Current Events in December 2021

Sometimes, when you know that things are not going well at work, you can start preparing for the eventual pink slip. But other times, unemployment comes suddenly and with no warning.

Last weekend’s tornado outbreak in the middle of the country is a prime example of sudden unemployment. Several areas were devastated by a powerful tornado that destroyed scores of businesses, and with them, jobs.

“It’s a severe problem here because the tornado wiped out so many businesses in the downtown area and those people are out of business, at least for a while, and most of their employees as of last Friday night are unemployed,” said Chuck Foster, an attorney in Mayfield, Ky., the hardest-hit city.

The tornado completely destroyed Foster’s law firm building, but the firm’s employees are fortunate. The law firm quickly occupied space in nearby Paducah and is still operating.

“We have an insurance policy through Allstate that will help us keep operating, but Allstate requires a lot of paperwork and reviews of our business, so it’s not clear when we might get paid,” Foster told ConsumerAffairs.

Assistance can take time

People across the region who are now jobless because of the storm can file for unemployment benefits, but that process can take a while as well. Millions of dollars in government and private aid will soon flow to the region, but decisions will have to be made on how to distribute the funds – something that won’t happen overnight.

That’s why personal finance experts recommend every household have an emergency savings account to meet unexpected circumstances. Navy Federal Credit Union recommends an emergency fund of at least $11,000 for the average household, but most people are not close to that goal.

The median emergency fund balance among workers today is $5,000, according to the 21st Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey published in September. Older workers had the most in savings, while younger workers had the least. The Federal Reserve has found that most people wouldn’t be able to pay for an unexpected $400 car repair.

Even high earners live paycheck to paycheck

Not only do consumers lack an emergency fund, but many live paycheck to paycheck. A recent survey by PYMNTs.com found that 53% of households earning between $50,000 and $100,000 a year have no money left by the time the next payday rolls around. That can be a big problem if you suddenly find yourself without a job.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that from January 2017, through December 2019, there were 2.7 million workers displaced from jobs they had held for at least 3 years. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly increased that number.

Labor Department statistics show that 2,458,419 people are drawing unemployment benefits, an increase of 510,808 from the previous week.

Consumers who are still repaying their college loans received some welcome news on Wednesday. In a press statement, President Biden announced that his administration is extending a pause on student loan repayments until May 1, 2022. The move adds 90 days to the previous deadline of February 1, 2022. 

Biden said he is extending the deadline due to the looming threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has intensified in recent weeks due to the emergence of the Omicron variant.

“We know that millions of student loan borrowers are still coping with the impacts of the pandemic and need some more time before resuming payments,” he said.

Borrowers urged to plan for repayments to resume

Biden also cited improvements to the economy and jobs market in his announcement, stating that the U.S. has added 6 million jobs this year and recorded the fewest Americans filing for unemployment in over 50 years. 

However, a rising number of COVID-19 cases could threaten the economy and cause that progress to reverse. Biden said student loan borrowers who are affected by the extension of the student loan repayment pause should do all they can to prepare for their payments to resume next year. 

“As we are taking this action, I’m asking all student loan borrowers to do their part as well: take full advantage of the Department of Education’s resources to help you prepare for payments to resume; look at options to lower your payments through income-based repayment plans; explore public service loan forgiveness; and make sure you are vaccinated and boosted when eligible,” he said. 

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 51,376,316 (51,127,557)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 810,707 (808,128)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 276,640,160 (275,666,580)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,373,685 (5,365,183)‌

Some encouraging news about Omicron

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is quickly spreading around the U.S., but there is emerging evidence that its symptoms are less severe. A study by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases found that in South Africa, where the variant was first discovered, people infected with it are 80% less likely to be hospitalized.

The researchers compared the results of Delta variant infections in South Africa between April and November and found that Omicron infections were associated with a 70% lower risk of severe disease. 

Health officials say the Omicron variant is apparently fueling a sharp rise in U.S. cases. In what may have been a television first, Dan Nathan, a regular panelist on the live broadcast of CNBC’s Fast Money, announced Tuesday night that he had tested positive for the Omicron variant. Nathan, as well as the other panelists, appeared remotely.

U.S. Army developing universal vaccine

Scientists at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research are reportedly on the cusp of developing a new vaccine that would be effective against all variants of COVID-19. The publication Defense One reports that the announcement of a successful universal vaccine could come “within weeks.”

