Current Events in January 2022

Recent studies have found that breastfeeding may come with health benefits for women, including a lower risk of postpartum depression or cognitive decline. Now, researchers from the American Heart Association have found that breastfeeding may also lower the risk of heart disease and related deaths. 

“Previous studies have investigated the association between breastfeeding and the risk of cardiovascular disease in the mother; however, the findings were inconsistent on the strength of the association and, specifically, the relationship between different durations of breastfeeding and cardiovascular disease risk,” said researcher Dr. Peter Willeit. “Therefore, it was important to systematically review the available literature and mathematically combine all of the evidence on this topic.” 

Heart health benefits of breastfeeding

The researchers analyzed eight studies conducted in countries around the world, which included data on over 1.2 million women. They tracked the women’s breastfeeding history and their heart health.

The researchers learned that a history of breastfeeding was linked with several protective health benefits. Women who breastfed were 11% less likely to develop cardiovascular disease and 17% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease. Similarly, breastfeeding was linked with a 12% lower risk of stroke and a 14% lower risk of coronary heart disease. 

“It’s important for women to be aware of the benefits of breastfeeding for their babies’ health and also their own personal health,” Dr. Willeit said. “Moreover, these findings from high-quality studies conducted around the world highlight the need to encourage and support breastfeeding, such as breastfeeding-friendly work environments, and breastfeeding education and programs for families before and after giving birth.” 

The number of times women gave birth or their age when they gave birth had no correlation on the relationship between breastfeeding and heart health. However, breastfeeding for at least one year was associated with the best heart health outcomes. 

While many women know the infant health benefits of breastfeeding, the researchers hope these findings emphasize the health benefits that come from breastfeeding for mothers. 

“Raising awareness regarding the multifaceted benefits of breastfeeding could be particularly helpful to those mothers who are debating breast versus bottle feeding,” said researcher Dr. Shelley Miyamoto. “It should be particularly empowering for a mother to know that by breastfeeding she is providing the optimal nutrition for her baby while simultaneously lowering her personal risk of heart disease.” 

Chrysler is recalling 36,929 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ls with smart lighting modules (SLMs).

An incomplete SLM software update may cause one or both headlights to become inoperable.

Inoperable headlights can reduce visibility for the driver and oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will reprogram the SLM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 28, 2022.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y72.

Polaris Industries of Medina, Minn., is recalling about 1,100 Outlaw 110 EFI Youth All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) sold in the U.S. and Canada.

The inner layer of the fuel line can leak, posing a fire hazard.

The company has received two reports of fuel leaks. No fires or injuries have been reported.

This recall involves certain VINs of Polaris Model Year 2022 Outlaw 110 EFI Youth ATVs.

The recalled ATVs were sold in gray/lime and gray/pink color combinations. “POLARIS” is printed on both sides of the vehicle below the headlights and on both sides of the seat. “Outlaw 110” is printed on both sides of the chassis. The vehicle identification number (VIN) is located in the left side wheel well.

The ATVs, manufactured in Taiwan, were sold by Polaris dealers nationwide from September 2021, through November 2021, for about $3,600.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled vehicles and contact a Polaris dealer to schedule a free repair -- including the installation of a new fuel line.

Polaris has notified consumers to stop riding the vehicles. Polaris will be contacting all registered owners directly to provide more details about the repair.

Consumers may contact Polaris at (800) 765-2747 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday or online at www.polaris.com. Consumers can click on “Off Road Safety Recalls” at the bottom of the company's webpage for more information. They can also visit www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road-recalls/ and enter the vehicle identification number “VIN” to see if the vehicle is included in any recalls.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 61,652,393 (60,138,842)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 839,936 (837,773)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 310,981,515 (307,589,090)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,498,118 (5,490,655)‌

U.S. sets hospitalization record

Not only is the Omicron variant causing cases of COVID-19 to increase at a record rate, but it has also sent hospitalizations to a record high. The U.S. reported more than 142,000 patients being treated for the virus in hospitals on Monday, the most at any time during the pandemic.

Some health experts said the record number of patients suggests that the Omicron variant is not less severe than other variants, at least when it infects people who have not been vaccinated. 

“I think people have fixated on this idea that it’s mild,” New York University epidemiologist Céline Gounder told New York magazine. “Mild means mild — relatively mild — for the individual who’s infected. But it does not necessarily mean mild at a population level.”

