Current Events in February 2022

A new study conducted by researchers from Penn State explored how kids who struggle to get quality, restful sleep may be affected during adulthood. According to their findings, insomnia experienced during childhood may create more serious insomnia symptoms during adulthood. 

“The key finding of this study is that insomnia symptoms in childhood are much more likely to persist over time than we previously believed,” said researcher Julio Fernandez-Mendoza.

“Those with insomnia symptoms and laboratory-measured short sleep duration are much more likely to evolve to develop a clinical condition in early adulthood, and not just to persist with the symptoms. So, parents and clinicians should not assume that insomnia symptoms are benign complaints that will go away with age. That’s not what our study shows for a significant portion of youth.” 

Long-term insomnia risks

For the study, the researchers followed over 500 children through young adulthood. The kids and their parents answered questions about sleeping patterns and overall quality of sleep, and the team followed up with the participants when they were teenagers and again during young adulthood. The children also participated in a sleep study that checked for any serious sleep disorders and monitored sleep quality. 

The researchers learned that issues with sleep during childhood are likely to impact sleeping patterns during adulthood. Of the children involved in the study, 43% who had insomnia symptoms during childhood had persistent symptoms in young adulthood; the researchers also found that nearly 20% of the children with insomnia experienced spikes in symptoms throughout adulthood. 

“We know that not everyone who complains of insomnia symptoms has the same degree of sleep disturbance when sleep is measured objectively in the laboratory, so it was important that our study included these objective in-lab measurements in addition to the self-reports,” Fernandez-Mendoza said.

“Indeed, the study found that insomnia symptoms in adolescents who slept short in the lab were 5.5 times more likely to worsen into adult insomnia, while those who reported the same insomnia symptoms and slept normally in the lab were not at an increased risk of worsening into adult insomnia.” 

While it’s not completely clear why some children struggle with sleep, the researchers identified several factors that could come into play, including medical issues, behavioral cues, and psychiatric disorders. They learned that kids who struggle with migraines or stomach issues, those who never want to go to sleep, or those with depression may have a higher risk of developing disordered sleeping habits. 

The researchers explained that sleep disorders can impact consumers’ mental and physical health long-term, and it’s important to seek out interventions that may help alleviate insomnia-related symptoms. 

“We know that sleep is related to adverse health outcomes,” Fernandez-Mendoza said. “We suspect that many children who experience insomnia symptoms that persist into adulthood will also suffer from some negative health consequences.” 

BRP U.S. of Sturtevant, Wisc., is recalling about 1,300 model year 2022 Can-Am Outlander ATVs.

The speedometer can display half of the vehicle’s true speed, which can result in loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.

The company has received two reports of the speedometer not displaying the correct speed. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves model year 2022 Can-Am Outlander 450, 450 Max, 570, and 570 Max model ATVs sold in various colors. The model name is printed on the side panels of the vehicles. The vehicle identification number (VIN) is printed on the frame under the seat in the middle and on the frame behind the right front wheel.

The following models are included in the recall:

Model Year       Model Name

• MY 2022           Can-Am OUTLANDER 450
• MY 2022           Can-Am OUTLANDER 570
• MY 2022           Can-Am OUTLANDER MAX 450
• MY 2022           Can-Am OUTLANDER MAX 570

The ATVs, manufactured in Mexico, were sold at Can-Am dealers nationwide from July 2021, through November 2021, for between $6,700 and $7,700.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ATVs and contact a Can-Am dealer for a free repair. BRP is contacting all known purchasers directly to coordinate the free repair with dealers to update the engine control module.

Consumers may contact BRP toll-free at (888) 272-9222 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) Monday through Sunday or online here for more information.

Audi is recalling 693 model year 2022 E-Tron GTs.

The center seat belt buckle wiring harness may obstruct access to the right rear seat lower child seat anchors, preventing a child seat from being properly secured.

An improperly secured child seat increases the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will reroute and secure the center rear seat belt buckle wiring harness and replace damaged buckles free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 15, 2022.

Owners may contact Audi customer service at (800) 253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72M6.

Consumers who are used to seeing special deals on everything from furniture to electronics on President's Day weekend might be disappointed by this year's showing.

