Current Events in August 2021

A new study conducted by researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine explored trends related to the spread of COVID-19.

According to their findings, there are two key points in the timeline of the virus when it’s most contagious: two days before symptoms start and three days after symptoms start. 

“In previous studies, viral load has been used as an indirect measure of transmission,” said researcher Dr. Leonardo Martinez. “We wanted to see if results from these past studies, which show that COVID cases are most transmissible a few days before and after symptom onset, could be confirmed by looking at secondary cases among close contacts.” 

Understanding the spread of the virus

For the study, the researchers performed contact tracing for nearly 9,000 people who were considered close contacts of those who had been infected with COVID-19. They monitored their symptoms over the course of three months and studied how the virus spread among the participants’ own network of close contacts. 

The researchers learned that timing played a large role in how the virus spread. The study showed that people living in the same house as the infected person were the most likely to contract the virus, but other close contacts were likely to become infected depending on when they were exposed. The days right before and right after symptoms appeared were when the virus was the most contagious. 

In terms of asymptomatic cases, the researchers learned that these participants were less likely to spread the virus to others; however, when they did, those cases were also more likely to be asymptomatic. 

“Our results suggest that the timing of exposure relative to primary-case symptoms is important for transmission, and this understanding provides further evidence that rapid testing and quarantine after someone is feeling sick is a critical step to control the epidemic,” said Dr. Martinez. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued marketing denial orders to block the sale and distribution of 55,000 e-cigarette products. The action marks the first time the agency has ever used that authority.

The FDA said the products, from three different companies, lacked evidence that they could help adults quit smoking but would not be appealing to young people. The products are produced by JD Nova Group LLC, Great American Vapes, and Vapor Salon. 

The FDA said the products are not tobacco flavored -- which young people don’t seem to like -- but include youth-appealing flavors like Apple Crumble, Dr. Cola, and Cinnamon Toast Cereal.

“We know that flavored tobacco products are very appealing to young people, therefore assessing the impact of potential or actual youth use is a critical factor in our decision-making about which products may be marketed,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock.

Products already for sale must be removed

The FDA said the products not yet on the market will be blocked from distribution, and those already available to consumers must be withdrawn. If they aren’t, the companies could face enforcement action.

E-cigarettes are electronic devices that use a battery to create vapor from a nicotine-containing liquid, which is then inhaled like cigarette smoke. It was introduced more than a decade ago as a tool to help smokers quit. However, millions of teenage non-smokers began using them, causing alarm among health officials.

Health experts at Johns Hopkins University say “vaping” is generally less harmful than smoking cigarettes, but they note that it carries its own health risks. Research suggests that it can be harmful to the heart and lungs and can create an addiction to nicotine.

Sales are up 300%

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that e-cigarette sales in the U.S. rose by nearly 300% between November 2016 and August 2019. Many of these devices ended up being used by kids in high school and middle school.

Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, says flavored e-cigarettes are extremely popular among young people, and companies that make and sell these products must demonstrate that their benefits to adult smokers outweigh their risk to young people.

“The burden is on the applicant to provide evidence to demonstrate that the marketing of their product meets the statutory standard of ‘appropriate for the protection of the public health,” he said. “If this evidence is lacking or not sufficient, the FDA intends to issue a marketing denial order, which requires the product to be taken off or not introduced to market.”

A new study conducted by researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) explored the long-term health risks associated with early exposure to tobacco smoke.

According to their findings, secondhand smoke exposure during childhood or while in utero may speed up consumers’ biological aging process. 

“The epigenetic clock allows us to assess whether someone’s biological age is older or younger than his or her chronological age,” said researcher Mariona Bustamante. “The positive association between epigenetic age acceleration and exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and early childhood go in line with previous results obtained in the adult population.” 

How smoke affects aging

For the study, the researchers assessed the epigenetic age of more than 1,100 children involved in the Human Early Life Exposome (HELIX) project. They looked closely at those who were exposed to tobacco smoke in the womb and during childhood, and then they compared the results to those with no such exposure. 

Ultimately, the researchers learned that tobacco smoke exposure at these two important developmental junctures in life was associated with more rapid biological aging. Though the participants weren’t older than 11 during the study, the team still found that their bodies were aging at a faster rate. 

These findings are concerning because a faster aging process at this age can have consequences for health in later life. The researchers explained that smoke exposure from such a young age can impact long-term cell function, increase inflammation throughout the body, and affect several other body processes. 

