Current Events in July 2021

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2021

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    Pfizer, Moderna expand sizes of vaccine trials involving children 5 to 11 years old

    Health officials want more data on rare heart side effects in kids following vaccination

    Pfizer and Moderna have reportedly increased the number of children enrolled in their vaccine trials in an effort to get more data on the rare heart-related side effects that children 5 to 11 years old have experienced after getting vaccinated. 

    Citing sources familiar with the matter, the New York Times reported that the companies doubled the size of their studies at the prompting of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency asked the drugmakers to conduct a study involving 3,000 children in order to detect rare heart issues such as myocarditis or pericarditis. 

    At the end of June, the FDA updated its vaccine fact sheet to state that there was a possible increased risk of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart) following vaccination. However, the CDC said these heart effects are very rare. Data suggests that they show up in just 12.6 cases per 1 million second doses. 

    Preparing for the school year

    Pfizer has already gotten its vaccine authorized for children 12 and older, and Moderna has gotten its vaccine authorized for those 18 and older. The expansion of the companies’ trials comes as schools prepare to reopen and as officials review data in order to determine what to recommend based on vaccination rates and the rapid spread of the Delta variant. 

    Pfizer said on its website that it expects to have study results from its vaccine trials in children 11 and younger in September or October. Moderna told the New York Times that it expects to seek emergency authorization for its vaccine for use in kids younger than 12 in late 2021 or early 2022. 

    Pfizer and Moderna have reportedly increased the number of children enrolled in their vaccine trials in an effort to get more data on the rare heart-relate...

    New home sales dropped sharply in June

    Higher prices are creating affordability issues for many would-be buyers

    Despite a sizzling housing market, sales of new homes dropped sharply in June, and economists say affordability may have been the main reason. 

    The Commerce Department reports that the sale of newly constructed homes fell by 6.6% when compared to May’s results. Sales were down nearly 20% from June 2020. The decline may be linked to the price a buyer has to pay for a new single-family home these days. The median sales price of new houses sold in June 2021, was $361,800.  The average sales price was $428,700.

    That’s a lot, especially for a first-time buyer who doesn’t have the equity from a current home to contribute to a down payment. New homes may simply be out of reach for a significant segment of the housing market.

    Soaring costs

    Despite the push for new “affordable” housing, builders continue to focus on the upper end of the market. Analysts say builders can’t afford to produce entry-level housing because of higher costs. They point to a number of factors, including the soaring price of lumber this year. At one point this year, lumber prices were up 300%. Though they have since moderated, they are still 75% higher than in 2019.

    “We also know there are shortages of appliances, labor and affordable lots,” Peter Boockvar, of the Bleakley Advisory Group, told CNBC. “The moderation in home sales is likely a combination of sticker shock and the slowdown in the ability of builders to finish homes because of a variety of delays.”

    Because of the high price of new homes, most would-be buyers are looking at existing homes. Those prices have also been surging but are generally lower than prices for new homes. Last week, the National Association of Realtors reported that sales of existing homes rose 1.4% in June after a slight increase in the number of homes on the market. Inventory levels remain low and demand is still strong, so that’s had an effect on prices. 

    In June, the NAR said the median existing-home sale price was $363,300, up 23.4% from June 2020. The median home price has now gone up for 112 straight months, posing a challenge for buyers who are finding it difficult to purchase either a new or existing home.

    Despite a sizzling housing market, sales of new homes dropped sharply in June, and economists say affordability may have been the main reason. The Comm...

    GM sues Ford over the name of its driver-assist package

    The carmaker says Ford’s BlueCruise is too similar to GM’s Super Cruise

    What’s in a name? Plenty, if it happens to be similar to a moniker used by your chief rival. In the case of General Motors and Ford, it’s resulted in a lawsuit.

    GM and its subsidiary Cruise are suing Ford because it calls its new driver-assist technology package BlueCruise. GM says that’s just a little too close to its Super Cruise system that provides much the same help to a driver.

    The suit was filed in U.S. District Court for Northern California.

    Besides the names, the systems have other things in common. Both systems help keep vehicles in their proper lanes. They also use facial recognition technology to make sure the driver’s eyes are fixed on the road ahead.