According to the report, the vaccine is the result of extended research at the military installation. Scientists began work in early 2020, long before the full extent of the pandemic was known. 

“It's very exciting to get to this point for our entire team and I think for the entire Army as well,” said Dr. Kayvon Modjarrad, director of Walter Reed’s infectious diseases branch.

Rare praise for Donald Trump

Since the 2020 election, President Biden hasn’t had much good to say about his predecessor, Donald Trump. But that softened a bit during Tuesday’s address to the nation on COVID-19 when Biden noted that Trump revealed publicly that he had gotten a booster – a remark that drew boos from a few supporters.

"It may be one of the few things he and I agree on," Biden said. "People with booster shots are highly protected. Join them. Join us."

Biden also praised the previous administration’s efforts to develop vaccines under “Operation Warp Speed,” noting that it made the vaccine rollout happen sooner than most people expected.

Around the nation

• Ohio: The sudden rise in serious coronavirus cases is putting a strain on hospitals in some parts of the country. Six Ohio hospital systems placed an ad in the Cleveland Plain-Dealer with the headline “Help.” The bottom of the ad said, "We need your help. We now have more COVID-19 patients in our hospitals than ever before. And the overwhelming majority are unvaccinated."

• California: Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that state officials will require health care workers in the state to get a booster shot of the coronavirus vaccine. Newsom said it is important that people working in health care stay healthy due to current staff shortages.

• Pennsylvania: Tuesday night’s National Hockey League game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals at the Wells Fargo Center was postponed just hours before faceoff. The league announced the postponement was due to COVID-19 issues affecting the Capitals.

• Georgia: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has told city residents to mask up, reinstating a mask requirement inside stores and other businesses. The Mayor said she acted in the face of rising COVID-19 infections and the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

• Idaho: An Idaho Falls woman entered a plea of not guilty in court this week to charges of misdemeanor abuse of a teacher and misdemeanor providing a false identity to law enforcement. Her arrest stemmed from a reported incident in which the woman burst into her son’s classroom and confronted the teacher over school COVID-19 policies.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has moved forward with an investigation over concerns that various Tesla models allow passengers to play video games on the front center touchscreen while the vehicle is in motion. 

In a document released Tuesday, the agency said it is opening a “preliminary evaluation” to evaluate the potential of Tesla drives being distracted by "Passenger Play" while the vehicle is being driven. In its evaluation, the NHTSA will assess aspects of the feature, including the frequency and use scenarios of the feature. 

Tesla is the second automaker in as many months to catch the ire of the NHTSA. In November, Mercedes-Benz recalled 227 U.S. vehicles because the vehicle infotainment systems "might allow activation of the television and internet display while driving, causing a distraction for the driver."

NHTSA playing it safe

While none of the Tesla models have yet to register a fatality or an injury – and the game screen displays a warning that “Playing while the car is in motion is only for passengers” – the lone complaint the NHTSA received was enough to raise concern for the safety of all Tesla owners. 

In that complaint, the gameplay functionality was confirmed and shown to be available in Tesla vehicles with “Passenger Play” from December 2020. Prior to that, gameplay was enabled only when the vehicle was parked.

The agency document raised another concern – that no matter what visual warnings the game displays, a driver can still game the system by confirming that they are a passenger simply by pressing a button.

Distracted driving concerns continue

Eating and driving, texting and driving, applying makeup, taking photos – no matter what the distraction is, more than half of a recent study’s respondents admitted to doing something that kept them from having their eyes on the road. In 2019, 3,142 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.

Over the last eight years, the NHTSA has been on a crusade to get automakers "to factor safety and driver distraction-prevention into their designs and adoption of infotainment devices in vehicles." 

Many drivers are likely unaware that state legislatures have laws regarding distracted driving already on the books. All told, 29 states and territories forbid drivers from using handheld cell phones and 53 prohibit texting while driving. All are primary enforcement laws — an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.

For complete details on where drivers can be cited for distracted driving, a complete state-by-state list is available here.

As the number of positive cases brought on by the Omicron variant trends upward, the number of diners eating out at restaurants in the U.S. is plunging. According to newly released data from OpenTable, the number of seated diners on Dec. 20 was 33% lower than the number of diners seated on the same day in 2019.