Insurance companies order to pay for COVID-19 tests

The Biden administration has ordered health insurance providers to cover the cost of up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests per person, its latest effort to increase Americans’ access to testing.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether that plan was connected to the administration's earlier pledge to make 500 million tests available to the public at no charge. The White House said the first contracts have been signed with the test manufacturers.

Under the insurance provider mandate, the White House said health insurance companies will be required to reimburse consumers who purchase a COVID-19 test outside their network for as much as $12 per test.

Pfizer’s Omicron vaccine to be ready in March

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 rapidly spreads across the country, Pfizer is in the final stages of testing a vaccine specifically designed to prevent infection by the variant. In an interview with CNBC, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said the vaccine would be ready in two months.

“This vaccine will be ready in March,” Bourla told CNBC. “We [are] already starting manufacturing some of these quantities at risk.”

Bourla said the vaccine, which will be evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before it can be administered, will be effective against the other variants that are circulating. Bourla also said scientists will need to determine whether the vaccine is needed.

Around the nation

• Massachusetts: State officials have provided a way for residents to show their vaccination status. Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration has issued a scannable code that links directly to the user’s documented vaccine history. The City of Boston plans to announce its own system later this week.

• Missouri: Missouri is one of the states dealing with a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron variant. State officials say the state could record more than a quarter-million COVID-19 cases in January, more than doubling the previous one-month record.

• Nebraska: In Douglas County, 30% of people who took a COVID-19 test last week tested positive, the highest percentage during the pandemic. At the same time, Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert rejected a proposed mask mandate for the city while noting that the surrounding counties do not have one.

• Nevada: Officials have suspended visits to state prisons because of a spike in COVID-19 infections among inmates. Corrections officials report that 210 staff members and 209 inmates have tested positive so far this month, compared to 29 staff and 48 inmate cases in November.

• New Hampshire: Fifty-five-year-old Fred Rutherford is the latest vaccine skeptic to change his mind after being hospitalized with the virus. “Get vaccinated, it's the only way to go. Only way to live,” Rutherford said.

Empty store shelves, a fixture during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, are back. Consumers around the country report that many items are once again hard to find.

In the Dallas area, over-the-counter (OTC) medications are harder to find. The Dallas Morning News reports that spot checks at eight Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, and Sam’s Club locations in northeast Dallas found many empty shelves. 

In the nation’s capital, a number of stores are offering reduced supplies of products. According to Fox 5, a Washington, D.C. TV station, grocery shoppers are encountering reduced supplies of beef, pork, eggs, and maple syrup. 

Trader Joe’s customers have taken to Reddit to report bare shelves in stores throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. 

Reduced workforce

Industry insiders point to several factors contributing to shortages. While normal supply chain functions have slowly improved, snowy weather along the East Coast in the last couple of weeks made supply chain problems worse.

A bigger factor may be the fast-spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19 that is sidelining thousands of workers who normally load trucks and restock shelves. Helen, of Milwaukee, tells us that she encountered this problem when she attempted to pick up her prescription at a CVS drive-thru.

“Get to the pharmacy, the drive-thru is closed,” Helen wrote in a ConsumerAffairs post. “Call the pharmacy and they said they were short-handed and could not give me my paid prescriptions through the drive-thru, that I had to come in and pick up my drugs. I stated that I am a high risk for COVID. That's why I use the CVS drive-thru. She said she couldn't help me.”

A report by Slate suggests that the latest shortage of consumer goods could last for a few more weeks. It notes that supermarkets have been hard-hit by the Omicron variant at a time when staff levels were already low.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that cases of the virus have surged among the staff of SpartanNash, a major Midwest grocery chain and supplier. It reports that about 1% of the company’s employees have tested positive in the last few weeks.

The White House is adding another preventative measure to its crusade against the spread of COVID-19. Beginning Saturday, Jan. 15, private health insurers will be required to cover the cost of up to eight in-home coronavirus tests per month, per person. The initiative allows Americans to either buy the test kits and get reimbursed for the purchase or get the kits for free. 

Previously, the White House mandated that any and all PCR and rapid tests ordered by a health care provider also be covered.

“This is all part of our overall strategy to ramp up access to easy-to-use, at-home tests at no cost,” Xavier Becerra, the Health and Human Services Secretary, said in a statement. “By requiring private health plans to cover people’s at-home tests, we are further expanding Americans’ ability to get tests for free when they need them.”

