Current Events in October 2021

Picket Fence Creamery is recalling taco cheese curds and key lime pie ice cream.

The products may contain wheat, an allergen not declared on the label.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The taco cheese curds are packaged in 12-oz. plastic containers with a Picket Fence Creamery taco cheese curds label, a UPC that reads 094922414984, and a “best if used by” date of 2-26-22 or before that's located directly below the cow logo on the left side of the label.

The key lime pie ice cream is packaged in ½ pint, pint, and quart containers with the Picket Fence Creamery key lime pie label, a UPC reading 094922414847, and a “best if used by” date of 3/31/22 or before that's located directly below the cow logo on the left side of the label.

The recalled products were sold in retail stores in Iowa.

What to do

Consumers with questions or who would like a refund may contact the firm at (515) 438-2697, Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 44,505,919 (44,350,886)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 714,808 (713,453)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 238,540,011 (238,065,643)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 4,862,317 (4,854,953)‌

FDA prepares to consider additional booster shots

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee will meet Thursday to consider whether booster shots of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are needed. Today, the FDA released briefing documents in which the two drug companies make a case for their respective boosters.

Moderna said its clinical trial showed that a third shot of its vaccine, using about half the dose as the first shot, had minimal side effects and increased recipients’ immune response. It said the booster is needed because of the rapid spread of the Delta variant, but the FDA has declined to consider it at the present time, saying it may be unnecessary.

Johnson & Johnson said its analysis shows a favorable risk-benefit balance when people 18 and older got its booster. It said high-risk individuals could benefit when getting the second shot just two months after the first.

Research suggests vaccines help reduce ‘long Covid’

Since the start of the pandemic, some people who got the coronavirus and recovered continued to suffer symptoms for months afterward. When the vaccines became available, many “long Covid” sufferers told their doctors they felt better after getting the shot.

Researchers now say that receiving a vaccination appears to help alleviate existing symptoms, at least in some patients. Researchers also say that getting a vaccination may reduce the risk of having long-lasting symptoms in the first place. 

A study published in the British medical journal The Lancet last month determined that fully vaccinated people who later got infected were about 50% less likely to develop long-term symptoms than unvaccinated people with COVID-19. 

Back to the office

Employees are returning to the workplace, but it’s happening at a slower-than-expected pace. There was no rush back to the office after Labor Day. Instead, the Wall Street Journal reports that office buildings are only beginning to slowly fill up again.

The Journal cites statistics showing that an average of 31% of the workforce was back at work in the 10 major cities monitored by Kastle Systems. The average rose to only 35% a month later.

Amazon said this week that it will let individual managers decide whether their team needs to be in the office. However, other companies like Lion’s Gate Entertainment have said they want people to be in the office at least some of the time by early November. “There are things we can accomplish together in the office that we can’t do remotely,” Lion’s Gate CEO Jon Feltheimer wrote in a memo to employees.

Around the nation

• Pennsylvania: Health officials in Pennsylvania are expressing concern about the number of “breakthrough” cases among people who are fully vaccinated. The state has seen an increase in infections over the last two weeks, and officials say about 9% are among people who have been vaccinated.

• Idaho: Hospitals across the state are full of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients, causing many providers to transfer patients to hospitals in other states. Officials say that is resulting in huge bills for patients and their families, especially if the patient has to be moved by air.

• Oklahoma: Despite the strong advice of health care providers for pregnant women to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, state health officials say vaccination rates are low among that demographic. At last count, officials say only about 30% of pregnant women in Oklahoma were vaccinated against COVID-19. 

• Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott has issued an order prohibiting employers in the state from imposing a vaccine mandate for employees. That puts businesses in an awkward situation since President Biden has ordered businesses with 100 or more employees to require COVID-19 vaccinations.

• Michigan: To alleviate a critical staffing shortage, one Michigan hospital system is opening its wallet. Beaumont Health is paying a $10,000 signing bonus for new nurses. However, new nurses will have to be vaccinated; the hospital is offering the incentive to make up for the anticipated number of nurses who will not comply with the vaccination mandate.

