Current Events in January 2022

Scott Fetzer Consumer Brands of Harrison, Ohio, is recalling about 44,000 American Angler Electric Fillet Knives sold in the U.S. and Canada.

The trigger mechanism on the Electric Fillet Knife (“EFK”) can become stuck in the “on” position, posing a laceration hazard.

The firm has received 23 reports of the EFK’s trigger mechanism becoming stuck in the “on” position. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves American Angler Electric Fillet Knives with model number 32300 and the following serial numbers: AEK-OB-DS-003-1, AEK-OB-DS-008-1, AMK-KM-DS-003-1, AEK-OB-RB-004-1.

The model number is printed on the base of the handle of the EFK, and the serial number is printed on the product packaging. “American Angler” is printed on the handle of the recalled knives.

The knives were sold in orange and gray and are used as a fishing tool for filleting fish.

The filet knives, manufactured in China, were sold at Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, and other retailers nationwide and online at www.amazon.com from January 2019, through October 2021, for between $110 and $150.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled EFK, unplug it, and cut the power cord. They should then contact Scott Fetzer Consumer Brands to receive a free replacement EFK by mail.

Consumers will need to provide their mailing address and proof of destruction by sending a photo of the recalled product with a cut cord. After that, they can discard the unit.

Consumers may contact Scott Fetzer Consumer Brands toll-free at 833-656-1147 Monday through Friday, by email at efkrecall@sfconsumerbrands.com, or online at www.americananglerusa.com/efkrecall for more information.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 57,341,310 (56,278,085)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 831,096 (827,937)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 296,374,195 (292,919,609)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,462,426 (5,451,900)‌

CDC updates isolation guidance to recommend a test

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated guidance on the recommended isolation period for people testing positive for COVID-19. The CDC guidance recommends people take a COVID-19 test toward the end of their shortened five-day isolation period.

The agency’s guidance has been controversial in some quarters since it was released. Some medical experts said the agency should have included a testing requirement in its new shortened isolation period.

But with the sudden increase in Omicron cases, tests have been in short supply. The new guidance recommends a test only if one is available.

COVID-19 tests are getting more expensive

Not only are COVID-19 test kits harder to find, but they are also more expensive when you do find them on store shelves. Walmart, Kroger, and Amazon have already raised prices.

Under an Agreement with the Biden administration, retailers have sold the kits at cost for a 100-day period. Though the period expired in mid-December, Walmart told USA Today that it continued to sell the kits at cost through the end of the year. Other retailers followed that example.

“We fulfilled our commitment to the Biden Administration to sell at cost for 100 days and that pricing program has now phased out and retail pricing has been reinstated,” Kroger said in a statement to USA Today.

Chicago cancels schools after teachers oppose classroom learning

Chicago children are going back to school online after the holiday break. Public schools were closed today after a teachers union voted Tuesday to stop providing in-person instruction. The teachers pointed to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases as their reason.

But the union is getting strong pushback from the city. Officials called the union vote an illegal job action and said teachers who fail to report to their classroom won’t get a paycheck.

This isn’t the first time that the teachers and city officials have butted heads over the schools’ COVID-19 policies. Chicago schools provided online classes for the first year of the pandemic, and the union strongly objected when classrooms were reopened last fall.

Around the nation

• Arizona: Gov. Doug Ducey has announced a plan to provide money to families affected by a school closure due to COVID-19. The state will provide up to $7,000 in child care, transportation, or online tutoring needs for families affected by a school closure.

• Michigan: Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s top public health official, warns that the state could see a 1,000% increase in COVID-19 cases that will overwhelm hospitals.  “We are in a very difficult position right now,” Bagdasarian told WXYZ-TV in Detroit.

• Colorado: The chief medical officer at Children’s Hospital Colorado says hospital emergency rooms are treating a significant number of children for mental health issues triggered by the pandemic. Dr. David Brumbaugh told CBS4 Denver that his hospital was seeing between 25 and 40 children each day, in late 2021, who were coming to the ER with acute behavioral health crises.

• New Jersey: New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy tested positive for COVID-19 after the family's holiday trip to Costa Rica. The governor and the couple’s four children all tested negative. 

• Iowa: Despite a surge in COVID-19 infections, Republicans in the state legislature this week introduced a bill to limit businesses’ ability to screen for vaccination status. Iowa businesses would not be able to ask about or maintain records of a person's medical treatment status –  including vaccinations – if the bill passes and is signed into law.