How the plan works

The Biden team’s plan is pretty straightforward. The government will make the at-home tests available to the public via a website that it is constructing. When it’s up and running, that site will kick off its campaign by offering 500 million test kits that will be available by mail. 

If things start to turn ugly with COVID-19 again, the White House said it will also set up emergency test sites in areas experiencing spikes in positive cases.

As for the insurance coverage component, anyone who has a traditional private insurance plan should have the price of the kit fully covered. If anyone has to pay for a kit because the purchase is out-of-network or their insurance company doesn’t have a system in place to cover the cost, Biden’s plan will require insurers to reimburse the buyer up to $12 per test. 

In reviewing the features, ConsumerAffairs found only three wrinkles. One is the effective date. If someone purchases a kit prior to Jan. 15, there’s no guarantee that the price of that will be covered. Another is that the cost of the tests is not reimbursable for people on Medicare. However, both the Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medicaid plans are required to fully cover those costs. Lastly, if someone doesn’t have health insurance at all, they can get a free test either by signing up on the new website or by going to a local pharmacy such as CVS or a local community center that offers free screening.

With home prices rapidly increasing over the last few years, the challenge facing first-time homebuyers is even steeper in 2022. But with more organizations allowing remote work, buyers have more options than they used to.

Instead of living within commuting distance of an urban area office, employees are able to live farther away and take advantage of more affordable home prices and an overall lower cost of living. The housing experts at Realtor.com have crunched the numbers and assembled a list of the best housing markets for first-time buyers.

To make the list, a city had to have a strong job market, light traffic, plenty of places to eat and drink, a younger population, affordability, and more homes to choose from. The 2022 top 10 markets, in ranked order, are: 

1. Magna, Utah 

2. Chalco, Neb.

3. Mauldin, S.C.

4. Beech Grove, Ind.

5. Portsmouth, Va.

6. Cottage Grove, Wis.

7. Grimes, Iowa

8. Kuna, Idaho

9. Ferndale, Mich.

10. Maitland, Fla.

"Buying a first home is always a challenging undertaking, and it's been an especially tough couple years for first-time buyers, many of whom are struggling to find a home that's within their budget or win in a competitive bidding situation," said Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale. "With this in mind and the fact that remote work has given people more flexibility in where they live, we wanted to identify markets where first-timers have a chance to become homeowners and find a great quality of life."

The markets on the list have about twice the number of available homes for sale than the national average. They also have the kinds of amenities that tend to draw young families.

A good mortgage rate is also important

But even when you can find an affordable home, Promise, of Hellertown, Pa., says getting the best possible mortgage rate is also an important factor. She reports a good experience dealing with Rocket Mortgage.

“Very efficient, and a small group of people I was in contact with, which I loved because they knew my case through and through,” Promise wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “They answer and explain all questions perfectly! Highly recommend to anyone looking to buy a home for the first time!”

Getting a good mortgage rate is even more important now because rates appear to be heading higher. According to Money magazine, the interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage started the week at 3.846%, up 0.039 percentage points over the weekend. 

While a great deal of research focuses on the benefits associated with finishing college and entering the workforce, a new study conducted by researchers from Kansas State University explored the financial benefits linked with going back to school for a bachelor’s degree. 

The study showed that consumers who return to college and get their bachelor’s degrees are likely to make more money immediately after they graduate and in the years that follow. 

“No matter how I looked at the data, those who returned and finished a bachelor’s degree see an economically meaningful increase in income after degree completion,” said researcher Amanda Gaulke. “The average age at graduation for this sample is 27, so they certainly have a lot of working years left to experience improved labor market outcomes.” 

Going back to school is financially beneficial

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth. They were most interested in comparing the financial outcomes of three college scenarios: students who dropped out and never returned to school, students who returned to college but didn’t finish their studies, and students who returned to college and earned their bachelor’s degrees. 

It was clear to the team that the third group reaped the most financial benefits. The study showed that consumers who return to school and earn degrees are likely to see more income immediately upon graduating, as well as on a yearly basis. Following graduation, recent college graduates can expect to earn an average of nearly $4,300 more. They also increased their yearly wage growth by another $1,121. 

“This information is important for people who are wondering if they should return to school,” said Gaulke. “When thinking in terms of weighing costs and benefits, it is important for those people to know that there are real economic benefits of going back and completing a bachelor’s degree.” 

