Current Events in February 2022

Consumers have been up in arms over problems they’ve had with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for years, but companies like Cigna’s ExpressScripts, CVS Caremark, and UnitedHealth’s OptumRx have continued to grow by leaps and bounds. However, aid for consumers may soon be on the way.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it will attempt to block UnitedHealth Group’s acquisition of Change Healthcare, a company that provides payment and revenue cycle management to connect payers, providers, and patients in the health care ecosystem.

Consumers have the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), in part, to thank for that effort by the DOJ. Last September, the organization publicly called for DOJ officials to block the merger, saying it would produce an unfair competitive advantage for a company that is already one of the kings of the PBM hill.

NCPA kept the heat on regulators, repeatedly raising concerns with the DOJ and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about the proposed acquisition and the broader vertical consolidation that is happening in the industry. The group alleged that UnitedHealth Group’s access to Change Healthcare's eRx system would be devastating to patients and independent pharmacies.

In arguing its case, the NCPA had plenty of ammunition that consumers aren’t happy with the current PBM-driven prescription world. Survey respondents spoke loudly about their dissatisfaction with health insurance plans and their PBMs. Namely, the participants took umbrage with how PBMs and insurance companies get to decide which pharmacies patients must use and whether they must use more expensive medicines when there is a less expensive alternative available. 

Getting more regulators on board

Getting the DOJ to add some muscle to its efforts is a major plus for the NCPA, but “there is far more for agencies like the DOJ and FTC, Congress, and state policymakers to act on in order to rein in PBMs and create a fairer, more competitive health care marketplace for consumers,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey.

Before the DOJ announced its intent to block the UnitedHealth/Change Healthcare deal, the FTC had actually voted against fielding a study of PBMs and their business practices. But the agency apparently had a change of heart and has now decided that it might be a wise move to ask the public how it feels about the impact of PBMs after all. 

Requests for Information like the one the FTC has launched regarding PBMs can make a huge impact, and the agency is asking patients, employers, pharmacies, and any other entity that deals with prescriptions to comment on any issues or concerns they believe are relevant to the PBM situation. Interested parties have until April 25, 2022, to submit their comments on the FTC's website. 

Michigan further regulates PBMs

While things are brewing in D.C., Michigan regulators have decided they're going to do something about PBMs too. On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed bipartisan bills designed to lower prescription drug costs by regulating PBMs that oversee coverage for employers, insurers, and others. Part of the laws took effect immediately, and the rest will go into effect beginning in 2024.   

“Without question, Michigan's new PBM bill is one of the most significant wins for consumers in years because it deals directly with several ‘back end’ practices that are known to generate billions in revenue for insurers but do nothing to lower costs for patients and plan payers,” Monique M. Whitney, executive director of Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency, told ConsumerAffairs. 

Whitney says she hopes that Witmer’s support will help the pro-consumer movement pick up steam across the rest of the U.S.

“Besides important transparency requirements in the PBM licensing and regulation, Michigan patients will have protections generally not found elsewhere in the U.S., including the right to fair and impartial information about drug pricing and coverage (and access to lower cost alternative drugs) and exclusive authority over their own prescription transfers," she said.

Michigan might not be alone for long. Community pharmacists in Kentucky are leaning hard on its legislators to pass a bill designed to “prohibit insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, and other administrators of pharmacy benefits from imposing certain requirements on health plan insureds.”

“[This bill] would address the mail order mandates and ensure Kentuckians have safe, reliable access to the brick-and-mortar community pharmacy they choose,” wrote Cathy Hanna, president of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association. “This protects a critical link in Kentucky’s healthcare chain, particularly in rural communities where pharmacists are often the most direct and trusted provider contact for many individuals and families.”

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 78,940,748 (78,933,931)

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 948,438 (948,035)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 435,623,857 (434,675,681)

Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,950,866 (5,946,539)‌

Omicron infection protects against subvariant, study finds

A new study shows that people who have been infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 are protected, at least temporarily, from infection by its subvariant, known as BA.2. The analysis projects that the protection level is as high as 95%.

The reverse also appears to be true. The research team analyzed data from around 100,000 people who had been infected with the BA.2 subvariant and determined that it provided around 85% protection against the Omicron variant (BQA.1) 35 to 40 days later.

The Omicron variant, which began showing up in the U.S. in November, has been primarily responsible for the most recent wave of the coronavirus. But now scientists believe the subvariant, BA.2, is rising to dominance.