    The suit, which claims Ford is infringing on GM’s trademark, notes that the original name for Ford’s technology was Active Drive Assist, which developed as an upgraded version of its CoPilot360 electronic driver aid package. Ford changed the name in April amid growing concern that Tesla drivers were using their cars’ AutoPilot feature in ways it was never intended.

    ‘Will cause confusion’

    “Ford’s decision to rebrand by using a core mark used by GM and Cruise will inevitably cause confusion between the parties, the affiliation, connection, or association between them, and/or origin, sponsorship, or approval of their goods and services,” the lawsuit contends.

    Ford has designed the BlueCruise package for use in its Mustang Mach-E and F-150 pickup line. In a statement to the media, a Ford spokesman said the suit was without merit.

    “Drivers for decades have understood what cruise control is, every automaker offers it, and 'cruise' is common shorthand for the capability," a Ford spokesman told The Hill.

    Fierce competition

    While GM said it is concerned Ford’s use of “BlueCruise” will inevitably cause confusion, it’s also true that both U.S. carmakers are locked in fierce competition to develop self-driving technology.

    In February, Ford announced a $29 billion initiative to support both electric and self-driving technology, with $7 billion to be invested in autonomous vehicles by 2025. 

    GM recently announced that it plans to install its Super Cruise package to six models in the 2022 model year, including the 2022 GMC Hummer EV pickup truck. Since GM introduced its driver-assist technology in 2017 it has mostly been limited to its Cadillac brand.

    What’s in a name? Plenty, if it happens to be similar to a moniker used by your chief rival. In the case of General Motors and Ford, it’s resulted in a law...

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      Better air quality may reduce dementia risk, study finds

      Researchers say cognition is stronger when air quality is better

      A new study conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association explored how air quality may have an effect on consumers’ long-term cognitive function.

      According to their findings, improving air quality may reduce the risk of developing dementia. However, poorer air quality may have the opposite effect on cognitive function

      “We’ve known for some time that air pollution is bad for our brains and overall health, including a connection to amyloid build-up in the brain,” said researcher Claire Sexton, D.Phil. “But what’s exciting is we’re now seeing data showing that improving air quality may actually reduce the risk of dementia. These data demonstrate the importance of policies and action by federal and local governments, and businesses, that address reducing air pollutants.” 

      Cognitive benefits of better air quality

      The researchers analyzed data from three different studies, all of which explored the relationship between air quality and cognitive function. Collectively, the studies examined large groups of consumers from both overseas and in the U.S., and they observed how air pollution levels over large spans of time impacted the participants’ long-term cognitive health outcomes. 

      Across the board, the results were consistent: better air quality was associated with better cognitive function. The opposite was also true -- poorer air quality was linked with poorer cognitive function. Though higher levels of air pollution are likely to have a greater burden on consumers’ risk of dementia, these findings are important because they showed that this association isn’t fixed; when air quality improves, the risk of dementia and decreased cognitive function also improves. 

      One study conducted in France showed that the risk of Alzheimer’s decreased by 17% and the risk of dementia decreased by 15% with each single unit decrease of air pollution. Another study involving older women looked at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommendations for reducing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). They found that when areas were able to reduce these pollutant levels by more than 10%, the risk of women developing dementia was lower -- 14% lower for PM2.5 levels and 26% lower for NO2 levels. 

      “These data, for the first time, highlight the beneficial effects of reduced air pollution on the incidence of dementia in older adults,” said researcher Noemie Letellier, Ph.D. “The findings have important implications to reinforce air quality standards to promote healthy aging. In the context of climate change, massive urbanization and worldwide population aging, it is crucial to accurately evaluate the influence of air pollution change on incident dementia to identify and recommend effective prevention strategies.”

      The researchers hope these findings lead policymakers to focus on improving air quality so that consumers can experience better health and wellness. 

      “Our findings suggest that air pollution may be an important factor in the development of dementia,” said researcher Christina Park. “Many other factors that impact dementia are not changeable, but reductions in exposure to air pollution may be associated with a lower risk of dementia.” 

      A new study conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association explored how air quality may have an effect on consumers’ long-term cognitive function.According t...

      Having more money at midlife increases life expectancy, study finds

      The findings point to a connection between consumers’ wealth and longevity

      A new study conducted by researchers from Northwestern University explored how consumers’ wealth may contribute to their life expectancy.  According to the findings, having a higher net worth at midlife may increase consumers’ longevity. 

