaged salad greens.

      The product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

      Eight illnesses have been reported.

      The following products, packaged in clear, plastic clamshells with "best by" dates through 7/29/2021, are being recalled:

      • BrightFarms Baby Spinach (4 oz. and 8 oz. package)
      • BrightFarms Nutrigreens (3 oz. package)
      • BrightFarms Butter Crisp (4 oz. Package)
      • BrightFarms Harvest Crunch (4 oz. package)
      • BrightFarms Mighty Romaine (4 oz. and 8 oz. package)
      • BrightFarms 50/50 Spring & Spinach (4 oz. package)
      • BrightFarms Spring Crunch (4 oz. package)
      • BrightFarms Spring Mix (4 oz. and 8 oz. package)
      • BrightFarms Sunny Crunch (4 oz. and 8 oz. package)

      The recalled products were sold by the following retailers:

      • Illinois: Mariano's Fresh Markets, Walmart (select stores), Strack Van Till, Sullivan's Foods, Caputo's, Jewel-Osco
      • Wisconsin: Pick 'n Save, Metro Market, Copps, Tadych's, Walmart (select stores)
      • Iowa: Walmart (select stores)
      • Indiana: Strack Van Till
      • Michigan: Tadych's

      Additional retailers may be affected.

      What to do

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

      Consumers with questions may contact the company at (866) 857-8745 from 8am – 11pm (EDT, or by email at info@brightfarms.com with the subject line: Recall.

      BrightFarms is recalling various packaged salad greens.The product may be contaminated with Salmonella.Eight illnesses have been reported.The f...

      Ford recalls 774,000 model year 2013-2017 Explorers

      The vehicles may experience a seized cross-axis ball joint

      Ford Motor Company is recalling approximately 774,696 model year 2013-2017 Explorers.

      The vehicles may experience a seized cross-axis ball joint that may cause a fractured rear suspension toe link.

      These vehicles may experience a clunk noise, unusual handling, or a misaligned rear wheel.

      Fracture of a rear toe link significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

      Recalled vehicles in the U.S., are located in regions with a combination of cold winter weather with relative high humidity and substantial road salt use.

      What to do

      Dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint, replace the cross-axis ball joint/knuckle -- as necessary -- and replace the toe links with a revised design part.

      Owner notifications will begin the week of August 23, 2021.

      Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.

      Ford Motor Company is recalling approximately 774,696 model year 2013-2017 Explorers.The vehicles may experience a seized cross-axis ball joint that ma...

      Lodging experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic are changing, but fees aren’t

      Some fees are hidden, so travelers should do their homework and ask some questions

      Going somewhere? Maybe taking your first getaway since the start of the pandemic? You’ll probably be looking for a place to stay, just like I did when I set out on my COVID-19 revenge tour. As I found out, there are some new wrinkles and old wrinkles to consider when trying to decide on lodging.

      Hello, goodbye

      There have been considerable changes in the lodging world since the beginning of the pandemic. For one thing, the hungry traveler can bid farewell to their treasured hotel buffet. Anything that is “shared” -- utensil holders, self-serve beverage stations, etc. -- are a trouble spot waiting to happen when travelers are trying to keep socially distant and out of the coronavirus’ way. Pre-packaged muffins and granola bars are now the norm.

      You can also say adios to having maid service every day unless you specifically ask for it. That’s because hotels are still trying to financially rebound from the pandemic and feel it’s a corner they can cut with a sympathetic customer. On top of that, there are fewer people to do those jobs thanks to the hospitality industry being down about 300,000 jobs from where it was in 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

      Digital has also become the primary go-to for hotels. For example, the check-in process has become more app-based. Hilton is among the early adopters that have embraced digital touchpoints. The chain’s app allows customers to check in before they arrive, pick the room they think is right for them, and unlock their door with their phone.

      Hidden fees have not gone away...

      One thing that the pandemic didn’t slow down or change is the plague of pesky fees that increase the price of an overnight stay.

      Two years after lawsuits were filed by state attorneys general against Marriott and Hilton, and lawmakers first grumbled about hidden fees at hotels and introduced the Hotel Advertising Transparency Act, nothing has changed. In fact, another fee-focused lawsuit was filed against MGM Resorts earlier this year.

      Despite pandemic conditions, hotels are still lining their pockets with things like drip pricing and bundled fees for amenities -- like workout rooms -- even though those amenities might be unavailable to a guest because of COVID-19. In fact, misrepresentations about costs, amenities, etc. flung the Travel category into the Top 10 for the first time in the Consumer Federation of America’s recently released annual list of reports. 