Health care workers see few pay raises

Doctors, nurses, and other health care workers have been on the front lines of managing the COVID-19 pandemic for nearly two years. But a joint study has found that, despite their hard work, they haven’t seen much in the way of pay raises.

The analysis -- from Indiana University, the nonprofit Rand Corp., and the University of Michigan -- monitored workforce changes during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that the average wages for U.S. health care workers rose less than wages in other industries during 2020 and the first six months of 2021. 

"While there has been extensive media coverage of the considerable employment declines in the health care sector, evidence from complete national employment and wages was scarce," said Kosali Simon, one of the study's co-authors. "These findings provide a data-driven picture of employment levels by various health care settings and can help guide decision-making not only around the current health care shortage but also during a future crisis."

Cases are falling but remain high in children

A report from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association shows that children continue to be infected with COVID-19 at a fairly high rate as cases generally decline across the U.S. Reported COVID-19 cases among children spiked dramatically in 2022 during the Omicron variant surge, with over 4.6 million child cases being reported since the beginning of January. 

However, the researchers say pediatric cases are starting to trend lower. For the week ending February 17th, nearly 175,000 additional child COVID-19 cases were reported, down substantially from the peak level of 1,150,000 reported the week ending January 20th. 

The researchers reported that child cases this week remained “very high,” slightly less than the peak level of the Delta surge in 2021. Around 15% of all childhood cases during the pandemic have been diagnosed in just the last four weeks.

Around the nation

• New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Sunday that the statewide mask mandate for public schools will end on Wednesday. Hochul, who has been under pressure from parents to take this action, cited the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• Oregon:  Gov. Kate Brown has announced that she will lift her statewide COVID-19 emergency declaration on April 1. But she sounded a note of caution. “Lifting Oregon’s COVID-19 emergency declaration today does not mean that the pandemic is over, or that COVID-19 is no longer a significant concern,” Brown said.

• Ohio: Case numbers have dropped dramatically across the state, but a top health official says it’s all relative. Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff notes that the CDC considers 50 cases per 100,000 residents to be "substantial" community transmission. He points out that all 88 Ohio counties remain above that level.

• Arkansas: Arkansas is one of the few states where COVID-19 cases are still rising, but Gov. Asa Hutchinson believes it’s time to begin returning to normal. “I think we’re to the point that everyone knows what to do and they know how to protect themselves,” Hutchinson said.

• Alaska: Some pediatricians say misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines is holding back parents from vaccinating their children. The state health department reports that vaccination rates for Alaska children lag far behind the rates for older kids and adults.

Consumers who want to purchase a new car or truck are having to dig deeper into their pockets as an increasing number of dealers are adding thousands of dollars to the sticker price.

Auto manufacturers, notably Ford and GM, have asked dealers not to do this, fearing a consumer backlash against the brand. But dealers are independent businesses, and some told the Wall Street Journal that they are selling fewer cars and must increase profits on each sale.

In some extreme cases, buyers have discovered that the most popular vehicles on the lot are selling for as much as $40,000 above the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). Dealers say there is no shortage of people willing to pay it. In January, 80% of new car buyers paid over the sticker price.

In one ConsumerAffairs review, Steve, of Beverly Hills, Calif., wrote that he “verbally” agreed to pay the sticker price for a 2021 Range Rover and waited nine months for the car to arrive. When the car arrived at the dealer, he said a salesman called him to tell him the price had gone up by $40,000.

“Before I even had a chance to get to the dealership to discuss the price he sold it to someone who was willing to pay the 40k over,” Steve wrote in his review. “I waited 9 months for nothing!!!” 

Buyers in revolt

According to the Journal, car buyers are in revolt. It recounted the efforts of one buyer who flew to a dealership 300 miles away to get the car he wanted at a reasonable price. Karl Brauer, executive analyst at iSeeCars.com, says making that kind of effort is increasingly necessary.

“If you can expand your search from a five or 10-mile radius around your house to a 100 or 200-mile range you can greatly expand your opportunities,” Brauer told ConsumerAffairs in a recent interview. 

Brauer points out that if you have to travel six hours round trip to save $1,200 on a car, you’re gaining around $200 an hour.

The skyrocketing cost of new and used cars means consumers who finance their purchases are facing ever-higher monthly payments. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says that’s a cause for concern.