      For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 5,400 individuals enrolled in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study; participants were nearly 47 years old at the start of the study, on average. Some of the participants were siblings, including some sets of twins, which allowed the researchers to control for biological factors that may impact life expectancy

      “The within-family association provides strong evidence that an association between wealth accumulation and life expectancy exists, because comparing siblings within the same family to each other controls for all of the life experience and biology that they share,” said researcher Eric Finegood.  

      More wealth leads to longer life

      Ultimately, the researchers observed a clear link between participants with a higher net worth during midlife and a greater life expectancy; this was true for both relatives and non-relatives involved in the study. 

      To be sure that any serious health conditions didn’t sway the results, the researchers conducted a separate analysis without participants that had been diagnosed with conditions like cancer or heart disease. The findings held up in the second round: having more money led to longer lifespans. 

      Knowing that consumers’ financial status may impact their health and life expectancy, the researchers hope that these findings will influence future public health policies. 

      “Far too many American families are living paycheck to paycheck with little to no financial savings to draw on in times of need,” said researcher Greg Miller. “At the same time, wealth inequality has skyrocketed. Our results suggest that building wealth is important for health at the individual level, even after accounting for where one starts out in life. So, from a public health perspective, policies that support and protect individuals’ ability to achieve financial security are needed.” 

      A new study conducted by researchers from Northwestern University explored how consumers’ wealth may contribute to their life expectancy.  According to the...

      GM recalls Chevy Silverados and GMC Sierras

      A short circuit may occur in the engine block heater cable

      General Motors is recalling 331,274 model year 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500s & 3500s, and2model year 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500s & 3500s. The vehicles are equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord.

      An electrical short-circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cable or in the terminals that connect the heater cable to the block heater.

      A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

      What to do

      Dealers will disable the block heater, free of charge.

      GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign.

      For vehicles included in an earlier recall, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted free of charge.

      Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021.

      Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at (800) 222-1020; and GMC customer service at (800) 462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 212329840.

      General Motors is recalling 331,274 model year 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500s & 3500s, and2model year 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500s & 3500s. The vehicles...

      Rite Aid recalls rechargeable handheld fans

      The fan’s lithium ion battery can overheat while charging

      Rite Aid of Camp Hill, Pa., is recalling about 9,780 rechargeable handheld fans.

      The fan’s lithium ion battery can overheat while charging, posing a fire hazard.

      The firm has received two consumer reports of the rechargeable handheld fans overheating and emitting smoke. No injuries have been reported.

      This recall involves portable rechargeable handheld fans sold in blue, pink and purple colors.

      The fans have a one touch button with three speeds and weigh about 8.8 oz.

      The item number 9050103 can be found on the product box and on a sticker on the backside of the fan itself.

      The fans, manufactured in Chin a, were sold at Rite Aid stores nationwide from April through June 2021, for about $10.

      What to do

      Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled rechargeable handheld fans and contact Rite Aid for a full refund.

      Consumers may contact Rite Aid at (800) 748-3243 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET), or online at www.riteaid.com and click on “Customer Care” at the bottom of the page and then “Product Recalls” for more information.

      Rite Aid of Camp Hill, Pa., is recalling about 9,780 rechargeable handheld fans. The fan’s lithium ion battery can overheat while charging, posing a fir...

      Model year 2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GTs recalled

      The driveshaft may separate causing a loss of drive power

      Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 1,522 model year 2016-2018 AMG GTs.

      The bonding between the carbon-fiber driveshaft and the flange may be insufficient, which could result in driveshaft separation.

      A separated driveshaft may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

      What to do

      Dealers will inspect and replace the carbon-fiber driveshaft -- as necessary -- free of charge.

      Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2021.

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

      Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 1,522 model year 2016-2018 AMG GTs.The bonding between the carbon-fiber driveshaft and the flange may be insuffi...

      5000 Years Foods recalls cabbage kimchi

      The product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

      5000 Years Foods of Chicago, Ill., is recalling Sliced Cabbage Kimchi, Whole Cabbage Kimchi, Julrado Whole Cabbage Kimchi, Julrado Sliced Cabbage Kimchi, No Msg Whole Cabbage Kimchi, No Msg Sliced Cabbage Kimchi, No Msg Julrado Whole Cabbage Kimchi, No Msg Julrado Sliced Cabbage Kimchi, White Kimchi, Baby Napa Kimchi.