      When I was looking for a safe, clean, and affordable place to stay in San Francisco, I fully expected a more buttoned-up approach to cleanliness. I was also hopeful that hotels would take the same posture as airlines with change fees and ditch some of their own “resort fees.” 

      I was wrong. In my searches, I saw outlandish fees like $28.95 per person to get their breakfast to-go and a self-parking fee of $51.30 per night. When I found a hotel that reasonably met my expectations, some of that hope was dashed when I was surprised with a new, pandemic-related fee when I checked in -- an extra $23/day postured as a “sanitation fee” by the hotel clerk, but one not listed by Hotels.com in its listing of this particular hotel’s fees. 

      "Though hotel services and amenities were reduced during the pandemic, hotels actually have been increasing hidden fees during the pandemic,” Lauren Wolfe, Counsel for Travelers United, told ConsumerAffairs.

      “Many hotels have now added a Covid fee. Even with these added fees, hotels are reducing housekeeping services and still often have many amenities closed. This shows there is no correlation between services and extra fees."

      Look closely and ask questions

      Before assuming that a price listed in big, bold, green letters is the final price you’ll pay, do yourself a favor and try one of these methods to confirm what you’ll be paying for a hotel stay when all is said and done.

      • Call the hotel directly and ask if there are fees that you’ll be expected to pay at check-in. If there are fees for things you know you won’t be using – like the gym, pool, or Wi-Fi -- request that those fees be deducted. In some cases, a deeper look at a hotel’s listing might reveal that those fees are not mandatory and only apply if guests choose to use those services, so don’t be shy about asking. 

      • Use ResortFeeChecker to find out what fees a hotel is tacking on to the price of a room.

      If you still get stung by what you consider an unfair fee, there might be some relief from your state’s attorney general.

      “State Attorneys General think that hotel resort fees violate state consumer protection laws. If you are charged a hotel resort fee, you can file a report with your Attorney General and they will likely work with you to make the hotel refund you,” Wolfe told ConsumerAffairs.

      If worse comes to worst and you want to follow Wolfe’s advice, here’s a list of all 50 state attorneys general you can refer to.

      Going somewhere? Maybe taking your first getaway since the start of the pandemic? You’ll probably be looking for a place to stay, just like I did when I se...

      CDC: Vaccinated people in some areas need to wear masks

      The health agency cites new evidence in reversing its guidance

      The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is changing its guidance on masks for people who are fully vaccinated. The agency said it now believes some vaccinated people should wear masks when in indoor public spaces like supermarkets.

      The agency issued guidance in May that said fully vaccinated people did not need to mask up. The move caught many businesses off guard, but most quickly adopted that policy.

      Just last week, the CDC said it had no plans to revise its guidance unless there was a significant change in the science. Federal health officials reportedly met over the weekend to review new evidence.

      To be clear, the CDC is not recommending that all vaccinated wear masks indoors. In its revised guidance issued late Tuesday, it said vaccinated people should mask up when they are in “an area of high or substantial (virus) transmission.”

      Masks required only in certain areas

      To determine whether a particular state or county falls into that category, the CDC website offers this map. Users enter their local information and will be told their area is one of either low, moderate, substantial, or high transmission.

      The CDC further suggests vaccinated people wear masks when interacting with children or vulnerable adults. It also recommends that children and teachers wear masks when they return to the classroom this fall.

      “This pandemic continues to pose a serious threat to the health of all Americans,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told reporters. “Today, we have new science related to the delta variant that requires us to update the guidance regarding what you can do when you are fully vaccinated.”

      Cases on the rise

      The change in guidance comes as cases of COVID-19 increase in most areas of the country, primarily caused by the Delta variant. 

      Delta is much more contagious than the original strain of the virus and scientists now believe that a vaccinated person infected by Delta in a so-called “breakthrough” case may retain enough of the virus in their body to pass it on to an unvaccinated person.

      Meanwhile, President Biden is reportedly giving “strong consideration” to requiring all federal employees to get vaccinated. NPR reports one option said to be under study is requiring federal workers to show proof of vaccination or to wear masks at all times.

      The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is changing its guidance on masks for people who are fully vaccinated. The agency said it now believes...