The CFPB says the problem is greater with used vehicles because the interest rate on a used car loan is typically higher than for a new car. The agency points to data showing that the consumer price index (CPI) for used cars and trucks increased by 40% percent since January 2021, while the CPI for new cars increased by just 12%. 

As car prices continue to rise, the CFPB worries that loan amounts will continue to rise. However, that may not be immediately apparent to consumers since growing loan lengths may make those larger loans seem affordable.

Consumers should shop around

These circumstances make it more important for consumers seeking to finance a used car to shop around for the best terms. Some new players, including fintech firms, can be very competitive with banks and credit unions.

Scottie, of Danville, Va., told us he had a good experience with LoanMart, citing its flexibility.

“Unlike a regular car loan, you can pay towards the principal and get it down quicker than the months they had it set up for,” Scottie wrote in a ConsumerAffairs post. 

‘Average loan size will continue to increase’

According to the CFPB, the danger for consumers is overextending the length of a loan. For example, financing a vehicle for six or seven years will result in a much slower payoff of the amount owed. At some point, the consumer will still owe more than the vehicle is worth – even in today’s hyperinflationary market.

“As a result, we expect that both the total amount of debt and the average loan size will continue to increase and that larger car loans will put increased pressure on some consumers’ budgets for much of the next decade,” the agency said.

Officials note that auto loans are already the third-largest consumer credit market in the U.S. at over $1.4 trillion outstanding. That's double the amount from 10 years ago, and it's expected to grow further. The CFPB has expressed concern that the inflated prices of used cars and trucks could create incentives for lenders to repossess cars more quickly than they would have in the past.

The financial regulating agency said it will closely monitor lender practices to measure how they affect consumers. In particular, it will evaluate lending structures where lenders appear to rely on high interest rates and fees to profit, even when consumers fail.

A suspected cyberattack hit one of Toyota’s suppliers of electronic components and plastic parts at one of its plants in Japan, wiping out 13,000 cars' worth of output. The automaker said it is suspending all Japanese operations until the company has an opportunity to investigate the situation and restore factory operations to normal.

CNBC reports that it’s unknown who was responsible for the attack or what their reason was, but NikkeiAsia reports that malware was involved. Russia has been implicated due to Japan joining Western allies and blocking Russian banks’ access to the SWIFT international payment network in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Fumio Kishida, Japan’s Prime Minister, said the government would launch a probe into the incident to determine whether Russia was involved or not.

“It is difficult to say whether this has anything to do with Russia before making thorough checks,” he told reporters. As for Toyota’s official stance on the matter, a spokesperson for the company described it as a “supplier system failure.” 

The effect on production

All told, 28 lines at 14 Toyota plants – plus some plants operated by Toyota’s affiliates Hino Motors and Daihatsu – were shut down because of the incident.

Toyota has not said exactly how long the shutdown will last, but the spokesperson said it will last for more than a day.

Toyota has experienced cyberattacks in the past in Japan and Australia. This time around, though, the company also has to contend with supply chain issues that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Those conditions were made worse when protesters prevented trucks from passing through U.S-Canadian borders to deliver parts to North American Toyota factories.

A new study conducted by researchers from the American Academy of Neurology explored how migraines may increase women’s risk of complications during pregnancy. According to their findings, women may be more susceptible to pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia and preterm delivery, among others, when they regularly experience migraines. 

“Roughly 20% of women of childbearing age experience migraine, but the impact of migraine on pregnancy outcomes has not been well understood,” said researcher Alexandra Purdue-Smith, Ph.D. “Our large prospective study found links between migraine and pregnancy complications that could help inform doctors and women with migraine of potential risks they should be aware of during pregnancy.” 

How do migraines impact pregnancy outcomes? 

For the study, the researchers analyzed pregnancy outcomes for 30,000 pregnancies from nearly 19,000 women across two decades. The team tracked the women’s histories with migraines and then evaluated their health during pregnancy and delivery. 

Ultimately, the researchers learned that migraines increased the risk for several pregnancy-related complications. Preeclampsia posed the biggest threat to women’s pregnancies when they struggled with migraines; the study showed that women with migraines were 40% more likely to develop preeclampsia. Similarly, the risk of high blood pressure was nearly 30% higher and the risk of preterm delivery was nearly 20% higher for women with migraines. 

The researchers also looked at how migraine auras, or the bodily sensations that occur before a migraine, may also impact pregnancy outcomes. The study showed that these auras increased the risk of preeclampsia by more than 50%. 