Cities and states in the Northeast U.S. got hit the worst. New York City’s overall restaurant traffic is running 60% behind the 2019 numbers. Washington D.C. restaurant traffic is nearly half (53%) of what it was two years ago. 

Those two cities may head OpenTable’s list, but they’re not alone. Baltimore, Portland, Seattle, New Orleans, Maryland, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Cambridge (MA), Milwaukee, St. Louis, Chicago, and the states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Illinois, New Mexico, and Maine all reported unseated diner rates of 50% or more recently. Nevada was the only state to show higher numbers of seated diners when compared to 2019 levels.

Restaurants turn to Congress

The restaurant industry had been recovering, but it's finding itself going in reverse now because of closures related to staff infections and rising cases linked to the Omicron variant. Data from the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) suggests that 86% of independent restaurants could close without relief. 

“Last month, many lost their ability to take on new debt due to low credit scores,” the group said in an Instagram post. “If dine-in traffic continues, omicron may replicate the impact the delta variant had on restaurants.”

In a letter to congressional leaders, the coalition said things were bad overall. However, conditions are particularly bleak for over 177,000 restaurants and bars that never had their applications for relief under the American Rescue Plan processed. To help reverse the course, the coalition asked for additional aid to get the industry through the crunch. To date, the IRC said 295 representatives in the House and 51 Senators have signed on to support refilling the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) grant.

“Time is up for our nation's 500,000 local, independent restaurants and bars, as well as the 16 million people we employ and the millions of farmers, fishermen, beverage distributors, and others up and down the supply chain,” read the letter. “Restaurants serve our communities, employ families, and feed our economy. We need your help so we can continue serving you for years to come.”

A new study conducted by researchers from the German Center for Diabetes Research explored some of the ways consumers with prediabetes can improve their health. 

According to their findings, lifestyle interventions, including following a healthy diet and engaging in a regular exercise routine, are important ways for prediabetics to boost their health. This was especially true for consumers who had the highest risk of developing diabetes. The researchers said intensifying these lifestyle interventions can help improve blood sugar levels and overall cardiometabolic health. 

Finding the right lifestyle intervention

The researchers had over 1,100 prediabetic participants involved in the study. They were divided into either low-risk or high-risk groups depending on their insulin secretion, liver fat content, and insulin sensitivity. 

High-risk participants were divided even further to receive either typical lifestyle interventions (LIs) or more intense interventions that call for more exercise. Participants in the low-risk group were assigned to either a typical intervention plan or a control group with no treatments. 

The study showed that making long-term lifestyle changes was beneficial for the participants. High-risk pre-diabetics benefited the most from adopting more intense interventions, which involved double the amount of recommended exercise. At the end of the study, participants in the high-risk group had better cardiometabolic health, blood glucose levels, and liver fat content. Participants in the low-risk group who followed the traditional lifestyle interventions also experienced improvements to their metabolic health. 

“After three years, glucose tolerance was more likely to normalize in participants with conventional LI than those in the control group,” said researcher Hans-Ulrich Häring. 

Moving forward, the researchers hope these findings allow health care providers to better identify patients who have the highest risk of becoming diabetic. Starting them on a more intense lifestyle intervention plan is more likely to yield better health outcomes long-term. 

“Our study results show that an individualized LI based on the risk phenotype is beneficial for diabetes prevention,” said researcher Andreas Fritsche. “For successful prevention, we need to identify high-risk patients in the future and focus on providing them with an intensified lifestyle intervention.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from Simon Fraser University explored how consumers’ day-to-day habits may impact their risk of developing dementia. According to their findings, older consumers can lower their risk of developing the condition by regularly participating in a variety of different activities.

“Our study results show that the risk of developing dementia can be reduced through a combination of active, daily activities – things like using a computer and playing word games,” said researcher Sylvain Moreno. “Scientists believed that genetics were the main factor influencing cognitive health, but our findings show the reverse. With age, your choice of daily activities is more important than your genetics or your current cognitive skills.” 

Keeping the mind active

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 3,200 participants between the ages of 65 and 89 who were enrolled in the National Institute on Aging’s Health and Retirement Study. Participants answered questions about how frequently they completed a wide range of activities, including baking, playing cards, visiting with loved ones, or exercising, among several others. The team took that information and inserted it into a modeling system to understand how these activities impacted the participants’ cognitive health. 

