Current Events in October 2021

Official inflation measurements don’t always capture how fast prices are rising for the average consumer or show what forces are driving prices higher. A recent report from the International Houseware Shippers Association (IHSA) paints a clear picture.

Not only are there delays in shipping products from foreign factories to U.S. distribution centers, but the cost of moving goods across the ocean has skyrocketed. These costs are beginning to show up in prices that consumers pay.

The IHSA says container spot rates in the September to October period of 2020 ranged from $3,900 to $$5,000 per 40-foot container. During the same period this year, the cost surged by 300%, to $17,000 to $20,000.

If a distributor or merchant wants to expedite the shipping of products, they have to pay even more. To speed up a certain shipment, shippers must pay an extra $1,800 to $3,500 per container. To guarantee space for a container, shippers must pay an additional $2,500 to $8,000 per container.

Things inside containers will cost more

Those extra charges make the things inside the container cost more. Extra costs may be absorbed by various players along the supply chain, but it’s clear that consumers are paying at least some of the extra cost.

In September, the Labor Department’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 5.4% year-over-year, gaining 0.4% in September alone. The cost of new vehicles rose by 8.7%, and apparel, mostly produced overseas, added to previous gains by 3.4%.

The bottlenecks at shipping harbors that delay the movement of goods create artificial shortages, adding to inflationary pressures. The IHSA reports that the lead time for shipping to delivery last month was up 275% over 2019.

$100 million in unfilled orders

When the organization reported its third quarter earnings this week, toymaker Hasbro said there were $100 million in orders that could not be filled during the July through September period. The company said the orders would eventually be filled in the current quarter, but consumers are the ones having to wait, even if they don’t end up spending more.

Leana Salamah, vice president of the International Housewares Association (IHA), says the clogged supply chain is “contributing to inventory shortages, but it is also a major factor in the inflation conversation, as these kinds of hikes in cost to bring products to the U.S. cannot possibly be absorbed by the suppliers and retailers alone - prices will have to go up.”

In September, the IHA reported that port congestion was going from bad to worse. To alleviate some of the pressure, the association said carriers plan to increase capacity from Asia to the U.S. West Coast by 22%, creating the potential for even more bottlenecks.

Industry analysts say the bottlenecks have been caused by a huge increase in demand for all types of products as the COVID-19 pandemic begins to fade. The IHA expects the additional demand to extend into the first quarter of next year.

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 2,857 select Audi vehicles that may experience an error that prevents the rearview camera from working properly. An improperly working camera may prevent a driver from having rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. 

The recalled models include 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles.

Audi stated that dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters in affected vehicles at no cost to owners. Notification letters are expected to be mailed on December 17, 2021. 

Consumers can contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 for more information. 

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 45,558,326 (45,445,118)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 737,615 (735,943)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 244,264,890 (243,805,577)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 4,959,865 (4,951,264)‌

FDA panel meets to consider vaccinations for kids

Scientists advising the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will meet today to discuss vaccinating young children against the coronavirus. Specifically, the medical experts will review data on whether the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective when given to children between the ages of five and 11.

The FDA has already signaled its acceptance of the vaccine’s use in children. Last week, it said results from a late-stage clinical trial appeared to check all the boxes for use in that age group.

The panel of experts, officially known as the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, will review scientific data about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness in children, then decide whether to recommend the health agency authorize its use.

CDC says travel to Ukraine is risky

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has placed Ukraine on its list of nations where a visit carries a “very high” risk of COVID-19. The country has been moved up to “Level 3” when it comes to the spread of the virus.

Previously this month, the CDC cautioned Americans about traveling to Singapore. It’s a very different situation from August, when the agency warned about travel to 16 countries where the risk from the virus was high.

To reach the “very high” risk category, a country must report more than 500 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days.

Pandemic has affected decision-making, survey finds

Among the many repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study suggests that it has made it harder for many people to make basic decisions. The survey from the American Psychological Association says the effects are most pronounced among young adults.

The survey found that nearly one-third of Americans agreed that sometimes they are so stressed about the coronavirus pandemic that they struggle to make even basic decisions, such as what to wear or what to eat. Forty-eight percent of millennials were likely to struggle with basic decisions, much higher than the rest of the population.

“The pandemic has imposed a regimen of constant risk assessment upon many,” said Arthur Evans Jr., CEO of the organization. “Each day brings an onslaught of choices with an ever-changing context as routines are upended and once trivial daily tasks are recast in the light of pandemic life.”