While many brands are still offering deals on various items, experts say supply chain issues that have been affecting U.S. markets for months may keep deals from being ultra-low. If you don't believe us, just take a look at some of the inflation stories ConsumerAffairs has covered in recent weeks. 

Prices for both new and used cars have been soaring for quite some time, with new research showing that more than 80% of car buyers are paying over the sticker price. In fact, rising producer costs are causing higher prices across several categories, prompting economists to believe that high levels of inflation may last even after the supply chain issues are resolved.

Consumers can't even catch a break when it comes to online shopping. While the prices of certain products have been going up for months, shoppers who rely on services like Amazon Prime are being hit even harder because the price of a Prime subscription is going up.

Combating illegal price increases

While economists generally agree that consumers will see higher prices going forward into the immediate future, wary consumers should rest assured that officials are keeping a close watch on companies that may want to use inflation as an excuse to artificially raise prices. Late last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced an initiative designed to stop companies from working with each other to do just that. 

“Temporary supply chain disruptions should not be allowed to conceal illegal conduct,” stated Jonathan Kanter, an assistant attorney general working in the DOJ's Antitrust Division. “The Antitrust Division will not allow companies to collude in order to overcharge consumers under the guise of supply chain disruptions.”

The DOJ is using the initiative to launch investigations in coordination with other U.S. agencies like the FBI to counteract companies that are looking to make illicit profits. It's even working with foreign agencies in other countries to ensure that global markets are also safe from this behavior.

“The lingering challenge of supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic has created an opportunity for criminals to fix prices and overcharge customers,” said Luis Quesada, an assistant director with the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to collaborate and investigate schemes that violate our antitrust laws and stifle our economic recovery.”

Officials are encouraging consumers who have any information about price-fixing or other anticompetitive behaviors to report the issue to the DOJ on its website. Consumers can also call the agency's Antitrust Division Citizen Complaint Center at 1-888-647-3258.

Amazon and Visa reached a truce on credit card swipe fees this week, an issue that had the two industry leaders at odds in the U.K. through most of 2021.

If the service fees are an issue for a major player like Amazon, imagine what they are for small businesses that may still be struggling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. At Giovani’s restaurant in suburban Richmond, Va., a sign implores customers to pay in cash, claiming that swipe fees are greater than the restaurant’s rent during many months.

Louis Hoch, president and CEO of payment solutions firm Usio, Inc., says the problem for small businesses can be traced to the pandemic, which he says changed how consumers make their purchases.

“Consumers preferred using cards for payments than handling cash that they perceived might carry the infection,” Hoch told ConsumerAffairs. “Overall, the merchants experienced higher card usage for payment of their services and, as a result, their processing volume increased which also increased their payment processing expense.”

Fee increase in April

But the worst may be yet to come for small businesses that accept credit cards. Cindy Smith, head of Payments at payment network Veem, said the credit card processors postponed an increase in swipe fees that would have gone into effect last year. Those increases take effect in April.

Unless consumers begin making more cash purchases, small businesses will face higher costs. But Smith believes the shift to electronic payments is deeply embedded.

“I think long-lasting changes that altered the way people pay and get paid will continue to stick around long after COVID,” she told ConsumerAffairs.

Consumers could pick up the bill

Caught between credit card swipe fees and rising inflation, some small businesses may feel stuck. If they raise prices, they risk losing customers. So some are rewarding customers who pay in cash.

Others, according to Money magazine, are asking their customers to pay their swipe fees by tacking on a service charge on credit card purchases. These fees typically range from 1.5% to 3.5%.

While some consumers may start making more trips to the ATM to take advantage of cash discounts, Kelsey Sheehy, small business specialist at NerdWallet, doesn’t see that as a trend, especially since so many transactions are now completed online.

“In-person payments…plunged during the pandemic, falling from 91% to 34% between October 2019 and April 2020,” Sheehy said. “While face-to-face transactions have rebounded to some degree, shoppers are still reaching for their credit cards and smartphones over cash.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is calling Tesla on the carpet again. This time, the agency is investigating the automaker over concerns of sudden unexpected braking -- or "phantom braking."

