Current Events in January 2022

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 74,333,528 (73,429,392)

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 884,265 (881,472)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 375,465,073 (371,974,484)

Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,665,888 (5,659,818)‌

Studies predict who will get ‘long COVID’

Many people have mild cases of COVID-19, especially infections caused by the Omicron variant. But some of these people find that their symptoms linger for weeks in what is known as “long COVID.”

Recent studies have tried to predict who will suffer from the lasting symptoms and who won’t. Common factors that researchers cite include asthma, certain unhealthy gut bacteria, and autoantibodies, which are elements often associated with autoimmune conditions.

The latter may be the most significant. According to scientists,  autoantibodies are present in about 60% of the people who develop long COVID.

Is the U.S. ready to get back to normal?

As we reported last week, Denmark is dropping nearly all of its COVID-19 restrictions beginning Tuesday. The country’s leader says it’s time to get back to normal.

With Omicron variant cases still spreading rapidly, how close is the U.S. to making a similar decision? According to ABC News, many health experts believe 2022 is the year that the U.S. learns to live with the virus.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), said last week that the U.S. can get "sufficient control" over the virus so it "does not disrupt us in society, does not dominate our lives, nor prevent us [from doing] the things that we generally do under normal existence."

Spotify to add disclaimer to Joe Rogan podcast

Podcaster Joe Rogan issued a statement over the weekend saying he is happy for Spotify to add a content disclaimer to his show when he interviews people with controversial views. His statement came in response to a social media storm, led by musicians Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, who threatened to pull their songs from the platform.

Rogan, known for booking controversial guests, set off the aging rockers when he interviewed Robert Malone, an infectious disease specialist whose views on COVID-19 have been branded as “misinformation.” 

Rogan also said that going forward, when he interviews someone with controversial views, he will try to follow up with guests who hold opposing views.

Around the nation

• Texas: Some students at Houston-area William B. Travis High School are organizing petition drives and protests after the school relaxed some COVID-19 restrictions. The school does not have a mask mandate and has ended its virtual learning program for students at medical risk.

• Virginia: Attorney General Jason S. Miyares has issued an opinion, saying the state’s colleges don’t have the legal authority to require COVID-19 vaccinations. It follows Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s order that prohibits vaccination requirements for state employees.

• California: A Northern California man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of identity theft. He allegedly used the stolen identities to steal more than $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds from the government. He was charged with three counts of fraud in federal court.

• Iowa: The University of Iowa has taken steps to expand COVID-19 testing access for students. The university has purchased thousands of at-home tests and is distributing them on campus. Students may pick up a free test at the welcome center in the Iowa Memorial Union, at Student Health locations in the IMU and at Westlawn, or at the front desk of their residence hall.

• Ohio: An analysis of OSHA inspection records shows that Ohio is third in the nation in workplace COVID-19 rule violations. In nearly two years, the records show there were 60 violations recorded during 2,718 inspections.

As the auto industry continues to put more of its chips into electric vehicles (EV), new research shows that first-time buyers of battery electric vehicles (BEV) are reporting positive experiences.

J.D. Power reports that satisfaction among owners who are new to BEVs averages 754 on a 1,000-point scale, which is comparable to the 766 average score among those who have owned a BEV prior to their current one.

But like anything, there are exceptions. For example, consumers posting reviews at ConsumerAffairs give Tesla an overall 3.8-star rating on a 5-star system. But lately, there have been several 1-star reviews of the EV automaker. Elissar, of Long Beach, Calif., told us that he bought a Tesla Model Y.

“On third day, the battery died,” Elissar wrote. "Tesla said it's not covered, asked for $1,500 to fix battery and coil…If the battery isn't covered on a Tesla, what is covered?

Robert, of La Vernia, Texas, likes his Tesla but is not happy with the company’s service.

“You have to schedule service through the app,” Robert wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “You never talk to a real person. You have to wait at least a month for a service date. This resulted in a complete failure of the suspension on our model S.”