“As aging is considered a public health issue worldwide, new evidence in childhood populations might drive new policies to reduce environmental exposures and promote a “healthy aging” from early stages of life,” the researchers wrote.

Last week’s dramatic decline in oil prices paid dividends for drivers at the gas pump this week, with prices falling for the first time in over a month.

The AAA Fuel Gauge Survey shows that the national average price of regular gas is $3.14 a gallon, three cents lower than last Friday. It’s even slightly less than it was a month ago. The average price of premium gas is $3.78 a gallon, two cents less than a week ago. The average price of diesel fuel is $3.27 a gallon, a penny less than last week.

The price moderation comes just before the Labor Day holiday weekend, which typically ends the summer driving season. But it remains to be seen whether there will be a big jump in the number of Americans taking end-of-the-summer road trips.

GasBuddy’s Patrick DeHaan says gasoline demand has essentially remained flat throughout the month of August. Demand was up just 0.01% from last Wednesday to this Wednesday.

“That might be the smallest WoW (week over week) change I've ever seen in our data,” DeHaan posted on Twitter.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) puts demand at less than 10 million barrels a day. That’s about 6% below the same week in 2019, and it helped increase gasoline supplies to more than 228 million barrels.

“Cheaper crude, softening demand and growing stock levels equal the right combination for cheaper prices at the pump, which many Americans would likely welcome after such an expensive summer,” said AAA Spokeswoman Jeanette McGee.

The states with the most expensive gas

These states currently have the highest prices for regular gas, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Survey:

• California ($4.39)

• Hawaii ($4.08)

• Nevada ($4.04)

• Washington ($3.89) 

• Utah ($3.83)

• Idaho ($3.80)

• Oregon ($3.78) 

• Alaska ($3.71) 

• Colorado ($3.62)  

• Wyoming ($3.57)

The states with the cheapest regular gas

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

• Mississippi ($2.77)

• Louisiana ($2.80)

• Texas ($2.79) 

• Alabama ($2.81)

• Missouri ($2.83)

• Arkansas ($2.84)

• Tennessee ($2.84)

• South Carolina ($2.84)

• Oklahoma ($2.85)

• Kentucky ($2.82)

General Motors is recalling 34,157 model year 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4s and CT5s.

The roof rail side-curtain airbags may not have been installed correctly, which could result in an improper airbag deployment in a crash.

Airbags that do not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect both left and right-side roof rail airbags and reinstall the air bags -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 20, 2021.

Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at (800) 458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212342780.

Wet Noses Natural Dog Treat Company of Monroe, Wash., is recalling approximately 51,000 packages of Simply Nourish frozen dog food.

The products contain elevated levels of Vitamin D, which could induce symptoms including vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling, and weight loss.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

A list of the recalled products, packaged in 2-lb and 4.5-lb packages across specific date ranges, and sold at select PetSmart stores nationwide, may be found here.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should stop feeding them to their dogs, and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (866) 938-6673 Monday – Friday, from 8 am – 4:30 pm (PST).

Dorel Juvenile Group is recalling 83,000 Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Convertible child seats.

When the seat is installed in the forward facing position and secured to the car using the lap belt without also using the top tether, the seat may not adequately protect the child from head injury in the event of a crash.

If the seat is installed with only the lap belt, the child has an increased risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

No remedy has been established at this time.

The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification.

Owners may contact Dorel customer service at (877) 657-9546.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 38,249,118 (38,088,128)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 632,475 (630,928)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 214,185,805 (213,461,327)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 4,468,507 (4,457,027)‌

Data shows August 2021 is worse than August 2020

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reports that more than 100,000 people are in U.S. hospitals for treatment of COVID-19. Health officials say that’s more than double the number hospitalized this time a year ago.

The hospitalization trend has been moving higher over the last two months as COVID-19 vaccinations have declined and the Delta variant has quickly spread. Severe cases appear to be centered in states with low vaccination rates and where officials have resisted masking in public. The surge has put a severe strain on hospitals. 

"I had to turn away a cancer patient that needed an emergency treatment," Florida oncologist Dr. Nitesh Paryani told CNN. “There was simply no room in the hospital to treat the patient."

WHO believes cases are leveling off

Granted, the COVID-19 news in the U.S. has been grim lately. But the World Health Organization (WHO), which views the pandemic through a wider lens, says the situation may be improving. At least it’s not getting worse.