“While the risks of these complications are still quite low overall, women with a history of migraine should be aware of and consult with their doctors on potential pregnancy risks,” said Dr. Purdue-Smith. “More research is needed to determine exactly why migraine may be associated with higher risks of complications. In the meantime, women with migraine may benefit from closer monitoring during pregnancy so that complications like preeclampsia can be identified and managed as soon as possible.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Waterloo explored how new technology may improve how older consumers take their prescriptions. 

They explained that prescription bottles equipped with smart packaging can help track when consumers take their pills and ensure that they don't forget to take their medication. The team argues that this would lead to better health outcomes. 

“Many of these products are advertised as user-friendly and efficient, but not all are tested with seniors in mind,” said researcher Sadaf Faisal. “So how would we know if older adults are able to use them for their day-to-day medication intake and are there any factors that can impact in-home utilization?” 

Benefits of new technology

The researchers had 10 participants with an average age of 76 years old involved in the study. The group was given smart packaging for their medications, and the team interviewed them on how well they were able to use it and what they thought of the technology. The participants took about 11 medications each day for several different chronic conditions. 

Many of the participants reported being comfortable with the smart packaging; those who were the most familiar with technology reported the greatest outcomes with the device. Because the packaging tracked their habits, they were less likely to miss their medication. 

“Across participants, we found fairly consistent pros and cons to the technology,” said researcher Tejal Patel. “The ability to learn the product easily was important for the participants to use it consistently. Feedback from their social circle – such as supportive children, partners, or health-care providers – also helped reinforce using the technology.” 

While there were benefits to this smart packaging, the participants also had some hesitations. For starters, the price of these devices was considered to be too high without any assistance from a health insurance plan. The participants also expressed frustration when the device glitched or didn’t perform as designed. 

The researchers believe these devices can ultimately be effective for older consumers. Moving forward, they hope health care professionals work with their older patients to ensure the best health outcomes. 

“For technology to be effective, it has to be accepted by the end-users,” Faisal said. “Smart, technology-based adherence products have the potential to support patients, but health care providers should assess older adults’ medication intake behaviors and barriers and facilitators to using a product before recommending them.” 

Husqvarna Professional Products of Charlotte, N.C., is recalling about 1,400 Husqvarna Automower 435X and 535 All-Wheel Drive Robotic Lawnmowers.

The lithium-ion battery in the lawnmower can overheat, posing a risk of fire.

The firm has received five reports of batteries overheating, including two reports of fires. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves the Husqvarna-branded Automower 435X AWD and Automower 535 AWD robotic lawnmowers, both of which are powered by lithium-ion batteries. The robotic lawnmowers freely and automatically cut grass by detecting the signal of a perimeter cable. The mowers have a docking station for recharging.

The 435X model is gray with orange on the wheels, and the 535 model is orange and gray with white wheels. The Husqvarna logo is painted on the front of the lawnmowers, and the model number is located on the top.

The lawnmowers, manufactured in Sweden, were sold at Husqvarna- affiliated dealers nationwide and online at www.husqvarna.com from March 2020, through July 2021, for about $4,500.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled lawnmowers and download the free software update that Husqvarna Professional Products is pushing to the recalled units.

Consumers with units having more than 1,200 charging cycles will also receive a free replacement battery. Husqvarna Professional Products is contacting all known purchasers directly.

Consumers may contact Husqvarna toll-free at (877) 257-6921 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or online for more information.

Daimler Vans USA (DVUSA) is recalling 28,743 model year 2016-2021 Mercedes-Benz Metris vans.

The brake fluid reservoir may be incorrectly mounted, which can allow it to detach.

A detached brake fluid reservoir can leak brake fluid and increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and repair the brake fluid reservoir mounting -- as necessary -- free of charge.

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

Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at (877) 762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2BE42BRE.

It’s not something the average grocery shopper would think about, but there’s a connection between what’s going on in Ukraine and the price increases Americans will likely pay in the near future. According to FoodDive, key food commodity prices hit their highest point in nearly a decade after Russia began its invasion into Ukraine on Thursday. 

Those two countries have a lot of the essential ingredients that power the things Americans eat. Combined, Russia and Ukraine produced 80% of the exports of sunflower seed oil – one of the most used oils at restaurants and at home – 29% of global wheat production, and 19% of corn.

Russia could also hold farmers hostage to a certain degree because it's one of the largest exporters of nitrogen products that are used to fertilize crops.