There doesn’t seem to be an end in sight for Southwest Airlines’ (SWA) cancellation woes. The domino effect that began over the weekend, then spilled over into Monday, is continuing on Tuesday. 

According to FlightAware, Southwest canceled 435 flights on Monday -- 12% of its total scheduled departures -- and delayed 1,524 of its arrivals, a 42% hit. For Tuesday, the numbers look a little better, with 89 cancellations and 242 delays as of late morning. For the year, Southwest’s total cancellations total 2,022 (7.6%) and its delayed arrivals come to 7,084 (28.9%).

What destinations are impacted?

Travelers with flights starting out West look to be impacted the most, with 90 Southwest flights from California to Colorado canceled from late Monday through Tuesday.

Using FlightAware data, ConsumerAffairs counted 25 Southwest cancellations out of Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas since Monday evening. Others include 12 cancellations at Bob Hope Airport (BUR) in Burbank; 11 at Denver International (DEN); 10 at Chicago Midway (MDW); 9 from Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX); 7 from Baltimore-Washington (BWI), San Jose (SJC), Sacramento (SMF), San Diego (SAN), and Oakland (OAK); 6 from Love Field (DAL) in Dallas; and 5 from Los Angeles International (LAX).

Pilots union says Southwest’s operation is “brittle”

When this news first broke, Southwest tried to place some of the blame on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and air traffic issues. The FAA countered by saying there had been no air traffic-related cancellations since Friday. The agency also noted that if any airlines were experiencing delays, it was due to aircraft and crews being out of place.

The Southwest pilots union (SWAPA) is ramping up the blame game even further, calling Southwest’s troubles “another operational meltdown.” 

“There are false claims of job actions by Southwest Pilots currently gaining traction on social media and making their way into mainstream news. I can say with certainty that there are no work slowdowns or sickouts either related to the recent mandatory vaccine mandate or otherwise,” union leadership wrote.

Furthermore, SWAPA called Southwest out for claiming that the immediate causes of the airline’s meltdown were staffing at Jacksonville Center and weather in the southeast U.S. The organization said the weather and staffing issues in Jacksonville were true to some extent, but it asked why these problems were nothing more than a “minor temporary event” for other airlines but devastating to Southwest.

“[It’s] because our operation has become brittle and subject to massive failures under the slightest pressure,” the union said, answering its own question. “Our operation and our frontline employees have endured continuous and unending disruptions since the first time our airline made headlines in early June due to widespread IT failures. Our Pilots are tired and frustrated because our operation is running on empty due to a lack of support from the Company.”

“SWAPA has grave concerns about the direction Southwest Airlines has taken in putting profits ahead of people. Enough is enough.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating another salmonella outbreak, this one linked to seafood processed in Colorado. According to the CDC, 102 people have gotten sick -- 19 of them serious enough to require hospitalization.

In this case, authorities are pretty sure they know the source of the outbreak -- Northeast Seafood Products of Denver. The CDC said the suspect products were delivered to restaurants and grocery stores such as Albertsons, Safeway, and Sprouts.

Seafood suspected of bearing the salmonella pathogen include haddock, monkfish, bone-in trout, grouper, red snapper, red rock cod, ocean perch, Pacific code, halibut, coho salmon, Atlantic salmon portions, lane snapper, tilapia, all-natural salmon fillet, Pacific Sole, and farm-raised striped bass.

According to doctors, the people who got sick reported eating a variety of types of raw and cooked seafood in restaurants and grocery stores. Northeast Seafood Products was identified as a common supplier where some ill people ate or shopped.

Authorities say the products are subject to recall and are believed to have been distributed in at least 14 states. 

Previous outbreak still  under investigation

The CDC is still trying to find the source of another salmonella outbreak that began over the summer and has caused at least 419 illnesses in 35 states. At least 66 people have been hospitalized.