The agency is reportedly dealing with a heavy load of reports about the issue. Officials have received 354 reports over the course of nine months for two specific Tesla models: the 2021 and 2022 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. The probe could ultimately impact approximately 416,000 Tesla vehicles.

Tesla and the NHTSA are certainly getting to know each other well. Earlier this year, the automaker recalled over 50,000 vehicles over issues with its Autopilot feature after the agency voiced its concerns. In late 2021, NHTSA officials moved forward with an investigation over concerns that various Tesla models allow passengers to play video games on the front center touchscreen while the vehicle is in motion. 

Phantom braking is a growing concern

The alleged “phantom braking” problem is likely a growing concern for Tesla. The Washington Post reports that there has been a sharp uptick in the number of reports about the issue, which is supposedly caused by a glitch in the cars’ forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems. It occurs when Tesla’s cars suddenly slow down in response to falsely detected hazards.

“The complaints allege that while utilizing the [advanced driver-assistance] features including adaptive cruise control, the vehicle unexpectedly applies its brakes while driving at highway speeds,” the NHTSA stated. “Complainants report that the rapid deceleration can occur without warning, at random, and often repeatedly in a single drive cycle.”

The Post said the NHTSA received close to 250 reports about phantom braking over just a two-week span after its original article about the glitch. Comparatively, only 107 reports had been lodged in the previous three months, and only 34 in the preceding 22 months.

An NHTSA spokesperson said its next step is to “determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and fully assess the potential safety-related issues.”

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 78,273,884 (78,177,264)

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 931,769 (928,548)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 420,299,365 (418,412,011)

Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,865,864 (5,853,743)‌

In California, the pandemic has become an ‘endemic’

Things often happen first in California. The state has become the first in the nation to formally drop the pandemic classification of COVID-19 and switch it to “endemic” status.

What’s the difference? In short, the government response is shifting from mandated masking and business shutdowns to an emphasis on speedy reactions when there is a flare-up of infections.

"We are moving past the crisis phase into a phase where we will work to live with this virus," said California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

COVID-19 can affect mental health, study finds

A study published by The British Medical Journal (BMJ) suggests that COVID-19 may lead to an increased risk of mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and sleep disorders. The researchers found that this risk persists up to one year after initial infection.

The researchers conclude that tackling mental health disorders among survivors of COVID-19 should be a priority.

While previous research has found some links between the virus and mental health issues, most have been limited studies. The scientists say their study is the first comprehensive assessment of the mental health manifestations in people with COVID-19 at one year.

COVID-19 still rages behind bars

All across the U.S., it seems that the coronavirus is in retreat. Data collected by Johns Hopkins University shows that the number of new cases is down in most areas of the country, with one exception.

Cases – and deaths – remain elevated in the nation’s prisons. Three inmates recently died from COVID-19 at a federal women’s prison in West Virginia. CNN reports that the prison, and others like it, are plagued by understaffing and less-than-adequate medical care.

In January, the Arkansas correctional system implemented lockdowns to contain a surge in COVID-19 cases. State officials say those cases have lately been in decline.

Around the nation

• Vermont: State corrections officials report that there is a new COVID-19 outbreak at the Valley Regional Correctional Facility (MVRCF) in Rutland. Doctors there say 15 prisoners and one staff member have tested positive since Feb. 10. There were eight positive test results on Monday.

• Wisconsin: A number of school districts in the state have lifted COVID-19 restrictions. However, other districts that are still seeing elevated cases have not yet acted. "I think it's actually good that we have to have this conversation because what that means is things are looking good enough, where we can entertain the idea of potentially having kids going to school without a mask," Dr. Jeff Pothof, of University of Wisconsin Health, told WKOW-TV.

• Virginia: State health officials are tamping down concerns that removing the school mask mandate on March 1 will lead to a spike in new cases of COVID-19. Dr. Scott Spillmann, Pittsylvania-Danville Virginia Department of Health Director, says officials don’t expect to see a major surge.

• Washington: The state attorney general’s office has gone to court to block an Illinois COVID-19 testing company from operating in the state. "The company’s unlawful practices included storing tests in garbage bags for over a week rather than properly refrigerating them, and backdating sample collection dates so that stale samples would still be processed," the state said in a lawsuit.