Where things are headed

In laying out several scenarios on how the conflict could play out, Rabobank – a Dutch multinational banking and financial services company that focuses on food and agribusiness – projected a 30% rise in wheat prices and a 20% in corn prices if an all-out war develops.

The company says things could be made even worse in a scenario that combines effective sanctions with war. 

“Russian wheat and barley have also been 2/3 exported this season, but Russia and Ukraine account for 30% of world wheat exports, which would drive global prices up 30% if removed,” Rabobank analysts said.

If that scenario is still in place by July, when harvesting of the next crop begins, it would cut deeply into global grain availability. At that point, the price of wheat would then double and corn costs would rise by 30%. Rabobank said vegetable oil prices would also most likely go up 20% in that scenario.

Cupcakes, cookies, and English muffins

The Consumer Price Index for cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and bread has already risen 6% year-over-year, and the prices on those products could go even higher if the conflict between Russia and Ukraine becomes more protracted.

“For food manufacturers that rely on wheat and flour as key ingredients, the Ukraine conflict is yet another element for them to weigh as they attempt to control price increases,” FoodDive noted.

When one analyst asked CEO Daniel Servitje of Grupo Bimbo – the owner of Sara Lee and Thomas’ English muffins, which has plants in both Russia and Ukraine – if he would have to raise the prices on those products, he said the impact would depend on how long a conflict lasts. 

"We're hedged for some months ahead, but not necessarily for the full year," Servitje said. 

Grupo Bimbo CFO Diego Gaxiola added that the company finished out 2021 with hedges covering about 70% of its commodity needs for the full year.

"Now this doesn't mean that we will not see any impact, because at the end we will continue to do the hedging strategy," he said. "And as wheat goes up, we will start to face inflation, probably more an additional inflation, towards the end of the year and 2023."

No one wants to think about it, but as they say, “nothing is certain in life except death and taxes.” Of the two, taxes are probably easier to deal with.

Death, on the other hand, exacts both an emotional and financial toll on a family. That’s why financial advisers highly recommend that couples prepare for the unexpected through life insurance.

The issue may have taken on added importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed nearly 1 million lives in the U.S. The evidence suggests that more people are considering adding the protection.

Research conducted by ConsumerAffairs found that 65% of respondents to a survey had both a will and a life insurance policy. Fifty-two percent said they created a will to avoid a financial crisis for their family — the most common motivation for doing so.

However, 38% of the sample of over 1,000 people said they don’t have life insurance because they can’t afford it.

More affordable than you think

In actuality, a life insurance policy can be very affordable depending on your age, your health, the amount of coverage, and the type.

The least expensive coverage is a “term” policy, meaning the coverage is only for a set term, usually 10 or 20 years. The cost is lower because the risk for the underwriter is lower. The odds of someone dying during that time period are fairly low.

Research conducted by LIMRA and Life Happens found that more than half of Americans believe a life insurance policy costs three times its actual rate, with that belief especially strong among young people. According to Fidelity Life, a healthy 30-year-old woman can buy a 10-year, $100,000 term life insurance policy starting at $13 a month, about the cost of a streaming subscription.

Lots of options

Because so many companies now offer life insurance coverage, the competition has kept premium rates in line. Debbie, of Channahon, Ill., told us she found an affordable policy through Haven Life.

“I have never had an easier time purchasing life insurance,” Debbie wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “Usually it would take weeks and I would have to send documents and have multiple calls. I was able to secure life insurance in 30 minutes and it didn't cost me any more than other life insurance. Also, really liked how simple and easy the website was."

According to Fidelity Life, a number of important factors besides age and health will affect what you pay for life insurance. Women tend to pay less than men, and smokers pay quite a bit more than non-smokers.

High-risk jobs and hobbies will also result in higher rates, meaning life insurance typically costs more for first-responders and construction workers and less for accountants.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 78,800,469 (78,732,363)

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 944,849 (941,962)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 431,877,721 (430,270,835)

Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,931,056 (5,920,665)‌

CDC tweaking mask guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is revising its guidelines for the use of masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The agency in recent weeks has found itself behind many states, including those controlled by Democrats, that have unilaterally ended mask mandates for indoor public spaces.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the updated guidelines from the CDC will include new ways to measure the threat from the virus to help communities set their policies. The metrics will include how many people are in hospitals and the number of hospital beds in a community, one official told the Journal.

According to current guidelines, based on transmission levels, the CDC recommends masks be worn in just about every part of the country. But most states have dropped those mandates or plan to do so on Monday.