Previously, the CDC said it identified the strain of Salmonella Oranienburg in a sample taken from a takeout condiment cup containing cilantro and lime. The sick person reported that the condiment container also contained onions, but none of them were left in the cup when it was tested.

The CDC said the multiple food items in the tested sample present a problem for investigators since it isn’t possible to know which food items were contaminated. 

Salmonella risks

Salmonella is a fairly common type of food poisoning that is more harmful to some people than others. While many young, healthy individuals may suffer only mild symptoms, it can be very serious for elderly consumers and young children.

Most people who become infected with salmonella will experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, with symptoms usually beginning six hours to six days after consuming the bacteria. Most people recover without treatment after four to seven days.

Some people -- especially children younger than five years old, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems -- may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.

Netflix has formed a new partnership with Walmart to market products associated with its hit shows, including “Squid Game” and “Stranger Things.” The products will be sold on Walmart.com.

The tie-up is an expansion of Netflix’s current foray into retail sales, with the company seeking to monetize more than just its streaming business. The company already sells T-shirts, stickers, dolls, and other consumer products through select retailers.

The Walmart deal takes it to another level, with the retailer turning over a dedicated space on its website to exclusively sell Netflix merchandise.

“Through this new partnership, Walmart will not only offer products that bring the imagination of Netflix creators into reality but Walmart customers and Netflix superfans will also find a new, exciting entertainment destination,” Jeff Evans, executive vice president, Entertainment, Toys, and Seasonal, Walmart U.S., wrote on the Walmart blog.

Netflix Hub

Called the “Netflix Hub,” the section on Walmart’s website will try to entice fans of the Netflix shows with products that identify with the hit shows. For Netflix, it will be the first digital storefront on a national retailer’s website.

“We’re proud to partner with them on this new adventure that will let our customers dive even deeper into their favorite stories and characters,” Evans said.

The companies already have a list of products that will be offered to Netflix fans. They include:

• Ada Twist cuddle plush, which will sell for $10.97

• CoComelon 4 pc toddler bed set with bonus blanket, selling for $36.97

• Nailed It! baking kits, for $15.98

• Squid Game T-shirts in a variety of styles and price ranges

• Stranger Things collectors box, for $54.96

Fans can suggest new products

Fans will also be encouraged to make suggestions for new products that tie into Netflix shows. “Netflix Fan Select” will allow fans to vote for merchandise they’d like to see from various Netflix shows, and Walmart will try to find manufacturers to make them.

It’s part of Netflix’s strategy to expand beyond movies and TV shows. The company recently purchased a video game maker and plans to offer online games. 

“We want to continue to meet fans wherever they are, whether that’s through our biggest online marketplace at Walmart, or the more boutique and curated Netflix shop,” Josh Simon, Netflix’s vice president of consumer products, told the Wall Street Journal.

When it comes to treating chronic pain, over-the-counter or prescription pain management medications are a common treatment option. However, a new study conducted by researchers from the Association for Psychological Science found that incorporating psychological treatments may also be effective.

“There are several effective nonmedical treatments for chronic pain, and psychological treatments emerge among the strongest of these,” said researcher Mary Driscoll. “People who engage in psychological treatments can expect to experience meaningful reductions in pain itself as well as improvements in physical functioning and emotional well-being.” 

Creating a comprehensive treatment plan

The researchers explained that treating chronic pain can be a complicated and extensive process. Not only are there significant risks associated with pain medications like opioids, but sometimes the most commonly prescribed treatments aren’t always effective when it comes to reducing pain. 

Moving forward, the researchers recommend that practitioners approach patients’ chronic pain with a wide range of options, including psychological treatments. 

The team explained that psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, can help consumers with chronic pain learn coping strategies, find support, and change behaviors that are unhelpful or potentially harmful to long-term mental and physical health. Being able to freely vent about the frustrations of chronic pain can also help patients feel understood and supported. 

There are also mindfulness exercises and relaxation techniques that can be helpful for dealing with chronic pain. Techniques like deep breathing and muscle relaxation were both found to be effective at managing patients’ pain. 