      Coronavirus update: CDC says some vaccinated people need to wear masks, the unvaccinated receive growing pushback

      Puzzling data is coming out of California

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

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 34,614,729 (34,542,716)‌

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 611,351 (611,062)

      Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 195,566,317 (194,945,610)

      Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 4,181,767 (4,172,379)‌

      How to find out if you should wear a mask

      As expected, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its mask guidance late Tuesday, stating that even fully vaccinated people should wear masks indoors in areas of “substantial or high” risk of spreading the virus. But how do you know if that affects you?

      To determine whether a particular state or county falls into that category, the CDC website offers this map. Users enter their local information and will be told that their area falls under one of the following categories: low, moderate, substantial, or high transmission.

      The CDC further suggests that vaccinated people wear masks when interacting with children or vulnerable adults. It also recommends that children and teachers wear masks when they return to the classroom this fall.

      Vaccination mandates are increasing

      Suddenly, those who refuse to be vaccinated are facing pushback from businesses and the government. The Biden administration has leaked word that it plans to require all federal employees to show proof of vaccination or wear a mask on the job at all times. Several media outlets are citing administration sources as saying the order will be issued on Thursday.

      NPR cites an administration source as saying the mandate is “under strong consideration.” Under the proposed policy, federal employees who are not confirmed as vaccinated would not only be required to wear masks at all times while at work but would be tested regularly for the virus.

      More restaurants and bars are requiring patrons to show proof of vaccination in order to get service. In San Francisco, an organization representing 300 bars is recommending a policy of requiring a vaccination to be seated inside, with unvaccinated customers being seated outside.

      Data shows cases rising in areas with high vaccination rates

      Health officials in California are puzzled by some of the local data they are receiving around the state. Counties with higher-than-average vaccination rates are seeing increases in cases of COVID-19. Counties with lower vaccination rates are seeing reduced cases.

      However, health experts say that doesn’t mean the vaccines aren’t working. They point out that the increase in cases is occurring in counties with higher population densities, while rural counties are seeing a decline.

      “If there are a lot of people around you’re more likely to bump into one who has COVID,” said Dr. Phillip Norris of the University of California San Francisco.

      Around the nation

      • Oklahoma: Some Democrats in the state legislature are putting pressure on Gov. Kevin Stitt to issue an emergency declaration to replace the one that expired last month. Rep. Melissa Provenzano, a Democrat from Tulsa, issued a statement declaring that needs across the state are different. “One thing is clear, we need local control returned and we need it now," Provenzana said.

      • Florida: The Broward County School Board abruptly postponed its meeting this week after some 20 anti-mask protesters gathered at its headquarters. The board had been scheduled to discuss mask requirements for the fall term, "Folks weren't wearing masks and refused to follow the rules,” one board member told CNN.

      • Minnesota: Shortly after the CDC updated its mask guidance, state health officials identified 14 counties in the state that fall into the category of “significant or high” virus transmission rates. The counties reportedly have high infection rates and low vaccination rates.

      • Oregon: State health officials have adopted mask guidance that’s even more strict than the CDC’s, saying everyone should wear a mask when in an indoor public space. On Tuesday, the state reported its highest daily case count in at least three months.

      • Illinois: Chicago officials say Lollapalooza will take place as scheduled this weekend despite the recent rise in COVID-19 cases. However, Mayor Lori Lightfoot says the city could reinstate its mask requirement and other additional COVID-19 safety precautions if the city continues to see a rise in cases.

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

      Two Florida men sentenced for running grandparent scam in northern Ohio

      Scammers are lurking on social media. Are your privacy settings tight enough?

      Grandparent scams are back in the news. On Tuesday, acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that two Tampa, Florida, men have been sentenced for targeting elderly consumers in northern Ohio. Officials say the men fleeced victims for a total of $383,932.

      Like most other grandparent scams, this one had a cash component. Officials say the defendants would allegedly call senior citizens and pretend to be a relative or an attorney for a relative and claim that the family member had been arrested and needed money for bail.

      Once the victim took the bait, officials said the scammers would arrange to collect the money through a purported “courier.” Of course, that person was just one of the perpetrators of the scam.

      The scam that won’t go away

      The grandparent scam isn’t easy to squash, particularly because it pulls on the heartstrings of someone who wants to come to the rescue of a family member. In a late 2019 report to Congress, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said it received 256,404 fraud complaints in 2018 from consumers who were at least 60 years old, accounting for nearly $400 million in losses.

      The “bail money” version isn’t anything new, but there are always creative crooks who think they’ve found a new angle -- like COVID-19 -- that might fly under the radar.