COVID-19 tests of all types are in demand at the start of 2022 as the Omicron variant sweeps across the U.S. In some regions, supplies of tests are running low. In other places, labs are struggling to get results.

In some testing venues, there’s also confusion. Ingrid, of Williamstown, Mass., tells us she encountered a delay in getting her test results from Walgreens and had a hard time getting answers.

“Over ten days now and no test results,” Ingrid wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “Walgreens claims a 24-hour turnaround time--their partner says that is not true.”

Opportunity for scammers

Because of obstacles Ingrid and many other consumers are facing, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is worried that scammers will enter the vacuum to peddle all sorts of plentiful – but fake – COVID-19 tests.

“Some people and companies are trying to profit from this pandemic by selling unproven and illegally marketed products that make false claims,” the FDA said in a consumer update.

In addition to COVID-19 tests that are unproven and unreliable, the agency is cautioning consumers to be on the lookout for alleged treatments and cures for the virus. Officials say these bogus products began appearing early in the pandemic but may become more prevalent during the current surge in new cases.

To date, the FDA has granted emergency use authorization to only three vaccines. The mRNA vaccines produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna require two shots, along with a recommended booster. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires a single shot, and a booster two months later is highly recommended.

You can’t buy real treatments from a website

The FDA has also approved several drugs and antibody cocktails to treat the coronavirus, but they all must be prescribed and administered by a health care provider. They are not available for purchase from a website.

The FDA said it continues to work with vaccine and drug manufacturers, developers, and researchers to help facilitate the development and availability of medical products – such as additional vaccines, antibodies, and medicines – to prevent or treat COVID-19.

Fraudulent COVID-19 products can be packaged and presented in many different ways. They might take the form of dietary supplements and other foods, as well as products claiming to be tests, drugs, medical devices, or vaccines. 

So far, the FDA has been able to remove dozens of misleading or counterfeit products from store shelves and from websites. The agency will continue to monitor social media platforms and online marketplaces to prevent the promotion and sale of fraudulent COVID-19 products.

If you spot what looks like an unapproved test or product, the FDA would like to hear from you. You can contact the agency here.

A hack of one of the largest health care systems in the U.S. has compromised the personal and private data of more than a million people who were exposed.

A recent filing showed that 1,357,879 were impacted by the breach in October 2021. In a letter to customers, Broward Health stated that the stolen information may have included names, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, financial or bank account information, Social Security numbers, insurance information, driver’s license numbers, email addresses, and various medical information.

Ransomware is the new hot hospital hack

In ConsumerAffairs review of identity theft in 2021, Rob Douglas – a leading authority on cybersecurity – said the pandemic helped create an “easier and more lucrative path” for attackers to launch ransomware. 

Mandiant, an enterprise-scale threat intelligence company, agrees. In its tracking of foreign hackers, it stated that a group dubbed FIN12 has taken a shine to companies that provide critical care functions. The company said nearly 20% of FIN12 victims were in the health care industry and were warned that they were more likely to be targeted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mandiant says the hackers are primarily focused on finding financial data, particularly annual income, because of the perception that it justifies proportionally large ransom demands.

Customers urged to take preventive action

In response to the incident, Broward Health said it is taking steps to prevent similar incidents from happening down the line, including adding password resets and multifactor authentication for all users of its systems.

While that may help going forward, Broward customers have a lot to do on their end to protect any of their personal information that may have been hacked. The company suggests that its customers do the following:

• Regularly review the explanation of benefits statements that you receive from your health plan. Broward asks that if anyone sees a service that they did not receive, to contact the health plan at the number on the statement.

• Monitor your financial accounts. If you see any unauthorized activity, promptly contact your financial institution. Broward stated that it would be a good idea to also take a look at your credit report for any discrepancies. 

On the heels of capturing first place in electric vehicle sales for the 22nd year in a row, Toyota has announced that it will bring 30 new EVs to market by 2030. The company is committing $70 billion to the project. 

Half of that – $35 billion – is earmarked for the development of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) line-up. That investment alone is a major shift for Toyota. Only months ago, it was a hold-out when 30 countries and six automakers made a commitment to phase out gas-powered vehicles by 2040.