The study showed that more diverse activities led to better long-term cognitive health. Participants who were consistently active in several different areas had a lower risk of developing dementia. Staying active with hobbies, socializing with family and friends, and engaging in light exercise can help older consumers stay mentally sharp. 

Moving forward, the researchers hope these findings influence how health care providers treat their older patients. 

“Today, around 55 million people have dementia and this number will almost triple by 2050 with an aging population,” Moreno said. “Care for patients with dementia is challenging, labor-intensive, and chronic, which generates high costs for health systems.” 

Despite a resurgence of COVID-19 across the U.S., AAA predicts that more than 109 million people in the U.S. will travel at least 50 miles from home during the holidays, the vast majority on the nation’s highways. That would be a 34% increase over 2020.

“Americans who canceled their vacations in 2020 want to gather with family and friends for the holidays this year, although they will still be mindful of the pandemic and the new omicron variant,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. “With vaccines widely available, conditions are much different and many people feel a greater level of comfort with travel.”

Those traveling by car will find the highest Christmas season gasoline prices since 2013. December normally has some of the lowest gas prices of the year, but 2021 has been an exception for a variety of reasons.

AAA reports that the national average price of regular gas is $3.29 a gallon, a decline of only two cents a gallon in the last seven days. After peaking at $3.42 a gallon, gasoline has been slow to give up its gains. The average price of premium gas is $3.94 a gallon while the average price of diesel fuel is $3.58 a gallon. Both fuels have matched regular’s slow descent.

States with the most expensive gas

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

• California ($4.66)   

• Hawaii ($4.33)  

• Nevada ($3.86)   

• Washington ($3.86) 

• Oregon ($3.76) 

• Arizona ($3.69)     

• Alaska ($3.70) 

• Idaho ($3.60)

• Pennsylvania ($3.55)

• Utah ($3.54)     

States with the cheapest gas

AAA reports that these states currently have the lowest prices for regular gas:

• Texas ($2.89)  

• Oklahoma ($2.90)  

• Arkansas ($2.92)  

• Missouri ($2.94)  

• Mississippi ($2.95)

•  Kentucky ($2.96)

•  Kansas ($2.98)

•  Wisconsin ($2.98)

•  South Carolina ($3.00)  

• Tennessee ($3.00)

BMW of North America is recalling 50,404 of the following vehicles that come equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler:

• Model year 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive,
• Model year 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon,
• Model year 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive,
• Model year 2015 740Ld xDrive,
• Model year 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and
• Model year2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel.

The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot. This could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.

A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.

What to do

Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 12, 2022.

Vehicles previously recalled in late 2018 for the same issue will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at (800) 525-7417.

Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association (MDVA) is recalling one lot of Howling Cow Butter Almond Ice Cream Pints.

The product contains soy and wheat, allergens that are not declared on the label.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recalled, with UPC 0 74336 65079 6, are stamped with a sell-by date of September 15, 2022, on the bottom of the container. They were sold in Harris Teeter stores in North Carolina and South Carolina beginning September 24, 2021.

What to do

Customers with allergies or a sensitivity to wheat and soy who purchased the recalled product should not consume it. Instead, they can discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may call (800) 552-1976 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST).

Karmas Far of Ontario, Calif., is recalling about 900 infant bath seats.

The bath seats fail to meet the federal safety standard, including requirements for stability and leg openings. This can cause the product to tip over while in use, posing a drowning hazard.

No incidents or injuries are reported.

This recall involves Karmas Far’s infant bath seats that were sold and marketed as a 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 booster seat for eating, bathing, and sitting up.

The plastic bath seats with a removable tray were sold in yellow, orange, and white. The 2-in-1 seat measures about 13 inches wide, 17 inches deep, and 12 inches high. The 3-in-1 seat measures about 14 inches wide, 18 inches deep, and 16 inches high.

The bath seats, manufactured in China, were sold online at Walmart, Amazon, eBay, Wish, and Bosonshop from August 2017, through October 2021, for between $35 and $75.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled infant bath seats and contact Karmas Far to receive a pre-paid label to return them.

Upon receipt of the products, consumers will be issued a full refund for the purchase price. The company is notifying all known purchasers directly.

Consumers may contact Karmas Far collect at (909) 372-6955 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (PT) Monday through Friday or by email at recall@karmasfar.com for more information.