      Scammers are now turning to social media to fuel their schemes because there are countless people who bare their souls on platforms like Facebook. Fraudsters take all that information and then use it to build a scenario the victim might fall for.

      Many people never take the time to review what kind of identity information they’re leaving open for others to glean on social media. Unfortunately, Facebook doesn’t put those settings out in front like it does with “About,” “Friends,” and “Add to Story,” but if you add “/settings” to the Facebook URL so that it reads “https://www.facebook.com/settings,” you’ll find everything you’re allowing others to access and view. Take a good look at that and ask yourself why anyone really needs that information, then turn it on or off.

      If you want something simpler, the Electronic Frontier Foundation suggests using a one-click privacy setting to retroactively change all your past posts to be visible to your friends only. 

      Know someone 60 or over or someone who’s been scammed?

      If anyone knows someone aged 60 or older, make sure they know about the grandparent scheme. It might just help them avoid becoming a victim down the line.

      If you know someone who has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline. You can reach it by dialing 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).

      Reporting a scam can help authorities identify those who commit fraud, and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The fraud hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (EST). 

      Grandparent scams are back in the news. On Tuesday, acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that two Tampa, Florida, men have been sentenced for...

      Second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is safe even after initial allergic reaction, study finds

      Experts say the second dose of a vaccine is safe for most consumers

      A new study conducted by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital explored the safety of getting a second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine following an allergic reaction from the first dose. 

      Their findings showed that an allergic reaction from the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine isn’t likely to yield a poor response to the second dose. Ultimately, the team says it’s important for consumers to get both doses of the vaccine to ensure the most protection from the virus

      Safety for the second dose

      For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 200 patients who required professional medical help following an allergic reaction from the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

      “These reactions could include symptoms such as itching or hives or flushing,” said researcher Dr. Matthew S. Krantz. “The patients included were all advised by allergy specialists after their dose one reaction.” 

      The study showed that nearly 85% of the participants followed through with the second dose of the vaccine, and it was ultimately considered safe -- even for those that experienced anaphylaxis following the first dose. The second dose wasn’t free of allergy-related side effects; the researchers said 20% of the participants reported mild symptoms, though they didn’t require more than an antihistamine to control the reaction. 

      Moving forward, the team hopes consumers don’t skip the second round of a COVID-19 vaccine if the first one prompted an allergic reaction. They recommend consulting with medical professionals to cover any questions or concerns prior to receiving the second dose. 

      “After first dose reactions, allergy specialists may be useful to help guide risk/benefit assessments and assist with completion of safe vaccination,” said researcher Dr. Aleena Banerji. 

      A new study conducted by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital explored the safety of getting a second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine following...

      Union files grievance against American Airlines over accommodations for crew and pilots

      Officials claim crew members are ‘sleeping in airports and outside of baggage claim'

      A labor union has filed a grievance against American Airlines, saying flight attendants and pilots aren’t getting to “safe and comfortable” hotels during their layovers due to inadequate arrangements on the part of the carrier. 

      The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), a labor union representing 40,000 American Airlines pilots and flight attendants, said hotel booking and transportation delays have caused some crew members to miss out on sleep. 

      “We have Flight Attendants sleeping in airports and outside of baggage claim due to the company not providing hotel accommodations in a timely manner,” APFA National President Julie Hedrick said in a statement. “Crew rest is being impacted, and clean, comfortable, and quiet rooms are not being provided for required rest.”

      APFA says flight attendants are encountering transportation issues that prevent them from getting to designated crew hotels. In some cases, flight attendants have allegedly had to get an Uber to a layover hotel only to find that there weren’t enough rooms available or that conditions were “unsuitable.” 

      The issue of crew and pilots sleeping in the airport and outside of baggage claim has now reached “unprecedented, unacceptable levels,” the union claims.

      American responds 

      Under its contract with flight attendants, American Airlines is required to ensure that crew is put up in safe hotels with minimum standards, such as no rooms on the ground floor and no adjoining rooms. The airline said in a statement that it’s investigating the matter. 

      “Taking care of our crewmembers while they’re away from home is a priority for American,” the company said.

      APFA is asking the airline to grant additional unspecified relief to flight attendants that have been affected by the issue. 

      Travelers also cite hotel problems

      American Airlines pilots and crew members aren’t the only ones who are having trouble getting hotel accommodations. Several ConsumerAffairs reviewers have also reported difficulties when it came to staying at hotels after a flight cancellation or alteration. James from Norwood, Mass., said he had to foot the bill for travel and lodging accommodations after his flight was canceled.