Tesla Model 3 ranked highest

In the J.D. Power study, Tesla actually performed very well. The Tesla Model 3 ranked highest overall in satisfaction and highest in the premium BEV segment with a score of 777. The Tesla Model Y ranked second with a score of 770. Overall satisfaction in the premium segment also averages 770.

In the mass market segment, the Kia Niro EV ranked highest for a second straight year with a score of 744. The Ford Mustang Mach-E, with a score of 741, ranked second. Overall satisfaction in the mass market segment averaged 709.

“We know from our research that many consumers have concerns during the purchase consideration process with aspects like battery range and vehicle charging,” said Brent Gruber, senior director of global automotive at J.D. Power. “However, once someone has purchased a BEV, they’re pretty much hooked.”

Gruber said the study found that there have been recent improvements in EV batteries and driving ranges. He estimates that those upgrades have improved satisfaction with the vehicle type, particularly with veteran owners. 

In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a proposed rule that would make some hearing aids available for over-the-counter (OTC) purchase. After studying the proposal, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has endorsed the idea. The agency has submitted comments to the FDA in which it agrees that making hearing aids an OTC product would be good for consumers.

While millions suffer from hearing loss, the FTC comment notes that many people don’t have them because of their cost. In recent years, some companies have begun selling lower-cost hearing aids online. Consumers still need an audiologist's prescription, but prices tend to be significantly lower.

One company, Audicus, claims to be as much as 70% cheaper than many competitors’ hearing aids. It’s a popular brand with ConsumerAffairs reviewers, earning 4.4 out of 5 stars.

“I purchased a set of Audicus hearing aids, and I am impressed with the quality to cost ratio,”  John, of Farmington, N.M., wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. 

John also said he was pleased with the support he received from the company. Bruce, of New York City, tells us that he is on his third generation of Audicus hearing aids.

“I investigated things for price, for size, for range of amelioration of hearing, and they seemed to fit well,” he wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “I went to another company before this and the hearing aid just did not measure up.”

Bruce said he bought the Audicus hearing aids after comparing them to a set that cost $7,500. The FTC said it believes making hearing aids OTC would lead to more lower-priced devices and bring down prices on some of the more expensive models.

Barriers other than costs

In the agency's comments, FTC staff members suggest that barriers to hearing aid access may include more than just prices for hearing aids themselves.

The agency points to what it calls “restricted channels of distribution” as a factor that can limit consumer choice. It says hearing aids are often marketed in expensive bundles of hearing aids and extended services that many consumers may not want or be likely to use. 

Every great delivery driver deserves a tip, and Domino's says its customers can earn one when they carry out their order. The company announced that it will tip customers $3 to use on their next online carryout order if they come to a restaurant to pick up their order in person.

With the restaurant industry looking far and wide to find employees, and other business segments ramping up in the hiring of drivers, the idea seems to make sense. Plus, there’s Super Bowl Sunday looming large. During the 2020 Super Bowl, it was estimated that Domino’s sold about 2 million pizzas on a normal Super Bowl Sunday, a 30% increase over a typical Sunday.

"Domino's carryout tips come just in time for the biggest football game of the year, which is also one of the busiest days of the year for pizza," said Art D'Elia, Domino's executive president. "Domino's typically sells about 2 million pizzas on football's favorite Sunday, so if you're throwing a party and feeding hungry fans, make it a carryout order and get tipped! Then you can treat yourself to a delicious pizza with a great deal the week after."

While it might be a nice permanent perk for pizza lovers, Domino’s said the deal will last only through May 22, 2022. There are a couple of other things that consumers should note.

The most important one is that orders have to be placed online to claim the $3 coupon code, which is redeemable for another online carryout order placed the following week (with a minimum purchase of $5 before tax and gratuity). 

In a move that’s certain to ruffle some feathers at Lowe’s, Best Buy, and other competitors, Walmart has announced that it will now be offering installation services. 

The big-box retailer is entering into a new arrangement with in-home services provider Angi (formerly Angie’s List) to help homeowners do everything from setting up electronics to flooring, painting, plumbing, electrical, and assembly services for furniture.