• Indiana: State health officials are loosening COVID-19 rules for schools. Beginning next week, schools will no longer be required to conduct contact tracing or report positive cases to the state health department. Schools will also no longer need to quarantine students who are exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status or whether the school requires masks.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is cautioning people that powdered infant formulas manufactured at Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Mich., facility may cause Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella Newport infection in infants. 

The agency stated that there have been four cases linked to Cronobacter symptoms in which infants were hospitalized, with one case resulting in death. The infections were found in Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas.

Salmonella Newport is a common bacteria that has most often been connected to papayas, but it has also shown up in beef products. Cronobacter sakazakii, on the other hand, is a more serious bacteria. It has been connected to powdered milk, herbal teas, starches, vegetables, and even tampons.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says Cronobacter can cause diarrhea and urinary tract infections in people of all ages, but infection can be very serious in infants. The CDC says the first symptom of Cronobacter infection in infants is usually a fever, accompanied by poor feeding, crying, or very low energy. Anyone who has an infant displaying these symptoms should take them to a doctor.

What products are recalled?

The Cronobacter sakazakii infections have been connected to Abbott Nutrition's facility in Sturgis, Mich., but the company reports that it found no evidence of Salmonella Newport.

"Importantly, no distributed product has tested positive for the presence of either of these bacteria, and we continue to test,” Abbott Nutrition said in a news release. 

Recalled powdered infant formula includes the brand names Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare. The first two digits of the product codes of the recalled products range from 22 through 37, and the code on the container contains “K8,” “SH,” or “Z2.” All recalled products have an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or later. Abbot said no other Abbott liquid formulas, powder formulas, or nutrition products from other facilities are impacted by the recall. 

The FDA warns consumers who have a recalled product to not feed it to their infant. Instead, they should throw it away or return it for a refund. Concerned consumers should visit the FDA’s website for more information.

Consumers can check the safety of their product by visiting similacrecall.com and typing in the code on the bottom of the product package, or they can call +1-800-986-8540 and follow the instructions provided. 

CDC suggests breastfeeding

Having been down the Cronobacter road before, the CDC says the best way to protect an infant from the bacteria is breastfeeding.

“Breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do for your baby’s health and development,” the CDC says. “Among its benefits: preventing different kinds of infections, such as ear and respiratory infections. Very few cases of Cronobacter infections have been reported among infants fed only breast milk.”

If breastfeeding isn’t a viable option, the CDC says caregivers should use liquid formula instead of powdered formula because the latter is not sterile.

“This is especially important when your baby is less than 3 months old or if your baby was born prematurely or has a weakened immune system. Liquid infant formula is made to be sterile (without germs) and should not transmit Cronobacter infection when handled carefully,” the agency suggests.

While gaining weight can be a touchy subject for many consumers, a new study conducted by researchers from Anglia Ruskin University explored middle-aged men’s experience with weight gain. 

According to their findings, many middle-aged men view weight gain as an inevitability in their lives. As a consequence, their self-worth and overall moods may take a hit. 

“Obesity is increasing in the U.K. among men despite public health messaging, and one of the factors is that we are becoming increasingly time-poor,” said researcher Dr. Mark Cortnage. “One of the themes in our research was how some men had undertaken successful weight loss initiatives in the past, but had soon put the weight back on because the diets had been incompatible with their lifestyles in the longer term.”

Understanding perceptions of weight gain

For the study, the researchers interviewed eight men between the ages of 35 and 58 who were enrolled in a football-based weight management program, the Alpha Programme (TAP). The participants answered questions about how they felt about their weight gain, what they thought contributed to weight gain, how they felt about their health, and any previous weight loss efforts. 

The researchers learned that weight gain impacted the participants on an emotional level. Many of them felt bad about themselves for gaining weight and had lost a lot of the hope they had about living healthier. 

Many of the men in the study said their job and family responsibilities were primarily responsible for their weight gain, but there was also an overarching theme that gaining weight was inevitable for them. Many of the participants reported accepting weight gain as an expected part of life, primarily because of their lifestyles. However, the researchers also learned that few of the men recognized how their own eating habits impacted their weight gain.  

