Current Events in March 2022

General Motors is recalling 22 model year 2021-2022 Chevrolet Corvettes.

The rear half-shaft assemblies may be missing one or more ball bearings, which can result in a loss of drive power.

An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the left or right rear half-shaft assemblies -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 4, 2022.

Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at (800) 222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212351320.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 79,517,492 (79,517,042)

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 967,552 (967,032)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 456,908,767 (453,897,953)

Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,041,077 (6,040,835)‌

Pfizer CEO recommends a fourth shot

Albert Bourla, CEO of vaccine-maker Pfizer, warns that the pandemic is not over yet. On CBS’ Face The Nation Sunday, he said people who have had a two-shot vaccination and a booster will probably need a fourth jab.

"Many variants are coming, and Omicron was the first one that was able to evade -- in a skillful way -- the immune protection that we're giving," Bourla told CBS. 

China is grappling with a new outbreak of the coronavirus, but cases have dropped dramatically in the U.S., at least for now. According to John’s Hopkins University, there were only 6,382 new cases reported in the U.S. Sunday. That compares to 49,557 reported cases on March 13, 2021.

Pandemic significantly reduced cancer screenings, study finds

Once COVID-19 began its surge two years ago, significantly fewer people went to the doctor for cancer screenings. Canadian researchers estimate that screenings for cancer declined by 34% at the start of the pandemic.

“The pandemic has caused dramatic changes in the health care system, including a worrisome decline in cancer screening,” said Dr. Harold Burstein of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who was not involved with the study.

The study’s authors conclude that many cancers have gone undetected due to the disruptions in the healthcare system in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is concerning because a delay in diagnosis for cancer is associated with a lower chance of cure,” said Dr. Antoine Eskander, one of the researchers.

Obama tests positive

Former President Barack Obama reported over the weekend that he tested positive for COVID-19. However, he appears to be weathering it well.

“I’ve had a scratchy throat for a couple days, but am feeling fine otherwise,” Obama posted on Twitter. “Michelle and I are grateful to be vaccinated and boosted, and she has tested negative.”

The former president said it’s a reminder for everyone to be “vaccinated if you haven’t already, even as cases go down.”

Around the nation

• New York: Cases across the state continue to fall. Health officials report that new cases have fallen sharply and deaths are becoming increasingly rare. The New York City health department reports that the death rate is close to zero. The city’s Health Department recorded three probable COVID-19 deaths back on March 4 but none since then.

• Colorado: The latest health statistics show that the death rate in Colorado has been less than the national rate. Adjusting for population, there have been a total of 292 COVID-19-related deaths for every 100,000 Americans nationwide. In Colorado, deaths attributable to the coronavirus per capita give the state the 10th lowest death rate per capita.

• Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania logged the state’s smallest increase in COVID-19 cases since mid-July while Centre County recorded single-digit cases for the fifth time in the last week. The Pennsylvania Department of Health counted only three new positives in the county on Sunday.

• California: This is the first week without many COVID-19 rules and restrictions that have been in place across the state since the start of the pandemic. State officials let the mandates expire at the end of last week because California’s positivity rate has fallen below 2%.

• Iowa: A new poll suggests that the bitter debate over the COVID-19 vaccine has diminished parents’ support for long-standing school requirements for vaccinations against childhood diseases. The Des Moines Register poll showed that 25% of respondents believe the state should have no laws regarding childhood vaccinations.

The chip shortage plaguing automakers may be getting worse. Ford says it plans to ship some Explorer SUVs without the rear seat temperature controls because of the shortage of computer chips.

Consumers who purchase one of these vehicles will receive an unspecified price break, Ford said.

The company said it’s taking this step as a way to get more of its vehicles onto dealer lots and alleviate the new vehicle shortage that has persisted since mid-2020. The vehicles without rear seat controls will be standard in all other respects, with full temperature controls in the dashboard.

Ford said its only other alternative was to park the unfinished vehicles and wait. That’s what most manufacturers did last year, resulting in 11.3 million fewer new cars and trucks on the market because of the shortage of computer chips.