Lastly, the team found that hypnosis and biofeedback, the latter of which involves monitoring the body’s response to significant pain, should be considered in a chronic pain treatment plan. These efforts can improve relaxation and also help patients reshape their expectations and experiences dealing with pain.

“People with pain should feel empowered to select the psychological treatment that is most appealing,” said Driscoll. “Once they do, finding a psychotherapist who can provide this care and with whom they can establish a meaningful connection will be a key factor in obtaining benefit.” 

As kids’ screen time has skyrocketed in recent years, reports have surfaced about the risks associated with too much time in front of devices. 

Now, researchers from Anglia Ruskin University have found that too much time in front of screens can impact kids’ vision. According to findings from their recent study, screen time can increase kids’ risk of nearsightedness, or myopia, by up to 80%.

“Around half the global population is expected to have myopia by 2050, so it is a health concern that is escalating quickly,” said researcher Rupert Bourne. “Our study is the most comprehensive yet on this issue and shows a potential link between screen time and myopia in young people.” 

Risks of screen time

The researchers analyzed data from more than 3,000 studies that included data on infants as young as three months old and adults as old as 30 years old. All of the studies tracked how time in front of screens impacted eyesight. After analyzing the data, the team identified a relationship between excessive screen time and the risk of developing nearsightedness. 

This was particularly true when kids spent a lot of time on multiple devices; spending excessive time in front of a laptop and a smartphone was linked with an 80% risk of developing nearsightedness. Even when a smartphone was the only device being used, children were still 30% more likely to develop myopia. 

While many parents were worried about excessive screen time prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the last year and a half has significantly impacted kids’ relationships with devices. As school and socializing moved online, time spent in front of screens was mandatory. The researchers worry about the long-term effects that this shift online can have on kids’ vision. 

“This research comes at a time when our children have been spending more time than ever looking at screens for long periods, due to school closures, and it is clear that urgent research is needed to further understand how exposure to digital devices can affect our eyes and vision,” Bourne said. “We also know that people underestimate their own screen time, so future studies should use objective measures to capture this information.” 

The job market has shown its topsy-turvy side again. A new report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published on Tuesday shows that while the total number of job openings actually declined in August, a record 4.3 million workers actually quit their jobs.

Following a high in July, the number of job openings declined to 10.4 million on the last business day of August. Hires decreased to 6.3 million and separations held steady at around 6 million. 

Breaking down the separations metric, the total number and rate changed very little, but there was a lot of movement in the accommodation and food services sectors, where 203,000 retired, quit, or lost their jobs. Hiring improved in state and local government including education (+57,000). 

Job openings and hiring trends

Regulators said the industry sectors where job openings decreased the most were in health care and social assistance (-224,000) and accommodation and food services (-178,000).

When those jobs were actually filled, the Top 5 category hires overall in August came from:

1. Leisure and Hospitality: 1.4 million

2. Trade, transportation, and utilities: 1.37 million

3. Accommodation and food services: 1.26 million

4. Professional and business services: 1.26 million

5. Retail trade: 857,000

For people looking for work, the federal government looks like a good opportunity. Overall, there were 142,000 federal job openings and 45,000 hires in August.

The southern U.S. also appears to be a good place to look for work. There were 2.5 million hires and 4 million job openings in the South vs. the other three geographical regions, which had about half of that.

Northeast Seafood Products of Denver, Colo., is recalling certain types of seafood because they may be contaminated with salmonella.

The recall is the result of several positive samples revealed during an FDA inspection and is linked to an outbreak of salmonella illness.

The following items, distributed from May 2021, to October 7, 2021, to restaurants and Albertsons, Safeway, and Sprouts supermarkets in Colorado are being recalled:

• Haddock
• Monkfish
• Bone-in Trout
• Grouper
• Red Snapper
• Red Rock Cod
• Ocean Perch
• Pacific Cod
• Halibut
• Coho Salmon
• Atlantic Salmon Portions
• Lane Snapper
• Tilapia
• All Natural Salmon Fillet
• Pacific Sole
• Farm-Raised Striped Bass.