“There is a tendency to forget how much our lifestyle, in particular family and employment, impact on weight gain,” Dr. Cortnage said. “This weight gain takes place over years and decades, and as such, short-term dietary options fail to influence the deeper behavioral and lifestyle issues.” 

Increasing education on nutrition

While many of the men felt hopeless when it came to weight gain, it was difficult for them to make lasting changes to their eating habits. The goal now for the researchers is to help make nutrition information and education more widely accessible to help consumers make better choices. 

“Although they often mentioned comfort eating, participants also showed poor awareness of other factors that cause weight gain,” said Dr. Cortnage. “Many men would benefit from an education around food, such as food selection, integration of diet, sustainable weight management practices, in order to develop a more complete understanding of the relationships between food and lifestyle.” 

With no letup in tensions between Russia and Ukraine, oil prices keep moving higher, and with them, the price consumers pay at the gasoline pump.

AAA’s daily fuel price survey shows that the national average price of regular gasoline is $3.52 a gallon. That’s four cents a gallon more than last Friday and 22 cents higher than four weeks ago.

The average price of premium gas is $4.13 a gallon, also four cents higher than last week. The average price of diesel fuel is $3.93 a gallon, seven cents a gallon more than a week ago -- and it's rising much faster than gasoline over the last few weeks.

A Russian invasion of Ukraine would result in sanctions on Russia, vastly reducing the amount of oil it could sell. Since supplies are already tight, that would likely send oil prices even higher in the months ahead.

At the same time, Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, reports that U.S. gasoline demand is getting stronger, which could put more upward pressure on prices. DeHaan says gas prices are falling in the Great Lakes region because refineries are trying to unload the last of their winter fuel grades.

Elsewhere, prices have surged in the last seven days. The statewide average price of regular is up nine cents a gallon in New York. It’s up seven cents in Alabama, Hawaii, and Texas; six cents in Pennsylvania and Mississippi; and five cents in Oregon, Nevada, Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

States with the most expensive gas

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

• California ($4.72)   

• Hawaii ($4.59)       

• Oregon ($3.98) 

• Washington ($3.97)       

• Nevada ($3.93)     

• Alaska ($3.84)   

• New York ($3.74) 

• Pennsylvania ($3.72) 

• Arizona ($3.71)      

• Illinois ($3.71)     

States with the cheapest gas

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

• Missouri ($3.18) 

• Arkansas ($3.20)   

• Oklahoma ($3.20)

• Mississippi ($3.20)

• Kansas ($3.21)

• Texas ($3.22)     

• Ohio ($3.22)    

• Kentucky ($3.23)   

• Alabama ($3.28)   

• Tennessee ($3.29)

American Honda Motor Co. is recalling 331 model year 2021 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP motorcycles.

Under certain driving conditions, the exhaust pipe may overheat, which could melt the oil cooler pipe and cause it to rupture.

A ruptured oil cooler pipe can leak oil onto the exhaust pipe or rear tires, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.

What to do

Owners are advised not to ride their motorcycle above 5,000 RPM in 1st gear until the recall repair is complete.

Dealers will replace the oil cooler pipe and install a heat guard between the exhaust pipe and oil cooler pipe free of charge.

Letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed on March 1, 2022. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available.

Owners may contact Honda customer service at (866) 784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KN3.

Abbott is recalling powder formulas, including Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare, that were manufactured in Sturgis, Mich.

The firm has received complaints related to Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella Newport in infants

Cronobacter sakazakii can cause fever, poor feeding, excessive crying, or low energy in infants.

The recalled products have a multidigit number on the bottom of the container starting with the first two digits 22 through 37. They also contain K8, SH, or Z2 and have an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or after.

What to do

Consumers should visit similacrecall.com and type in the code on the bottom of the package, or call (800) 986-8540 and follow the instructions provided, to find out if the product they have is included in this recall.

In an effort to get broadband everywhere possible, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted a rule that will give tenants in apartment buildings and those who work in office buildings better access to high-speed internet.

Going forward, the agency says landlords and building owners who have any sort of exclusive agreement with a broadband provider will need to disclose that to their tenants. The agency will also no longer allow any sort of deal that would block competitive access to alternative providers.