      The product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

      No illnesses have been reported to date.

      The recalled product was distributed in ILLINOIS where the product was further distributed and it reached customers through distributors to retail stores potentially nationwide.

      The recalled product, sold in 5-gal plastic tubs, and 128-oz, 64-oz, 32-oz, & 16-oz glass jars under the 5000 Years Foods brand name with code information “09052021” through “09252021” on the top of the lid, was distributed in Illinois where the product was further shipped and reached customers through distributors to retail stores potentially nationwide.

      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 refund.

      Consumers with questions may contact the company at (773) 509-8600, Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

      5000 Years Foods of Chicago, Ill., is recalling Sliced Cabbage Kimchi, Whole Cabbage Kimchi, Julrado Whole Cabbage Kimchi, Julrado Sliced Cabbage Kimchi, N...

      Coronavirus update: COVID-19 soars in Florida, more jurisdictions bring back masks

      A study suggests that Gen X got hit hardest in the pandemic workplace

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

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 34,453,851 (34,406,626)‌

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 610,912 (610,586)

      Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 194,354,288 (193,646,727)

      Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 4,163,220 (4,151,233)‌

      Florida is America’s new COVID-19 hotspot

      The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Florida leads all states with the most new cases of COVID-19. Health officials say hospitalizations in some parts of the state are now growing faster than at the height of the pandemic.

      Serious cases are also increasing. Florida recorded 319 deaths last week, the most of any state. Deaths per 100,000 population rank it fourth in the nation.

      Health experts cite a perfect storm of factors as the Delta variant spreads. The state has a large number of unvaccinated residents, mitigation policies such as mask requirements have been relaxed, and the hot weather is keeping many people indoors.

      More jurisdictions bring back mask mandates

      With the Delta variant spreading across the U.S., more counties and cities are bringing back mask mandates. St. Louis, Mo., is the latest to do so, joining Los Angeles as the two largest cities to require all people, vaccinated or not, to mask up in public.

      Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Biden’s health adviser, says the CDC is considering whether to make a mask mandate a national policy to deal with millions of unvaccinated Americans and the rapid spread of the Delta variant. Meanwhile, Fauci suggested that vaccinated people mask up voluntarily.

      “If you want to go the extra mile of safety even though you’re vaccinated when you’re indoors, particularly in crowded places, you might want to consider wearing a mask,” Fauci said.

      Gen X may be the pandemic’s biggest employment casualty

      A study by Generation, a non-profit employment group, suggests that out of all the generations affected by the coronavirus pandemic, Gen X may have suffered the most damage in the workplace. Its members, between the ages of 45 and 60, have suffered some of the highest job losses and face the most obstacles in getting back to work.

      “Employers view age 45-plus job candidates as having weaker skills relative to younger candidates, despite age 45-plus employees at the same company having equal or better on-the-job performance to their younger job peers,” the authors wrote

      But when the researchers drilled deeper, they said they found hiring managers are generally pleased with their Gen X employees. The same hiring managers who expressed concerns about midcareer candidates acknowledged that 87% of their age 45-plus hires perform on the job as well as or better than younger employees. 

      Around the nation

      • New Jersey: Throughout much of last year, many parents pushed officials to reopen classrooms. But a group of New Jersey parents is asking Gov. Phil Murphy to reverse course on plans to send kids back to school in the fall. They ask that virtual learning become a permanent option at public schools in the state.

      • Ohio: Gov. Mike DeWine has not yet said whether he will call for children to wear masks when they return to school this fall. However, the governor suggested over the weekend that his decision will come soon, perhaps as early as today.

      • New Mexico: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham lifted COVID-19 restrictions in the state earlier this month. But in light of the recent spike in cases, she is reportedly having second thoughts. A spokesperson for the governor said health officials are concerned about recent virus trends.

      • Alaska: Much of the state remains on high alert after a significant rise in coronavirus cases over the last two weeks. At the end of last week, Alaska reported 447 infections, two deaths, and a continued rise in hospitalizations.  

      • Arkansas: Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he has no regrets about signing a bill to prohibit mask mandates in the state. In an interview with CNN, Hutchinson said it was the will of the General Assembly and that cases of the virus had fallen sharply at the time. However, they have spiked in recent weeks.