The tornadoes that tore through parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, and Kentucky this month underscored the need for everyone, no matter where they live, to be prepared when disaster strikes.

Sometimes there is an advance warning that bad things are about to happen. Sometimes disaster strikes suddenly. 

Madison Morgan, who rode out the tornado in Mayfield tucked into a closet with her family, said they were more prepared than others because they had taken the time to think out the various scenarios that they would likely encounter after a disaster.

“Water and foodstuffs are what many people think will pull them through the early post-storm disarray, but it’s just as important — if not more so — to think about a flashlight with fresh batteries if the power goes out in the middle of the night, or ready cash because the ATMs and credit card machines at businesses might be down if the power is out,” she told ConsumerAffairs.

Preparedness lessons to be learned

Morgan, an announcer at WYMC Radio in Mayfield, was on the air in the hours before the storm to warn residents of the impending danger. As a result, she was aware of all the things people should be doing to prepare.

“A notebook with copies of your insurance policy, your IDs, a list of local emergency numbers, names of prescriptions, even a whistle to attract help, and a mask to cover your mouth, nose, and eyes from dust can all come in handy,” Morgan said.

Justin Houser, a clerk at Casey’s convenience store in Mayfield, said that while he didn’t have a preparedness kit ready for this disaster, he’s already made one in case another one hits town. In addition to food and water, Justin now has a generator, a propane gas grill so he can cook food, tarps, blankets, and pillows in his kit.

Businesses have to be prepared too

At a time when good workers have become a precious commodity, Cathy Elliot, the regional marketing director for the local McDonalds franchise group, said the company tries to always be prepared for a disaster. The first order of business was making sure her 80 employees were safe.

“I think we already had a very strong organized protocol in place that our people can use no matter what time of day or night it is,” Elliott said. She stated that in the Mayfield situation, the company sent out advanced warnings the day before storms and told managers and employees to be ready for the weather to quickly turn bad. She also said workers needed to be prepared for the store to close so they could go home to safety.

How to prepare

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that everyone assemble a basic emergency supply kit. At a minimum, FEMA suggests that it contain:

• Water and non-perishable food for several days

• Extra cell phone battery or charger

• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio that can receive

• NOAA Weather Radio tone alerts and extra batteries

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• First aid kit

• Whistle to signal for help

• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation

• Non-sparking wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

• Can opener (if kit contains canned food)

• Local maps

Pet owners should also have a plentiful supply of pet food on hand, and parents of young children should stockpile infant formula and diapers, at least enough to get through a few days. It’s also a good idea to have some cash and a complete change of clothes.

-----

Additional reporting for this article was provided by Mark Huffman.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 51,127,557 (50,896,569)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 808,128 (806,635)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 275,666,580 (275,036,978)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,365,183 (5,357,666)‌

The government will reportedly hand out free COVID-19 tests

The Biden administration is reportedly planning to give away free at-home COVID-19 tests to anyone that asks for one. NBC News quotes a senior administration official who says the tests will be delivered by mail.

According to the report, the administration plans to ship as many as 500 million test kits. It’s reportedly setting up a website where people can submit requests.

The federal government is also said to be in the process of setting up new testing centers around the country in response to the spread of the Omicron variant. Currently, 20,000 such centers are in operation.

Pandemic slows population growth to record low

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the U.S. population grew at the slowest rate on record this year, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report attributes the slow growth to decreased net international migration, decreased fertility, and increased mortality due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Population growth has been slowing for years because of lower birth rates and decreasing net international migration, all while mortality rates are rising due to the aging of the nation’s population,” said Kristie Wilder, a demographer in the Population Division at the Census Bureau. “Now, with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this combination has resulted in a historically slow pace of growth.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the U.S. population only grew by 444,464, or 0.13%. 

Trump tired of supporters booing him for being vaccinated

During Donald Trump’s last year as president, his administration launched “Operation Warp Speed” to assist the development of vaccines to fight the coronavirus epidemic. When the vaccines became available, he got vaccinated and urged others to do so.

But since then, many of Trump's strongest supporters have refused to be vaccinated and criticize anyone who gets the jab, including the former chief executive. At a Dallas appearance Monday, Trump was booed by some in the audience when he said he had gotten the booster.

“Oh, don’t, don’t, don’t!” said the obviously irritated former president. He later added, “We saved tens of millions worldwide by creating the vaccine.”