The Pacific Cod sold through Sprouts is not being recalled.

What to do

Customers who have the recalled products should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may call Northeast Seafood at (303) 373-2226, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (MST).

Volvo Car USA is recalling 19,149 model year 2021 XC40s, XC 40 Recharges, V60CCs, V90s, V90CCs & XC90s, and model year 2021-2022 V60s, XC60s & S60s.

The 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 in a crash.

What to do

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

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on October 31, 2021.

Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at (800) 458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 44,350,886 (44,318,179)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 713,453 (712,975)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 238,065,643 (237,673,012)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 4,854,953 (4,849,471)‌

Merck seeks approval for COVID-19 pill

A pill that treats the symptoms of COVID-19 may be one step closer to becoming available. Merck and its partner Ridgeback have asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization (EUA) for molnupiravir, a pill that may be able to treat mild-to-moderate coronavirus symptoms.

The request is based on positive results from a planned interim analysis from the Phase 3 MOVe-OUT clinical trial, which evaluated molnupiravir in non-hospitalized adult patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who were at risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. 

Interim data showed that the drug reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by approximately 50%. It showed that only 7.3% of patients who received molnupiravir were either hospitalized or died through Day 29 following randomization, compared with 14.1% of placebo-treated patients.

AstraZeneca reports positive results for drug treatment

There’s more good news for health officials working to contain the pandemic. Vaccinations may have stalled, but another pharmaceutical company is reporting positive results of a drug to treat people after they get COVID-19.

AstraZeneca says its experimental drug called AZD7442 reduced the risk of developing severe COVID-19 or death by 67% in a clinical trial. Hugh Montgomery, Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at University College London and the study’s principal investigator, said the drug appears to be another weapon against the pandemic. 

“With continued cases of serious COVID-19 infections across the globe, there is a significant need for new therapies like AZD7442 that can be used to protect vulnerable populations from getting COVID-19 and can also help prevent progression to severe disease,” he said.

Hundreds of thousands of servicemembers not vaccinated

Despite a Biden administration order that all U.S. service members be vaccinated against the coronavirus, hundreds of thousands reportedly have not yet complied with the order. The Washington Post reports that 90% of U.S. Navy personnel have been vaccinated, but only 72% of U.S. Marines have.

Defense Department employees, which include both civilian and military personnel, have until Oct. 28 to be vaccinated or face punishment. Meanwhile, the military is suffering more than its share of severe COVID-19 infections and deaths.

Defense Department Spokesman Maj. Charlie Dietz said more military personnel died of coronavirus infections during the month of September than in all of 2020. According to Deitz, none of the deaths occurred among personnel who were fully vaccinated.

Around the nation

• Connecticut: Gov. Ned Lamont says 12 state government employees have been fired after refusing to either be vaccinated or to submit to regular COVID-19 tests. "We reached out to them more than once and you get vaccinated or you get tested, and if you say no, you can't work here. It's unsafe," Lamont said.

• Texas: Allen West, who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor, has been hospitalized after contracting COVID-19. The Tea Party favorite in the race against incumbent Republican Greg Abbott told the Associated Press that he is “doing great.”

• Virginia: COVID-19 has become a major issue in the bellwether Virginia governor’s race. Democrat Terry McAuliffe has criticized his Republican opponent Glenn Youngkin for not supporting vaccination mandates. Youngkin said he believes people should get vaccinated, but he also said he doesn’t think it should be forced.

• California: Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation requiring health insurers to cover the cost of coronavirus tests, protecting consumers from out-of-pocket fees. State officials say there is evidence that California residents are still being presented with surprise fees when they get tested.

• Wisconsin: The state is in the process of opening additional COVID-19 testing sites across the state. The move comes as consumers and businesses stockpile over-the-counter test kits sold in drug stores. Since September, Walgreens has been limiting customers to four tests per purchase.