“One-third of this country lives in multi-tenant buildings where there often is only one choice for a broadband provider, and no ability to shop for a better deal,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “The rules we adopt today will crack down on practices that prevent competition and effectively block a consumer’s ability to get lower prices or higher quality services.”

Consumers finally get change

It’s no secret that consumers have needed more choices when it comes to broadband for the last several years. The FCC had this rulemaking move on its agenda for a while, dating back to 2017 under FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, but it never saw the light of day.

Consumers were clamoring for action long before 2017, though. ConsumerAffairs reviewer Josh, of Tell City, Ind., claimed back in 2016 that he was unable to get high-speed internet in his apartment building.

“[The AT&T rep said] that since they do not provide a product, but do provide a service, they are going to ignore the consumer laws here in America, and not give me the service I paid for,” Josh wrote.

More consumer-friendly rules

When President Biden moved into the White House, he signed an executive order that forced the agency to impose consumer-friendly rules on Big Tech and ISPs that were aimed at increasing competition and lowering prices for consumers. 

With Biden’s infrastructure bill becoming law, consumers should be able to enjoy several benefits, including more transparent prices, more affordable service, and better availability.

Under the order, Biden will encourage the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reintroduce a “broadband nutrition label” to provide consumers with greater price transparency and restrict early termination fees. The order will also direct the FCC to restore the net neutrality rules that were undone in 2017 that require broadband companies to treat all internet services equally.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 78,177,264 (78,039,888)

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 928,548 (925,560)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 418,412,011 (415,769,578)

Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 5,853,743 (5,839,809)‌

CDC sounds a note of optimism

There have been more signs this week that the U.S., and perhaps the world, could be approaching the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a briefing Wednesday,  Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suggested that the country is no longer in “crisis” mode as the number of cases falls.

“We all share the same goal, to get to a point where COVID-19 is no longer disrupting our daily lives, a time when it won’t be a constant crisis – rather something we can prevent, protect against, and treat,” Walensky said.

Walensky said if the trend continues, the CDC would reconsider its mask guidance, which recommends wearing masks in indoor spaces. However, an increasing number of states have already taken that step.

Unvaccinated most likely to develop ‘long COVID'

Some people who are infected with COVID-19 suffer severe, lingering symptoms, a condition known as “long COVID.” Doctors in Utah say they think they know why.

“I have yet to see somebody with long COVID who was vaccinated,” said Dr. Ellie Hirshberg, a critical care physician at Intermountain Healthcare. “I’ve seen patients who had long COVID and then got vaccinated and are still trying to get rid of some of their symptoms. But I have yet to see somebody with long COVID who was vaccinated first.”

While many COVID-19 patients have said some symptoms persist for a few weeks after recovery, long COVID is generally thought to be more severe. In addition to fatigue, long COVID patients describe “brain fog,” along with heart and lung problems.

Investor Charlie Munger ‘appalled’ at vaccination fear

Charlie Munger, a 98-year-old investing legend, is known for speaking his mind. When Yahoo Finance asked him about Americans who refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, he didn’t hold back.

“I have been appalled by the fear of vaccination by a big chunk of the nation,” Munger said. “Speaking for myself, I couldn’t wait to be vaccinated. And I think the risks of being vaccinated are way less than the risk of not being vaccinated."

Doubling down on his point, Munger told his interviewer that he believes it is “massively stupid” not to welcome a vaccination. “We probably have 30% of the people in the country that think vaccination is evil and [is] coming after them like the hobgoblins,” he said. “It’s not good that there’s that much ignorance left.”

Around the nation

• New Jersey: New Jersey, which has dropped its statewide mask mandate, has now embarked on a public service campaign to urge vaccinated people to get a booster shot. The state will launch "Boost NJ2 Week" beginning next week in cooperation with 177 vaccine providers, including Walmart. 

• Utah: The state legislature is once again considering measures to limit COVID-19 vaccination requirements. One bill introduced in the state senate prohibits businesses and the government from mandating proof of vaccination for service or employment.

• Michigan: The state health department has updated its mask guidance for public spaces as cases of COVID-19 continue to decline. Health officials say people who have a high risk of infection or are in a high-risk environment should continue wearing a face mask. Everyone else is encouraged to wear a mask if they choose to, but it’s not required.