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

      Fauci says Americans with weakened immune systems may be first to need COVID-19 vaccine booster shots

      U.S. officials are still reviewing data

      Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday that some Americans with weakened immune systems may be among the first to need a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. But at this point, he said the matter is still a “dynamic situation.” 

      “Those who are transplant patients, cancer chemotherapy, auto-immune diseases, that are on immunosuppressant regimens, those are the kind of individuals that if there’s going to be a third booster, which might likely happen, would be among first the vulnerable,” Fauci said during a CNN interview.

      With the highly contagious Delta variant spreading rapidly, health officials are scrutinizing the latest scientific data in order to determine when to recommend booster doses. 

      Israel, which started vaccinating its population before many other countries, has already begun administering a third dose of Pfizer’s vaccine to adults with compromised immune systems. U.S. officials said previously that they don’t think booster doses are necessary for the general public yet. 

      Officials examining the data

      Fauci, who is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the issue of booster doses is being regularly assessed with the aim of ensuring that vulnerable people don’t experience an increase in their risk of contracting the virus over the coming months.

      “It’s a dynamic situation. It’s a work in progress, it evolves like in so many other areas of the pandemic,” said Fauci. “You’ve got to look at the data.”

      He cited studies, such as a small study out of Israel, suggesting that vaccinated people could experience a decline in immunity over time. A potential drop in efficacy is particularly concerning because of the aggressive nature of the Delta variant. 

      Earlier this month, Pfizer said it intends to seek booster dose authorization from the FDA in light of the data coming out of Israel. 

      "It's a small data set, but I think the trend is accurate: Six months out, given that Delta is the most contagious variant we have seen, it can cause infections and mild disease," said Mikael Dolsten, Pfizer's chief scientific officer. 

      On Friday, Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said the U.S. had purchased 200 million additional doses of their vaccine to support the pediatric vaccination effort as well as possible booster shots. 

      Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday that some Americans with weakened immune systems may be among the first to need a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. But at this...

      DOJ investigates possible bank fraud by Tether executives

      The stablecoin operator has refuted the claims

      The Justice Department is reportedly investigating possible bank fraud carried out by executives at stablecoin operator Tether Ltd. 

      The DOJ is looking into whether Tether covered up transactions linked to cryptocurrency from banks several years ago, Bloomberg reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter. If prosecutors find the executives guilty of the charges, it would likely have repercussions in the cryptocurrency market. 

      Tether is the third largest cryptocurrency by market cap, according to CoinDesk, with a value of $64 billion. The stablecoin is used by investors to move funds without needing to exchange cryptocurrency for fiat money, which saves users some time and money and provides some protection against the volatility of other cryptocurrencies. 

      Bloomberg said the DOJ has sent letters to the Tether executives whose past actions are being examined and that a decision on the investigation could be made soon. In a statement, Tether objected to the report, saying the claims are “patently designed to generate clicks.” 

      “This article follows a pattern of repackaging stale claims as ‘news.’ The continued efforts to discredit Tether will not change our determination to remain leaders in the community,” the company said. “Tether routinely has open dialogue with law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, as part of our commitment to cooperation, transparency, and accountability,” the company said.

      The Justice Department is reportedly investigating possible bank fraud carried out by executives at stablecoin operator Tether Ltd. The DOJ is looking...

      CPSC urges Airbnb, Vrbo to introduce new elevator safety guidelines

      Regulators have sent a letter to vacation rental platforms following the death of a child at a beach rental home

      The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has sent a letter to vacation rental companies like Airbnb and Vrbo to urge them to require owners to disable residential elevators or provide inspection certifications showing that there are no dangerous gaps. 

      The CPSC’s letter follows the death of a 7-year-old boy at a beach rental home in North Carolina. The boy died after getting stuck between a moving elevator’s inner accordion door and its outer door. 

      The agency said residential elevators "can pose a deadly but unforeseen hazard to children” and that fixes should be put in place right away to address the risks.

      "Children, some as young as two and as old as 12, have been crushed to death in this gap, suffering multiple skull fractures, fractured vertebrae and traumatic asphyxia,” Robert Adler, acting chairman of the agency, said in the letter. “Other children have suffered horrific and lifelong injuries."

