Current Events in November 2021

A new global study explored how repeating a grade may affect kids from a social perspective. According to researchers, having this experience may make kids more susceptible to bullying by their peers who were promoted. 

“Grade repetition is practiced worldwide and varies considerably across the globe,” the researchers wrote. “Although a large body of research has documented grade repetition’s academic and nonacademic effects, the limited evidence on associations between grade repetition and school bullying is inconsistent and ambiguous. This study aimed to investigate the global association of grade repetition with bully victimization in a large-scale school-based cross-sectional study.” 

Kids can get bullied when they’re held back

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 465,000 students from 74 countries enrolled in the Program for International Student Assessment (PIA). Students answered questions about their experience repeating a grade, including any instances of bullying over the previous 12 months. 

The researchers learned that students who repeated a grade were more likely than their classmates who were promoted to experience bullying. Overall, more than 12% of participants were held back a grade, and more than 30% of those students were bullied by their classmates who moved on to the next grade. Bullying included being made fun of, being threatened, having possessions taken away, being physically abused, and being the subject of rumors. 

The study showed that this trend was more prevalent among female students who repeated a grade than male students. The researchers hope these findings highlight the ways that repeating a grade can impact kids on a social level. 

“These results are of great concern for parents, teachers, principals, and policymakers at different levels, especially in countries where grade repetition is particularly prevalent,” the researchers wrote. “Grade repetition is associated with bullying victimization in both boys and girls.” 

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 30 model year 2021 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and Passat vehicles.

The front wheel bearing bolts may have been incorrectly tightened.

As a result, the bolts may loosen and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the tightness of the wheel bearing bolts and replace them -- as necessary -- free of charge.

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

Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at (800) 893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40R7.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 47,233,212 (47,084,497)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 764,608 (763,168)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 254,092,019 (253,543,995)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,111,573 (5,103,757)‌

U.S. cases are rising again

The U.S. has lower infection rates than a lot of other developed nations, but some areas of the country are seeing sharp increases. It’s enough to worry some health experts, including President Biden’s chief medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci.

“The only thing that’s a little bit disconcerting is that we’re beginning to plateau,” Fauci said during an interview hosted by the Bipartisan Policy Center. “In other words, the deceleration of cases is now plateaued, and in some areas of the country, we’re starting to see a bit of an uptick.”  

Infections had been falling for weeks after hitting a Delta variant peak of 172,500 new cases per day in mid-September. Cases have recently spiked in the Mountain West and in states along the Canadian border.

Some states considering new holiday guidelines

The U.S. will celebrate its second pandemic Thanksgiving next week, but unlike last year, most of the people around the table will have been vaccinated. While many parts of the country have seen a decline in cases, states where the virus has spiked are considering new holiday guidelines.

With cases rising in many northern states, the Minnesota Department of Health is urging families to "think carefully" about their Thanksgiving plans. However, the agency is not asking people to cancel their plans.

However, it is asking unvaccinated people to take extra precautions that are in line with advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It says unvaccinated people and those in areas of high transmission rates should wear masks while around other people.

Study: Antidepressants may help against COVID-19

Can taking Prozac protect you from the coronavirus? A large analysis of health records from 87 health care centers in the U.S. concluded that people taking a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), particularly fluoxetine, were significantly less likely to die of COVID-19 than a control group. Fluoxetine is sold under the brand name Prozac and is a widely used antidepressant.

Scientists say the results suggest that SSRIs may have beneficial effects against the worst symptoms of COVID-19. They say further studies are needed to prove it.

“We can't tell if the drugs are causing these effects, but the statistical analysis is showing significant association,” said Marina Sirota, Ph.D., associate professor of pediatrics and a member of the Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute (BCHSI) at UC San Francisco. “There's power in the numbers.” 

Around the nation

• Connecticut: A COVID-19 outbreak has claimed the lives of eight residents of a nursing home since September. In a statement, Geer Village Senior Community in North Canaan reported that 89 residents and staff, many of them fully vaccinated, have tested positive for the virus.