Around the nation

• New Jersey: Gov. Phil Murphy’s Republican opponent in the race for governor is elevating the pandemic and the state’s response to it as a prime campaign issue. A recent poll shows that 25% of New Jersey residents think Murphy has done a “bad” job of handling the pandemic

• California: The Los Angeles Times reports that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s directive that state workers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing is not being followed by a number of agencies. It reports that a number of agencies have low vaccination rates. Nearly 6,700 forest service employees are either not vaccinated or have declined to provide their status. Cal Fire said it is testing just 75 employees.

• Alabama: Gov. Kay Ivey has signed an executive order to fight what she calls “the overreaching covid-19 vaccine mandates from the federal government.” Alabamians – and Americans alike – should and must have the choice to roll up their sleeves to get this shot and certainly not be forced by the government, she said. 

• Connecticut: Connecticut’s metrics are improving except for one area; hospitalizations have remained around 200 for the last few weeks.“Generally the peak of people hospitalized will lag the peak of the prevalence of the community, once we see it go down a bit in the community, it takes a few weeks for the hospitalization rate to go down,” said Dr. Rick Martinello, medical director of infection prevention at Yale New Haven Health.

• Utah: New cases of the virus rose by 8.8% in Utah in the week ending Sunday, as the state added 9,748 cases. That’s significantly higher than the 8,957 new cases of the virus that were reported the previous week, USA Today reports. Utah is among the states where the coronavirus is spreading the fastest.

The White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have provided more details about a new international air travel policy that will require all foreign national travelers to be fully vaccinated.

The overriding message that officials want to get across is that the new system will be “stringent, consistent across the globe, and guided by public health.”

The nuts and bolts of what travelers need to know

When: Effective Monday, November 8, any non-U.S. citizen and anyone who is not an immigrant to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. They will need to provide proof of their vaccination status in order to fly into the U.S. 

What does “fully vaccinated” mean? Anyone who has received their last dose of an approved vaccine at least two weeks prior to travel will be considered fully vaccinated.

Accepted Vaccines: As it pertains to travel to the United States, the CDC has determined that the only vaccines accepted will include those approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO).

Proof of Vaccination: Before any foreign national can board a plane bound for the U.S., they’ll need to show proof of vaccination. To prevent anyone from getting around that stipulation, airlines are required to match the name of a passenger and their date of birth to confirm the passenger is the same person listed on the proof of vaccination. 

That document must show that the passenger meets the CDC’s “fully vaccinated” definition, including the name of the vaccine product (e.g., Moderna); the number of vaccine doses received; date(s) of administration; and the site (e.g., vaccination clinic, health care facility) where the traveler received their vaccination.

Airlines are also being asked to pay close attention to the authenticity of the vaccination record to confirm that it was issued by an official source (e.g., public health agency, government agency) in the country where the vaccine was given.

Exceptions: The number of exceptions to this vaccination requirement is extremely limited, but they include:

• Children under the age of 18

• Certain COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants

• Those with medical contraindications to the vaccines

• Those who need to travel for emergency or humanitarian reasons (with a US government-issued letter affirming the urgent need to travel)

• Those who are traveling on non-tourist visas from countries with low-vaccine availability (as determined by the CDC), and other very narrow categories

The White House said those who receive an exception will essentially have to vow that they’ll comply with public health requirements and get vaccinated in the U.S. if they intend to stay in the country for longer than 60 days.

A complete list of exceptions to the vaccination requirement is offered by the CDC and available here.

While it doesn’t pertain to vaccinations, per se, the CDC also noted in its update of the new travel orders that people must wear face masks in indoor areas of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and indoors at U.S. transportation hubs, including airports.

Macy’s is the latest major retailer to roll out its Black Friday deals well in advance of the big day, as industry analysts have already warned that discounts may be harder to find this year. Like many of its competitors, Macy’s is getting an early start in trying to snag holiday shoppers. The first deals roll out on Nov. 3.

“Shop for everything from women’s clothes, boots, shoes, and jewelry to must-have beauty gifts,” the company said in announcing the event. “Score a head-to-toe outfit for upcoming get-togethers & virtual meetups, too. Guys, we didn’t forget about you: stock up on everyday basics, workweek looks, and weekend loungewear. We’ve got the latest trends & winter essentials you’ll wear all season long.”