All-electric appears to be the future

Toyota may have been slow to respond when compared to its peers, but its timing is still good. A recent report from BloombergNEF shows that electric vehicle sales keep trending upward: around 5.6 million units in 2021, up from 2.1m in 2019 and 3.1m in 2020. 

Consumers are getting more choices as the field expands. The report said there are now more than 500 zero-emission vehicle models available to buy around the world, up 37% since 2019. However, those who still prefer gas-powered vehicles will still get what they want from Toyota.

"We want to leave all people with a choice, and rather than where or what we will focus on, we will wait a little longer until we understand where the market is going," Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda said at a press conference announcing its BEV initiative. Toyoda said his company was still pursuing a diverse strategy towards carbon-reduction, which will include hybrids and hydrogen-powered vehicles as well.

Toyota starts strong with first all-electric option

The first all-electric vehicle Toyota will present to consumers is the bZ4X – “bz” being short for “beyond zero.” Scheduled to go on sale in mid-2022, the bZ will have a manufacturer-estimated range of up to 250 miles for XLE (executive luxury edition) front-wheel-drive models. 

KelleyBlueBook (KBB) said it expects the 2023 Toyota bZ4X electric SUV to have a starting price of around $36,000; that price could extend to around $43,000 depending on what add-ons buyers purchase. Consumers might be able to get a break on those prices if the U.S. government or individual states toss in EV tax rebates.

In his review of the bZ4X, KBB’s Nick Kurczewski said the vehicle sports a crossover-meets-wagon look that’s similar to the Kia EV6, another electric crossover that consumers will see popping up in showrooms soon.

Gadget lovers will no doubt like the interior of the bZ4X. Kurczewski said the cabin is dominated by a large central touchscreen, plus all the tech needed to power Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless device charging, Amazon Alexa, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.

“Safety is taken into consideration, too,” Kurczewski said. “The 2023 bZ4x is the first Toyota vehicle to come standard with the automaker’s Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of active driver aids. This includes upgraded versions of existing systems (like pre-collision warning), along with features like low-light cyclist detection, guardrail detection, and daytime motorcyclist detection.”

Walmart ramped up its grocery delivery service during the pandemic, and it paid off. Now, the retailer is putting more resources into that part of its business by hiring more than 3,000 more drivers to make deliveries.

Walmart’s InHome service is currently available to an estimated six million U.S. households. Once the expansion is completed, Walmart says 30 million households will be able to receive store-to-refrigerator grocery deliveries.

“Now you’ve got this ultimate convenience where you get home, the refrigerator is restocked and other items like video games, clothing, toiletries, and other non-perishables are on the countertop,” Tom Ward, senior vice president of last-mile delivery at Walmart, told CNBC.

There is no doubt that grocery delivery has been popular with consumers, but some posting reviews at ConsumerAffairs have suggested there are a few bugs in the system. Dave, of Atchison, Kan., said one of his recent orders never arrived but that he received a text informing him that it did.

“Contacted support via text and was told order was canceled and refunded,” Dave wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “Next day USPS delivers Campbells Chicken Soup then delivery driver brings toilet paper, tissues, ketchup, relish, gum, stuffing, chips and chocolate syrup... ALL other items missing.” 

Susan, of Cape Canaveral, Fla., tells us she was very happy with the delivery service the first few times she used it. Lately, she says it has been unpredictable.

“Even with grocery delivery, they have started sending ordered items different days through the mail,” Susan wrote. 

A bigger stake in the delivery business

Walmart stated that additional staffing may be able to help iron out those wrinkles. According to CNBC, the company’s investment is making it a major player in the delivery business, competing with the likes of DoorDash, Instacart, and Amazon Fresh.

Walmart will charge $19.95 a month, but there will be no additional fees. Amazon Fresh is included with a $12.99 a month Prime membership. A DoorDash subscription costs $9.99 per month but requires a minimum of $12 for restaurant orders.

Target makes deliveries through its subsidiary Shipt. A Shipt membership costs $99 a year and provides free deliveries for members. Non-members pay $9.99 per delivery.

A new study conducted by researchers from Yale University explored the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women. According to their findings, the vaccines were not linked with a higher risk of preterm birth, regardless of when in the pregnancy women received the vaccination. 

“COVID-19 vaccines are recommended during pregnancy to prevent severe maternal morbidity and adverse birth outcomes; however, vaccination coverage among pregnant women has been low,” the researchers wrote. “The findings from this retrospective, multisite cohort of a large and diverse population with comprehensive data on vaccination, comorbidities, and birth outcomes add to the evidence supporting the safety of the COVID-19 during pregnancy.” 