• California: Attorney General Rob Bonta has secured a court order requiring Amazon to pay a $500,000 fine for "concealing COVID-19 case numbers" from workers. It’s the first judgment under the state’s new “right to know” law.

• Tennessee: Gov. Bill Lee has signed comprehensive legislation that limits what businesses and governments can do to curb the spread of COVID-19. But the State Comptroller’s Office said it would grant an exemption to any business that claimed a loss of federal funding if it obeyed the law against vaccination mandates.

• Alabama: Attorney General Steve Marshall has filed a lawsuit to block a federal mandate that would require health care workers to be vaccinated. “One can only imagine the damage that will be done by this mandate to already short-staffed rural and community hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes that receive federal funds for Medicare and Medicaid Services,” Marshall said.

• Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has produced a side-by-side comparison of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in October. It shows that unvaccinated residents of the state died at 15 times the rate of vaccinated people and were five times as likely to be infected.

With Black Friday coming up next week, major retailers are showing their hands. They’re releasing ad slicks to give shoppers an early peek at their holiday deals.

At Walmart, the leaked ad slick shows that two popular video game consoles, -- the Xbox Series X and the Playstation 5 -- will both be on sale for $499, but only for online purchases. Additional games start at $14. Walmart is also offering a bonus to shoppers who purchase a new smartphone. Consumers who purchase an iPhone or Samsung model can get up to $750 in eGift cards. 

Electronics are always a big draw on Black Friday. Target will offer a 65-inch 4K set for $300. A Nintendo Switch will be available at the same price.

Black Friday shoppers will also find 40% off on select Lego building sets. There are also things for the kitchen. A KitchenAid 5-quart professional stand mixer will have a Black Friday sale price of $220. The deals begin Nov. 21.

TVs and appliances

Best Buy will have plenty of TV sets on sale at next week’s sales event. A Samsung 75-inch Class 7 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Tizen TV will be on sale for $850. A Keurig single-serve coffee maker will sell for $50.

There will also be discounts on appliances. Best Buy shoppers can get up to $300 in free e-gift cards with select Samsung appliance packages. For example, consumers will receive a $100 e-gift card with the purchase of a select laundry package. A select kitchen appliance package earns buyers a $200 e-gift card.

According to a Macy’s ad slick, the retailer will celebrate Black Friday with deals on apparel, appliances, and electronics. Women’s coats will sell for 60% to 70% off. Women’s boots and shoes will be marked down as much as 50%.

‘Bonus buys’

Macy’s is also offering some “bonus buys.” Shoppers who spend at least $25 can pick up a pair of Macy's diamond multi-halo stud earrings (1/10 ct. t.w.) in sterling silver for $30.

Costco’s ad shows Black Friday sales start online on Thanksgiving Day. Promotions include $150 off on the purchase of an HP Pavilion 15.6” 1080p touchscreen laptop with an Intel Core i7 Processor, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD. 

Shoppers will find $300 off on the purchase of an MSI Prestige 14” 1080p Laptop with an Intel Core i7 Processor, 32GB Memory, and 1TB SSD. In the apparel department, Gloria Vanderbilt stretch jeans will be marked down $7 and Voyager’s men’s hoodies will be marked down $6.

After months of wrangling and deal-cutting in Congress, President Biden has finally gotten to put his signature on one of his loftiest agenda items -- a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package. 

In the administration’s view, the law delivers on a long-overdue promise. It includes everything from rebuilding the country’s infrastructure to creating better jobs for millions of Americans. Below are some of the items that are included in the legislation.

What Americans can expect from the new law

A revamped infrastructure: When it comes to infrastructure, Biden says “things are going to turn around in a big way.” He said 2022 will be the first year in two decades that the U.S. infrastructure investment will grow faster than China’s. 

“We’ll once again have the best roads, bridges, ports, and airports over the next decade. And we’ll lead the world into the 21st century with modern cars and trucks and transit systems,” the President stated. 