In its latest pandemic snapshot, the WHO reported that most of the new cases are coming from the Western Pacific region and the Americas. While worldwide cases are leveling off, they are plateauing at very high levels.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says cases can vary widely by region, country, province, and even town. "As long as this virus is circulating anywhere, it’s a threat everywhere," he said.

YouTube removed 1 million ‘misinformation’ videos

YouTube said it has removed at least 1 million videos that contained misinformation about COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. YouTube’s chief product officer Neal Mahon says distorted or false information has moved from the marginal to the mainstream.

“No longer contained to the sealed-off worlds of Holocaust deniers or 9-11 truthers, it now stretches into every facet of society, sometimes tearing through communities with blistering speed,” he wrote in a company blog post.

Mahon said YouTube removes almost 10 million videos each quarter for various reasons. He said these videos don’t have that much impact since most of them don’t even reach 10 views.

Around the nation

• Connecticut: Hospitalizations for treatment of COVID-19 have increased in Hartford County but declined in New Haven County. The latest report from Gov. Ned Lamont shows a total of 378 hospitalizations in the state. That’s 13 fewer than the day before.

• West Virginia: Gov. Jim Justice has told his constituents that it may be necessary to reimpose a statewide mask mandate to slow the spread of the coronavirus. He said the mandate would begin in public schools. Justice reported an additional 20 COVID-19 deaths since Monday.

• Minnesota: Severe cases of the virus are on the rise and putting a strain on hospitals. The Minnesota Department of Health reports that ICU beds in Minneapolis-area hospitals are close to capacity because of a significant increase in cases linked to the Delta variant.

• Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott is doubling down on opposition to COVID-19 mandates. His latest executive order bans businesses and organizations in the state from enforcing vaccine mandates. His order banning mask mandates is being challenged in court by several municipalities.

• South Carolina: The American Civil Liberties Union has filed suit in federal court to overturn the state’s ban on mask mandates. The suit claims that the action runs counter to the Americans with Disabilities Act, arguing that it increases risks for children with disabilities and underlying conditions that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.

There’s barely a week that goes by without a high-profile cybersecurity incident. Not only do these scourges affect everyday life for businesses, but consumers are also impacted as hackers go after any amount of personal data they can access.

In a face-to-face meeting with President Biden on Wednesday, Big Tech stalwarts Amazon, Apple, Google, IBM, and Microsoft all agreed to write big, fat checks to help the nation as a whole address the rising tide of cybersecurity threats. The companies also plan to address the ever-widening abyss of high-growth jobs in the tech sector. 

Spending billions to shore up cybersecurity

Here’s what Big Tech told President Biden they’ll commit to:

Google says it’s good for $10 billion over the next five years to expand zero-trust programs, help secure the software supply chain, and enhance security. The company also promised to assist 100,000 Americans in earning industry-recognized digital skills certificates. 

Apple announced that it will create a new program -- one that includes more than 9,000 U.S. suppliers -- to drive continuous security improvements throughout the technology supply chain. 

Another plus for tech education came from IBM, which announced that it will train 150,000 people in cybersecurity skills over the next three years. The company will place a special focus on historically Black colleges and universities to create “Cybersecurity Leadership Centers” in an effort to grow a more diverse cyber workforce.

Microsoft -- which has been on the wrong end of some serious hacks this year -- announced that it will invest $20 billion between now and 2026 to up the ante on cybersecurity both by design and in delivery throughout its systems. To prime the pump, the company said it will immediately make available $150 million in technical services to help federal, state, and local governments upgrade their current security protection. It will also invest heavily in tech training by expanding partnerships with community colleges and non-profits.

For its part, Amazon said it will make the same security awareness training it offers its employees freely available. It also plans to offer a free multi-factor authentication device to protect against cybersecurity threats like phishing and password theft to all of its Amazon Web Services account holders. Those account holders include companies like Facebook, Netflix, Adobe, ESPN, Ticketmaster, Samsung, and Disney.

Increasing tech education and jobs

One huge challenge facing these Big Tech companies is that nearly half a million cybersecurity jobs remain unfilled. A spokesperson at the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) told ConsumerAffairs that, as of this week, it was tracking 454,366 job ads for cybersecurity in the U.S. -- 13% more than the year before.

The education effort isn’t being carried solely by Big Tech. To get people trained quickly, colleges and organizations are investing heavily in “micro-credentialing” and training that doesn’t call for a four-year college degree. To that end, Girls Who Code announced that it will establish a micro-credentialing program for historically excluded groups.