Preterm birth isn’t likely to be a risk

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 40,000 pregnant women receiving care at eight health organizations participating in the Vaccine Safety Datalink. In addition to tracking the women’s vaccination status, the team paid close attention to two primary health care outcomes: preterm birth and low birth weight. 

Ultimately, around 22% of the women had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant. The majority received the shot during their second or third trimesters. 

In terms of pregnancy-related risks, the researchers learned that both vaccinated and unvaccinated women had similar outcomes when it came to preterm birth and low birth weight. The vaccine wasn’t associated with a greater chance of either risk. This was true regardless of when in pregnancy the women were vaccinated or how many doses of the vaccine they received. 

The researchers hope these findings help make pregnant women more comfortable with the idea of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, as it has been found to be safe for the health of both women and their babies. 

“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is important for preventing severe illness in pregnant people,” said researcher Heather Lipkind. “With the increasing rates of COVID-19 in our community, we are encouraging pregnant people to get vaccinated.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine explored the detection process for children with autism. According to their findings, administering an in-depth screening process in early intervention has the potential to increase autism diagnoses by 60%. 

The multi-step screening process started with parents completing two questionnaires: one about their child’s emotional behavior and one about their child’s social behavior. Based on the responses, some children were selected to be observed in person by experts who analyzed their behaviors. These same experts then gave a final evaluation and a diagnosis if appropriate.

“When implemented with appropriate supports and access to diagnostic services, screening can really move the needle on the early detection of autism,” said researcher Dr. Radley Chris Sheldrick. “If implemented in a culturally sensitive way, it can also reduce health disparities in autism diagnoses, which have been well-documented in literature.” 

Language and gender played a role

For the study, the researchers analyzed records from over 33,300 children between the ages of 14 and 26 months who were enrolled in early intervention (EI) services in the Boston area from 2012 through 2018. The data was pulled from a dozen different EI sites; nine of the locations weren’t screening for autism, while three of the locations had adopted the in-depth screening process. 

Although the screening process required more steps, the researchers learned that it was effective at identifying children with autism. The multi-step screener was linked with more than 8 additional autism diagnoses per 1,000 children; that figure jumped to more than 15 additional diagnoses per 1,000 children for Spanish-speaking families. 

The study showed that young boys were more likely than young girls to be diagnosed with autism with these new screening efforts. Nearly 15 more boys were diagnosed after this process, compared with 0.5 more girls. 

The researchers hope this work emphasizes how important it is for EI providers to be diligent about this process, as it can make significant long-term changes for families. 

“We did not anticipate this finding, and we believe it highlights the importance of monitoring all points in the care process – whether or not disparities are expected,” Dr. Sheldrick said. “Further research is needed to ensure equitable access to effective services for those who need them.” 

Ford Motor Company is recalling 114,996 model year 2021-2022 Bronco Sports and Escapes.

The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance.

The driver may have to apply more brake pedal force in certain situations, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

The remedy is currently under development.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 10, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C31.

Pearl River is recalling about 43,000 propane hoses sold with Flame King torches and accessories.

The propane hose can swell and rupture, allowing gas to leak, posing a fire hazard.

The firm has received three reports of propane hoses swelling and rupturing. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Pearl River 3Q20 or 4Q20 propane hoses used in propane-powered torches and other propane accessories. Hoses included in the recall include the following:

• PEARL RIVER FILE NO. 70177655 LP-GAS HOSE HP14 M.W.P 350 PSIG 1/4" STANDARD CSA8.3&UL21 3Q20 T/P
• PEARL RIVER FILE NO. 70177655 LP-GAS HOSE HP14 M.W.P 350 PSIG 1/4" STANDARD CSA8.3&UL21 4Q20 T/P

A list of the item/batch numbers, printed on the body of the propane hose, may be found here.

The hoses, manufactured in China, were sold online at Amazon.com, Homedepot.com, Wayfair.com, Walmart.com, and eBay.com from January 2021, through May 2021. The propane hoses cost around $20, while the propane-powered torches cost about $45. 

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled propane hoses.

To obtain a free replacement hose, send a photograph of the propane hose cut in half so that it is no longer operable to the firm’s e-mail, along with a return mailing address to receive a free replacement hose.