By the time everything is in place, Angi said its services will be available in nearly 4,000 Walmart stores across all 50 states. For the moment, the Walmart-Angi deal is exclusive for a limited time. 

“Since the start of the pandemic, the home is in focus and people across the U.S. are doing more home improvement, maintenance and repair work and they are often turning to Walmart to find the tools and materials needed to start those projects,” said Angi CEO Oisin Hanrahan.

"Things like sprucing up an entertaining space by installing a new smart TV, painting a nursery for a family addition, and transforming an outdoor space and adding a patio are now projects that Walmart customers can get done seamlessly with the help of an Angi pro as part of the Walmart shopping experience.”

Good deal for consumers

If Angi and Walmart can stick to their guns on pricing, what they’re offering looks like a pretty good deal. As an example, ConsumerAffairs did an apples-to-apples comparison on what Best Buy’s Totaltech charges for a flat TV installation vs. what Angi is pitching. Best Buy lists its price for that service at $199.99. Angi says its starting price for the same service is $79. HomeAdvisor estimates that the price range for installing a TV is between $159 and $361, or an average of $260.

The cost of furniture assembly appears to be another plum for Angi. Target lists a price of $76.99 for its “large furniture assembly powered by Handy;" the price Angi/Walmart announced starts at $49. 

There are several things consumers should keep in mind when looking at installation prices, though. One of those is the phrase “starting price” – a factor that a consumer would have to ask for more specifics on before moving ahead with ordering an installation.

Another thing consumers should watch out for is the possibility that Angi’s prices are “introductory” and could change after a certain period of time. Thirdly, advertised prices may not include labor, the TV mount, or reflect the complexity of the job. Smart consumers should be prepared to ask a lot of questions before agreeing to use the service.

Depending on the item, purchasing a service can either be done when buying it in-store at Walmart. For more complicated installations like flooring, consumers can go online to Walmart.com.

Angi’s pitch to consumers is that the process is as easy as purchasing any other item at Walmart. Once the item is purchased, Angi will reach out to coordinate booking and ensure that the service is completed to the customer’s satisfaction.

A new study conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center revealed that hospital visits related to high blood pressure have been increasing over the last decade. According to their findings, more consumers are going to the hospital for hypertensive crises, which increase the risk for a heart attack or stroke. 

“Although more people have been able to manage their blood pressure over the last few years, we’re not seeing this improvement translate into fewer hospitalizations for hypertensive care,” said researcher Dr. Joseph E. Ebinger. “We need more research to understand why this is happening and how clinicians can help patients stay out of the hospital.” 

Gender plays a role in blood pressure health

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample between 2002 and 2014. They tracked hospitalizations across the country and evaluated the frequency with which consumers were seeking emergency care due to blood pressure concerns. 

Over the course of the study, there were nearly 920,000 people admitted into hospitals for hypertension concerns. However, the researchers found that the number of hospitalizations for blood pressure issues more than doubled between 2002 and 2014. 

The team explained that several factors could come into play here. For instance, lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet, and exercise can all negatively impact consumers’ heart health and blood pressure levels. Additionally, though many consumers take medication to maintain healthy blood pressure levels, if they aren’t taking the proper dosage or if their finances have prevented them from obtaining the drugs, they may have a higher risk for complications. 

The researchers found that men were more likely to be hospitalized for blood pressure concerns than women. However, the researchers learned that the mortality rate of these cases was similar for both groups. This means hypertension may pose a greater risk for women’s long-term health.

“These findings raise the question: Are there sex-specific biologic mechanisms that place women at a greater risk for dying during a hypertensive crisis?” said researcher Dr. Susan Cheng. “By understanding these processes, we could prevent more deaths among women.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from Yale University explored how certain safety measures may help limit school closures related to COVID-19. According to their findings, schools were between 13% and 14% less likely to close when kids wore masks in school. 

“We have been seeing increasing numbers of children, especially young children not yet able to be vaccinated against COVID-19, admitted to our children’s hospital,” said researcher Thomas Murray. “It is heartening to know that following child masking recommendations for children two years and older may be an effective means for keeping young children in child care programs and potentially lowering their risk for COVID-19.” 