The biggest overhaul in that laundry list will be roads and bridges. Biden said the rebuilding of those two items will be the most significant investment the U.S. has made in the past 70 years. Right behind that is the most significant investment in passenger rail the country has put forth in the last 50 years, as well as the most aggressive effort ever put in public transit. 

Jobs: With the investment in infrastructure also comes the need for workers to make that happen -- plumbers to replace all the lead pipes in the country, people to install broadband lines, workers to install electric vehicle charging stations. Biden says it will take tens of thousands of workers to export clean energy technologies to the rest of the world.

“This law delivers on that long-overdue promise, in my view. It creates better jobs for millions of Americans. And no one — no one earning less than $400,000 a year will pay a single penny in federal taxes because of it.”

Broadband: The new law intends to make high-speed internet affordable and available everywhere while boosting competition and creating more price transparency. That’s likely to be a hit with many consumers who are unhappy with their internet and a nation of parents who wrestled with getting their children set up for remote learning during the pandemic.

“Folks, as we saw with remote learning, remote working during the pandemic, access to high-speed Internet is essential… No parent should have to sit in a parking lot at a fast-food restaurant again just so their child can use the internet to do their homework. That’s over,” Biden said at his press conference announcing the passage of the law.

Electric vehicles: From the moment Biden entered the White House, he’s been championing electric vehicles -- everything from changing out the federal government’s fleet to all-electric vehicles to offering top-dollar incentives to consumers who buy one. Now, he has a real chance to advance all those hopes and says Americans can expect a “true” countrywide network of more than a half-million charging stations for electric vehicles.

“It is also going to make it possible for Americans to get off the sidelines and into the game of manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, batteries to store energy and power for electric vehicles, including electric school buses, which will mean millions of children will no longer inhale the dangerous diesel fumes that come out of the buses,” Biden stated.

A new study conducted by researchers from Michigan Medicine explored the COVID-19 risks that are present in nursing homes. They explained that while most cases of the virus are transmitted from airborne particles, the virus can also be detected on contaminated surfaces in these places. 

“These data show that coronavirus is ubiquitous and persistent in the rooms of nursing home residents with COVID-19, and highlight the ongoing importance of rigorous cleaning and the protection of staff and visitors,” said researcher Dr. Lona Mody. 

Health risks in nursing homes

For the study, the researchers tested high-touch surfaces in four Michigan nursing homes from October 2020, through January 2021. In total, there were more than 2,000 samples taken from more than 100 rooms of patients who had tested positive for COVID-19. 

Ultimately, the researchers learned that nearly 30% of the samples taken detected traces of COVID-19. The most commonly touched surfaces -- such as nurse call buttons, doorknobs, remote controls, and windowsills -- contained the highest traces of the virus. The virus was also more likely to be detectable when the patients were more mobile and active. 

The researchers explained that surfaces and areas outside of the patients’ rooms contained either no traces or very low traces of COVID-19. 

Cleaning and sanitizing must be reinforced

It’s also interesting to note that the researchers were unable to determine if the levels of the virus detected in patients’ rooms were enough to create an infection. However, the findings still point to the importance of ramping up cleaning and sanitizing efforts in nursing home residents’ rooms to ensure that the virus is undetectable to visitors and staff. 

“While the CDC notes that the risk of transmission via environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 is generally low, there are several factors which may increase this risk that are especially relevant in a nursing home setting,” the team wrote. “Nursing homes may have very high prevalence rates during outbreaks; mask wearing and hand hygiene may be inconsistent among nursing home patients with active infection; and the acuity of infections among nursing home patients may lead to increased viral shedding over what may be seen in the broader community. 

“For this reason, effective infection prevention and cleaning in nursing homes remains a priority during the times of SARS-CoV-2 circulation, particularly since wearing masks for prolonged periods of time may not be feasible for this population.” 