      “I feel that American who wouldn’t even refund the canceled flight should pay for the rental car and hotel,” he said in his review.

      Misty from Calera, Ala., faced a similar situation after supposedly being stuck in the airport for over 14 hours after the cancellation of her connecting flight. 

      “They shut down the line at 2am & they were very ugly about it saying that the workers had to go home because they had been there since the morning. Well, we were paying customers who had been there for 14 hours with no kind of answers. We weren't offered a hotel because they were full. We were offered nothing by American including answers,” she said.

      A labor union has filed a grievance against American Airlines, saying flight attendants and pilots aren’t getting to “safe and comfortable” hotels during t...

      U.K. government drops quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated U.S. travelers

      Travelers will still be subject to COVID-19 testing requirements

      The U.K. government announced Wednesday that fully vaccinated travelers from the United States and European Union will no longer have to quarantine in order to visit the country. However, visitors will still be subject to COVID-19 testing requirements.

      "We're helping reunite people living in the US and European countries with their family and friends in the UK,'' Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced on Twitter.

      The U.K. still requires a pre-departure test and a test upon arrival, and those returning from the country to the U.S. will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recent recovery from COVID-19 in order to board a flight.

      U.S. doesn’t plan to reciprocate 

      At this time, the U.S. government says it doesn’t plan to drop travel restrictions because of the rise of the Delta variant. 

      “Given where we are today … with the delta variant, we will maintain existing travel restrictions at this point for a few reasons," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at a press briefing Monday. "The more transmissible delta variant is spreading both here and around the world. Driven by the delta variant, cases are rising here at home, particularly among those who are unvaccinated and appear likely to continue in the weeks ahead.”

      The U.K.’s lifting of the quarantine requirement comes at a time of change to U.S. mask recommendations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Tuesday that it now believes that some vaccinated people should wear masks in indoor public spaces, at least in some parts of the country. 

      “This pandemic continues to pose a serious threat to the health of all Americans,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told reporters. “Today, we have new science related to the delta variant that requires us to update the guidance regarding what you can do when you are fully vaccinated.”

      The U.K. government announced Wednesday that fully vaccinated travelers from the United States and European Union will no longer have to quarantine in orde...

      Instagram announces new safety features for teens

      The app is making teens’ accounts private by default and limiting contact from ‘suspicious’ strangers

      Instagram has unveiled new safety features to help keep young users safe. Now, new accounts will automatically start out as private for kids under 16. Additionally, some adults will be blocked from interacting with teenagers on the platform, and advertisers will have new rules governing how they can target teenagers. 

      “While most platforms have set their minimum age for participation at 13, there’s no on/off switch that makes someone ready to be a fully media-literate participant on that birthday,” said David Kleeman, Senior Vice President, Global Trends. “Defaulting accounts to private for under-16s encourages young people to develop comfort, confidence and capability as digital citizens during their younger years and help them develop habits to last a lifetime.”

      Instagram said it previously asked young users to choose between a public account or a private account when they created an account, but research showed that “they appreciate a more private experience.” In testing, eight out of ten young people kept the private default settings after signing up for an account

      The social media platform said teenage users who already have a public account will be shown a notification “highlighting the benefits of a private account and explaining how to change their privacy settings.” They’ll still have the option of keeping their account public. 

      “We think private accounts are the right choice for young people, but we recognize some young creators might want to have public accounts to build a following,” the company said. 

      Blocking ‘unwanted contact’ from adults

      Teenage Instagram users will also be shielded from being contacted by adults who have shown “potentially suspicious behavior,” such as having previously been blocked or reported by young people. 

      Instagram said it wants teens to be able to make new friends and keep up with their family, and it doesn’t want them to deal with unwanted direct messages or comments from people they don’t know. Individuals who have exhibited suspicious behavior will have limited ability to interact with and follow teens.

      "We want to ensure that teens have an extra barrier of protection around them out of an abundance of caution," said Karina Newton, Instagram's head of public policy.

      Protecting young users

      Instagram has maintained that keeping young users safe is a top priority. However, the Facebook-owned app has faced criticism over its idea of a separate “Instagram for Kids” app. Lawmakers and child safety advocates have raised concerns about the impact that such an app could have on children’s safety, privacy, and mental health. 