After two years, the virus has taken a toll on children

Children may not suffer the worst health effects of COVID-19, but new research shows just how much they have been affected in other ways. Researchers at the CDC estimate that 5.2 million children worldwide have lost a relative or caregiver to the coronavirus. More than 3 million lost a parent.

Three out of four parents lost in the pandemic were fathers, according to the analysis of international data. Children between the ages of 10 and 17 were the most likely to have lost a parent. In the U.S., there have been instances where both parents died from COVID-19, leaving children behind.

CDC researchers, who led the study, said the estimate of the number of children affected by the pandemic is probably low since many counties included in the analysis lack a strong system for counting deaths.

Scientists look more closely at COVID-19 and dementia

Millions of Americans have been infected with COVID-19 and recovered quickly, suffering few if any lingering effects. Others have experienced prolonged symptoms, known as “long COVID.”

Scientists are also looking more closely at another aftereffect of the virus that some patients appear to be experiencing – a decline in brain function. Symptoms have been described as "brain fog," a reduced ability to think clearly, anxiety, and difficulties with memory and concentration.

According to Medical News Today, research is underway to see if these conditions are a precursor to dementia. Early research has pointed to the infection of cells within the central nervous system.

Around the nation

• Massachusetts: The state is losing teachers at a rapid rate, and some are blaming COVID-19. Specifically, the head of the Massachusetts Teachers Association blamed Gov. Charlie Baker and Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley for what they called “rock-bottom morale” that is causing many teachers to quit.

• Tennessee: New cases of the virus have fallen sharply across the state, but especially in Nashville. City health officials have confirmed an average of 185 new cases per day over the seven days ending on Feb. 19. It's a 48% drop in new cases compared to the previous week.

• New Jersey: In another sign that things are beginning to return to normal, Gov. Phil Murphy has announced an end to the daily COVID-19 briefings that have been a fixture for nearly two years. Murphy pointed to declining case counts and hospitalizations, as well as the state’s high vaccination rate.

• Florida: Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to make distinctions between how his state and the rest of the country are dealing with COVID-19, announcing an additional relaxation of pandemic protocols. "People want to live freely in Florida, without corporate masking creating a two-tier society and without overbearing isolation for children," DeSantis said.

• Montana: Money allocated to the state to protect prison inmates and staff from COVID-19 has reportedly not been spent. Kaiser Health News reports that none of the $2.5 million has been spent, despite the Omicron surge that led to a new outbreak of COVID-19 cases among Montana State Prison inmates in January.

Russia has invaded Ukraine, and world oil markets have reacted by sending the price of oil beyond $100 a barrel. Motorists are beginning to see the impact at the gas pump.

AAA’s daily fuel price survey shows that the national average price of regular gasoline is $3.57 a gallon, a five-cent increase over last Friday. The average price is 24 cents higher over the last four weeks.

The average price of premium gas is $4.17, an increase of four cents a gallon over the last week. The average price of diesel fuel gained four cents a gallon this week, to $3.97 a gallon.

Oil prices are surging on the expectation that Western sanctions against Russia will reduce the amount of its oil it will be able to sell. Arij Van Berkel, vice president and group director of the Energy Research Team at Lux Research, says those sanctions will be costly for consumers.

“If the supply of gas from Russia is not available for the coming years, then gas prices will continue to be high,” Van Berkel told ConsumerAffairs. “The sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine will result in continued high gas prices.”

Russia currently accounts for about 12% of the world’s oil supply. Van Berkel says the loss of that much oil will prove to be a shock.

Troy Vincent is a Senior Market Analyst at DTN, a data, analytics, and technology company. He says an increase in U.S. oil production is limited in the relief it could provide to consumers.

“U.S. crude oil production has increased 600,000 barrels per day over the past 12 months and is expected to continue to rise another 750,000 barrels per day this year,” he told ConsumerAffairs. “However, in the event of an immediate and sharp halt to Russian oil exports, there simply are no immediate global alternatives to these volumes that do not entail a tighter global market and higher prices.”

That means the rise in gasoline prices could only be in the early stages.