Once Pearl River receives confirmation of the hose cut in half, consumers may discard it.

Consumers may contact Pearl River toll-free at (855) 855-8874 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PT) Monday through Friday, by email at recall@pearlriverhose.com, or online at www.pearlriverhose.com for more information.

When Toyota announced its North American year-end 2021 sales figures on Tuesday, it had lots to crow about – namely, knocking General Motors (GM) off the throne as the top-selling automaker in the U.S. It’s the first time a foreign automaker has taken first place in America.

The company not only added that title to its resume, but it will hang on as the number one seller of electrified vehicles for the 22nd consecutive year. Its Toyota Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, Tacoma, and Lexus NX will also keep their trophies as the best-selling models in their respective segments. Toyota also earned the most Kelley Blue Book Awards in 2021, with its RAV4 named car of the year.

However, the short-term forecast is a bit cloudy. In 2021, the company sold 2,332,262 vehicles, 11.5% more per day than it did in 2020. However, it comes hobbling into 2022 with reports that its December U.S. 2021 sales were down 30.2% when compared to December 2020.

How Toyota pulled it off

Toyota – just like every other automotive company – had to live through supply chain knee-capping and a cataclysmic chip shortage in 2021, both of which were brought on by the pandemic. The difference for Toyota was that it just managed the situation better.

How? That’s the question ConsumerAffairs put to Bill Rieke, Adjunct Instructor for Supply Chain Management at the Williams College of Business at Xavier University in Cincinnati.

“Toyota, which is the automotive pioneer for ‘just-in-time’ manufacturing, has proactively moved away from this pure ‘lean’ management approach,” Rieke said. “Instead they have built resiliency into their production planning to be more like ‘just-in-case’ which has served them well during Covid-19 allowing them to have broader access to computer chips and other parts necessary to build and sell a complete car.”

Consumers frustrated by chip shortage

GM may have also made Toyota’s rise easier if consumer opinions count. Redell, of Farmington, Mich., recently chided the company for how it handled a situation when he brought in his Cadillac for service. 

“I was told by the Service Advisor that they have no vehicles for loaners due to the chip shortage. But furthermore I was told that I can go and rent a vehicle at Enterprise or whatever and then contact GM to see if I could be reimbursed,” Redell wrote. 

“As a frustrated customer I asked the Service Advisor [why] as a customer who has a bumper to bumper warranty, what if I don’t have the income to be able to rent a vehicle at this time. The Service Advisor had nothing to say.”

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 56,278,085 (53,715,547)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 827,937 (823,115)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 292,919,609 (284,807,611)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,451,900 (5,425,516)‌

U.S. reports 1 million new cases in one day

In a sign that the Omicron variant is spreading unchecked throughout the country, the U.S. recorded more than 1 million new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. That stands as a single-day record.

With Monday’s spike, the U.S. has now reported more than 56 million cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. Officials say the big increase is likely a result of large holiday gatherings.

The death rate from the virus remains well below its pandemic high. In the last seven days, the country has reported an average of about 1,200 daily COVID-19 deaths for the week ending Jan. 3. A year ago, when vaccines were not readily available, about 3,000 Americans were dying each day from the virus.

Children are driving up hospitalization rates

The number of Americans hospitalized with severe COVID-19 symptoms continues to rise, and an increasing number of the patients are children. 

An NBC News analysis shows that nine states –  Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, along with Washington, D.C. – have logged a record number of children who require hospital treatment.

"It seems like people have tried to downplay the significance of the disease in children," Dr. Mark Kline, the physician-in-chief at Children's Hospital New Orleans, told NBC. "We've spent two years rebutting myths pertaining to COVID and children, that it's 'harmless' for children. It's not."

FDA expands use of Pfizer vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken several steps to expand the use of the  Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The agency has amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the vaccine to include booster shots for adolescents 12 through 15 years of age.

The FDA has also shortened the time between the completion of primary vaccination and a booster dose to at least five months. It also allows for a third primary series dose for certain immunocompromised children five through 11 years of age.

“With the current wave of the Omicron variant, it’s critical that we continue to take effective, life-saving preventative measures such as primary vaccination and boosters, mask-wearing, and social distancing in order to effectively fight COVID-19,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock.

Around the nation

• New York: As students head back to campus, Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced that COVID-19 tests will never be far away. The governor says 10 college and university campuses in New York will host COVID-19 testing sites starting this week.