“There’s no clear path to solving this yet,” Karl Brauer, executive analyst at iSeeCars.com, told ConsumerAffairs. “If anything, the last two or three weeks suggest it could get worse before it gets better.”

The Ukraine factor

The recent trouble that the automotive industry is facing is being caused by the war in Ukraine. While that country does not produce computer chips, it does supply half of the world’s neon gas, which is used in semiconductor production. Gas production facilities in Ukraine have closed amid the Russian invasion.

With no end to the chip shortage in sight, other automakers could adopt Ford’s model by finishing cars and trucks that lack non-critical functions. Ford previously took that step with its best-selling F-150 pickup.

Last year, Ford gave buyers the option of purchasing an F-150 without a feature called automatic stop-start, which turns off the entire when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. To compensate buyers, the automaker offered a $50 credit.

Previously, General Motors eliminated wireless device charging on some models and some infotainment features that require computer chips.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed an administrative complaint against HomeAdvisor over allegations that the company misrepresented the quality and the source of project leads to businesses, as well as the odds that those leads would result in actual jobs.

The agency alleges that HomeAdvisor has been making false, misleading, or unsubstantiated claims about the quality and source of the leads the company sells to service providers since 2014. Those service providers include general contractors and small lawn care businesses that used the company's service to search for potential customers.

The HomeAdvisor model is dependent on gig economy workers who offer services like remodeling, cleaning services, and small appliance installation. Once service providers join HomeAdvisor’s network and pay an annual membership fee, the company provides leads that service providers use to contact potential customers.

“Gig economy platforms should not use false claims and phony opportunities to prey on workers and small businesses,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Today’s administrative complaint against HomeAdvisor shows that the FTC will use every tool in its toolbox to combat dishonest commercial practices.”

Misrepresenting leads

The FTC accused HomeAdvisor of misrepresenting the quality of its leads to service providers by informing them that they had a higher chance of landing more home improvement jobs by using its system than its in-house data actually showed. Officials also alleged that HomeAdvisor possibly deceived service providers about the price of an optional one-month subscription to a software platform that HomeAdvisor pitched as an add-on to the leads it sold.

The FTC said service providers were told that they would get to use that platform for free for their first month with an annual membership package. In reality, the first month was not free and resulted in a package that cost $59.99 more than “properly informed” service providers might have otherwise paid.

The FTC stated that service providers ultimately wasted time following up on leads that were below the quality that HomeAdvisor guaranteed. They also allegedly wasted time seeking refunds from the company for those less-than-favorable leads.

In response to the FTC's accusations, an Angi spokesperson told ConsumerAffairs that the agency's claims were meritless and that it plans to "vigorously fight" the allegations.

"The FTC allegations against HomeAdvisor are based on a false narrative using a small handful of cherry picked, incomplete, and out-of-context recorded sales calls - to serve their agenda," the spokesperson said.

Consumer questions vetting of professionals

HomeAdvisor scores a very respectable 4.4 stars out of a possible 5 stars from ConsumerAffairs reviewers, but there were some instances in which the process fell apart for consumers.

“I was looking for someone to deliver and install mulch. A Google search gave me several options with 800 numbers and when I called all of them (3), they were all to Home Advisor,” Deborah from Orlando stated in her ConsumerAffairs review. 

“Finally I gave my project information to Home Advisor and they gave me 4 pro referrals. I called all 4. Two (2) did not provide the service I wanted. One (1) did not return my calls. I did speak with one (1) landscaper and we engaged in text dialog about the project for a couple of weeks, including his availability and price. When I confirmed the quote and asked for a scheduled date, he stopped responding all together. When I asked him for the courtesy of a response whether he could do the job or not, nothing.”

Deborah’s said there appeared to be a lack of transparency on HomeAdvisor’s part when she wanted to write a review about her situation.