Amazon will pay $500,000 to the state of California to settle claims that it hid COVID-19 cases from its warehouse workers. The company also agreed to reverse its misstep by improving its health safety measures and conforming to a state law that requires employees and local health agencies to be notified about workplace COVID-19 exposures within one business day.

Amazon employs about 150,000 people in California, the majority of them at fulfillment centers. It recently announced plans to add another 23,000 jobs in the state.

Earlier this year, Amazon came under fire for a lack of coronavirus-related protection for its employees. When the company disclosed that 13 of its facilities had been affected by at least one coronavirus case, it was hit with criticism by workers who said they had faced pressure to work longer hours during the crisis and hadn’t been offered protective gear or screening for possible coronavirus symptoms. 

Sending a clear message

California Attorney General Rob Bonta called Amazon out for “harmful labor practices” in the state’s judgment against the retailer, saying the company failed to provide key information on workplace protections as part of California’s “right-to-know” law. Bonta charged the retailer of not allowing workers to effectively monitor the spread of the virus. 

“As our nation continues to battle the pandemic, it is absolutely critical that businesses do their part to protect workers now — and especially during this holiday season,” commented Bonta. “Bottom line: Californians have a right to know about potential exposures to the coronavirus to protect themselves, their families, and their communities. … This judgment sends a clear message that businesses must comply with this important law. It helps protect us all.”

The agreement still has to get court approval, but Bonta said Amazon will notify local health agencies within 48 hours of new COVID-19 cases if all goes according to plan.

In a statement, Barbara Agrait, a spokesperson for Amazon, said that the company was “glad to have this resolved and to see that the AG found no substantive issues with the safety measures in our buildings.”

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is suing Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, and accusing it of misleading the public about how it controlled its proprietary algorithm. The suit takes a two-pronged approach, claiming the company’s actions were aimed at boosting its stock and deceiving shareholders.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) and other Facebook investors. The complaint alleges that Facebook and its senior executives violated federal securities laws from April 29, 2021, through Oct. 21, 2021.

“This suit is without merit and we will defend ourselves vigorously,” Joe Osborne, a Meta spokesperson, told the Wall Street Journal.

Leaked documents

The alleged violation centers on revelations made by a former Facebook employee who leaked internal company research in late September. Those documents contended that the company was aware that Instagram was having a harmful effect on some teenaged girls.

"Facebook said it was looking out for our children and weeding out online trolls, but in reality was creating misery and divisiveness for profit," Yost said. "We are not people to Mark Zuckerberg, we are the product and we are being used against each other out of greed."

Yost cites a series of articles published in the Wall Street Journal that he says demonstrate Facebook’s priorities. The revelations triggered a congressional investigation and renewed calls in some quarters to break up the social media giant.

Statements called into question

Yost’s suit claims that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other company officials made statements about safety, security, and privacy on the platform that they knew were not true. The suit stated that Facebook admitted in those internal documents that it was “not actually doing what we say we do publicly."

In addition to charges that Meta deceived the public, the suit also charges that the revelations by the former employee ended up costing investors, including OPERS. The suit claims that the company’s action caused the stock to fall by more than $54 a share, costing investors $100 billion.

Yost’s lawsuit asks the court to order Meta to make good on those losses and to make significant reforms to ensure it does not happen again.

A new study conducted by researchers from Duke University Medical Center explored some of the best ways for consumers to deal with the picky eaters in their lives. According to their findings, support and encouragement are likely to produce better outcomes than more forceful, intense measures when it comes to food aversions. 

“It is robust confirmation for what had been out there in the literature and reinforces the concept that children feeling forced or pressured to eat is not helpful,” said researcher Nancy Zucker, Ph.D. 

Approaching picky eaters with support

For the study, the researchers surveyed more than 19,000 people who claimed they were picky eaters. The participants shared their personal experiences with food aversions, including the ways that those closest to them handled their pickiness. The team then used artificial intelligence to better understand how those experiences emotionally impacted the participants.  