The University of Texas System told the White House it will make available entry-level cyber educational programs through UT San Antonio’s Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute to help grow new short-term credentials in cyber-related fields by more than 1 million workers.

“To meet the scale of the demand for cybersecurity skills, we need to be considering creative alternatives to the classic college pathway into the profession. The majority of cyber jobs don’t require a four-years computer science degree,” Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO at CompTIA, told ConsumerAffairs.

“We can have people come through community college programs, through for-profit university programs, through online university programs, through paid apprenticeships and through industry certification programs that can be completed in a matter of months to accelerate this process.”

If there’s any doubt that a tech education can pay off, recent data shows that tech professionals in 9 of the 10 top-paying U.S. states make over 70% more than the average worker. Life as a techie in places like Alabama pays off especially well. The average salary for someone in technology in Alabama is $86,720 a year -- 85% higher than the $46,840 that salary workers in other fields in the state bring home.

The battle between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the cruise lines over pandemic-related requirements is still ongoing. But If you’re setting sail on either Disney or Royal Caribbean anytime after Sept. 1, there are new requirements regarding vaccinations, masking, and COVID-19 tests that you should be prepared to face.

Disney Cruise Lines requirement

On its website, Disney Cruise Lines said it is not able to require passengers to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. However, it strongly encourages all guests to be vaccinated before they set sail. One thing it can -- and will -- mandate is that all guests aged 2 and up, including those who are fully vaccinated, must wear face coverings indoors while on the ship.

Beginning 33 days prior to each cruise’s departure, every Disney cruiser must also create an Inspire Diagnostics account associated with their reservation at the Safe Passage website and create an account associated with their reservation.

Fully vaccinated guests have up to 24 hours before they set sail to provide proof of vaccination through the Safe Passage website. Disney also recommends that everyone boarding one of its ships bring proof of vaccination.

If a guest does not provide proof of vaccination, they must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to sailing. Those unvaccinated passengers may order a kit directly from Inspire Diagnostics or upload test results from another provider to the Safe Passage website. 

After meeting those requirements, there is one more thing that passengers will be asked to do. On the cruise’s sail date, they will also be required to take a rapid COVID-19 test at the terminal prior to boarding. If anyone tests positive for COVID-19, or if Inspire Diagnostics has not received the mandatory documentation and/or pre-arrival test results, they and everyone in their travel party will be denied boarding.

Royal Caribbean requirements

Vaccination requirements for Royal Caribbean cruisers vary by port of departure and by age group. However, the rules for those departing from any port in Florida are as follows:

“The vaccine protocol communicated here applies to cruises departing Florida on or after September 1, 2021, as well as Allure of the Seas departing August 22nd and August 29th; and Symphony of the Seas departing August 21st and August 29th,” the cruise line explained on its website.

Furthermore, all Royal Caribbean guests aged 12 and older departing from Florida homeports must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing. Guests under the age of 12 do not need to be vaccinated, but they will still have to complete COVID-19 testing requirements depending on the length and departure port of their sailing.

The company claims this is a requirement of The Bahamas and St. Thomas governments for a cruise ship entering their waters. It is currently planned to remain in effect until November 1, 2021, at which point the policy may be updated. 

Royal Caribbean said that this policy may change and, if it does, it will update the situation on its website. Anyone cruising on Royal Caribbean and boarding outside of Florida should also check the company’s website for all coronavirus-related policy updates. 

Interest rates on new cars are still relatively low, and prices aren’t rising as fast as the cost of a used car. But consumers shopping for a new car this month -- when end-of-the-model-year sales typically begin -- may have been frustrated.

The automotive analysts at Cox Automotive say the shortage of new cars, caused by the computer chip shortage and supply chain constraints, got worse this month. For consumers, that means there have been fewer new cars at most dealers, regardless of brand.

“Available inventory on dealer lots has been falling for months, and sales have been constrained further and further as a result,” said Cox Automotive Senior Economist Charlie Chesbrough. “And soon the market will enter the Labor Day holiday weekend, usually one of the highest sales periods of the entire year, but with half the supply they had last year.” 

Cox analysts expect sales volume to finish August near 1.20 million. To put that in perspective, that’s down 9% from last August, which had one additional selling day, and down nearly 7% from July. 