The study also found that returning to college for a bachelor’s degree was also beneficial from an employment perspective. Consumers were more likely to have consistent employment opportunities and work more full-time jobs than those who hadn’t completed their degrees. 

The researchers explained that many institutions are now working with private companies to help create opportunities for consumers to return to – and finish – school. This can help universities and colleges boost their enrollment numbers while helping students make more money down the road.

Many recent studies have pointed to the heart health benefits of following the Mediterranean diet, and one of the key ingredients involved in this food plan is olive oil. 

Now, researchers from the American College of Cardiology have found that consuming more olive oil – while lowering intake of other fats like butter, mayonnaise, or margarine – may reduce the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. 

“Our findings support current dietary recommendations to increase the intake of olive oil and other unsaturated vegetable oils,” said researcher Marta Guasch-Ferré. “Clinicians should be counseling patients to replace certain fats, such margarine and butter, with olive oil to improve their health. Our study helps to make more specific recommendations that will be easier for patients to understand and hopefully implement into their diets.” 

Olive oil is better for heart health

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 90,000 people enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. The team followed the participants for nearly 30 years, evaluating questionnaires about their diets every four years. The participants recorded everything they ate, including things like salad dressings or baked goods that would contain olive oil or other fats. 

The researchers learned that consuming more olive oil was linked with the greatest health benefits. The study showed that those who consumed the most olive oil had a nearly 30% lower risk of neurodegenerative mortality, a 19% lower risk of heart disease-related mortality, and a 17% lower risk of cancer mortality. 

Choosing olive oil over other fats was linked with better overall health outcomes. Swapping out 10 grams per day of fats like butter and margarine for olive oil was linked with as high as a 34% lower risk of mortality. 

“It’s possible that higher olive oil consumption is a marker of an overall healthier diet and higher socioeconomic status,” Guasch-Ferré said. “However, even after adjusting for these and other social economic status factors, our results remained largely the same. Our study cohort was predominantly a non-Hispanic white population of health professionals, which should minimize potentially confounding socioeconomic factors, but may limit generalizability as this population may be more likely to lead a healthy lifestyle.” 

Moving forward, the researchers believe future studies need to focus on more of the concrete details associated with this relationship between olive oil and long-term heart health. 

“The current study and previous studies have found that consumption of olive oil may have health benefits,” said researcher Susanna C. Larsson Ph.D. “However, several questions remain. Are the associations causal or spurious? Is olive oil consumption protective for certain cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke and atrial fibrillation, only or also for other major diseases and causes of death? What is the amount of olive oil required for a protective effect? More research is needed to address these questions.” 

American Honda Motor Co. is recalling 279 model year 2021 Acura RDXs and model year 2022 CR-V Hybrids.

A component in the right or left front driveshaft may have been improperly heat-treated, which could result in driveshaft failure.

Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power or cause the vehicle to roll away when parked if the parking brake is not applied. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

Dealers will replace the right or left front driveshaft -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 24, 2022.

Owners may contact Honda customer service (888) 234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BBY, NBW, and OBX.

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling ten model year 2022 Audi E-Tron GTs.

The retaining ring on the air suspension struts may come loose.

A loose retaining ring may allow air to escape, compromising vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and replace the air suspension struts as necessary free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 28, 2022.

Owners may contact Audi customer service at (800) 253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42L2.

Dole Fresh Vegetables is recalling Dole-branded and private label packaged salads with iceberg lettuce processed at its Springfield, Ohio, and Soledad, Calif., facilities.

The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses have been reported to date.

Recalled products from Ohio have a lot code beginning with the letter “W” and a “Best if Used By” date between December 22, 2021, and January 9, 2022.

Recalled products from California have a lot code beginning with the letter “B” and a “Best if Used By” date between December 23, 2021, and January 8, 2022.

The lot codes are in the upper-right-hand corner of the package.

Recalled salad items from the Springfield facility were shipped to Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Maryland, North Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec.

Recalled salad items from the Soledad facility were shipped to Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the Canadian provinces of  Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.

A list of the recalled products from both facilities may be found here.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products and still have them in their refrigerators should not consume them. Instead, they should discard them immediately.

Consumers with questions may contact the firm at (800) 356-3111 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (PT).

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 60,138,842 (59,928,712)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 837,773 (837,407)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 307,589,090 (306,139,610)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,490,655 (5,487,422)‌

COVID-19 outbreak among nurses hits hospitals hard

As the latest outbreak of COVID-19 sends scores of patients to the nation’s hospitals, a record number of nurses are testing positive for the virus, making a bad staffing situation even worse. 