“When I tried to write a review for Hector on Home Advisor, because I did not hire the pro, Home Advisor sends my review to the pro (Hector) but does not publish it on their website. What good is that? I did not hire him because he ‘ghosted’ me when it came time to commit to the job,” she said in her review. “Texting was his request, not mine. Beware of Home Advisor using different phone numbers on search engines to drive business their way. Their vetting of pros is apparently not satisfactory in all cases.”

Rural communities from Appalachia to Alaska that are looking for a way to strengthen their economies have a new champion to help them get over the hump. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has launched a new initiative focused on discriminatory and predatory agricultural practices, manufactured housing, and a scarcity of banking.

It’s a rather large task that the CFPB is taking on given that rural life in and of itself is extremely diverse. Arkansas isn’t the same as it is in neighboring Texas, and farming differences between Montana and South Carolina are night and day.

“Rural people are deeply committed to the places they live, but face real challenges in accessing reliable services and good jobs, keeping up with household expenses, maintaining farming, and finding affordable housing,” said the CFPB’s Shawn Sebastian.

“We are concerned about these threats to rural household financial resiliency and committed to using our tools and authorities to ensure that rural communities, and the people who live in them, have opportunities to build wealth and thrive.”

Sebastian said rural America never fully recovered from the shock of the 2008 financial crash and that job growth in rural areas has been less than a third of the rate of job growth in urban areas. In addition, rural wages are lower and poverty rates are higher in rural communities than they are in cities. 

“And the gap is growing," he said. “Increasing corporate consolidation across the economy has hit rural areas particularly hard, suppressing wages and leaving rural people with fewer employment options. In addition, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural populations have been severe, with significant negative impacts on unemployment and the economic outlook .

The issues facing rural America

Earlier this year, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra invited more than 50 people from organizations representing rural people across the U.S. to share their concerns with the agency. The #1 issue that those people said they could use help with is making sure their communities’ experience with consumer finance mirrored that of metropolitan areas. Tackling that issue would go a long way towards addressing what the agency calls “rural banking deserts.” 

The rural patrons the agency heard from said a decline in banks has led to non-bank alternatives that charge higher fees and interest rates, which results in more money leaving rural communities.

“Trends of bank consolidation have also resulted in the loss of local, on-the-ground knowledge of how rural communities operate. As a result, banking relationships and credit disappear, followed by small businesses and jobs,” Sebastian said, adding that the rural counties most deeply affected by bank closures are those with a greater proportion of African-American residents relative to other rural counties. 

CFPB looks to tackle more issues

In addition to rural banking deserts, the CFPB is looking to address several other economic and financial disparities in rural communities to bring those areas closer to equality. Two additional issues it's looking to tackle include:

Discriminatory and Predatory Practices: People submitting comments to the CFPB noted that credit providers discriminate against Black farmers, which in turn, has contributed to the decline of Black farmers from a million in 1920 to fewer than 50,000 today, with a loss of 12 million acres of farmland.

“We heard from people working on the ground with Black farmers that discrimination in lending to Black farmers continues to persist  and that many Black farmers still struggle to access the credit they need,” he said.

The agency was also told by farmers that their obligations to banks can trap them in exploitative arrangements with agriculture firms that seem intent on controlling a farmer’s life. 

Manufactured Housing: Another concern that the rural citizens cited was difficulty in finding quality, affordable housing in rural areas due to a limited supply of rental properties. Manufactured housing residents told the agency that manufactured home parks are increasingly being bought up by private equity firms that have, in some cases, taken advantage of renters by dramatically increasing rents and tacking on fees. 

“According to the residents we heard from, some feel trapped in the arrangement because they’re still paying off their home-only loan and don’t want to lose the equity they’ve invested,” Sebastian said.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Australia explored how reading out loud to kids can be beneficial long-term. According to the findings, at-risk kids are more likely to become resilient, strengthen their deep connections, and have improved overall development when their parents read aloud to them at home. 

“Reading out loud can create many positive outcomes for children,” said researcher Leonie Segal. “As a shared experience between parent and child, it encourages connection, while also directly contributing to child development through exposure to words and stories. 