“From a technical perspective, this study used an AI application that understands language, not just words and sentences, but concepts of paragraphs, which was imperative here,” said researcher J. Matías Di Martino, Ph.D. “By getting the positive and negative emotions, it enables us to analyze the comprehensive memories of nearly 20,000 people.” 

The biggest takeaway from the study was that when participants felt forced to eat, it wasn’t a positive experience. Conversely, more encouraging and supportive efforts led to better outcomes. 

The study showed that strategies such as asking for help with food preparation, explaining the nutritional benefits of certain foods, and being flexible with meals were associated with more positive emotional responses. The participants also agreed that being asked to eat was a better method than being told they had to eat. 

“It’s not surprising that positive approaches were favored, but it is surprising how overwhelming that position was among this group of adults,” said Dr. Zucker. 

The toll on mental health

The researchers explained that severe food aversions may be linked with the mental health condition known as Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). This goes beyond just not liking certain foods; consumers struggling with ARFID can feel shame around meal times and general emotional distress when it comes to eating. This can also affect health and nutrition, leading to significant weight loss or a lack of certain nutrients. 

Under these circumstances, the researchers learned that even positive encouragement isn’t always going to lead to better situations with food. While having a positive attitude can help consumers with ARFID, avoiding certain foods is likely to remain a concern throughout adulthood. 

“To our knowledge, there is no published research that identifies effective feeding strategies for those with ARFID,” Dr. Zucker said. “Figuring out the best way to feed a child with severe food avoidance can be exhausting and stressful for parents, so providing guidance is essential to improve the social and emotional eating environment for their children and reduce the distress that both parents and children have at mealtimes.” 

American Honda Motor Co. is recalling 2,181 model year 2021 Trail 125 (CT125A) motorcycles.

The gearshift pedal arm weld may fail, possibly resulting in the pedal breaking off the motorcycle.

A broken or detached gearshift pedal can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

Dealers will replace the gearshift pedal assembly free of charge.

Owners may contact Honda Powersports customer service at (866) 784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KM8.

Citterio USA of Freeland, Pa., is recalling approximately 119,091 pounds of salame sticks.

The products may be contaminated with salmonella.

The following items, produced prior to October 25, 2021, are being recalled:

• 2-oz. packages containing Citterio “Premium Italian-Style Salame Sticks ALL NATURAL” with “best by” dates through January 23, 2022, located next to the barcode.

The recalled products, bearing the establishment number “EST. 4010” inside the USDA mark of inspection, were shipped to retail locations nationwide and exported to Bermuda.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled product should not consume it. Instead, they can discard it or return it to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions may Citterio USA, at (800) 435-8888 or by email at joseph.petruce@citteriousa.com.

Volvo Cars USA is recalling 194,546 model year 2001-2007 V70s and XC70s.

The driver's airbag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high-temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Dealers will replace the driver's airbag free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on December 14, 2021.

Owners may contact Volvo customer service at (800) 458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10136.

Airlines around the world are finally getting to enjoy life in the air again. With international flight restrictions eased and vaccinated passengers feeling good about their health safety, it’s all systems go for the holidays and 2022. 

While airlines have handed out great fares as a lure to get consumers back in the air after 20 months of pandemic fits and starts, will they jack up the prices again? The easy answer is yes. Most experts agree that prices will go up because of demand, but demand alone isn’t what’s pushing the price of a ticket up. 

For one thing, the rising cost of jet fuel is another factor. Right before the COVID-19 pandemic started to kick in, U.S. jet fuel prices were at $1.52 per gallon. As of Monday, jet fuel is selling at $2.27 per gallon, the highest it’s been since 2014.

Airlines are also feverishly trying to hire all the employees they can to effectively staff flights. United is hiring 25,000 people, and understaffing issues have caused both American Airlines and Southwest Airlines to suffer disruptions and cancellations.

Consumer shares a cautionary tale

The employment situation at airlines has also made life difficult for travelers who need to make a change to their trip. You only have to look as far as ConsumerAffairs reviews to find a good cautionary tale. 