• Maryland: Gov. Larry Hogan has announced that the requirement for masks and face coverings to be worn in state buildings will end next week. “Given the dramatic declines in our health metrics, we are now able to take another step toward normalcy in state operations,” Hogan said.

• Florida: State tourism officials may have a new slogan. While many states are dropping COVID-19 restrictions, Gov. Ron DeSantis says his state never had many to start with. “So many people over the last year and a half have said, OK, I need to escape from the burdens of wherever I’m at, with the mandates and the lockdowns, and just come to Florida for, yes, sunshine, yes, beaches, theme parks, all these things, but I want to experience freedom and be able to be treated like a free individual,” DeSantis said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has approved the adoption of a new type of headlight in cars and trucks that the agency says will reduce accidents and save lives.

The agency has issued a final rule that allows automotive manufacturers to install “adaptive driving beam headlights” on new vehicles. Approval of the new headlights was mandated in the recently passed infrastructure bill.

In short, officials say the new headlights will provide more illumination of the roadway at night and will allow drivers to see animals and other objects in and along the road sooner.

“NHTSA prioritizes the safety of everyone on our nation’s roads, whether they are inside or outside a vehicle. New technologies can help advance that mission,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, NHTSA’s deputy administrator. “NHTSA is issuing this final rule to help improve safety and protect vulnerable road users.”

The technology works by using an automatic headlight beam switching system to shine less light on occupied areas of the road and more light on unoccupied areas. This puts less light in the eyes of oncoming drivers.

The NHTSA says the adaptive beam is particularly useful for distance illumination of pedestrians, animals, and objects without reducing the visibility of drivers in other vehicles.

Inferior headlights can contribute to accidents

Personal injury lawyers have long pointed to headlights as the cause of avoidable accidents. One firm, Hodges Trial Lawyers, P.C., says proper headlights make the driver visible to other motorists, potentially preventing an accident. 

“The brighter a vehicle’s lights, the more they are visible to other motorists,” the firm says on its website. “Considering all of the risks involved, headlights are vital to driving at night because they help the driver see and be visible.”

Joe, a classic car collector from Grovetown, Ga., has used LightInTheBox to replace all of his cars’ headlights with LED headlights.

“These LEDs have greatly improved my safety while driving with the magnitude of brightness they provide (as opposed to my original OEM headlights),” Joe wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “These cars are as old as 1980 and still running fine.”

It’s not clear whether the newly approved headlights will be available in the aftermarket. Automotive experts believe they will appear first on premium brand automobiles by the 2023 model year.

The cost of shelter was one of the fastest rising components of the January Consumer Price Index, which rose at an annual rate of 7.5%. A new report from real estate marketplace Zillow suggests that the reason is tied to rising prices for the average home.

Zillow reports that a record 146 U.S. cities became new "million-dollar cities" in 2021, meaning the typical home in the metro is valued at $1 million or more. By Zillow’s count, there are now 481 such cities in the U.S.

Geography has a lot to do with it. Most of these million-dollar cities are clustered within a few large coastal regions, such as the San Francisco and New York metros. Los Angeles and San Jose are also part of the club. The researchers say 60% of all million-dollar cities lie within eight metro areas, and almost half – 44% – are in California.

Indian Creek, Fla., a 300-acre island in Biscayne Bay in Miami, holds the distinction of being the most expensive city in the country. Zillow reports that a typical home on the island goes for around $28 million.

Values also surged in the heartland

But a city doesn’t have to be on one of the coasts to see head-spinning price appreciation. Cody Hunter is the strategic construction adviser at Real Estate Bees in Boise, Idaho. He tells ConsumerAffairs that home prices there have risen 37% year-over-year, and that's largely a product of people moving to the metro.

“For those not in residential real estate, it’s hard to articulate just how much migration we are experiencing and how much that migration in the form of demand, in addition to supply and labor shortages affects home prices,” Hunter said.

Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate, says a number of factors have combined to make homes more expensive. Construction costs have risen sharply in recent years and, as a result, fewer new homes have been built. Now, the cost of financing is going up.