But with persistent supply chain constraints, apparel may be in short supply. After all, most clothing is now manufactured overseas, and container ships continue to be backed up in ports like Long Beach and Los Angeles.

The webpage announcing Macy’s Black Friday deals also contains this disclaimer: “While supplies last, select styles online & in stores.”

Consumers are being urged to shop early

A number of retailers have urged consumers to start their holiday shopping early since it’s not known how supplies will hold up. When ordering online, merchants have told consumers to prepare for shipping delays and to avoid procrastinating.

Among the deals that Macy’s will offer next week are:

• Women’s coats from Charter Club and other designers, regularly priced from $75 to $249, starting at $24.99

• Small appliances, starting at under $10

• Fine jewelry at up to 70% off

• Men’s designer dress pants from Calvin Klein, regularly priced at up to $95, sale priced at $29.99

• Women’s shoes from GUESS and other designers 40% off

• Cozy bedding 70% off

• Clearance sale on watches with discounts of 50%

Marla, of Houston, is already shopping at Macy’s and tells us she likes what she sees.

“Prices are reasonable, always new arrivals,” Marla wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “I can also find stuff for my kitchen, customer service personnel is always professional and kind, stores always clean and in order. Good offers every season.”

Macy’s says it’s trying to give shoppers more options during the holidays. Stores are open early and late, and customers can explore several flexible pickup and shipping options.

Last month, Ford announced that it was making its largest investment ever in electric vehicles. On Monday, it was Tesla and Hertz staking a claim on the EV growth chart. On Tuesday, General Motors (GM) created its own EV buzz by announcing that it plans to build 42,000 electric vehicle charging stations in the U.S. and Canada. 

When the automaker’s $750 million Dealer Community Charging Program begins in 2022, it will be a cooperative effort between the company and its dealers -- one with a bit of a twist. Instead of trying to capture larger markets where good EV infrastructure already exists -- like Vermont and California -- the company and its dealers will work together to broaden access to charging in rural and urban areas where EV charging access is limited -- like Kentucky and Louisiana. 

GM also plans to set the stations up at places where there’s some built-in density of potential EV users. That includes workplaces, multi-unit dwellings, sports and entertainment venues, and colleges and universities.

All for one, one for all

The automaker plans to partner with other EV charging networks to make its charging stations available to all EV customers, not just those who purchase an electric GM model. Officials say this will help simplify the charging experience by allowing drivers to find and use stations that they can pay for through the GM EV app.

Dovetailing the breadth of its own network with other charging networks will allow consumers to access nearly 85,000 charging spots throughout the U.S. and Canada. As of February 2021, there were around 97,600 charging outlets and 40,600 charging stations across the U.S.

"We want to give customers the right tools and access to charging where and when they need it, while working with our dealer network to accelerate the expansion of accessible charging throughout the U.S. and Canada, including in underserved, rural and urban areas," said GM President Mark Reuss.

Amazon is moving Alexa into U.S. hospitals and senior care facilities. The company announced that the personal assistant will serve a number of roles, from supporting medical staff to helping patients communicate with family members

While Alexa was originally introduced as a home device, Amazon has modified it in recent years for use in large facilities -- such as hotels, apartment buildings, and vacation rentals. Alexa Smart Properties will enable senior living and health care providers to integrate the digital assistant into their properties and “empower residents and patients to stay connected, informed and entertained,” according to an Amazon press release.

Besides supporting patients and keeping them more connected, Amazon said the service will increase care team productivity and operational efficiency.

“We believe the intuitive and accessible nature of voice and Alexa has the potential to help and delight customers in many scenarios, in and outside of the home,” said Liron Torres, head of Alexa Smart Properties, Amazon. “We’re excited to extend the experiences customers already love to senior living communities and healthcare systems, and give providers new ways to save time and personalize care for their patients and residents.”

Tested during the pandemic

The move follows a more than year-long pilot project that tested the concept. It coincided with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, long-term care facilities shut off access to visitors to protect residents from the virus.

Amazon’s pilot program introduced Alexa into these facilities in a bid to reduce residents’ sense of isolation. The pilot project also introduced Alexa into hospitals.

For example, doctors were able to use Alexa’s intercom-like feature to communicate with patients without having to go into their rooms. It not only reduced the risk of transmitting germs, it also allowed medical personnel to cover more ground in a shorter amount of time.