In a recent review of American Airlines, Kevin of Sykesville, Md., said he booked a flight for Feb. 2022 a couple of months ago that had changed when he checked in on it recently. 

“To my horror they changed the home airport from Baltimore to Philadelphia and from Saturday to Friday. They also changed the return flight from Mazatlán to BWI to Phoenix to BWI. I guess they expect me to drive 20 hours to get to the Phoenix airport. No messages or emails were ever sent from the airlines to notify me of this ridiculous change. I even double checked my SPAM folder,” Kevin said.

Kevin thought the easiest way to fix the issue was to go on American’s website and change his flight. He described how frustrating it was to try to talk to someone at the company.

“Nope, I can't change my flight online and have to call. I call and they give me the standard ‘Wait times are longer than usual’. Again, no big deal. However, then a message comes on telling me my wait time will be NO LESS than 4 hours,” he said.

“They tell me live Chat is available on the mobile app so I download that. I get on a chat and have been disconnected 3x forcing me to repeat the same info. I currently have been on chats for more than 90 min and they just told me no flights are available and to call reservations. I see cheaper and shorter flight times available by American as I am chatting, but I don’t want to double book and not get refunded. I don't know if it is just me, but this whole thing is out of control.” 

Kevin’s story illustrates just how important it is for consumers to stay on top of their flight details. As always, you can read more reviews about airlines on ConsumerAffairs to help you make the best travel decisions.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 47,084,497 (47,008,962)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 763,168 (762,876)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 253,543,995 (253,207,962)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,103,757 (5,098,863)‌

Court permanently blocks vaccine mandate

After issuing a temporary stay a week ago, a federal appeals court has ruled that the Biden administration may not require private businesses to have fully vaccinated staffs. The three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals called it an overreach.

“Rather than a delicately handled scalpel, the Mandate is a one-size fits-all sledgehammer that makes hardly any attempt to account for differences in workplaces (and workers) that have more than a little bearing on workers’ varying degrees of susceptibility to the supposedly ‘grave danger’ the Mandate purports to address,” the judges wrote.

The Biden administration had required vaccinations for all U.S. businesses with more than 100 employees. In their opinion, the judges wrote that the vaccine mandate places an undue financial burden on private businesses and could be a violation of the commerce clause to the U.S. Constitution.

Scientists probe what’s behind the new outbreaks

After surging during the late summer, COVID-19 cases have declined in the South. The numbers mirror a gradual drop in the national numbers. But some states have recently experienced sharp increases -- mostly states in the Mountain West and along the northern border.

Scientists studying the numbers report that even in highly vaccinated states like Vermont, the spike in cases is being driven by unvaccinated people. When unvaccinated people are removed from the case tally, they say the increase isn’t very much at all.

Neal Goldstein, an assistant research professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Drexel University, tells WHYY Radio in Philadelphia that it is unrealistic to expect the vaccine to prevent all cases, though data shows that significantly fewer infections occur among the vaccinated. 

Unvaccinated not welcome at many Thanksgiving dinners, survey finds

Next week’s Thanksgiving holiday may mark more of a return to normal, except for one thing. A survey by OnePoll has found that three out of five hosts are not inviting unvaccinated relatives this year.

Two in three people who responded to the poll said they don’t think they can go home for the holidays without getting vaccinated. Nearly six in 10 vaccinated respondents have reportedly cut off family members who refuse to get the vaccine. Sixty-three percent said they don’t feel comfortable inviting unvaccinated relatives to their gatherings.

The poll exposes a sharp divide in American culture. Seventy-two percent of vaccinated people say they don’t think they could persuade unvaccinated relatives that the vaccine is important. Half of the unvaccinated respondents have stopped talking to family members who don’t understand why they won’t get the shot.

Around the nation

• Oklahoma: The newly appointed commander of the Oklahoma National Guard is reportedly breaking with Pentagon policy, saying the Guard will not enforce the Defense Department’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate on its troops. Army Brig. Gen. Thomas Mancino’s appointment was announced last week, but he has yet to be confirmed by the state senate.