• Missouri: The University of Missouri basketball game against Mississippi State that was scheduled for Wednesday has been canceled because of the coronavirus. In a statement, the Southeastern Conference attributed the postponement to COVID-19 issues within Missouri’s basketball program.

• California: Health officials in Southern California say young people are primarily responsible for the current surge in COVID-19 cases. The state ended 2021 with 27,000 new cases. Doctors say about 25% of Californians tested for the virus are testing positive.

• Tennessee: Shelby County schools are stepping up COVID-19 testing as the Memphis area sees an increase in new cases of the virus. Starting Jan. 17, the school system will test students and faculty once a week, increasing the rate from once every two weeks.

• Maine: The Maine Medical Association has issued a statement criticizing what it called a “small minority” of physicians in the state that are allegedly spreading COVID-19 misinformation. The statement is in reaction to a briefing for state lawmakers that only included doctors who are critical of the state’s vaccination mandate for health care workers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to be aggressive in the nation’s fight against the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. With the number of positive cases more than doubling between Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, the agency is entering 2022 by taking these three giant steps: 

• Amending the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to 12-15-year-olds.

• Shortening the time between a primary vaccination of the Pfizer vaccine and a booster dose to five months.

• Allowing for a third primary series dose for certain immunocompromised children 5-11 years of age.

If you’re looking for the biggest reason the FDA is pushing booster vaccinations now, the director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research said you don’t have to look any further than the Omicron variant. 

“The omicron variant appears to be more resistant to the antibody levels produced in response to the primary series doses from the current vaccines,” said Dr. Peter Marks, adding that a third protective dose is beneficial for “some of our youngest and most vulnerable individuals.”

Vaccine expert agrees with FDA changes

ConsumerAffairs reached out to a vaccine expert Mark Cameron, an associate professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, to get his take on the FDA’s changes. 

“I’m encouraged by this announcement for several reasons, not the least of which is because it’s not a single bandaid solution, it’s more of a patch across multiple leaks in the proverbial omicron dam,” he said.

"But also, it drives home the point that the FDA can react relatively quickly to real-time changes in this pandemic by looking at the wide variety of data sources available to it, including previous approvals, peer-reviewed studies, and perhaps most importantly, high-quality real-world data reflecting the moment we are in fighting this ever-changing virus."

What people need to know

The new FDA advisory comes with several things people should take into account regarding booster shots and vaccinations for younger people. Those include:

Boosters are now authorized for everyone 12 years of age and older. The agency said it reviewed real-world data from more than 6,000 adolescents in Israel who received a booster over the same time frame and determined that the protective health benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech booster provides “continued protection” against not only COVID-19 itself, but any related serious consequences that can occur such as hospitalization and death.

At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for children aged 5-11. There are no changes for people who have received the Johnson & Johnson or the Moderna vaccine. The booster interval recommendations for those remain the same: two months for Johnson & Johnson and six months for Moderna.

No changes for young children who are fully vaccinated and not immunocompromised. The FDA said children aged 5 through 11 who fit that definition do not need a third dose at this time, but officials said they would continue to review the situation and let the public know if data emerges suggesting booster doses are needed for that group.

No new side effects. While myocarditis and pericarditis were previously listed as potential risks, the agency says no new cases were reported in the Israeli study.

LG is doubling down on its commitment to OLED video technology and is using this week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to introduce its new line of OLED television sets.

The company says this year’s lineup includes powerful imaging technologies and an improved webOS offering more smart features and services. OLED video technology employs “self-lighting” pixels. The technology is designed to produce greater display clarity and brighter colors.

OLED TV sets can start at $2,000 or more, and some consumers have had issues with the current technology. Several consumers posting reviews at ConsumerAffairs have reported screen and component failures. But Norm, of Rio Communities, N.M., tells us he purchased a current model LG OLED set last year and is impressed.

“This TV fit right into my home theatre system,” Norm wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “I had cut the cord and worked my way through the array of streaming services. The LG takes the picture to entirely new level I didn’t think I’d ever experience."

What’s new

At CES, LG took the wraps off the new G2 series model, promoting what it says is the device’s higher level of brightness for “ultra-realistic images with amazing clarity and detail.” The set is powered by LG’s new Alpha 9 Gen 5 intelligent processor and the company's Brightness Booster technology.