      Fixing the problem

      The letter said vacation rental companies are “in the unique position to have direct contact information for both owners and renters of vacation homes.”

      The CPSC said the hazardous gaps between an at-home elevator's inner and outer doors can easily be made safer by placing space guards on the exterior doors. Alternatively, electronic monitoring devices could be used to deactivate elevators when a child is detected in the gap.

      "These fixes are relatively inexpensive and can save lives," the letter said.

      In the meantime, the CPSC said vacation rental platforms should immediately notify rentals about this potential hazard and ask hosts to lock outer access doors or disable elevators altogether. In the future, the agency said the companies should also require elevator inspections at any listed properties.

      “By working together, we can stop these agonizing deaths and prevent further harm to children and families,” Adler said in the letter. 

      Vrbo issues response

      Airbnb and TripAdvisor said they were reviewing the letter from the CPSC, and Vrbo said it plans to follow through with at least some of the recommendations. 

      "We will share important elevator safety information with property owners who have residential elevators," Vrbo told ABC News in a statement. "This will include a recommendation to disable elevators until they can be properly inspected and common safety issues addressed. Vrbo has also posted elevator safety information to our Trust & Safety page, accessible by all guests. Our terms require property owners to abide by all safety-related laws and to keep equipment safe and in working order with regular maintenance."

      ConsumerAffairs readers have shared mixed experiences with vacation rentals from companies like Airbnb and Vrbo. Hosts and travelers have praised the platforms for being easy to navigate, but some reviewers have said they experienced unsafe safety conditions upon arrival. 

      Abbigail of Ferndale, Michigan claimed that a vacation rental she found through Airbnb was “unsafe and difficult to access which was not accurately described by the rental property.” Samantha of Fort Lauderdale, Florida said her resort room got broken into, landing her in the hospital. 

      The bottom line? Consumers should make sure they do their homework on any rental property to make sure it's safe to stay in.

      The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has sent a letter to vacation rental companies like Airbnb and Vrbo to urge them to require owners to disable...

      Amazon announces plans to hire 100,000 veterans and military spouses by 2024

      Hiring packages include company-matched 401(k) plans, up to five months of maternity leave, and skills training for in-demand tech jobs

      Amazon’s revenue is growing at a clip of 40+% over last year, and there’s no sign that things will be slowing down anytime soon. To keep up with that growth, the online retailer is planning to add another notch to its growing list of hiring sprees by employing an additional 100,000 U.S. military vets and their spouses by 2024.

      Amazon has been down this path before -- and with great success. It launched a hiring initiative called Joining Forces in 2016, with the goal of hiring 25,000 veterans and military spouses by 2021. The company surpassed that goal and currently counts more than 40,000 veterans and military spouses among its workforce and across its various businesses, including Alexa and Amazon Web Services (AWS). 

      “Amazon is focused on recruiting and developing military talent with training programs specifically designed to help veterans transition into roles in the private sector,” said John Quintas, Amazon’s director of global military affairs. “We value the unique skills and experience that the military community brings—and our new hiring commitment will expand the impact that military members currently have on every single business across the company.”

      What vets and their spouses can expect from Amazon

      In addition to a guaranteed starting rate of $15 per hour, a company-matched 401(k) plan, up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave, and a benefits package, vets and their spouses will also have access to programs that can teach them skills that will lead to higher-paying jobs in growth areas like robotics and cloud computing.

      In addition, Amazon offers a prepaid tuition program called Career Choice and Amazon Technical Academy, a free nine-month training program that gives non-technical Amazon employees the skills necessary to transition into software engineering careers.

      Veterans and spouses will also receive some nice perks outside the company’s walls. Included is access to fellowships, mentorships, military spouse support, and deployment benefits. They can also become a part of the Warriors@Amazon affinity group -- a community that supports veterans and military spouses through their transition into the Amazon workforce.

      Amazon’s revenue is growing at a clip of 40+% over last year, and there’s no sign that things will be slowing down anytime soon. To keep up with that growt...

      Major carrot producer warns of possible salmonella risk

      Grimmway Farms is recalling six packaged carrot products

      Salad lovers take note -- some carrot products grown and distributed by Grimmway Farms of California could be tainted with salmonella.