Keeping schools open safely

For the study, the researchers surveyed over 6,600 child care professionals who worked in either center-based or home-based child care programs. The participants answered questions twice – once in May 2020, and again in May 2021 – about how often their programs were closed due to COVID-19 infection or exposure, their mask-wearing policies for children, and other safety strategies that were being employed. 

The participants reported that 43% of their programs were forced to close temporarily at some point between May 2020, and May 2021, because of COVID-19. However, after evaluating several different safety measures that these programs had employed, the researchers learned that kids wearing masks was the most effective at keeping schools open. 

Mask-wearing was associated with a 13% to 14% lower risk of school closures related to COVID-19. For comparison, the study showed that social distancing by itself was linked with only a 7% lower risk of COVID-19 school closures. 

At the beginning of the study, just 9% of the child care facilities required children two years and older to wear face masks. By the summer of 2021, that figure jumped to 33%.

The researchers explained that keeping kids in school is of the utmost importance. Ensuring that children have safe, healthy places to learn and develop social skills is crucial to their overall well-being. 

“We know that children benefit from in-person learning opportunities, and that includes young children, and we know that many parents rely on child care in order to go to work,” said researcher Walter Gilliam. “Child masking will not eliminate all child care closures, but it may help reduce some of them, keeping our young children with caring adults who support their learning and development.” 

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 26,413 model year 2020-2021 Santa Fes and model year 2021 Sonatas and Elantras.

The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle during manufacturing, allowing it to detach in a crash.

A windshield that detaches from a vehicle in a crash can increase the risk of injury.

What to do

Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on February 25, 2022.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.

Abbyland Foods of Abbotsford, Wisc., is recalling approximately 14,976 pounds of beef sticks.

The product contains milk, an allergen not declared on the label. There are no confirmed reports of adverse reactions.

The following item, produced from November 15, 2021, through November 17, 2021, is being recalled:

• 2-lb. clear plastic packages containing “IOWA SMOKEHOUSE ORIGINAL SMOKED BEEF STICKS” with sell-by dates of 11/15/2022 or 11/17/2022 represented on the label.

The recalled product, bearing the establishment number 1633B on the package below the sell-by date, was shipped to retail locations nationwide.

What to do

Customers with an allergy or sensitivity to milk who purchased the recalled product should not consume it. Instead, they should discard or return it to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions may contact the firm at (715) 223-6386, EXT. 7813.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 73,429,392 (72,912,405)

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 878,472 (876,078)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 366,974,484 (363,316,221)

Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,639,818 (5,628,898)‌

Booster reduces Omicron death risk by 95%

Previous research has shown that there is a lower risk of death from the Omicron variant for most people. But a new study found that getting a vaccine booster reduced the risk even more.

The study, which was conducted by scientists in the U.K., specifically looked at how older people fared against the Omicron variant. According to the findings, three shots of an mRNA vaccine in people aged 50 and older reduced the risk of death by 95%.

The researchers say their findings are important because the Omicron variant tends to be less vulnerable to the immunity created by vaccines. But they say the booster restores enough of those defenses to cut the risk of serious illness, especially in the older population.

Scientists identify new Omicron variant

Can a COVID-19 variant have its own variant? Apparently so. Researchers have discovered a “sub-variant” of Omicron they call BA.2.

"You could say they're like brothers in the same family," Duke University infectious diseases expert Cameron Wolfe told NBC News. "There are some subtle differences, but most of the genetics are the same in both."

Scientists don’t yet know much about BA.2 or how it behaves. So far, they say it has many of Omicron’s characteristics, such as high transmission levels and milder symptoms.

COVID-19 claims actor Vachik Mangassarian

Vachik Mangassarian, a popular character actor in Hollywood, has died of COVID-19 complications, according to his manager. He was 78.

Mangassarian, who was vaccinated, made regular appearances on N.C.I.S. Los Angeles, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The Mentalist. He was currently working on a new movie with actresses Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda.