States with the most expensive gas

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

• California ($4.77)   

• Hawaii ($4.54)      

• Oregon ($4.00) 

• Washington ($3.98)       

• Nevada ($3.98)     

• Alaska ($3.87)   

• New York ($3.76) 

• Pennsylvania ($3.74) 

• Arizona ($3.74)      

• Illinois ($3.71)     

States with the cheapest gas

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

• Arkansas ($3.20) 

• Mississippi ($3.21)

• Texas ($3.21)

• Oklahoma ($3.21)

• Missouri ($3.22) 

• Kentucky ($3.22

• Kansas ($3.25)   

• Wisconsin ($3.29)    

• Tennessee ($3.29)

• Alabama ($3.30)   

While recent studies have shown how owning a pet has benefited consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study has explored the brain health boost pets can bring at any time. 

According to researchers from the American Academy of Neurology, owning a pet, especially for five or more years, may slow the rate of cognitive decline in older consumers. 

“Prior studies have suggested that the human-animal bond may have health benefits like decreasing blood pressure and stress,” said researcher Dr. Tiffany Braley. “Our results suggest that pet ownership may also be protective against cognitive decline.” 

Pets keep owners’ brains sharp

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 1,400 older adults enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study. Over the course of six years, participants took several cognitive tests that evaluated their word recall, numerical counting, and subtraction, among other cognitive skills. 

Of the participants involved in the study, 53% were pet owners and 32% were long-term pet owners. Overall, pet owners’ cognition declined at a slower rate than non-pet owners. Those who had had their pets for five years or more performed even better on the cognitive assessments, scoring 1.2 points higher than non-pet owners at the end of the study. 

While the researchers accounted for several factors that could impact cognition, they also evaluated how certain demographic factors came into play. They learned that the link between pet ownership and cognitive function was strongest for men, Black adults, and those with college degrees. 

The researchers explained that more work is needed to better understand why pet ownership has such an impact on cognitive function. However, the findings highlight important information for older consumers who also have a furry friend at home. 

“As stress can negatively affect cognitive function, the potential stress-buffering effects of pet ownership could provide a plausible reason for our findings,” Dr. Braley said. “A companion animal can also increase physical activity, which could benefit cognitive health. That said, more research is needed to confirm our results and identify underlying mechanisms for this association.” 

Only a couple of months ago, economists predicted that the ripple effect of a car shortage could slam consumers, and they certainly got it right. Supply chain issues have made shopping for a new car a lot less fun than it used to be. With prices continuing to rise, many people are thinking twice about how much they need a new set of wheels.

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team surveyed over 1,000 consumers and asked about the struggles they’ve faced while recently searching for a new vehicle. Our findings show that 28% of people are thinking about simply giving up on looking for a car right now.

Sadly, only 2 out of 5 people who are looking for a new car were able to identify potential options in their price range.

Settle on a vehicle and rethink travel

If you’re still in the pool of vehicle buyers who are determined to buy a new car or truck, there are several things you should expect when doing your shopping. Here are some of our researchers' recommendations to help speed up the process:

Settle for what you can find: Buying a car is a serious investment for most consumers. After going through the process several times over their lifetime, many experienced car owners know what they’re looking for before they even pull up to the lot. 

However, many people are also aware that the current shortage of available cars will limit their options. That might force a determined buyer to settle for a vehicle that meets their budget while only having some of the bells and whistles they’re looking for. 

On the subject of budget, the price ceiling for the consumers surveyed suggests that car buyers are trying to hang on to every dollar they can. The average amount that the survey respondents said they'd be comfortable spending is $21,310, which is less than half of the average price of a new vehicle in 2022 ($47,077), according to Kelley Blue Book. If new vehicle inventory levels remain tight, it’s possible that sticker prices could continue to rise.

Rethink how you travel: With growing concerns about the environment, traffic problems, and rising gas prices, consumers are starting to look at how they travel on a day-to-day basis. The average number of daily personal car trips plunged as much as 45% during the pandemic, thanks in part to people ordering more online and having their purchases delivered. Unfortunately, that's a move that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says does more harm than good to the environment.

The U.S. is split about driving the same or pulling back, according to our survey. Just over half of respondents said they’re not likely to go without a car in the future, but the other half of respondents say they’re likely or moderately likely to pull back on their daily travel. ​​Drivers aged 18 to 25 were more likely to consider taking alternative transportation, while baby boomers were the least likely.

“Going carless is easier for those with reliable public transportation options. People who are able to walk, use a scooter or bike to and from their destinations may also find it easier to make the change,” the ConsumerAffairs research team advised. “Ride-sharing and carpooling are other good alternatives to car ownership when you can’t afford a car or are waiting for your dream car to become available.”