In the wake of damning testimony from a whistleblower who says the company ignores potential harm to young users, Facebook has announced a set of features that it says will promote the health and safety of teens and young adults.

Nick Clegg, Facebook's vice president for global affairs, appeared on two network news programs on Sunday to outline changes. Among the new features is an automated prompt suggesting that Instagram users “take a break” if they spend too much time on the platform.

The company also said it plans to introduce a feature for parents of teens so that they can monitor how their children are spending time online.

“We are constantly iterating in order to improve our products,” Clegg said on CNN’s “State of the Union." “We cannot, with a wave of the wand, make everyone’s life perfect. What we can do is improve our products, so that our products are as safe and as enjoyable to use."

Congress steps in following whistleblower account

Clegg said the company has already invested heavily in features that have the objective of keeping young users safe. He said a team of about 40,000 Facebook employees is at work on these features.

Last month, former Facebook data scientist Frances Haugen leaked documents to the Wall Street Journal that suggested Facebook’s own internal research showed that there are a number of issues that could negatively affect users.

The journal reported excerpts from documents that showed teenage girls feel bad about themselves after viewing others’ seemingly perfect lives on Instagram. Haugen also sent the documents to Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who lead a Senate subcommittee on consumer protection. Both lawmakers said they were spurred to action by the leaked documents.

“It is clear that Facebook is incapable of holding itself accountable,” Blumenthal and Blackburn said in a joint statement. “The Wall Street Journal’s reporting reveals Facebook’s leadership to be focused on a growth-at-all-costs mindset that valued profits over the health and lives of children and teens.”

Facebook loses ground among young people

While Facebook is trying to put out regulatory fires in Washington, the London Guardian reports that the social media giant may be losing ground with some of its young users. The Guardian cites some of the leaked documents that show erosion among younger demographics.

An internal Facebook document warns management that Facebook’s daily teenage and young adult users have “been in decline since 2012-13.” 

Twenty-three-year-old Oliver Coghlin is one of them, telling the Guardian that he is thinking about deleting the Facebook app from his phone because he doesn’t find the content relevant.

“There were comments that would come up from people arguing about stuff they don’t know about,” he said.

The attorneys general of 20 states have filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission that seeks to overturn changes to United States Postal Service (USPS) delivery standards that allow for slower mail delivery. The changes took effect on Oct. 1.

The new standards, designed to save money, expand the delivery window for some first-class mail from one to three days to one to five days. The USPS has said the slower standard would only affect 39% of first-class mail.

The 20 state officials contend that the changes are not minor. Their complaint to the agency that oversees USPS operations claims that the new standards “will transform virtually every aspect of the Postal Service, rework how the Postal Service transports mail and other products, and overhaul its processing and logistics network.”

Officials claim service has already declined

The changes are part of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s 10-year plan to transform the mail delivery service, but Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh says consumers, businesses, and local governments have already been negatively impacted.

“Americans missed medications, pay and benefit checks, and more,” Frosh said. “Now Mr. DeJoy wants to swing his wrecking ball 10 years into the future.” 

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring says areas of his state are already experiencing declines in service because of the new delivery standards. 

“Virginians depend on the postal service for so many things – paying bills and other payments, life-saving prescriptions, and other necessary goods – and it’s imperative that any changes made to USPS do not disrupt or delay service,” Herring said.

A consumer’s complaint

Some consumers seem to agree. Rose, of Courtlandt Manor, N.Y., expressed frustration earlier this month after she mailed a parcel to a friend in Alabama.

“Made a pair of slacks for a friend. Mailed them from Mohegan Lake NY. They went to Stamford CT, Jersey City NJ, Albany NY, and are currently in Western Rochester NY,” she wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “By the time the pants arrive in Alabama, they will be worn out. Next time I will use UPS or take Amtrak and deliver them myself.”