Mangassarian joins a long list of celebrities who have died of COVID-19, including Cloris Leachman, Dawn Wells, Charlie Pride, Tom Seaver, and John Prine.

Around the nation

• New York: New York’s on-again, off-again mask mandate is back on again. This week, a state court judge overturned Gov. Kathy Hochul’s requirement to wear masks in public indoor spaces. Twelve hours later, a second judge ruled that the mandate will stand while the courts figure out its future.

• Vermont: Hospitals across the state are still under heavy COVID-19 caseloads, so the Vermont National Guard is being deployed to help. The Guard’s duties will range from distributing meals to providing test kits and personal protective items to medical facilities and schools.

• Oregon: The Oregon Department of Education has disclosed that the Alsea School District is losing its federal funding because it has ended its mask mandate for students and staff. The school board passed a resolution that makes wearing masks optional for staff, teachers, and students, except while riding buses. 

• South Carolina: States across the country have faced delays while trying to process a huge increase in COVID-19. South Carolina health officials report that they are now back on schedule after falling behind. Private labs and testing vendors have reported that all backlogs have been cleared.

• South Dakota: Gov. Kristi Noem has announced support for a bill to allow for religious, medical, and natural immunity exemptions to COVID-19 vaccine mandates. “This bill will specifically guarantee people in South Dakota the ability to declare a medical exemption based on a signature from a doctor saying that’s the appropriate action to be taking,” Noem said at a press briefing.

McDonald's says it anticipates that the price it pays for all of its essentials like food and paper bags will come close to doubling this year.

The fast-food chain stopped short of saying that its customers will have to pay twice as much for their food to offset the rise in costs, but it did say that it will have to find a way to balance price increases while still making sure its customers feel they’re getting a good value.

"There is some pressure certainly," Chief Financial Officer Kevin Ozan told investors in a conference call, Thursday.

In addition to its concerns about how to manage rising costs, executives said the company is also struggling with other setbacks: a surge in COVID-19 cases, labor shortages, dining-related restrictions in various markets, and supply chain slowdowns. 

The silver lining inside that cloud – at least for the moment – is that chain-wide sales are up 7.5%, a bump that the company attributed to its success with fried chicken sandwiches, the McRib special, and cutting back on low-cost items while adding pricier premium items like the combo meal it curated with K-Pop sensation BTS.

Bracing for price increases

Will customers see a spike in menu prices? If what McDonald’s did in the previous quarter to keep its profit line healthy happens this time around, then the answer will be yes. In its Q3 2021 earnings call, the company said the higher prices it was paying for goods would be passed along to consumers, with U.S. prices expected to rise in the ballpark of 6%.

We "generally try and take small increments of pricing at various times versus take a lot at one time," Ozan said in October, adding that the company continues to get good scores on value from customers despite price changes.

McDonald’s won’t be alone if it has to raise prices – a fact that consumers might have to learn to live with until the pandemic ends and the economy reverts to normal. Other recent price increases include a 10% hike at Taco Bell, an 8% increase at Dunkin', and hikes by Chipotle and The Cheesecake Factory, according to analysis from Gordon Haskett.

“Some chains have been vocal about rising prices, warning customers ahead of time,” said Insider’s Mary Meisenzahl. “Chipotle has been upfront about price increases over the last few years in part due to raising wages for employees.”

Gordon Haskett analysts also pointed out that there were some companies that tried to make up for lost revenue by jacking up the price of delivery, making it 15.3% more expensive than pick-up orders.

Among the companies taking that route was Chick-fil-A, which was the most aggressive. Of the 25 chains Haskett analyzed, the company had the highest delivery pricing premium of them all, with menu prices that are 29.8% higher for delivery compared to pick-up. While it may have added some revenue, that turned out to be a bad move for Chick-fil-A when its customers sued the chain over claims of deceitful delivery costs.

Consumers who were stuck in a renting situation last year paid more than in years past.

A recent report from Zumper, a site that allows consumers to search for apartments, shows that the median rent on a one-bedroom apartment rose 12% year-over-year in 2021. That pushed prices to $1,374, on average. Prices rose even higher for two-bedroom apartments, at 14.1% growth year-over-year. Unfortunately, things don't seem to be off to a better start in 2022.