America’s car dealers are bracing for an August finish that would be the fourth consecutive monthly decline of 500,000 units or more since April’s post-pandemic peak pace of 18.3 million. While there are plenty of buyers, analysts say there just aren’t enough cars, and the situation may get worse before it improves.

A year of tight supplies

The automotive market started the year with tight supplies, and new car inventory levels have continued to fall. Compared to 12 months ago, the number of cars that consumers can choose from is down 50%. This comes at a time when available inventory is already below healthy levels.

Manufacturers have been forced to slash production because they can’t get vital parts, and Cox analysts expect that situation to continue into the fall. 

To compensate, some companies like Ford have shifted to an old-fashioned sales model. Instead of displaying dozens of vehicles on the lot, Ford dealers are encouraging consumers to order their vehicle and customize it to their specific tastes.

Ford recently announced its “built to order” model, encouraging buyers to select colors and options, then wait six to eight weeks for the car to arrive. That was how most car dealers operated in the 1950s and 60s.

Several studies have pointed to the health risks that are likely to arise when young athletes experience multiple head injuries. Now, researchers from the American Academy of Neurology are exploring the risks associated with suffering recurring head trauma. 

According to their findings, multiple concussions during a young athletic career may increase the likelihood of more severe injuries with later concussions. The study also showed that changes to brain function, including blood flow to the brain and microstructure, are more common among frequently injured young athletes. 

“We know conclusions may have long-term effects on the brain that last beyond getting a doctor’s clearance to return to play,” said researcher Tom A. Schweizer, Ph.D. “It is unclear, however, to what extent the effects of repeated concussion can be detected among young, otherwise healthy adults. We found even though there is no difference in symptoms or the amount of recovery time, athletes with a history of concussion showed subtle and chronic changes in their brains.” 

The long-term effect of brain trauma

For the study, the researchers evaluated the brain function of nearly 230 young athletes. Some of the group had recently experienced a concussion, and nearly half of them had a history of concussions. The team analyzed brain scans of those who had recently been injured for up to a year after they had been cleared to resume play to understand what impacts the injury had on their overall brain function. 

The researchers learned that consistent head injuries can have long-term impacts. The study showed that no history of concussion was associated with a cerebral blood flow of 53 mL per minute, per 100g of brain tissue. Those numbers decreased to 40 mL per minute, per 100g of brain tissue for those with persistent head injuries. 

The brain scans also showed subtle changes to the microstructure of the splenium, which plays a role in sending sensory information from one hemisphere of the brain to another. The researchers say it is frequently affected when concussions occur.

Considering these scans were taken a year after the athletes had been cleared to resume activity, these findings highlight the long-term risks associated with experiencing consistent concussions. 

“Our findings suggest that an athlete with a history of concussion should be watched closely, as these subtle brain changes may be worsened by repeated injury,” Dr. Schweizer said. “Additionally, our results should raise concern about the cumulative effects of repeated head injuries later in life.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Florida explored how the COVID-19 vaccine may protect breastfeeding mothers and their children. 

According to their findings, samples of breast milk from women who had received the COVID-19 vaccine contained antibodies that protect against the virus. The team says this may be beneficial in keeping infants free of infection. 

“Our findings show that vaccination results in a significant increase in antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes COVID-19 -- in breast milk, suggesting that vaccinated mothers can pass on the immunity to their babies, something we are working to confirm in our ongoing research,” said researcher Joseph Larkin III, Ph.D. 

Increasing the number of antibodies

The researchers had 21 breastfeeding women who had never been infected with COVID-19 participate in the study. The researchers tested samples of the women’s breast milk and blood prior to getting vaccinated and after each dose of the vaccine to get an accurate antibody reading. 

Ultimately, the results showed that the women’s breast milk contained significant amounts of COVID-19 antibodies. According to the team, there was about “a hundred-fold increase” in antibody levels between pre- and post-vaccination. 

“These levels are also higher than those observed after natural infection with the virus,” said researcher Dr. Vivian Valcarce. 

Protection for children

Despite these positive results, the researchers are left with further questions for future studies. They say it remains unclear if the antibodies detected in the women’s breast milk will serve as a protective barrier for infants. 

“We would like to know if infants who consume breast milk containing these antibodies develop their own protection against COVID-19,” Dr. Larkin said. “In addition, we would also like to know more about the antibodies themselves, such as how long they are present in breast milk and how effective they are at neutralizing the virus.” 

While more work is likely to be done to determine the efficacy of this form of protection for infants, these findings highlight one of the ways that the COVID-19 vaccine can be beneficial to breastfeeding women. 