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong says the changes enacted by the USPS not only raise rates but “dramatically” reduce customer service. He and his colleagues say the Postal Regulatory Commission must thoroughly review the new policy.

The commission said it has received the state officials’ complaint, established a docket for the matter, “and will take it under advisement.”

While many parents opt to put their infants in a carrying sling for long walks or to run errands, a new study may have consumers rethinking their purchasing options. 

According to researchers from the American Academy of Pediatrics, baby-wearing products may increase the risk of serious injuries for infants under the age of one. 

“The most precious thing a parent will ever wear is their child,” said researcher Dr. Samantha Rowe. “But like when buying a new pair of shoes, parents must be educated on the proper sizing, selection, and wear of baby carriers to prevent injury to themselves and their child.” 

Keeping infants safe

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from 2011 through 2020. In that time, there were more than 14,000 infant injuries related to baby carriers. 

The majority of the injuries were incurred by infants younger than six months old, and nearly 84% of these accidents resulted in head injuries; approximately 20% of infants were taken to the hospital following the injury. 

The researchers learned that 30% of the injuries occurred when a parent was wearing a sling-type baby carrier. Around 20% of these types of injuries occurred when a caregiver fell while wearing a baby carrier.

Ultimately, the biggest risk of wearing a baby carrier is for very young infants. The study showed that infants aged 0-5 months were involved in the most accidents, though all babies under the age of 1 had a higher risk of experiencing these types of injuries. 

Baby carriers make it easier for caregivers to multitask and form attachment bonds with their infants. However, safety is the most important thing for both newborns and caregivers. To avoid significant injury and hospitalization, the researchers recommend that parents and caregivers take the time to do their research on these products -- especially when it comes to selecting the right product size. 

McDonald’s thinks educators have really stepped up over the course of the pandemic and wants to say thanks. The chain kicked off the week by offering free breakfast 'Thank You Meals' to teachers and school staff.  

“Together with our Owner/Operators, we're proud to serve the people who make our communities a better place, and this is an important time to say thank you to some of our everyday heroes,” said Joe Erlinger, President, McDonald’s USA. 

“We were honored to give away 12 million free Thank You Meals to first responders and healthcare workers last year and now, with educators going above and beyond, we're excited to recognize them in a way only McDonald's can.”

Free breakfast meals with valid ID cards

The company said all educators -- meaning teachers, administrators, and school staff -- can pop over to any local participating McDonald’s during breakfast hours (5-11 a.m.) from Oct. 11-15, show a valid work ID, and enjoy a free breakfast. 

The Thank You Meals will be served in a classic Happy Meal box filled with an entrée breakfast sandwich, Hash Browns, and a beverage. Sandwich choices include an Egg McMuffin, a Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit, or a Sausage Biscuit. For beverage options, educators get their choice of a medium McCafé hot or iced coffee or a medium soft drink.

McDonald’s doesn’t want its teacher appreciation to just end with a biscuit. It thinks some teachers probably deserve more and wants to offer a way for people whose lives have been changed by an educator to express their gratitude by sharing their stories on social media.

“To make sure educators feel recognized and appreciated by all of us, we’re inviting everyone to honor a special educator in their life,” the company said. “Whether it’s your kid's favorite teacher, or an educator making a difference in your community or who has impacted your life, share how they inspire you by using #ThankYouMeal on Twitter, TikTok or Instagram, now through Oct. 15.”

“If personal messages are more your style, people can also download a free Thank You e-card and send it directly to a special educator in their life,” the company added.

Southwest Airlines canceled or delayed close to 2,000 flights over the weekend and is beginning the week with close to 10% of its flights canceled as of late Monday morning. When everything was added up, FoxNews reported that Southwest had canceled 808 flights and had 1,187 flights delayed on Saturday, then another 1,018 flights canceled and 597 flights delayed on Sunday.

The airline put the onus for the cancellations on three things: bad weather, air traffic control problems, and staffing issues. Southwest pointed the finger at the pandemic for the snowballing issues, telling CNN that getting operations back to normal was "more difficult and prolonged" because of schedule and staffing reductions made during the COVID-19 upheaval.