• Minnesota: Several hospitals across the state say they are filling up quickly with patients who are infected with COVID-19, and state health officials say hospitalizations are at an all-time high. CentraCare, a major health care provider in the state, is pleading with the public to get vaccinated, to practice social distancing, and to mask up to protect against the Delta variant.

• Virginia: State health department officials report that nearly three out of every four adults are vaccinated against the coronavirus, helping the state join the ranks of those with the highest rate of vaccinations. About 5.5 million Virginians are immunized, while about 2.4 million residents of the state are unvaccinated.

• New York: New York City officials are reportedly investigating reports that some Sanitation Department workers used fake vaccination cards to comply with the city’s vaccination mandate. A source tells WCBS-TV that department officials are probing reports that as many as 50 employees used counterfeit cards to keep working.

• Florida: The state legislature goes into special session today to consider bills aimed at preventing businesses and local governments from imposing vaccine or mask mandates. “No cop, no firefighter, no nurse, nobody should be losing their job because of these jabs,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis, who called the special session.

Parents have already started their holiday shopping and reportedly face supply chain challenges in finding favorite toys. The consumer group U.S. PIRG says that shortfall could increase the dangers from counterfeit or recalled toys.

In its 36th Annual Toy Safety Report, U.S. PIRG found that recalled or counterfeit toys have already made their way to consumers’ shopping carts. The organization has urged parents to check toys closely before giving them as gifts.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled 13 toys so far this year. PIRG Education Fund toy researchers found two additional recalled products — a hoverboard and a children’s watch accessory — that could fit into the toy gift category. 

Safety experts say the recalled toys pose a number of risks, including high levels of lead, potential foreign-body ingestion by a child, and choking hazards caused by small parts from easily broken toys.

Toys from traditional retailers should be safe

The group says parents who purchased toys at well-established retail stores are much less likely to find toys with safety risks. Those toys are required to have a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC). The CPC seal shows that the toy follows all applicable federal safety standards for children.

The problem, safety advocates say, involves toys purchased at thrift stores or online at unfamiliar or third-party retailers. They say websites that act as the middleman between the customer and the seller can be especially problematic.

“The middlemen do not consider themselves to be traditional retailers and therefore often do not follow the same rules that a traditional retailer would,” U.S. PIRG said in a press release. “Whereas the retailers must receive a certificate of compliance from a manufacturer before selling a toy, not every toy sold online may be covered by a CPC and the toy described in the website listing might not be the toy that arrives at your door.”

Potential dangers include toxic chemicals such as heavy metals or phthalates. Most parents don’t have access to labs that could test for harmful substances.

Because of supply chain constraints this year, consumer advocates worry that the unsafe toy problem could be worse. They say parents may cast a wider net in their search for toys for their children.

How to spot a fake or dangerous toy

U.S. PIRG has released a set of tips for parents and other relatives on how to spot a counterfeit or dangerous toy. First, the group recommends looking at the seller’s website. When looking at a toy’s product description, watch out for misspellings or mislabeling. Website listings with low-quality pictures of toys can also indicate a counterfeit, the group says.

The group also says to look for age recommendations. If there isn’t a clear age range, it’s best to avoid buying the toy. 

A “too-good-to-be-true” price can also be a red flag. When shopping on a website that has third-party sellers, comparing listings for similar toys can be a good way to identify what the average price should be. 

When shopping at websites hosting third-party sellers, you should be able to access the seller’s information. On Amazon, you can select the seller’s name under “Buy Now.” On eBay, you can click the seller’s name under “Seller Information.” On Walmart.com, a product sold by a third party has the seller’s name listed next to “Sold and shipped by.” 