“Children in families that are struggling to create a nurturing environment will especially benefit from reading with a parent or carer, improving their resilience, and keeping them developmentally more on track, despite their adversity exposure.” 

Promoting better development and resilience in kids

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 65,000 kids who completed the Early Australian Development Census (EADC). The team focused on children between the ages of five and six.

The study clearly showed a link between reading out loud to children and improvements in resilience. Overall, more than 3,400 kids were being mistreated at home. Long-term, these circumstances can impact kids’ academic success; however, the researchers learned that when parents focused on reading to their kids at home, they were more likely to be more resilient and meet key developmental goals. 

“A good start to school is predictive of later outcomes, so it’s vital that we not only identify those at risk early on, but also find ways to support children’s emotional, social, and physical development, before they start school,” Segal said. 

Boys may struggle more than girls

The researchers also found that boys who were mistreated at home were more likely than girls to struggle academically. The team hopes these findings lead to changes in the education system that are geared toward supporting boys who may be having a hard time in school. 

“Our study found that boys had a much higher risk of being developmentally behind than girls, as did children living in remote or rural areas, and those with a physical, sensory, or learning disability,” Segal said. “All these groups need far greater supports. 

“Paying particular attention to boys, especially those who are victims of child maltreatment is critical. Encouraging parents to read to their boys while valuable, is not enough, the onus is on the education sector to identify other mechanisms to support boys.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Otago explored how kids can benefit from their parents sharing memories with them.

The team explained that when parents are coached on how to discuss memories with their children, it helps them develop a better sense of identity and overall well-being as they grow and develop. 

“Our findings suggest that brief coaching sessions with parents early in children’s lives can have long-lasting benefits, both for the way adolescents process and talk about difficult life events and for their well-being,” said researcher Elaine Reese. 

“We believe parents’ elaborative reminiscing helps children develop more complete, specific, and accurate memories of their experiences, providing a richer store of memories to use when forming their identities in adolescence. Elaborative reminiscing also teaches children how to have open discussions about past feelings when they’re no longer in the heat of the moment.” 

Genuine conversations can benefit kids

For the study, the researchers evaluated the results from an ongoing trial that followed 115 mothers and their children. When the study began, the mothers were chosen to either participate in a training that taught them how to engage in elaborative reminiscing with their kids or to be in a control group with no training. The mothers underwent this training when their babies were one, and the team then tracked how this impacted their well-being 14 years later. 

The researchers learned that children of mothers who participated in the elaborative reminiscing training had marked improvements in well-being. By talking through some of the more simple memories of childhood, kids were better able to discuss some of the more difficult events they’d experienced by the time they were teenagers. 

“As a parent of a toddler myself, I can confirm that these elaborate reminiscing techniques are enjoyable and easy to learn,” said researcher Dr. Claire Mitchell. “Our study helps pave the way for future work with parents of young children to promote healthy interactions from the beginning that could have enduring benefits.” 

Talking through memories is helpful

The study found that talking through memories during childhood helped give kids a better sense of themselves during their teenage years. The researchers also found that these kids had fewer emotional difficulties and better overall well-being. 

Moving forward, the team hopes these findings spark more conversations between parents and their children and also work to improve mental health and wellness for adolescents. 

“The ultimate goal is to encourage parents to have more sensitive and responsive conversations about events in their lives,” said Dr. Mitchell. “For some young people, this dip is the beginning of more severe mental health issues that can be difficult to treat. Thus, it is important to find ways to prevent mental health difficulties earlier in life if possible.” 

Crate and Barrel of Northbrook, Ill., is recalling about 620 Be the Band Music Sets.

The maracas can break or become unscrewed and release the metal beads inside, posing choking and suffocation hazards to young children.

The firm has received six reports of broken or unscrewed maracas. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves the Crate and Barrel Be the Band Music Set containing maracas, which is intended for use by children ages three and up. The set includes a table about 19 inches in height by 26 inches wide with drum pads and sticks, cymbals, maracas, and xylophone keys.

The product SKU: 346895 is located on a label on the underside of the table.