"We've continued diligent work throughout the weekend to reset our operation with a focus on getting aircraft and crews repositioned to take care of our customers," the airline said in a statement.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) countered Southwest on the air traffic issue. The agency told CNN that there have been no air traffic-related cancellations since Friday, and it said if any airlines are experiencing delays, it’s due to aircraft and crews being out of place.

"Flight delays and cancellations occurred for a few hours Friday afternoon due to widespread severe weather, military training and limited staffing in one area of the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center," the FAA said.

Were other airlines impacted in the same way?

By all accounts, Southwest may be the only airline that’s enduring a large volume of flight delays and cancellations. According to CNN and FlightAware, other airlines experienced far fewer issues. On Sunday, American Airlines and Southwest’s low-budget competitor Spirit canceled only 2% of their flights.

However, staffing issues aren't just a Southwest issue. Other airlines have felt the pinch, and that likely has raised the frustration levels of travelers. One industry analyst warns travelers that hiring is a problematic task for airlines, especially given the layoffs and revenue hits the industry took during the pandemic.

“The shortage in labor across the industry could place travel providers at risk of not being able to bring back capacity fast enough to meet demand, which could lead to a loss in revenue,” Jason Guggenheim, Boston Consulting Group’s global head of travel, told Skift. Guggenheim was then asked why airlines can’t fix this labor supply-and-demand disconnect by simply offering higher wages? He said it’s not that simple.

“Travel companies are and will pay more to bring back the right amount of labor, but demand is still volatile and so ensuring they bring back labor thoughtfully is critical for their cost structure and ability to generate positive margins and cash flows,” Guggenheim said. “Almost every travel company has a weaker balance sheet now relative to pre-pandemic, placing a greater emphasis on producing positive cash flow and slowly reducing the burden of a weakened balance sheet.”

A new study conducted by researchers from the American Academy of Pediatrics explored the health risks associated with infants’ exposure to marijuana through their mothers’ breast milk. According to their findings, premature infants showed no short-term health risks when their mothers breastfed and tested positive for THC. 

“Providing breast milk from THC-positive women to preterm infants remains controversial since long-term effects of this exposure are unknown,” said researcher Dr. Natalie L. Davis. 

“For this reason, we continue to strongly recommend that women avoid marijuana use while pregnant and while nursing their babies. Our study, however, did provide some reassuring news in terms of short-term health effects. It definitely indicates that more research is needed in this area to help provide women and doctors with further guidance.” 

What are the risks?

For the study, the researchers analyzed medical records of more than 760 preterm infants born between 2014 and 2020. The team tested all of the mothers for THC and monitored the infants’ health outcomes. They compared results from infants given THC-positive breast milk with those who were given either formula or breast milk from THC-negative mothers. 

Ultimately, the researchers learned that all of the infants involved in the study experienced similar health outcomes, regardless of their mothers’ THC status. The researchers tracked the infants from the time they were born until they were allowed to be taken home, and all of the key health markers -- feeding habits, breathing difficulties, and lung development -- were comparable.

While nearly 20% of the mothers tested positive for THC at the time of delivery, there were no significant short-term health challenges identified. The researchers hope more work is done in this area to better understand the potential long-term effects of marijuana exposure in women’s breast milk. 

“Teasing out the effects of THC can be very difficult to study,” said Dr. Davis. “We found that women who screened positive for THC were frequently late to obtain prenatal care, which can have a detrimental effect on their baby separate from marijuana use. This is important to note for future public health interventions.” 

Nissan North America is recalling 3,030 model year 2022 Pathfinders.

Insufficient welds in affected vehicles may allow the secondary hood latch retainer bracket to detach from the front bumper assembly.

A detached secondary hood latch may allow the hood to open if the primary latch is not engaged, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and replace the secondary hood latch bracket -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on October 21, 2021.

Owners may contact Nissan customer service at (800) 867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC840.