The Wall Street Journal reports that hospitals are coping by limiting admissions. According to the report, Mass General Brigham Hospital system in Boston kept 83 beds empty on Friday. The University Hospitals system in Ohio is limiting intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and the Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas has removed 30 of 900 beds.

“It’s definitely a brutal situation,” Dr. Joseph Chang, chief medical officer at Parkland, told the Journal. Chang said 500 staffers called in sick on one day last week.

Omicron symptoms milder than Delta, researchers conclude

From the beginning of its emergence in South Africa, the Omicron variant was consistently described by doctors as having milder symptoms than the Delta variant of COVID-19. Now, scientific studies have confirmed that finding.

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University compared data from patients who tested positive between September and December and those who were infected with the Omicron variant in December.

The study concluded that COVID-19 infections from the Omicron variant are associated with significantly less severe outcomes when compared to infections from the Delta variant. The researchers found that the Omicron variant usually infects the upper respiratory system and not the lungs.

COVID-19 can cause hair loss

It’s well known that one of the symptoms of COVID-19 can be the loss of taste and smell. What’s less well-known is that the virus can cause hair loss.

“The hair loss that occurs after COVID-19 infection occurs because of overactive inflammation in the body," said dermatologist Dr. Alexis Young, M.D. “The inflammation can cause a shift in the hair cycle.”

Doctors say hair loss typically occurs in patients with “long COVID.” They say it usually begins anywhere from several weeks to three months after infection. It’s not a permanent condition but can last as long as nine months.

Around the nation

• New York: State health officials are hopeful that they have seen the worst of the latest COVID-19 surge. They report that the number of patients requiring hospital treatment has dropped for the first time in three weeks, after straining health care resources.

• Colorado: The Colorado Department of public health has updated its COVID-19 isolation guidance for public schools. Students and teachers with only mild symptoms can stop isolating after five days if symptoms improve and they do not have a fever for at least 24 hours. 

• Illinois: State officials are doing away with appointments and red tape in order to get more residents vaccinated. A health clinic in Edwardsville Sunday began administering COVID-19 vaccinations on a walk-in basis to counter the sudden rise in new cases of the virus.

• Arizona: St. Joseph Hospital in Phoenix has changed its COVID-19 isolation policy to cope with what it says is a “critical staff shortage.” Staff who test positive won’t have to isolate if they are improving, mildly symptomatic, or asymptomatic. They will be required to wear N95 masks for up to 10 days of positive symptoms or testing. 

• Louisiana: The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Ochsner Health, the state's largest hospital operator, declaring it can mandate coronavirus vaccines for employees. The mandate had been challenged by hospital employees.

Because of supply chain bottlenecks, home builders are struggling to finish homes because they can’t get all the materials they need.

The shortage has been magnified because builders have significantly increased production in the last 12 months. As a result, the Wall Street Journal reports that there have been cases in which people have moved into unfinished homes that may lack gutters or garage doors.

Some builders have been forced to suspend sales in some of the nation’s most active housing markets as they wait for supplies of home building materials to catch up with demand.

These same issues, to a lesser extent, are affecting home remodeling companies. In a ConsumerAffairs review, Becky of Windsor, Colo., said she ordered new windows from Champion Windows and Home Exteriors last March.

“Some of our windows were finally installed mid-September 2021,” Becky wrote last month. “We have tried to get a response as to when we will get our other windows and front door, promises that the GM would contact us multiple times, never has happened.”

A spokesman for Champion Customer Care responded to Becky’s post, apologizing for the delay and telling her the company is working through its supply chain issues.

“We are working with our factory and your local Champion office to get an update on your order and will be in touch with you as soon as possible to complete your installation,” the company said.

Problems began with the pandemic

According to the Journal report, the building and remodeling industry’s persisting supply chain issues are largely rooted in the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic, outbreaks of the virus have closed entire factories and limited transportation options. Building materials have to compete with other consumer products that have overwhelmed ports for nearly a year and a half.

Executives at one builder – Homes by WestBay LLC in Riverview, Fla. – say their company has begun to order the windows for new homes six months in advance, giving themselves three times the lead time that was normal before the pandemic.

The shortage of new cars that began in 2020 is likely to continue through at least the first half of 2022, automotive experts say. The means higher prices and longer wait times.