Nationwide rollout

Hospital systems that have already adopted Alexa include Northwell Health, Cedars-Sinai, BayCare, and Houston Methodist. In the weeks ahead, Amazon stated that it will make Echo devices and the Alexa assistant available to hospitals nationwide. 

“We’ve consistently moved to put our residents in the position to live their best lives, now,” said John Moore, CEO of Atria Senior Living. “Technology has played a critical role in this effort. When you combine our resident and family app with the deployment of Alexa Smart Properties in our communities, seniors have an even greater ability to write the next chapter of their lives through easy-to-use technology that keeps them engaged and connected to their families at all times.”

Many studies have looked at the health benefits linked with receiving both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, a new study conducted by researchers from the American Institute of Physics explored how different vaccine strategies can help slow the spread of infection. 

They explained that the primary method used in the U.S. for COVID-19 is known as a prime boost campaign, which prioritizes getting people to receive both doses of the vaccine. Their work looked at the prime first method, which prioritizes quickly vaccinating more people with one dose of a vaccine before going back to give everyone a second shot. 

Vaccine quantities have been the biggest factor when considering the prime first method, but the researchers say it may also be more effective at limiting infection rates when looking at vaccine effectiveness. 

“We have this giant degree of uncertainty about the parameters of COVID-19,” said researcher Jan Nagler. “We acknowledge that we don’t know these precise values, so we sample over the entire parameter space. We give a nice idea of when prime first campaigns are better with respect to saving lives than prime boost vaccination.” 

Analyzing different vaccination methods

To put the two vaccine methods to the test, the researchers created a simulation of the spread of COVID-19. They looked at how the virus is transmitted among those who are fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and unvaccinated. 

Ultimately, the team learned that each vaccination method -- prime first and prime boost -- can play a role in certain communities. When thinking about policies designed to keep consumers safe and healthy, the researchers recommend that public health leaders look at the vaccine waning rate, or the decrease in vaccine effectiveness, if vaccine supply isn’t a factor. 

In most instances, prime boost vaccination works to better slow the spread of a virus because fully protecting people with two doses of a vaccine can help protect them more effectively. However, the prime first method can also be an effective route depending on the effectiveness of the vaccine. 

The researchers explained that if vaccine effectiveness is declining at the same rate following one dose and both doses, then the prime first method may be more effective at slowing the spread of infection. This is because twice as many people would have some layer of protection against the virus. 

“Our results suggest that better estimates of immunity waning rates are important to decide if prime first protocols are more effective than prime boost vaccination,” said researcher Lucas Böttcher. 

Several studies have highlighted the ways that consumers’ diets can impact their dementia risk. Now, researchers from the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology have found that intake of a combination of amino acids may help lower the risk of dementia.

“In older individuals, low protein diets are linked to poor maintenance of brain function,” said researcher Dr. Makoto Higuchi. “Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. So, we wanted to understand whether supplementation with essential amino acids can protect the brains of older people from dementia, and if yes, what mechanisms would contribute to this protective effect.” 

How nutrients can support brain function

The researchers conducted several trials of an experiment on mice to better understand how protein impacts long-term brain function, how essential amino acids can prevent cognitive decline, and the protective benefits of amino acids on brain health. 

The first study looked at the impact that protein has on brain health. The researchers learned that when mice followed low-protein diets, they had poorer neural connectivity and experienced greater brain degeneration; both of these may increase the risk for dementia long-term. 

The next experiment put seven essential amino acids -- which the researchers refer to as Amino LP7 -- to the test. Much in the same way that low-protein diets increased the risk of brain degeneration, the study showed that Amino LP7 worked to reduce degeneration and helped to improve the strength of the brain’s neurons. 

The researchers noted that a build-up of a compound called tau is one of the markers of Alzheimer’s disease. While Amino LP7 didn’t completely eliminate tau, overall brain function remained strong. 

The final trial explored how Amino LP7 works to protect the brain from cognitive decline. The researchers learned that the amino acid combination not only improves overall brain function, but it also reduces a key inflammatory marker -- kynurenine. Without this compound, neurons in the brain have a better chance of staying healthy and strong; over time, this helps promote brain health. 

“These results suggest that essential amino acids can help maintain balance in the brain and prevent brain deterioration,” said researchers Dr. Hideaki Sato and Dr. Yuhei Takado. “Our study is the first to report that specific amino acids can hinder the development of dementia. Although our study was performed in mice, it brings hope that amino acid intake could also modify the development of dementia in humans, including Alzheimer’s disease.” 