If you’re one of the millions of American families who receive Child Tax Credit checks, there’s another one coming in the mail. But if you’re not signed up and think you qualify, the clock is ticking fast. 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says you have to sign up for the payments on its website by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, Nov. 15 to qualify. Eligible families will receive up to $300 per month for each child under age six and up to $250 per month for each child between the ages of six and 17.

Families who sign up by the Nov. 15 deadline will normally receive half of their total Child Tax Credit on Dec. 15. This means a payment of up to $1,800 for each child under age six and up to $1,500 for each child aged six to 17. This is the same total amount that most other families have been receiving in up to six monthly payments that began in July.

Payment timelines for families who’ve already signed up

For those who have already qualified and are one of the 36 million families in the system, they can count on their checks coming on Nov. 15 and Dec. 15. The majority of payments are being made by direct deposit. For those receiving payments by paper check or via USPS, the agency said it could take as long as the end of November.

If waiting for a check in the mail is too much, families who’d like to receive their Dec. 15 check by direct deposit can request that change using the Child Tax Credit Update Portal, available only at the IRS’ site here. That change needs to be made by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Nov. 29. at the latest.

The IRS also noted that there may be a bit of confusion for families who did not get a July, August, September, or October payment and are getting their first monthly payment in November. The agency notes that those families will still receive their total advance payment amount for the year (which is half of their total Child Tax Credit), meaning that the total payment will be spread over two months, rather than six, making each monthly payment larger.

Any family receiving a Child Tax Credit check who has moved or changed bank accounts should let the IRS know what those changes are. The agency is asking that any family that has had “significant changes” in income to let them know that too. With that information, the IRS could possibly raise or lower the monthly payments.

What about 2022?

Families who received advance payments of their Child Tax Credit during 2021 can claim the rest of the credit when they file their 2021 Federal income tax return. To help them do that, the IRS will be sending out “Letter 6419” in early 2022. In that letter, the agency says it will lay out the procedures for any advance payments issued to families during 2021 and the number of qualifying children used to calculate the advance payments.

It’s possible that families might have other questions about eligibility, forms, and dates. In those situations, the IRS asks that they visit its special Child Tax Credit website. 

Used car buyers encountered a heavy dose of inflation on the used car lot last month. Cox Automotive reports that the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) rose at a record pace in October. 

It was the reverse of the normal trend. In a typical year, automakers push the next model year while making deals on the current one, causing the price of used cars to fall. But 2021 is anything but a typical year.

With a shortage of new cars, buyers are increasingly turning to used vehicles. That’s allowing dealers to raise prices. At the wholesale level, used vehicle prices increased by 9.2% in October from September, leaving the index up 38.1% year-over-year and at a new record. 

With prices continuing to go up, used car sales went down. Sales were down an estimated 10% from October 2020. Compared to 2019, total used-vehicle sales were down 11%. 

Some of those prospective buyers apparently found their way to the new car showroom because new car sales were slightly higher in October than in September, which came in at a record low. Compared to 2020, October’s new car sales were down 23%. 

New car prices still rising

Just like used vehicles, when new cars and trucks did sell last month, they sold for more money. According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), consumers paid an average of $46,036 for a new vehicle last month. That’s $5,266 more than one year ago. 

According to KBB data, the average new car sold for 2% over manufacturers’ suggested retail price (MSRP) in October – about $800 more than the list price. One year before, buyers were spending an average of $2,300 less than the sticker price.

“Whether they are desperate or impatient, consumers continue to pay hundreds of dollars above the suggested price for new vehicles,” said Kayla Reynolds, an analyst for Cox Automotive. “While the average transaction price jumped to a new record high, the average incentive package fell to a 20-year low. To score a new vehicle, buyers are accepting no-haggle pricing, with significant market adjustments in some instances. It is absolutely a seller’s market right now.”

According to KBB, the total supply of new cars available for sale remains well under historical norms. That’s due largely to a global microchip shortage that has sidelined much of the auto industry’s planned production.

When they do acquire microchips, automakers are using them to build trucks, SUVs, and luxury cars because profit margins on those vehicles are higher.