"Rent has opened 2022 in much the way it spent 2021 -- setting a new all-time high," Zumper's Jeff Andrews noted.

Here are the cities with the top five highest rent prices per month as of January 2022, according to Zumper's data:

1. New York, N.Y. -- $3,260
2. San Francisco, Calif. -- $2,850
3. Boston, Mass. -- $2,720
4. San Jose, Calif. -- $2,390
5. Miami, Fl. -- $2,340

Consumers returning to cities

Housing demand has been recovering in recent months following the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. East coast cities like New York have seen an influx of residents who are making their way back after a mass exodus in 2020. That competition is making it easier for landlords to raise rent prices.

Andrews says the national housing shortage has also played a major role in pushing up rents. 

"The sudden increase in housing demand since the pandemic began in March 2020 exacerbated what was already a national housing shortage that dates back to the financial crisis in 2008, after which annual housing production dropped substantially," he said. 

"While some of the post-pandemic demand might fade as the pandemic becomes endemic, the housing shortage is a long-term issue that will likely continue to push rent up in 2022."

Consumers who are frustrated by all the fine print used by internet service providers got a nice gift from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday. As an add-in to President Biden’s ​​Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the agency unanimously agreed to new rules that would require broadband providers to show easy-to-understand labels that allow consumers to comparison shop for broadband services.  

The new guidelines require broadband providers to display -- at the point of sale online or in a store -- labels that show prices (including introductory rates), plus data allowances, network management practices, and any other information that a consumer would deem important as part of their decision-making process.

This move couldn’t come at a better time. When it comes to the cost of internet service, the U.S. has a long way to go to be competitive. According to the CompareTheMarket, America is the 9th most expensive country for broadband – with it costing consumers an average of $66.13 per month.

Expectations from the proposed rule

If the FCC can get all the broadband companies pointed in the same direction on this initiative, the agency says it will make life easier for consumers when it comes to choosing a provider. It will also encourage those providers to innovate, compete, and offer consumers the lowest prices and the highest quality service.

“Americans today are benefiting from more choice, and they are seeing more competition for their broadband dollars than ever before. As a result, Internet speeds are up while prices are down,” FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said. 

Carr said the Commission’s latest effort builds on its effort to make transparency a key component of everything consumer-related the agency has a say in.

“Right now, we have rules on the books, for instance, that require broadband providers to publicly disclose accurate information regarding their network management practices, performance characteristics, and commercial terms sufficient to enable consumers, businesses, and entrepreneurs to make informed choices,” Carr stated.

Broadband provider trade group NCTA says consumers can count its members in on the FCC’s proposal. “Cable operators are committed to providing consumers with relevant information about broadband services,” the group said in a statement.

A new study conducted by researchers from the Van Andel Research Institute found that women’s blood may predict their likelihood of developing depression during pregnancy. Their work showed that inflammatory markers in the blood are likely to identify those who have the highest risk of pregnancy-related depression. 

“Depression isn’t just something that happens in the brain – its fingerprints are everywhere in the body, including our blood,” said researcher Dr. Lena Brundin. “The ability to predict pregnancy-related depression and its severity will be a gamechanger for protecting the health of mothers and their infants. Our findings are an important leap forward toward this goal.” 

Identifying depression risks during pregnancy

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from 114 women from Spectrum Health’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics. The participants underwent medical exams and provided blood samples during each trimester of their pregnancies and after giving birth.

The researchers identified 15 blood biomarkers that were linked with an increased risk of depression during pregnancy and postpartum; ultimately, the team was more than 80% effective at predicting the likelihood that the women developed depression while pregnant. 

The study suggests that inflammation is the link between these biomarkers and pregnancy-related depression symptoms. The researchers explained that the body’s immune response changes greatly during pregnancy, which is a normal and healthy bodily response. However, it also tends to cause inflammatory markers to spike – especially in the beginning and final months of pregnancy. This inflammation can affect women both mentally and physically. 