      But on Tuesday, Facebook said it still intends to build an Instagram platform for kids under 13. It also announced new updates to allay safety concerns. The company said its new Instagram experience for tweens would be managed by parents and guardians in order to "reduce the incentive for people under the age of 13 to lie about their age."

      "The reality is that they're already online, and with no foolproof way to stop people from misrepresenting their age, we want to build experiences designed specifically for them, managed by parents and guardians," Instagram said in a blog post. 

      Instagram has unveiled new safety features to help keep young users safe. Now, new accounts will automatically start out as private for kids under 16. Addi...

      Staying calm and appearing happy helps leaders seem more effective, study finds

      Researchers say this is particularly true for women in leadership roles

      A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California at Riverside explored what qualities are important for leaders to be the most effective

      Their findings suggest that leaders tend to get the most respect from workers when they adopt certain emotional expressions during communication. The researchers explained that maintaining a happy, calm disposition is likely to yield the best results -- especially for women in positions of power. 

      “When we interact with a leader regularly, such as our immediate boss or supervisor, we have enough firsthand information to evaluate their effectiveness,” said researcher Thomas Sy. “But we usually have little contact with leaders at the highest levels and less information about them. Therefore we tend to rely on schemas. Schemas are powerful. Even in the absence of data they shape our behavior.” 

      What makes an effective leader?

      The researchers conducted five surveys that included responses from more than 1,200 participants about what qualities best described effective leaders. Specifically, the team wanted to see what workers thought about their leaders’ emotions and how they would react to different emotional displays.

      Ultimately, the researchers learned that having a generally positive attitude was beneficial for those in leadership roles. Participants responded best to leaders that were calm and cheery in interactions, as opposed to those who were frequently worried or angry. 

      “Every role that has emotions that must be expressed, including leaders,” said Sy. “To be effective, leaders must perform emotional labor. What was surprising in our research is that women were rated more effective, and this could be explained by implicit theories of leadership emotions.” 

      The researchers also found that when women and men both had positive demeanors, women were considered to be more effective leaders. However, status also played a role; those who were higher up the leadership chain had more freedom to express negativity without being considered ineffective, whereas those who had a lower rank didn’t have that much leeway in terms of being negative. 

      Moving forward, the researchers hope these findings are helpful for consumers in leadership positions.

      “Past research shows the emotions of a leader affect the performance of followers,” Sy said. “The leader’s emotions are contagious, spread throughout the team, and affect the effectiveness of the whole group.” 

      A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California at Riverside explored what qualities are important for leaders to be the most effect...

      Former CDC director says U.S. could see 200,000 COVID-19 cases a day in next six weeks

      The nation is ‘heading into a rough time,’ says Dr. Tom Frieden

      Former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden believes the U.S. could see a sharp rise in the current rate of COVID-19 cases in the next six weeks. 

      "We're heading into a rough time. It's likely, if our trajectory is similar to that in the United Kingdom, that we could see as many as 200,000 cases a day," Frieden told CNN.

      Frieden, who was also a commissioner in the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, added that the nation isn’t likely to see “horrific death tolls” because a large percentage of vulnerable people have been now vaccinated, unlike earlier in the pandemic. However, he said the U.S. “will see a steady increase in deaths, and these are preventable deaths." 

      His comments come as health officials prepare to issue new recommendations on mask-wearing amid concerns about the highly contagious Delta variant. On Tuesday afternoon, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are expected to recommend that some fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors, at least in some cases.

      ‘Pandemic of the unvaccinated’

      Dr. Anthony Fauci said over the weekend that the U.S. is in an “unnecessary predicament.” He was referring to the impact that unvaccinated Americans have had on COVID-19 case numbers and the spread of the Delta variant. 

      “We’re going in the wrong direction,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, describing himself as “very frustrated.” CDC Dr. Rochelle Walensky has described the current situation as “a pandemic of the unvaccinated,” and Fauci agreed. 

      "It really is, as Dr. Walensky has said many times and I have said, it is really a pandemic among the unvaccinated, so this is an issue predominantly among the unvaccinated, which is the reason why we're out there, practically pleading with the unvaccinated people to go out and get vaccinated," Fauci said.

      Former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden believes the U.S. could see a sharp rise in the current rate of COVID-19 cases in the next six weeks. "We're headin...

      Apple warns users to immediately install update to counter serious security flaw

      The company says the update process take less than five minutes

      Apple users are being urged to immediately install an update on their devices to avoid a nasty exploit that could lead to a malicious malware infection.