Around the nation

• New York: New York City has stepped up its COVID-19 testing programs amid a record surge in new cases, fed mostly by the spreading Omicron variant. Mayor Bill de Blasio said he’s trying to avoid shutdowns in the city by increasing the number of testing centers.

• Michigan: The Autism Alliance of Michigan has gone on the record by urging parents to make sure their autistic children receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The group said it’s acting because research has shown that people with severe autism can face a higher risk from the virus.

• Arkansas: State health officials report that the death toll from COVID-19 continues to go up while the number of cases and hospitalizations goes down. On Monday, the state reported the highest daily increase in the number of deaths due to COVID-19 since early November. 

• Texas: Officials say the Austin area has seen a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases, with the number nearly doubling in the last week. So far, many of the cases don’t appear to be severe. There has been little increase in the number of cases requiring hospital treatment.

• Virginia: COVID-19 cases are surging in the state, but Incoming Gov. Glen Youngkin has ruled out reimposing a statewide mask mandate. He also said there will not be a return to virtual learning next year. “I believe children need to be in the classroom five days a week,” Youngkin said. “And I also believe we can in fact balance the needs of our children with the health and safety of our children. And I don’t believe that mandating masks in school is the right way.”

If anyone needs proof that President Biden is serious about getting Americans vaccinated against and tested for COVID-19, then all they need to do is tune into a speech he’ll be giving on Tuesday. 

According to a White House press statement, the president is expected to address the COVID-19 pandemic and his new “Winter Plan,” which will include a vow to mail out nearly 500 million free at-home tests, establish new federal testing sites, and create mobile “pop-up” vaccination sites. 

“Today, the President is announcing his Administration will purchase a half-billion at-home, rapid tests this winter to be distributed for free to Americans who want them, with the initial delivery starting in January 2022,” the White House said in a statement. “The Administration will stand up a website where Americans can go to get at-home tests delivered to their home—for free.”

What’s included in the expanded effort

In Biden’s plan to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Americans can expect the following measures:

Robust Access to Free Testing: Biden administration officials say they have already created 20,000 free testing sites across the U.S. and made four times as many at-home tests available to Americans than were available this summer. But with the Delta and Omicron variants continuing to spread, they feel more must be done.

To that end, expanded efforts will include two important elements:

• New testing sites designed to help states and major cities that need additional testing capacity. New York City will be the first target, and more sites will be established after that.

• Giving Americans access to 500 million at-home COVID-19 test kits, with distribution set to begin in January 2022.

The White House stated that it will use the Defense Production Act (DPA) and other authorities to make sure the U.S. is producing as many COVID-19 tests as quickly as possible. However, officials did not address how many tests Americans can order at one time or how long it will take those tests to be delivered.

Expanding Capacity to Get Americans Vaccinated: In addition to the 90,000 vaccination sites that can currently be found across the country, Biden is expected to announce new steps that Americans can take to get themselves and their loved ones vaccinated this winter. Here’s what people can expect:

• New “pop-up” vaccination sites that can easily traverse the country and get to areas where there are fewer vaccination clinics. As an example, the White House said it’s putting four new mobile units into action across New Mexico this week to bolster vaccination availability for Native American tribes.

• Additional flexibility for pharmacies to add additional vaccinators, appointments, and capacity to their networks. The White House said hundreds of new vaccination sites that are designed just for kids will also be opened in January.

What makes a good bank? When J.D. Power surveyed bank customers this year, they cited convenience, tailored account offerings, and helpful customer service.

“Customers have come to expect the nation’s largest retail banks to be able to meet them on their terms across all channels, delivering a flexible, highly engaging experience along the way,” said Paul McAdam, senior director of banking services at J.D. Power.

The annual bank customer satisfaction survey found that customers value highly personalized levels of service. They want relevant account alerts and guidance on ways to save money and optimize spending. 

In the 2021 survey, Capital One emerged as number one in customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power. Capital One got the highest score by providing digital channels, helping customers save time or money, delivering account offerings that meet customer needs, and “allowing customers to bank how and when they want.”

“It is also noteworthy, in light of Capital One’s recent announcement that it is eliminating overdraft fees, that proactive efforts by banks to help customers avoid fees is one of the most powerful ways to personalize the banking experience,” McAdam said.