Considering the prevalence of mental health concerns during pregnancy and postpartum, the researchers hope these findings are more widely adopted to help identify women who may have the highest risk of developing pregnancy-related depression. 

“Having an objective and easily accessible method associated with depression risk, such as a blood test, provides a unique tool for helping identify women who may develop depression during pregnancy,” said researcher Dr. Eric Achtyes. “Our findings are an exciting development and an important first step towards using these types of methods more widely to help patients. Our next steps include replicating the results in additional patient samples to verify cut-offs for depression risk.” 

Several studies have highlighted the ways that screens can negatively impact kids’ sleeping habits. Now, researchers from the University of Colorado at Boulder explored how even minimal light exposure may be detrimental to kids’ sleep. 

According to their findings, dim lighting before bedtime may affect preschoolers’ production of melatonin and disrupt their regular sleeping patterns. 

“Our previous work showed that one, fairly high intensity of bright light before bedtime dampens melatonin levels by about 90% in young children,” said researcher Lauren Hartstein. “With this study, we were very surprised to find high melatonin suppression across all intensities of light, even dim ones.” 

Keeping lights off near bedtime

For the study, the researchers had 36 children between the ages of three and five participate in a nine-day experiment. The children stayed on a strict sleeping schedule for the first seven nights; this allowed them to develop stable melatonin levels. On the eighth night, the kids’ rooms were transformed to be completely dark, and they had their saliva sampled every half hour from noon through bedtime. On the last night, the kids played on a light table an hour before bedtime. Each night of the study, the kids wore a watch that tracked their light exposure and sleep. 

The researchers learned that exposure to the light from the table significantly affected the children’s ability to produce melatonin. Compared to the second to last night of the experiment when the children’s rooms were darkened, the light from the table suppressed melatonin production anywhere from 70% to 99%. 

The researchers tested out different brightness levels on the last night of the study when the children were playing on the table. Even for children who had the tablets set to the dimmest levels, their melatonin production dropped by nearly 80%. For half of these kids, this light exposure before bed halted their melatonin production for the next hour. 

“Together, our findings indicate that in preschool-aged children, exposure to light before bedtime, even at low intensities, results in robust and sustained melatonin suppression,” said Hartstein.  

Adopting healthy bedtime habits

From a biological perspective, the researchers explained that children’s eyes are more susceptible to light because their pupils are larger than adults’ pupils. This can certainly play a role when it comes to light exposure before bedtime. 

While it’s nearly impossible for parents to eliminate all forms of light for their kids before going to sleep, the researchers hope this study helps inform families about the things they can adjust to help encourage healthy sleep.

“Kids are not just little adults,” said researcher Monique LeBourgeois. “This heightened sensitivity to light may make them even more susceptible to dysregulation of sleep and the circadian system.” 

Geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine are keeping oil prices rising, and that, in turn, is keeping gas prices elevated.

AAA’s daily gasoline survey shows that the national average price of regular gas is $3.34 a gallon, another two cents a gallon higher than last Friday. The average price has increased by that amount in each of the last four weeks. The average price of premium gas is $3.98 a gallon, three cents higher than last week. The average price of diesel fuel is $3.69 a gallon, another five cents a gallon higher than a week ago.

With refineries’ switch to summer-grade blends not too many weeks away and potential demand increasing, chances are good that the price increases won’t end anytime soon. U.S. energy officials say the rise of Omicron variant cases has kept gasoline demand in check, but demand should increase as cases decline.

In the last week, the statewide average price of regular gas rose five cents a gallon in Missouri and South Carolina. It was up four cents in Hawaii and Kansas. Meanwhile, drivers in Tennessee saw prices at the pump decline by an average of four cents a gallon.