      Thanks to a tip-off from an anonymous researcher, Apple has issued a security update for Mac, iPhone, and iPad users -- iOS 14.7.1, iPadOS 14.7.1, and macOS Big Sur 11.5.1. The company says the update will repair a memory corruption issue that has been proven to allow a malicious app to "execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges." 

      That explanation sounds a bit technical, but the company has made it known that the exploit is serious and running rampant.

      How to do the update

      Some Apple users have likely already received a pop-up notice signaling that an automatic update will be installed later on Tuesday. For those who’d rather not wait, the update process is simple.

      For iPhone and iPad users:

      1. Update your iOS or iPadOS device by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update. 

      2. After that, tap "Download and Install" and the security update will be downloaded and applied.

      After that, you should be protected from the malware. 

      For Mac users:

      1. Open the Apple menu

      2. Select System Preferences

      3. Click Software Update

      4. Then click "Update Now," which will download the latest update and patch your system.

      At that point, you should be good to go.

      Apple users are being urged to immediately install an update on their devices to avoid a nasty exploit that could lead to a malicious malware infection....

      Coronavirus update: CDC may reverse mask policy, experts warns of an imminent surge in cases

      Lysol sales are lagging now that the nation is recovering

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

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 34,542,716 (34,453,851)‌

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 611,062 (610,912)

      Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 194,945,610 (194,354,288)

      Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 4,172,379 (4,163,220)‌

      CDC to reportedly reverse mask guidance for the vaccinated

      The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reportedly changing its guidance on masks for people who are fully vaccinated. The New York Times reports that the agency now believes some vaccinated people should wear masks in indoor public buildings like supermarkets.

      The agency issued guidance in May that said fully vaccinated people did not need to mask up. The move caught many businesses off guard but most quickly adopted that policy.

      Just last week, the CDC said it had no plans to revise its guidance unless there was a significant change in the science. Federal health officials reportedly met over the weekend to review new evidence.

      Former CDC director says it’s about to get a lot worse

      Many states are seeing a large increase in COVID-19 cases, but former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden says it may get worse. As the Delta variant spreads, Frieden says cases could increase four-fold in the next four to six weeks.

      "We're heading into a rough time. It's likely, if our trajectory is similar to that in the United Kingdom, that we could see as many as 200,000 cases a day," Frieden told CNN. 

      While cases may surge, Frieden doesn’t expect a similar increase in deaths, as the U.S. experienced early in the pandemic. He says the number of people who have been vaccinated, especially the most vulnerable population, will keep the death toll low.

      As America recovers, sales of Lysol fall

      A year ago, germ-conscious consumers snapped up every available bottle of Lysol disinfectant, and Rickett Benckiser Group, the company that makes it, posted record sales in 2020. But in a sign that things have changed, the company reports that sales in 2021 pale in comparison.

      “We are seeing shifts in behavior,” said CEO Laxman Narasimhan. “What we did see in Q2, in the U.S. in particular, was a tail off that was higher than we thought.”

      Rickett’s second-quarter earnings report showed a 1% decline in overall like-for-like sales. The company warned investors that they should be ready to see lower sales growth in the current quarter.

      Around the nation

      • Massachusetts: Restaurants and entertainment venues across the state are requiring proof of vaccination to counter the spread of the Delta variant. Massachusetts’ vaccination rate is much higher than the U.S. as a whole, with 63% of residents being fully protected.

      • California: Despite initial hesitancy to mandate vaccinations, California has taken that step for state employees. “We are now dealing with a pandemic of the unvaccinated, and it’s going to take renewed efforts to protect Californians from the dangerous Delta variant,” Newsom said. 

      • Louisiana: With cases of the Delta variant on the rise, Louisiana has reimposed its mask mandate for people in state buildings. Health officials say only 40% of Louisianians are currently vaccinated or in the process of vaccination.

      • Michigan: Members of the Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners have had second thoughts. They have agreed to return the bonuses they awarded themselves earlier this month as “hazard pay” for working during the pandemic. They had paid themselves $65,000 out of the money the county received in COVID-19 aid.

      • Missouri: Attorney General Eric Schmidt has filed a lawsuit to stop officials in St. Louis from requiring masks to be worn in public. “This continued government overreach is unacceptable and unconstitutional, especially in the face of a widely available vaccine,” Schmidt said. Cases of the virus hit a six-month high in Missouri over the weekend.