Potandon Produce LLC is recalling its Green Gian Fresh whole yellow onions in 2 lb. bags, 3 lb. bags, and 5 lb. bags; whole white onions in 2 lb. bags; and whole red onions in 2 lb. bags due to possible salmonella contamination. 

The company said it initiated the recall after being informed by its supplier of the potential contamination. Although the company is not aware of any of the products testing positive for salmonella, it stated that it is recalling them out of an abundance of caution.

The recalled onions were delivered to three UNFI retail distribution centers in Frago, N.D., Bismarck, N.D., and Hopkins, Minn., between July 9 and Aug. 6. 

To see a full list of the recalled onions -- along with packaging information, descriptions, delivery dates, UPCs, lot numbers, and Julian dates -- visit the FDA’s website here.

Chrysler is recalling 131,177 vehicles due to an electrical short in the relay that could cause them to catch on fire, regardless of whether the ignition is on or off. 

The recall covers 2021-2022 Ram 3500, 2500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. Officials say a remedy for the issue is currently under development. 

What to do

Vehicle owners are being advised to park their vehicles outside and away from any structures or vehicles until the electrical short problem can be addressed. This will lower the risk of the vehicles causing more damage if they do catch on fire.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on Dec. 3, 2021.

Consumers can contact FCA US, LLC -- Chrysler’s parent company -- at 1-800-853-1403 for more information. 

Ford is recalling 47,683 of its 2019-2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab vehicles because they may have come installed with a misrouted seat belt. This put them in violation of two Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. 

A filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that a misrouted seat belt may not adequately restrain a driver or passenger in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury. 

What to do

Ford said it will provide owners with instructions so they can perform a preliminary inspection of their vehicle’s seatbelt to determine if they are misrouted. Those who find an issue, are unsure of the results, or do not want to perform the inspection themselves are advised to visit a Ford dealership to address the problem.

At that point, dealers will inspect and replace the seat belts as necessary at no cost. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 15. Consumers can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 for more information.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 45,445,118 (45,317,284)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 735,943 (733,426)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 243,805,577 (243,124,120)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 4,951,264 (4,939,467)‌

Vaccines for young children could come next month

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing data on COVID-19 vaccines administered to young children. Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), predicts that approval for five- to 11-year-olds could come as soon as next month.

“If all goes well, and we get the regulatory approval, and the recommendation from the CDC, it’s entirely possible, if not very likely, that vaccines will be available for children from five to 11 within the first week or two of November,” Fauci said on ABC’s “This Week.”

Fauci said we shouldn’t “get ahead of” the FDA, but from the data he’s seen, the smaller dose of the Pfizer vaccine appears to be safe and effective for young children. FDA researchers shared a study Friday showing that the vaccine had proven to be highly effective at protecting kids from COVID-19.

Officials concerned about fake vaccines

Health experts say medical practitioners are now more knowledgeable about COVID-19, but mitigation efforts are now being threatened by counterfeit vaccines and medicines. Officials say these knock-off products can undermine efforts to control the pandemic. 

According to a report published in STAT, these products can’t prevent or treat the virus. So, in essence, they are contributing to its spread. They say these products also erode confidence in valid vaccines and therapeutics.

These products are less common in the U.S., but the World Health Organization (WHO) has voiced concern that they are becoming more pervasive in poorer countries where legitimate products are in short supply.

Texas universities caught in the middle

Several universities in the state are reportedly on the fence about the Biden administration's directive that institutions receiving federal contracts impose vaccination mandates. The state has issued an order banning mandates, and universities have until Dec. 8 to decide.

Several colleges told the Texas Tribune that they are still analyzing Biden’s executive order, which applies to new federal contracts of $250,000 or greater that were awarded as of Nov. 14 or existing contracts that have been renewed as of Oct. 15.

“This is unprecedented,” said Michael LeRoy, a labor law expert at the University of Illinois College of Law. “There have been conflicts between the state and federal government, but not at this magnitude with this kind of money on the line.”

Around the nation

• Michigan: State officials have announced that Michigan will not require employers in the state to follow COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements that are stricter than policies being implemented by the Biden administration. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer revealed her plans in response to questions from the business community.