PNC ranked second in the survey, earning points for resolving customers’ problems. TD Bank was third, performing highest in the “people factor.”

ConsumerAffairs reviewers weigh in

ConsumerAffairs reviewers tend to agree with the choices, although they rate several other banks higher. Joe, of Dearborn, Mich., gave Capital One a 5-star review after applying for a Capital One credit card.

“Not only do they have a clean interface with perks easily displayed and purchases shown with logos of the establishments, but they have a fast response time for payments (instantaneous),” Joe wrote in a ConsumerAffairs post.

Eric, of Ellendale, Del., is a big fan of PNC Bank. He tells us he is happy with PNC’s prepaid card.

“Great customer service, excellent card, I love the tap pay feature available, I've never had one issue when it comes to banking with PNC,” he wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review.

Nick, of Brooklyn, N.Y., liked the service he received when he applied for a loan at TD Bank.

“Filled out the info requested, which was at the tip of my fingers, and got the loan on time,” Nick wrote. “Moreover, questions were very easy to understand and the representative followed up as was expected.”

Consumers posting reviews on ConsumerAffairs also flip the order of the three banks, with TD Bank rated highest with 3.4 out of 5 stars. PNC was second with 2.8 stars, and Capital One was third with 2.5 stars.

Airlines are waving the caution flag on 5G service, fearing that when the wireless service gets updated in January 2022, it could create extensive flight delays in situations like snowstorms and low visibility. 

The reason? Officials say the new wireless signals could hamper the effectiveness of equipment on planes and helicopters used to track aircraft altitude.

Billions lost in flight disruptions

With a Jan. 5 launch day looming, the White House, industry groups, and aviation regulators are rushing to come to some form of agreement. To help out, AT&T and Verizon have offered power reductions in their new 5G services, but the aviation industry says those cuts are “inadequate.”

Aviation trade group Airlines for America says the 5G conflict could cost as much as $2.1 billion in flight disruptions. 

“If you were to ask us what our number one concern is in the near term, it is the deployment of 5G,” Southwest Airlines’ Chief Executive Officer Gary Kelly said in testimony given at a Senate hearing earlier this month. 

Unfounded fears?

While many airline officials continue to worry about this issue, some people in the wireless industry say fears about 5G are completely unfounded.

“The aviation industry’s fear-mongering relies on completely discredited information and deliberate distortions of fact,” Nick Ludlum, a senior vice president at the trade group CTIA, which includes AT&T and Verizon as members, told Bloomberg News. “5G operates safely and without causing harmful interference to aviation operations in nearly 40 countries around the world,” Ludlum said. “U.S. airlines fly in and out of these countries every day.”

Only weeks ago, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was concerned about interference from the 5G wireless spectrum, but it now believes the expansion of 5G and aviation can safely co-exist.

“Today, we took an important step toward that goal by issuing two airworthiness directives to provide a framework and to gather more information to avoid potential effects on aviation safety equipment,” the agency said in a statement. “The FAA is working closely with the Federal Communications Commission and wireless companies, and has made progress toward safely implementing the 5G expansion. We are confident with ongoing collaboration we will reach this shared goal.”

With new cars being hard to come by, and with prices at record highs, you don’t want to make a mistake when you buy one. Considering the recognition and praise that a particular make and model has received from the industry might help you make a good choice.

In 2021, Kelley Blue Book singled out cars and trucks as the best in breed in certain categories. This month, the editors boiled down their list and named the 10 Most Awarded Cars of 2021 and 10 Most Awarded Brands of 2021.

Automotive experts reviewed this year’s various awards programs and looked for vehicles that tended to land on multiple lists across a range of categories. They factored in the vehicles and brands featured most on lists like the Best Family Cars, Best Luxury Cars Under $35,000, and Best Hybrid Cars Under $40,000, to name a few.

"There are many noteworthy automotive brands and vehicles in the marketplace, but ultimately Toyota and its RAV4 won the most Kelley Blue Book awards and accolades in 2021," said Jason Allan, director of editorial for Kelley Blue Book. 

Premium price

If a RAV4 is on your holiday shopping list, be prepared to pay a premium. Not surprisingly, the SUV is highly popular with consumers. Last month, automotive publisher Torque News reported that a 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE was being sold at one specific Toyota dealership with a $40,000 “Dealer Added Markup.”