“Think of breast milk as a toolbox full of all the different tools that help prepare the infant for life,” said researcher Dr. Josef Neu. “Vaccination adds another tool to the toolbox, one that has the potential to be especially good at preventing COVID-19 illness. The results of our study strongly suggest that vaccines can help protect both mom and baby, another compelling reason for pregnant or lactating women to get vaccinated.” 

Nissan North America is recalling 3,569 model year 2021 Infiniti Q50s, Q60s and QX80s.

A software error may deactivate the audio/video control unit screen, preventing the rear-view image from displaying.

A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will update the control unit software free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2021.

Owners may contact Nissan customer service at (800) 867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R21A9.

The TJX Companies of Framingham, Mass., is recalling about 4,300 swivel counter stools.

The stools can break or collapse, posing fall and injury hazards.

The company has received 20 reports of stools breaking in which consumers fell, including 17 reports of minor injuries.

This recall involves swivel counter stools with wooden legs and fabric backrests with rivet trim around the seat.

The stools were sold in gray faux leather, and light gray, dark gray and blue/cream herringbone fabrics, and measure approximately 36 inches to the top of the backrest with the seat height approximately 25.5 inches from the floor.

One of the following style numbers is printed on the product hang tag: 61057, 61063, 61064, 62332, 65129, 65130, 66413, 66414.

A label printed with “CHINA” is attached to the bottom of the seat.

The stools were sold at HomeGoods and Homesense stores and HomeGoods/T.J. Maxx or Marshalls combination stores nationwide from January 2021, through May 2021, for about $130.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the counter stools and return them to any HomeGoods or Homesense store for their choice of either a full refund or store gift card.

Consumers may contact HomeGoods at (800) 888-0776 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or online at www.homegoods.com, and click on “Customer Service” at the bottom of the page, and Homesense toll-free at (855) 660-4663 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or online at www.homesense.com, and click on “Customer Service” at the bottom of the page.

Mercedes-Benz (MBUSA) is recalling 4,917 model year 2021 G550, AMG G63, E350, E450, AMG CLS53, AMG E53, AMG GT43, AMG GT53 & AMG GT63, model year 2021-2022 CLS450, and AMG E63 vehicles.

The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.

An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect, and replace -- as necessary -- the rear seat belt assemblies free of charge.

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

The latest case of an overheated cell phone aboard a jetliner could have ended badly, but timing helped prevent tragedy. The device only began overheating and spewing sparks once an Alaska Airlines flight from New Orleans to Seattle had landed.

A spokesperson for Alaska Airlines told reporters that a cell phone belonging to a passenger aboard flight 751 started to overheat and give off sparks just as the plane landed at Sea-Tac Airport. The flight crew placed the burning device in a specially designed battery containment bag to prevent it from causing a fire.

However, the cabin was reportedly filled with smoke, causing the crew to order an evacuation. Aircraft doors were opened, and slides were extended down to the runway. Passengers were then directed to slide out of the aircraft.

The evacuation was not without incident. The airport reported on social media that two people were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The other 127 passengers and six crew members were transported to the terminal.

Lithium-ion battery dangers

The incident underscores the potential danger of electronic devices that are powered by lithium-ion batteries aboard commercial aircraft. Had the incident occurred 20 minutes earlier while the plane was in the air, the results could have been different.

As far back as 2005, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) was cautioning consumers about the hazards that could be created by their cell phone batteries. The agency explained that the lithium batteries used to power cell phones pack a lot of power into a small space.

These batteries are more sensitive to physical stress than alkaline batteries found in toys and flashlights, and they need to be treated with more care. Because of several close calls aboard aircraft over the years, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has enacted rules covering the shipment of these batteries and devices that are powered by them.

“Damaged or recalled batteries and battery-powered devices, which are likely to create sparks or generate a dangerous evolution of heat, must not be carried aboard an aircraft (e.g. carry-on or checked baggage) unless the damaged or recalled battery has been removed or otherwise made safe,” the agency said on its website.

FAA gives safety tips

Devices containing lithium metal batteries or lithium-ion batteries, including but not limited to smartphones, tablets, cameras, and laptops, should be kept in carry-on baggage, the FAA says. If these devices are packed in checked baggage, they should be turned completely off, protected from accidental activation, and packed so they are protected from damage.

These events are more common than you might think. The FAA has reported at least 18 such incidents, before this latest one, so far in 2021.