• New York: There are only a few days to go before New York City’s vaccination mandate goes into effect. Several hundred municipal workers, including firefighters, staged a protest on Staten Island. Union officials at the protest said any disruption in city services will be the city government’s fault.

• Nevada: We’re well into the second year of the pandemic, and some businesses are continuing to struggle. Small businesses in 16 of Nevada’s 17 counties have been awarded federal COVID-19 grants of up to $25,000 in forgivable loans. The debt is wiped clean after participants complete a nine-month online business training and mentoring program.

• Tennessee: State legislators are headed back to Nashville this week for a special session that lawmakers say will largely focus on vaccine mandates. Two bills have been submitted so far. One would make employers liable for COVID-19 vaccine side effects. 

• Florida: Health officials say the state appears to have turned the corner in its battle with the surge of Delta variant cases. While Florida is still recording an average of just under 2,700 new cases a day, data from Johns Hopkins University shows that the figure represents less than one-tenth of the state's summer high.

Major retailers have begun their Black Friday sales earlier this year, but consumers may still have to search longer to find holiday bargains. And once again, you can point the finger of blame at the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Wall Street Journal survey of business executives and industry analysts suggests that consumers should expect to pay close to full price on a wider array of products because of supply issues. There simply won’t be as many products available as in years past, giving merchants more pricing power.

The Journal report suggests that there could be a change in holiday spending patterns this year, with many consumers deciding to emphasize giving “experiences” over gifts. A 28-year-old mother of two in Redlands, Calif., said she is considering taking her family to Disneyland for Christmas instead of giving gifts.

Consumers are encountering more than the usual number of out-of-stock messages when they look for gift items. Adobe tracks web traffic for retail sites and reports that these online empty shelves have increased by 172% over last year.

That’s not to say there will not be deals; they just might not be quite as good as in previous years. Adobe predicts that sale prices may average 5% to 25% off, slightly less than in the past.

Look for advertised deals

For consumers who are eager to save money on holiday shopping, advertised deals from major retailers may offer the surest savings. Target, Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart have already revealed their Black Friday sale prices, and some of them have already launched their sales.

Consumers have already discovered the absence of deals on some big-ticket items. Major appliances like washers and dryers are almost always at full price these days. The same is true for new cars, which are in short supply because of the shortage of computer chips. As a result, consumers may see fewer television commercials this December suggesting a new car as a Christmas gift. You can still buy one, but there will be almost no incentives, and dealers will likely ask for the sticker price or more.

Steve Lawrence, chief merchandising officer at Academy Sports + Outdoors, recently told CNN Business that shoppers will see fewer deep discounts during this year's holiday season in just about every category.

"Last year was not very promotional. We don't think that this holiday is going to be terribly promotional either," said Lawrence.

A new study conducted by researchers from Umea University explored how the different types of COVID-19 vaccines may impact consumers’ health outcomes. Their findings showed that consumers who received one dose each of the AstraZeneca and mRNA vaccines had a lower risk of COVID-19 infection. 

“Having received any of the approved vaccines is better compared to no vaccine, and two doses are better than one,” said researcher Peter Nordström. “However, our study shows a greater risk reduction for people who received an mRNA vaccine after having received the first dose of a vector-based, as compared to people having received the vector-based vaccine for both doses.” 

How do the different vaccines impact consumers’ health?

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 700,000 people enrolled in the Public Health Agency of Sweden, the National Board of Health and Welfare, and Statistics Sweden. 

The team explained that it was recommended that AstraZeneca’s vaccine wasn’t used on consumers under the age of 65; for those who had received the first dose of that shot, experts recommended they get one of the mRNA vaccines for their second dose. The researchers followed the participants over the course of nearly three months to see how well the two vaccines worked to protect consumers from COVID-19. 

Ultimately, the researchers learned that participants who received one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and a second dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer mRNA vaccines had a lower risk of infection than those who were either unvaccinated or received two doses of the AstraZeneca shot. 

Getting one round of AstraZeneca and one round of the Moderna vaccine was linked with a nearly 80% lower risk of developing COVID-19, while one round of the Pfizer vaccine was linked with a nearly 70% lower risk of infection. On the other hand, receiving two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine was associated with a 50% lower risk of contracting COVID-19. 

The researchers explained that these findings held up even after accounting for several of the known risk factors of COVID-19, including participants’ age. 