      The company said its internal testing identified the possibility that some carrot products, packaged and distributed to supermarkets across the United States, may have been exposed to the bacteria. It has received no reports of illnesses but has launched a major recall as a precaution.

      “The recall was initiated as a result of a routine, internal company test,” said Grimmway Farms President and CEO Jeff Huckaby. “The health of our customers and the integrity of our products are our highest priorities, and we will continue to monitor and communicate as additional information is available.”

      Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and other people with weakened immune systems. Healthy people can experience symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. 

      Packaged under three brands

      The recalled carrot products include cut, chopped, or shredded carrots sold under the Bunny Luv, Cal Organic, O Organics, and Grimmway Farms brands. All of the suspect products bear a nine-character lot code beginning with 195, 196, or 197 and ending in BF or SP printed on the bag. For example, 1952023BF.

      The company said consumers who have one of the recalled products should not eat it and should discard it. People with questions may contact Grimmway Farms’ customer services desk at 1-800-301-3101 or visit the company's website.

      Salad lovers take note -- some carrot products grown and distributed by Grimmway Farms of California could be tainted with salmonella.The company said...

      Higher levels of good cholesterol may protect against liver damage

      Researchers say HDL may serve a key role in future therapies for liver damage

      A new study conducted by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine explored how consumers’ cholesterol levels may impact their liver function. 

      According to their findings, a specific strain of good cholesterol -- high-density lipoprotein (known as HDL or HDL3) -- may protect the liver from damage and reduce the risk of liver disease. When HDL3 is produced by the intestines, it blocks harmful bacteria that can enter the liver and increase the risk for disease. 

      “Even though HDL has been considered ‘good cholesterol,’ drugs that increase overall HDL levels have fallen out in favor in recent years because of clinical trials that showed no benefit in cardiovascular disease,” said researcher Gwendalyn J. Randolph, Ph.D. “But our study suggests that raising levels of this specific type of HDL, and specifically raising it in the intestine, may hold promise for protecting against liver disease, which, like heart disease, also is a major chronic health problem.” 

      Promoting better liver function

      The researchers explained that they began working in this area to study necrotizing enterocolitis -- a bowel condition common in infants in which the intestines become inflamed. In some cases,  the intestines may need to be removed, and that can lead to an increased risk of liver damage. The team began working on mice to determine how inflammation in the intestines may impact the liver and what role HDL plays in combating these health risks. 

      They explained that inflammation directly causes intestinal issues that lead to liver damage. Lipopolysaccharides are inflammatory molecules that have the ability to reach the liver through the body’s portal vein and ultimately increase the risk of liver disease and fibrosis. Prior to this study, it was unclear how HDL would interact with lipopolysaccharides or if it was able to enter the portal vein. 

      “There were hints in the literature that HDL might interfere with lipopolysaccharide’s detection by immune cells and that the receptor for lipopolysaccharides might be linked to liver disease following the bowel surgery,” said Dr. Randolph. “However, no one thought HDL would directly move from the intestine to the liver, which requires that it enter the portal vein. In other tissues, HDL travels out through a different type of vessel called a lymphatic vessel that, in the intestine, does not link up to the liver.” 

      The researchers found that HDL3 has a direct route from the intestine to the portal vein. From there, it works to counteract harmful inflammatory proteins. Going forward, the researchers plan to keep working towards creating drugs that can mimic what HDL3 does so that long-term liver damage can be prevented.

      “We are hopeful that HDL3 can serve as a target in future therapies for liver disease,” said Dr. Randolph. 

      A new study conducted by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine explored how consumers’ cholesterol levels may impact their liver functi...

      Grimmway Farms recalls retail-packaged carrots

      The products may be contaminated with Salmonella

      Grimmway Farms is recalling retail-packaged carrots.

      The products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

      No illnesses have been reported to date.

      A list of the recalled products shipped directly to retailers throughout the United States, may be found here.

      In addition to the retail-packed products listed above, the company recalled certain shredded carrots and chopped (chunk) carrots that were sold to food manufacturers and food service distributors.

      All affected food manufacturers, food service distributors, and retail customers have been notified

      What to do

      Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them, but destroy or discard them.

      Consumers with questions may contact the firm at (800) 301-3101, Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm (ET), or online at www.grimmway.com.

      Grimmway Farms is recalling retail-packaged carrots. The products may be contaminated with Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported to date. A ...