The new OLED sets are also a lot bigger. The G2 series introduces a new 83-inch model and what LG says is the first 97-inch OLED model. The current line-up features screen sizes between 55 inches and 77 inches.

LG has also taken the wraps off its new C2 series. It offers six screen sizes, including a 42-inch display specifically targeted for console and PC gaming.

The Alpha 9 Gen 5 processor is designed to give onscreen images a more three-dimensional quality by distinguishing foreground and background elements from one another. LG says the chip also promotes enhanced sound quality by using the set’s built-in speakers to produce virtual 7.1.2 surround sound.

A new study conducted by researchers from Rutgers University explored one of the biggest factors impacting the maternal death rate. According to their findings, chronic hypertension was responsible for the rise in maternal death. 

“Overall hypertension-associated deaths declined in the U.S. over the last 40 years, but this decline is restricted to women who have preeclampsia/eclampsia as the cause,” said researcher Cande V. Ananth. 

“If you isolate the data on women who have chronic hypertension, which is defined as a preexisting hypertensive condition or hypertension diagnosed within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, as a cause, mortality rates have increased quite substantially – on average, by about 9.2% per year over the last 40 years. So it is the chronic hypertension that has really driven the maternal mortality trends in the U.S. over the last 40 years.” 

Racial and age-related disparities in heart health 

For the study, the researchers analyzed the health outcomes of women who gave birth in the United States between 1979 and 2018. They looked at factors such as race, age, and history with hypertension before, during, and after pregnancy. 

Over the course of the study, the maternal mortality rate was 2.1 per 1,000,000 births. However, the researchers learned that the same figure was nearly four times higher for Black women than white women. Experts say risk factors related to high blood pressure, as well as limited access to health care, may be the reason behind this racial disparity. 

“Black women were anywhere from three- to four-fold increased risk of dying from a hypertension-related cause compared to White women in the United States, and this disparity has persisted for the last 40 years,” Ananth said. 

The study also showed that age may play a role in the maternal death rate. When older women gave birth and were also in poor health, the risk of death related to high blood pressure was higher. 

Finding better treatments for women

The goal moving forward is to better identify, monitor, and treat women who may be at a higher risk of developing chronic hypertension. The team says lifestyle interventions – such as following healthier diets, consuming less alcohol, and eliminating smoking – and the use of blood pressure medications may be necessary to see results. 

“We have gotten much better at treating women with preeclampsia/eclampsia during pregnancy, which has undoubtedly contributed to the decline in maternal death rates, but we haven’t done as good a job in treating women with chronic hypertension,” said Ananth. “Part of that is because many of these women come in undiagnosed, and it’s often problematic to treat women with drugs to reduce their blood pressure, particularly early in pregnancy, so there’s a conflict of what’s the right approach.

“Women who have any obstetrical complications, particularly hypertension-related complications, should be monitored very closely during the course of pregnancy and delivery, as well as in the postpartum period,” he added. “Following these women after pregnancy is crucial.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Toronto explored how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected teens’ exercise habits. According to their findings, less than 10% of teens are meeting physical activity recommendations during the pandemic; that number was at 16% prior to the pandemic. 

“The pandemic led to the cancellation of in-person physical education classes and organized sports, gym, and recreational facility closures, and rises in screen use, which all contributed to lower physical activity for teens,” said researcher Dr. Jason Nagata. 

“Physical activity can support young people’s physical and mental health,” he added. “We found that teens who were more active during the pandemic reported stronger emotional well-being and felt more socially connected to others.” 

Physical and mental impacts of less exercise

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 5,100 teens enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. They looked at teens’ survey responses about physical activity, screen time, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The researchers learned that nearly half as many teens were completing 60 minutes of exercise per day during the COVID-19 pandemic when compared to before the pandemic. Just under nine percent of teens were meeting this goal in 2020, while over 16% were doing so before the pandemic.

Not being as physically active during the pandemic affected the teens’ mental health. The researchers learned that those who were the least active were more likely to struggle with their mental health, including heightened anxiety about COVID-19 and higher stress levels. Conversely, those who were consistent with their exercise reported better social support and experienced less anxiety. 

The researchers hope these findings inspire parents to be more active with their children so that they take time to exercise regularly.

“Parents should encourage their children to move more and sit less,” said Dr. Nagata. “Despite disruptions from the pandemic, consider doing activities as a family, going outdoors, or participating in virtual exercise classes.”