“The results of the study may have implications for vaccination strategies in different countries,” said researcher Marcel Ballin. “The World Health Organization has stated that despite the promising results from previous studies regarding immune response from mix-and-match vaccination, there is a need for larger studies to investigate their safety and effectiveness against clinical outcomes. Here we now have one such study.” 

Cybersecurity specialists at the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) claim that the Russian-linked hacking group behind the attacks on SolarWinds, JBS, and others last year is at it again -- this time going after key players in the global technology supply chain.

The group, known as Nobelium, has “been attempting to replicate the approach it has used in past attacks by targeting organizations integral to the global IT supply chain” according to Tom Burt, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of customer security and trust. So far, the group has allegedly targeted more than 140 IT resellers and service providers and compromised as many as 14 since May. 

“Russia is trying to gain long-term, systematic access to a variety of points in the technology supply chain and establish a mechanism for surveilling … targets of interest to the Russian government,” Burt said in a blog post.

Hackers use "password spraying" technique

The hackers’ favorite technique this time around is reportedly something called a “password spray.” This attack is a procedure that tries to access a vast number of account usernames via commonly used passwords such as “123456789,” “Password123,” and “picture1.”

DoubleOctopus -- a cybersecurity company focused on password protection -- says even though password spraying is a slow-and-go technique, it does allow hackers to stay undetected by avoiding rapid or frequent account lockouts. That makes it different from traditional attacks that attempt to gain unauthorized access by guessing an account’s password.

In this situation, online users appear to be at the mercy of the service providers and platforms they use to protect their accounts. To that end, Microsoft recommends that companies with online customer systems implement a specific set of protocols to thwart recent Nobelium activity.

Putting protective measures in place

While consumers may need to depend on companies to protect them to some extent, there are still some things they can do to gain an advantage against hackers. In an interview with USAToday, Craig Danuloff, CEO of The Privacy Co., offered these tips to make personal passwords and information less susceptible:

Do not reuse passwords on any important accounts. Keeping your passwords unique helps ensure that hackers can’t access all of your important accounts if they figure out just one of your passwords.

Use two-factor authentication wherever possible. Amazon, Apple, Google, and other major tech players use this method because it works well. Here’s a guide that goes over two-factor authentication and other cybersecurity steps you can take to protect yourself.

Choose platforms that use end-to-end encryption. This is a method that Zoom now uses after learning a valuable lesson without it. “Files or photos sitting in cloud storage can be stolen,” Danuloff said. “If they’re in a database that has no keys or just one master key, all of your personal data has a much higher likelihood of being stolen, accessed, and maybe even shared publicly.”

Don’t give up your data to every site that asks for it. “Data that isn’t there can’t be stolen,” Danuloff said. All kinds of services ask for your address, phone number, or even your Social Security number. “The vast majority of them don’t need it,” he said. So give them “alternative facts.” Use burner email accounts. 

Use a personal monitoring service -- aka ID theft protection -- that informs you when your data has been stolen in a hack or when there are signs of identity theft. 

Chalk one up for Tesla. The automaker just got its single largest order of electric vehicles (EV) ever thanks to rental car company Hertz. 

The company has spent $4.2 billion on an initial order of 100,000 Teslas that it will add to its fleet of vehicles. The company hopes to take delivery of the Teslas by the end of 2022, when it says it will have a ready supply of EV charging systems across its global network. 

The move is a considerable shift from what consumers will currently find at Hertz lots. Once all the Teslas are in place, they’ll comprise more than 20% of the company’s global fleet. If all goes well, the move could also be just what Hertz needs to solidify its return from the brink of bankruptcy.

Hertz will also lean heavily on the branding power of perennial Super Bowl champion Tom Brady to showcase the “fast, seamless and more accessible” upsides of EV rentals.

What consumers can expect

In its announcement, Hertz said it is installing thousands of chargers throughout its 8,500-location network. The company didn’t say exactly how many of those charging stations will be in the U.S. alone, but it did say customers who rent a Tesla Model 3 will have access to 3,000 Tesla supercharging stations throughout both the U.S. and Europe.

Customers can also expect a different game plan when they rent a Tesla from Hertz. In a move away from the old-style process, the company says the EV rental experience will be “a premium and differentiated” one that includes digitized guidance to educate customers about the electric vehicle to get them on their way quickly. The company said an expedited EV rental booking process using the Hertz mobile app is also around the corner.