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

      American Airlines warns about fuel shortages that are affecting flights

      Smaller airports in the West are being impacted the most

      Reports of delays of jet fuel supplies at some small and midsize airports, a shortage of trucks and truck drivers, and a skyrocketing travel demand are forcing American Airlines to ask its pilots to conserve where they reasonably and safely can. On Monday, the company said to stretch out its available fuel supply, it might have to add in some quick stopovers. 

      The airline said flight disruptions stemming from the fuel supply issue have been “minimal” so far and that zero flights have been canceled.

      “American Airlines station jet fuel delivery delays initially affected mostly western U.S. cities, but are now being reported at American stations across the country. Delivery delays are expected to continue through mid-August,” John Dudley, managing director of flight operations, told pilots in a memo reviewed by CNBC.

      A prime example of the impact can be seen in Bozeman, Montana, a location where a record number of travelers are flying for some vacation time. Earlier this month, the city’s Yellowstone International Airport experienced fuel delivery delays for nearly 12 hours that, in turn, caused a fifth of the airport's daily flights to be disrupted. 

      Safety won’t be impacted

      To mitigate the problem where it can, some American flights will carry additional fuel into the airports impacted by fuel shortages. Dudley said pilots have also been asked to use fuel-saving procedures like taxiing with a single engine.

      To most, procedures like that might raise an eyebrow, but the airlines say there are no unsafe corners being cut and that passenger safety is still in check. 

      “We want to make sure the safety margin is protected and we also want to make sure we aren’t leaving passengers behind,” said Dennis Tajer, spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association, the collective bargaining agent for the 15,000 professional pilots who fly for American Airlines.

      American said it’s not alone

      A Delta Air Lines spokesman confirmed to CNBC that it has also seen some fuel delay issues at smaller airports in the U.S. West -- specifically Reno, Nevada -- but that the situation hasn’t impacted flights to the point of operational issues. 

      Southwest Airlines said it hadn’t experienced any issues to date, but the company told a CBS TV affiliate in Dallas that it has added more fuel on some planes to limit the amount needed at airports with shortages.

      “We have been and continue to be in communication with federal authorities and pipeline operators to address this jet fuel capacity issue,” said Airlines for America, which represents most large U.S. carriers.

      Reports of delays of jet fuel supplies at some small and midsize airports, a shortage of trucks and truck drivers, and a skyrocketing travel demand are for...

      Walmart to pay 100% of workers’ tuition and book costs

      Full-time and part-time staff are eligible to participate in the company’s Live Better U program

      Walmart announced Tuesday that it will pay 100% of its U.S. workers’ college tuition and books over the next five years -- an investment valued at close to $1 billion.  

      The action is an adjustment to Walmart’s Live Better U (LBU) education program. The retailer said it’s dropping the $1-per-day fee previously required for employees to participate in the program to help alleviate the burden of student loan debt. The fee will be eliminated starting August 16. 

      The company said the move will help about 1.5 million part-time and full-time Walmart and Sam’s Club associates in the U.S. earn college degrees or learn trade skills without accruing education debt in the process.

      “We are creating a path of opportunity for our associates to grow their careers at Walmart, so they can continue to build better lives for themselves and their families,” said Lorraine Stomski, senior vice president of learning and leadership at Walmart. “This investment is another way we can support our associates to pursue their passion and purpose while removing the barriers that too often keep adult working learners from obtaining degrees.”

      Adding academic partners and programs

      Walmart, which launched its LBU program in 2018, said it is adding four academic partners: Johnson & Wales University, the University of Arizona, the University of Denver, and Pathstream. Existing partners include Brandman University, Penn Foster, Purdue University Global, Southern New Hampshire University, Wilmington University, and Voxy EnGen.  

      “We’re adding in-demand college degree and certificate options in business administration, supply chain and cybersecurity,” Stomski said. “These additional offerings join a robust catalog of programs to set associates up for new career opportunities. Our education offerings tie directly to our growth areas at Walmart, and what better way to fill the pipeline of future talent than with our own associates.”

      Over the past three years, Walmart said more than 52,000 associates have participated in the LBU program and 8,000 have graduated. Nearly 28,000 associates have been active in an LBU program this summer.

      The retailer said it was moved to drop the $1-per-day fee to participate in the program because of changes in the economy and job market.

      “Walmart is committed to eliminating the burden of education debt,” Stomski said. “Cost is a leading barrier for earning a degree with student loan debt in the U.S. topping $1.7 trillion.”

      Walmart announced Tuesday that it will pay 100% of its U.S. workers’ college tuition and books over the next five years -- an investment valued at close to...