“The typical dealership experience that consumers are familiar with – walking dealer lots with rows and rows of cars, negotiating over price and getting many incentives – is not likely to return this year because there are 4.5 million to 5 million consumers on the sidelines waiting for cars,” Tyson Jominy, head of data and analytics for J.D. Power, told CNBC.

Cox Automotive concurs. It found that sales were mostly flat last year, most likely because dealers couldn’t get enough cars to satisfy demand. Sales improved slightly toward the end of December, but it wasn’t enough to move the needle.

“Still, in 2021, sales results are not necessarily the important numbers to consider,” the company said in a press release. “Last year, inventory and transaction price were the data points worth watching, as both moved in historic directions and likely impacted the industry for years to come.”

Used cars becoming the default choice

For consumers not in a position to wait a few months to get a new car, a late-model used car is becoming the default choice. It’s also an increasingly expensive choice.

Data compiled by automotive publisher Edmunds shows that the average transaction price (ATP) for a used car is now just over $29,000, an increase of nearly 28% over 2020. For a three-year-old vehicle, the ATP was north of $30,000 last year.

Jim, of Mooresville, N.C., tells us that he realized it was the worst possible time to buy a car, but he couldn’t put it off.

“Car prices were escalating and availability was down,” Jim wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “But I did find the car I wanted on Carvana and the price wasn't more than expected. Traded in my old car as part of the deal.”

Having a trade-in helps

Having a trade-in helps when buying a used car because dealers need to add to their inventory. Even older model cars and trucks are worth more than they were in 2019.

Paul, of Conway, S.C., decided to buy a late-model used car at Carmax because he had two vehicles he could trade in. 

“We got exactly what we wanted in a low mileage SRX for a very reasonable price,” Paul posted in his ConsumerAffairs review. “Carmax…gave me what I wanted for my trade-ins and sold me a car for a reasonable price. I’m 70 so this is probably my bucket list car.”

Experts at J.D. Power say auto manufacturers can reclaim some of this lost market to the used segment by simply improving their websites to make them more consumer-friendly.

“Despite things that are out of the manufacturers' digital control, like inventory issues, there are some best practices out there that can help mitigate these digital challenges,” said Jon Sundberg, director of digital solutions at J.D. Power. 

Sundberg advises automakers and their dealers to optimize website speeds, provide waitlists, and “simply state issues upfront.”

As COVID-19’s Omicron variant continues to impact nearly every aspect of American life, small restaurant operators are headed back to Capitol Hill to ask for financial help. Industry officials say they need help dealing with higher costs and less revenue from diners who are nervous about dining out. 

Things are so bad that more than 3,000 restaurant owners wrote U.S. lawmakers to say they were in danger of closing down for good if the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) isn't refilled soon.

"I can't go into further debt to salvage this restaurant," Dwayne Allen, owner of the Breadfruit & Rum Bar in Phoenix, told FoodMarket. Allen said he had to close his restaurant for long stretches during the pandemic, which forced him to fall behind on paying his rent. When his landlord left him with no other option, Allen said he had to take out a $48,000 loan to keep the doors open.

Hoping that their support adds some validation and muscle to the situation, the mayors of 27 U.S. cities have come out in full support of small restaurant operators to urge Congress to refill the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

In a new letter sent just last week, the mayors – who represent over 16 million Americans from Boston to Seattle – argue that not giving restaurants relief would be “catastrophic.” They emphasized that the Omicron variant is “causing more strife for restaurants and bars in such peril that they might not survive the winter.”

The consequence for consumers

As restaurateurs try to find ways to make ends meet, consumers are getting caught in the pinch. Customers are encountering issues ranging from missing menu items to long waits to get their meals.

In Knoxville, Tenn., one DoorDash driver told Reuters that he’s been sitting in drive-thru lines at fast-food chains for as long as 30 minutes since December. He noted that McDonald’s, Taco  Bell, and Chick-fil-A all recently started putting up signs warning customers and delivery drivers of longer wait times because of labor shortages. Diners shouldn’t be surprised if some of their favorite menu items go missing.

“We took our sampler off the menu at many locations because it became a bottleneck for the kitchen,” said Brandon Wright, co-owner of Hamburger Mary’s International. “Some of the items on the platter had different cooking times, which took a lot of effort to coordinate. This often resulted in longer ticket times.” 