There’s more

The study covers a lot of other aspects car buyers should consider – the most desirable brands, added insights on inventory levels, and more. Consumers can learn more by reading our full list of findings here.

There have been a few bumps in the road as telecom companies roll out 5G service, but many industry experts say that’s to be expected with the deployment of what is essentially a new technology.

Earlier this year, there was a delay in turning on 5G service in areas adjacent to airports after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) raised concerns about possible interference with navigation systems. 

On Wednesday, the FAA warned that 5G wireless service could interfere with radio altimeters in Boeing 737s. That said, the agency said it does not see a safety issue for planes operating in areas where the 5G environment has been rendered safe for aviation.

What consumers say

An analysis of ConsumerAffairs reviews suggests that consumers have also experienced mixed results in the early days of 5G. Douglas, of Kingsport, Tenn., told us he has had good results so far with Cricket Wireless's unlimited 5G plan.

“I have used the service for over 6-months now and continually exceed the 22GB usage threshold,” Douglas wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “I have never been ‘throttled’ or slowed-down and get consistent LTE download speeds of 100-200Mbps and am able to stream full HD video. I am still in a 4G market as of writing this review but have noticed my phone switching between 4G/5G for the last few weeks and expect that 5G will be deployed soon.”

Jackie, of Oxford, Conn., reports satisfactory results from another small player, PureTalk. Even in a rural area, she says she’s receiving 5G service.

“I live off the beaten path and have always had some issues with cell service but that is a thing of the past with PureTalk,” Jackie told us. “I now have 5G coverage where I used to have 0 bars."

But Aja, of Memphis, Tenn., reports that she has 5G connectivity issues on T-Mobile, an issue she thinks might be related to her carrier.

“Didn't have service in multiple places (where) my AT&T worked just fine,” Aja wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “Additionally even when I had full bars on 5G, half the time content wouldn't load."

More 5G devices coming

The major wireless companies have recently stepped up the pace of their 5G rollouts, and equipment manufacturers have responded with more 5G devices. A study from ABI Research projects the launch of more always-on 5G portable device models in 2022 and predicts sales could top 12 million by the end of this year.

At the same time, major carriers are beginning to turn off their 3G networks since they need to redeploy the spectrum to 5G users. That raised concerns this week that many security and health monitor devices could go dark since they use the older, slower wireless frequencies.

Tesla isn’t the only automaker giving regulators concern when it comes to “phantom braking.” A new report suggests that 1.7 million Honda Accord and CR-V models are the subject of a separate investigation being conducted by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) announced that it has received 278 reports (107 Honda Accord; 171 Honda CR-V) and several Early Warning Reports claiming “inadvertent activation of the collision mitigation braking system” (CMBS) in 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accords. 

Issue could cause rear-end collisions

The major issue that Honda owners raise is that the braking incidents happen when there are large speed changes, and they occur with nothing obstructing the vehicle's path of travel. Of the 278 reports, six allege a collision with minor injuries.

“Inadvertent or unexpected braking activation while driving can cause unexpected speed reductions that can lead to increased vulnerability to rear end impact collisions,” the ODI said. “The complaints allege that the inadvertent braking events occur without warning and randomly.”

ODI officials said they are opening this Preliminary Evaluation to gauge the “scope and severity” of the situation and any safety-related issues.

ConsumerAffairs reviewer shares their experience

One ConsumerAffairs reviewer – Jen, from Newburgh, N.Y. – wrote about her experience about similar braking issues with a 2018 Honda Fit that had Honda Sensing enabled. 

“Within a week, I discovered that the sensors are so flaky as to render the car unsafe to drive - while I was unable to trigger them at all during the test drive (as they sometimes fail to detect anything), the opposite problem (seeing something that isn't there) is where the car becomes unsafe. 3 times in 60 miles of highway driving, the car applied maximum brakes without warning,” she wrote in her review. 

Jen said the issue seemed to always trigger just as she was about to finish passing another car.

“This compounded the risk of brake checking - had someone been behind me, they absolutely would have rear-ended me, as they would have had no place to go to dodge my vehicle, and absolutely no way to anticipate my car applying the brakes at maximum for several seconds.”

Jen offered a word to the wise – stay away from buying a car with the “sensing” add-on.

“I would strongly recommend that no one buy a car with this 'feature', think twice before riding in a newer Honda, and be aware of their potentially erratic performance if you see one on the road - frankly these cars are a danger to others as much as to themselves,” she said in her review.