States with the most expensive gas

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

• California ($4.63)   

• Hawaii ($4.38)    

• Washington ($3.95)  

• Oregon ($3.93)   

• Nevada ($3.79)   

• Alaska ($3.78)   

• Arizona ($3.56)      

• Idaho ($3.53)

• Pennsylvania ($3.52)

• New York ($3.51)    

States with the cheapest gas

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

• Texas ($3.00)   

• Mississippi ($2.99)

• Arkansas ($3.00)   

• Kentucky ($2.99)  

• Oklahoma ($3.02)    

• Missouri ($3.05)    

• Alabama ($3.04)  

• South Carolina ($3.07)   

• Kansas ($3.07)      

• Tennessee ($2.99)   

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 714 model year 2022 Santa Fe HEVs and Santa Fe PHEVs.

The instrument cluster liquid-crystal display (LCD) may invert the image on the screen upon vehicle startup, making the display illegible.

An illegible instrument cluster will not show information such as vehicle speed or safety system warnings, which can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the instrument cluster free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on February 25, 2022.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 217.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 72,912,405 (72,179,527)

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 876,078 (872,128)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 363,316,221 (359,300,717)

Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,628,898 (5,618,434)‌

Omicron variant hurt fourth-quarter economy

The U.S. Commerce Department reports that the nation’s economy grew at a 6.9% rate in the fourth quarter of 2021 as it bounced back from the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the fast-spreading Omicron variant kept it from growing even faster, economists say.

The variant proved to be a drag on growth in several ways. It limited gains by some businesses, such as restaurants. It also caused illnesses among workers, making supply chain problems worse.

But Jonathon Silver, CEO of data-tracking firm Affinity Solutions, told the Wall Street Journal that U.S. consumers appear to remain in a strong position, which bodes well for the future. “They’re not viewing Omicron as much of a threat,” Silver said. “They’re willing to spend.” 

FDA limits two COVID-19 treatments

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new guidance this week that limits the use of two monoclonal antibody treatments – bamlanivimab and etesevimab (administered together) and REGEN-COV (casirivimab and imdevimab) – to COVID-19 patients who are not infected with the Omicron variant. The agency said the data it reviewed shows that the treatments are unlikely to be effective against the Omicron variant.

“In the future, if patients in certain geographic regions are likely to be infected or exposed to a variant that is susceptible to these treatments, then use of these treatments may be authorized in these regions,” the agency said in a statement.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis attacked the decision, accusing the agency of “medical authoritarianism” that limits the options of those infected with COVID-19.

Denmark ‘declares victory’ over COVID-19

Cases of the coronavirus have dropped sharply in Europe over the last couple of weeks. As a result, Denmark has dropped most of its COVID-19 restrictions and is returning to life as it was before the pandemic.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced that his country would discontinue most of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, including mask mandates, on February 1. However, masks will still be required in health care facilities.

"We say goodbye to the restrictions and welcome the life we knew before," Frederiksen said. "As of Feb. 1, Denmark will be open."

Around the nation

• Kentucky: Will Beshear, the 12-year-old son of Gov. Andy Beshear, has tested positive for COVID-19, the governor announced. Beshear said his son was "generally asymptomatic" and is fully vaccinated and boosted. The rest of the family tested negative.

• New Jersey: New cases have fallen sharply in the state, but Gov. Phil Murphy is not letting up on his pleas for citizens to get vaccinated. He went a step further this week, telling a media briefing that he thinks people who refuse to be vaccinated are “selfish” and akin to drunk drivers.

• Texas: Elton John, who has just recovered from COVID-19, has canceled two dates in Dallas on his Farewell Tour. "It's always a massive disappointment to move shows and I'm so sorry to anyone who's been inconvenienced by this but I want to keep myself and my team safe," he announced on Instagram.

• New Mexico: Even with COVID-19 cases rising, health officials are no longer using the state’s Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist to close businesses. “We haven’t looked toward closure of a business really since the early part of 2021,” said Bob Genoway, bureau chief of New Mexico Environment Department‘s OSHA Bureau. “Our efforts, instead of broad spread closure, we’ve decided to focus more on engaging employers where necessary.”

• Illinois: Illinois is one state where serious cases of COVID-19 are down but deaths are rising. The Illinois Department of Public Health reports that the state has averaged 132 COVID-related deaths per day over the last week. That number is the highest that Illinois has seen since Dec. 2020.