Electric vehicles have come of age

If there’s any doubt that EVs are quickly becoming mainstream and might catch gas-powered vehicle owners off guard, the numbers certainly look promising. Between 2020 and 2026, the size of the global electric vehicle market is expected to quadruple and reach an estimated global market size of $725 billion. 

Hertz has been waiting for this moment to happen. It was the first U.S. car rental company to introduce EVs to its rental fleet in 2011.

"Electric vehicles are now mainstream, and we've only just begun to see rising global demand and interest," said Hertz interim CEO Mark Fields. "The new Hertz is going to lead the way as a mobility company, starting with the largest EV rental fleet in North America and a commitment to grow our EV fleet and provide the best rental and recharging experience for leisure and business customers around the world."

Pests come in all shapes and sizes, but rats are among the least healthy and hardest to eliminate. In its annual survey, pest control company Orkin says Chicago is once again the U.S. city with the worst rat problem.

In fact, the survey shows that the top five cities for rodent problems are the same as in last year’s survey. Los Angles took second place on the list, followed by New York, Washington, and San Francisco.

Orkin ranked U.S. metro regions by the number of new rodent treatments performed from September 15, 2020, to September 15, 2021. The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.

No longer has the problem

Orkin apparently has a good bit of experience dealing with rats. An analysis of ConsumerAffairs reviews found that rats are a big problem for a lot of homeowners. Margaret, of San Francisco, tells us that Orkin got rid of her rat issues.

“Since they’ve started I no longer have rats, mice, or ants,” Margaret wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “My house is clean as is my garage but still these pests found their way in and they were difficult to get rid of.”

Scott, of Bothell, Wash., also had nice things to say about the Orkin personnel who performed pest control services at his home.

“I opened an account with Orkin in 2016 because I had an issue at my house with my crawl space having rats or mice,” Scott said in his ConsumerAffairs review. “So, they came out and took care of all those problems very well.”

Orkin said the last 12 months have been challenging for rodent control because rats and mice became more aggressive. With restaurants forced to close during the early part of the pandemic, rodents were forced to find new food sources. The dumpsters where they usually got their meals were empty.

"As people resume normal activities, food availability will rise," said Ben Hottel, an Orkin entomologist. "Rodents are experts at sniffing out food and shelter, and they're resilient in their ways to obtain both. After a year of depleted resources, residential properties offer the ideal habitat for rodents, and once they've settled in, they're capable of reproducing rapidly and in large quantities." 

What to do

There are several things homeowners can do to keep mice and rats at bay. Inside, keep food sealed in metal or plastic containers and pick up kitchen food spills as soon as they occur.

Outside, keep landscaping under control. Tall grass with adequate harborages, such as woodpiles next to the house, can be ideal habitats for rodents.

Regularly inspect your home’s exterior to look for possible entry points. Seal any cracks or holes when you find them.

A new study conducted by researchers from Michigan Medicine explored how women’s mental health during pregnancy can impact their delivery. According to their findings, spikes in depression and anxiety while pregnant may increase the risk for C-section deliveries. 

“Our findings reinforce the importance of better identifying and treating perinatal depression and anxiety disorders in pregnant women,” said researcher Dr. Vanessa Dalton. “It’s critical to better understand how these mood disorders increase the likelihood of cesarean section deliveries, which we know have both short- and long-term health consequences for both expecting moms and their babies.” 

How mental health impacts delivery

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 360,000 women who gave birth between 2008 and 2017. The team was primarily interested in evaluating how the women delivered their babies -- naturally or via C-section -- and their mental health status during pregnancy. 

The researchers found a clear link between depression and anxiety and an increased risk of C-section deliveries. Women struggling with their mental health during pregnancy were 3.5% more likely to deliver via C-section. 

“Cesarean sections are a major contributing factor to maternal morbidity events after a delivery with many adverse effects downstream,” said Dr. Dalton. “We need to understand all factors that may increase a woman’s chance of a C-section delivery so we can avoid unnecessary risks.” 

The study showed several factors that could increase women’s risk of depression or anxiety during pregnancy, including socioeconomic status, age, and race; women from low-income backgrounds, older women, and white women were all more likely to struggle with depression and anxiety.

“We need more research to clarify the relationship between perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and primary cesarean section rates to enhance our understanding of the consequences of these disorders for health outcomes,” said Dr. Dalton. “This could potentially inform efforts to develop and evaluate effective treatments and policy interventions.”