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is KBB’s most awarded car of the year. The 5-passenger compact SUV won points for being spacious and comfortable, with a wide range of trims and engine options. 

“The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid earned a 2021 Best Buy Award and a spot on the 14 Best New and Redesigned SUVs list. The RAV4 also was a 2021 Best Buy Award winner and one of the 12 Best Family Cars of 2021,” KBB stated in a news release.

Toyota was also KBB’s most awarded brand of 2021, with a total of 41 accolades. Hyundai was second with 22, and Ford was third with 18.

"Our team works year-round testing and reviewing vehicles, along with examining all kinds of relevant data, to compile our recommendations for the best cars in a wide range of categories – all with the ultimate goal to help car shoppers as they navigate their journey,” Allan said. “The standout vehicles are strong enough that they often appear on multiple lists, and the top brands boast lineups full of award winners."

The holiday season isn’t always the most joyful time of year for consumers because it can come with a lot of additional stress. Researchers from Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan recently explored how parents’ stress may impact their children.

According to their findings, about 20% of parents reported that their stress during the holiday season makes it hard for their children to fully enjoy this time of year. 

“People are surrounded by images depicting the holidays as a time of peace, love, and joy,” said researcher Sarah Clark. “Many parents want to give their children those perfect magical memories to treasure for years to come. 

“But all of the behind the scenes work to make that vision come true could have the opposite effect for some families. Excessive parental stress can add tension and diminish the joy children associate with the season.” 

Managing holiday stress

For the study, the researchers surveyed parents around the country to better understand what the holidays are like for them and how they think their experiences and attitudes impact their children. 

The survey showed that one in six parents reported high levels of stress during the holidays, with mothers reporting higher stress levels than fathers. The top three reasons for holiday stress included having to do extra tasks, concerns over family members’ health, and finances. 

Ultimately, about 20% of the parents reported that their children were negatively affected by this holiday stress. The results showed that most of this negativity comes from both children’s and parents’ high expectations for the holidays. 

Beating holiday stress

The researchers also asked parents how they manage stress levels during the holidays. More than 70% of respondents said alone time helps them lower their stress levels. Listening to music, exercise, and religious services were also helpful for some people. 

The researchers recommend that families talk about what's most important to them during the holiday season and what aspects of the holidays bring up too much stress. 

“One strategy is to talk as a family about holiday plans and priorities,” said Clark. “Parents may have misconceptions about what their child’s favorite holiday memories and traditions are – they could actually be much simpler than you think.” 

The researchers hope these findings lead to meaningful conversations among family members about stress and mental health during the holidays. 

“The holiday season may be a time for parents to model good mental health hygiene, by verbalizing how they recognize and try to relieve stress,” said Clark. “This approach is an invitation for children to share their own feelings of stress and a reminder to take action when their stress is elevated.” 

As consumers spend more and more time on their smartphones, researchers continue to conduct studies that explore how that time is affecting overall wellness. 

Experts from Texas A&M University recently found that spending a lot of time on smartphones can negatively impact consumers’ posture. Bad posture can lead to chronic pain over time, so the team suggests adopting ergonomic interventions that can correct posture issues. 

“When we started this study a few years ago, it was because we had determined that college students were the heavy users of smartphones,” said researcher Mark E. Benden. “Now those same levels we were concerned about in college students are seen in 40-year-olds and college students have increased to new levels.” 

Finding better posture habits

The researchers had over 500 college students complete a 35-minute online survey that asked questions about how much time they spent on different devices, their current stress levels, pain they regularly experience, and their typical posture when using electronic devices. 

Ultimately, the majority of students identified their smartphones as the device they were using most frequently. However, the participants’ pain had less to do with what devices they were using and more to do with how they were positioned while using their devices. 

Very few students reported using their phones while sitting with proper posture in a chair at a desk. Instead, most of the students said they used their phones primarily when sitting on the couch or in other positions that lead to poor posture. The researchers said sitting in these positions most likely contributes to the pain some students may feel. 

To combat this, the team hopes ergonomic interventions that prioritize good posture will become more widely used – especially among those who spend a lot of time on electronic devices. 

“Now that we are moving toward hybrid and/or remote workspaces for our jobs, college students are taking habits formed in dorm and apartment rooms during college into young adulthood as employees in home offices,” Benden said. “We need to get this right or it could have adverse impacts on an entire generation.”