“In recent months, we've seen a sharp rise in mortgage interest rates, accelerating of late on the back of the surge in the yield of the 10-year Treasury bond,” Hamrick told ConsumerAffairs. “Not only have home prices been surging, but now mortgage rates have rebounded off recent lows. The national average on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage this week has topped 4% for the first time since July 2019.”

The challenge for first-time buyers

So where does all of this leave people who want to buy their first home? Michael Clark, founder of the home management platform Pulled, says homes are now so expensive that buyers are overextended.

“This trend is not sustainable,” Clark told ConsumerAffairs. “With the average college graduate graduating with over $100,000 in debt and the job market showing stagnating income growth, the average new buyer can't keep up with such quickly rising prices."

Paraag Sarva CEO and co-founder of Rhino, a firm supporting the rental industry, agrees that consumers’ incomes simply haven’t kept up with home prices.

“First-time homebuyers are being priced out and forced to rent because they can't afford to purchase a home at this time,” Sarva told ConsumerAffairs. “On top of that, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), over 35% of Millennials cite student loans as the main reason they remain renters.” 

Prices are unlikely to go down, but Hamrick says there could be some moderation in home price gains and home sales in the months ahead. A big help, he says, would be an increase in the number of existing homes on the market, along with new construction of smaller, entry-level homes.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says its years-long review of DeVry University continues to benefit consumers. The latest good news comes from the Department of Education, which will forgive $71.7 million in student loans for students deceived by the for-profit university.

On top of deception, DeVry had earlier been charged with unlawful business practices and not adequately preparing students for the high-tech jobs it cited in its pitches.

“Students deceived by DeVry should not be drowning in debt, and I’m pleased to see the Department of Education taking action to right this injustice,” said Samuel Levine, Director of FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

“It also sends a strong message to for-profit schools that luring students with fraudulent claims will not be tolerated. The FTC looks forward to continuing its coordination efforts and partnership with the Department of Education.”

DeVry had earlier been forced to pay $49.4 million to the FTC for partial refunds to some students and $50.6 million in relief from debt owed to the college. The FTC sent 173,000 refund checks to students in compensation for DeVry’s allegedly misleading ads, and it mailed an additional 128,875 checks totaling more than $9.4 million in 2019 to people who cashed their first check.

Where DeVry went wrong

According to the original 2016 FTC complaint, DeVry “deceptively advertised” that 90% of its graduates who sought employment actually landed jobs in their field of study within six months of graduation. Unfortunately for DeVry, it didn’t stop there.

The FTC also claimed that DeVry misrepresented that its graduates had 15% higher incomes within a year of graduation than the graduates of all other colleges or universities.

The FTC says any student who went to DeVry and feels defrauded by its actions can still submit a claim for loan forgiveness if they haven't received a refund. To do that, all they need to do is fill out the necessary forms on the Department of Education’s Borrower Defense Loan Discharge informational page.

In new research, experts broke down what treatment rates for major depressive disorder look like around the world. Their work showed that treatment rates remain low across the globe, with the biggest disparities coming in low- and middle-income countries. 

“Treatment coverage for major depressive disorder continues to be low globally, with many individuals failing to receive a level of care consistent with practice guideline recommendations,” said researcher Alize Ferrari. “This highlights the need to reconsider the availability of appropriate care and facilitators of treatment as we respond to the large burden imposed by this disorder.” 

Disparities in mental health care

To better understand what treatment for depression looks like around the world, the researchers analyzed nearly 150 earlier studies from 84 countries that were conducted between 2000 and 2021. 

The researchers observed that treatment rates for depression continue to be low around the world. It’s also important to note that there are significant disparities in treatment rates depending on a country's income level, with low-income countries having even lower depression treatment rates. The treatment rate in high-income countries topped out at 33%, whereas that figure was under 10% in low-income countries. 

The study also found that women were more likely than men to seek out mental health treatments. Older study participants were also more likely than younger participants to start depression treatment. 

The researchers explained that these findings point to a global issue related to mental health care – especially for consumers in low-income countries. While it’s not uncommon in high-income areas for consumers to have access to dedicated mental health institutions and resources, the same isn’t true for all countries across the world.