But the National Restaurant Association (NRA) says the main reason why menu items go missing is due to supply chain issues. In a recent survey, 75% of restaurants stated that they have had to change menu items in recent months as a result of supply chain challenges. 

The biggest hit is being felt by indoor dining operators. The study found that 88% of fine dining operators and 81% of casual dining operators said they had to change their menus because of food supply delays or shortages.

As more information related to the COVID-19 pandemic rolls in, regulators say the U.S. is falling behind its environmental goals. 

After dropping 10% year-over-year in 2020, a recent report from the Rhodium Group shows that greenhouse gas emissions spiked last year by 6.2%. The researchers say two of the primary drivers of the spike were a resurgence in freight truck transportation and the use of coal-powered energy. 

“If anything, last year’s rebound in emissions was lower than it could have been because the pandemic is still causing disruptions and the economy isn’t back to normal,” Kate Larsen, a partner at the Rhodium Group, told the New York Times. “Emissions are still well below 2019 levels.”

The turnaround won’t kill President Biden’s pledge to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, but it definitely complicates the administration’s plans. Officials hope that wind power, solar energy, and electric vehicle initiatives in the Build Back Better agenda will steer the U.S. in the right direction, but getting all of Congress on board may be difficult.

Getting Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) to buy in is likely the tipping point. As he has on other Democrat-led efforts like a minimum wage increase, Manchin has been reluctant to give the White House what it wants – possibly stemming from his desire to protect West Virginia’s investment in coal production.

Emissions rise as pandemic rages on

While passenger travel was up a bit last year, it was mostly freight trucks that were responsible for the largest increase in emissions in 2021. As consumers bought more products that had to be shipped from point A to point B, the U.S. counted on trucks to get those products to stores and on doorsteps. 

On a year-over-year basis, aggregate diesel demand rose 9% from 2020 levels, putting it at 0.4% above 2019 levels. Rhodium’s research showed that despite air travel’s dramatic 26% surge in 2021, it remained in check, down 24% from 2019 levels.

After transportation, the electric power sector accounted for the next biggest spike in U.S. emissions. At 28%, electricity proved to be the second-largest increase in greenhouse gas emissions from 2020 levels, increasing by 6%.

Coal had an even bigger impact on emissions, rising by 17% in 2021. The trickle-down effect will no doubt mean rising energy costs for consumers. In its latest Annual Energy Outlook, the U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that U.S. coal prices will generally increase each year through 2050, based largely on assumptions for the coal and electricity markets and industrial sector demand.

A new study conducted by researchers from Brigham Young University explored how teens’ sleeping patterns may impact their physical health. Their work revealed that teens who aren't getting enough sleep may be more likely to consume 4.5 more pounds of sugar each school year. 

“Shortened sleep increases the risk for teens to eat more carbs and added sugars and drink more sugar-sweetened beverages than when they are getting a healthy amount of sleep,” said researcher Dr. Kara Duraccio. 

Lack of sleep leads to worse food choices

The researchers had over 90 teenagers participate in a two-week study that tracked their sleeping and dietary patterns. For one week, the group slept for six and a half hours each night. During the next week, they slept for nine hours each night. The team recorded the participants’ diets over the course of the study while paying close attention to their calorie intake and the types of foods they were eating. 

Ultimately, the researchers identified a clear link between the teens’ sleeping patterns and their dietary choices. Getting less sleep each night was linked with eating fewer fruits and vegetables and more carbs and sugary foods and drinks – especially late at night. The researchers found that sleeping less didn't cause the teens to eat more; instead, they were more attracted to sugary items. 

“We suspect that tired teens are looking for quick bursts of energy to keep them going until they can go to bed, so they’re seeking out foods that are high in carbs and added sugars,” Duraccio said.

Over 4 more pounds per sugar

Over time, consuming more sugar can have significant effects. The researchers explained that when the teens were on the shortened sleep schedule, they consumed 12 extra grams of sugar per day; over the course of the entire school year, this translates to 4.5 pounds of extra sugar. 

The team hopes these findings highlight the importance of sleep on long-term health and wellness. While it may be difficult for teens to stay on a regimented schedule, doing so can help promote better food choices. 

“It’s human nature to think that when we have a long to-do list, sleep should be the first thing to go or the easiest thing to cut out,” Duraccio said. “We don’t recognize that getting enough sleep helps you accomplish your to-do list better. Sleep health should be incorporated into all prevention and intervention modules for child obesity.”