The music sets, manufactured in China, were sold online at www.crateandbarrel.com from September 2021, through January 2022, for about $200.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Be the Band Music Sets and contact Crate and Barrel for instructions on how to receive a refund in the form of a $20 store credit for the maracas. Crate and Barrel is contacting all known purchasers directly.

Consumers may contact Crate and Barrel at (800) 967-6696 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday, or 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CT) Saturday and Sunday, by texting Crate and Barrel at (312) 779-1979. Consumers can also visit the company's website for more information.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 44,219 model year 2021-2022 E-350s and E-450s with dual rear wheels.

An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake Hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.

A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the connection between the power steering lines and the Hydroboost unit and replace the power steering lines -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S08.

Vadilal Industries (USA) of Newark, N.J., is recalling two batches of frozen Custard Apple Pulp.

The product may be contaminated with salmonella. Five illnesses have been reported to date.

Specifics of the recalled product, which comes in 35.27-oz. packets and was sold in retail stores nationwide, may be found here.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled product should discontinue using it and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Vadilal Industries at (732) 333-1209 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST).

While Russia and Ukraine are duking it out on the ground, there’s growing concern that Russia might take to the digital sphere to pay back the U.S. for the economic sanctions it made against it.

Russia has long been associated with trying to cripple the U.S. via cyberattacks. The country is thought to have been associated with the attacks on the world’s largest meat producer JBS and the global supply chain. Just last week, the Senate passed the Strengthening American Cybersecurity Act of 2022 to shore up the U.S.' cybersecurity.

Fearing that Russia-backed hackers might have their sights set on banks, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an alert on Monday that advises all financial institutions to be vigilant against potential Russian efforts to evade the U.S.’ expansive sanctions. FinCEN put financial institutions that deal in cryptocurrency on the highest alert because gaining access to cryptocurrencies might be an easy target that could help Russia replenish its coffers after the U.S. placed economic pressure on the country.

Experts weigh in on the overall issue

Watching the Russia-Ukraine conflict unfold on TV is one thing, but if Russia decided to punish the U.S. for its role, what would the stateside effect be? ConsumerAffairs asked Dr. Aaron Brantly, Director of the Tech4Humanity Lab at Virginia Tech, to comment on the situation. 

“I would say that the threat of Russian cyber attacks against US infrastructure is high. But that such attacks have been defined by the administration as an escalatory red-line that could possibly involve the US and by extension NATO into the war in Ukraine,” Brantly told us. “Regarding individual consumer attacks to current financial constraints on the Russian Federation make such attacks less attractive as the money launder routes are increasingly closed.”

As far as what the FinCEN or American Cybersecurity Act were designed to do, Brantly thinks it’s a good move to start.

“Each act and move towards more robust cybersecurity is a step in the right direction. Yet any notion that any system or country will be largely invulnerable to cyber-attacks in the future does not pair up with the technical reality of software and hardware development.”

Consumers can protect themselves

How much could a cyberattack against the U.S. impact consumers? Therese Schachner, a cybersecurity consultant at VPNBrains, says the average person would likely feel some of the fallout.

“Organizations providing critical infrastructure are prime targets for cyberattacks since these organizations provide services that are essential for consumers," Schachner told ConsumerAffairs. "When the public loses access to power, healthcare, or other key services due to system outages caused by cyberattacks, massive disruptions are caused in the economy and in consumers' everyday lives.”

She added that government agencies -- like the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Administration – are also at risk because they provide key services and have access to confidential information that adversaries can use to gain a political or military advantage.

Schachner says consumers who are concerned about a major cybersecurity incursion can make some proactive efforts that may lessen the impact of an attack if it happens. For one thing, she suggests consumers keep their software up to date with the latest security fixes. 

“Older versions of software often have security vulnerabilities that attackers can leverage as initial entry points to computer systems to damage or disable them or gain access to confidential data,” she said.

“Strong passwords are harder to crack, and two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security into the user authentication process, allowing users to provide additional proof that they are the true owners of their accounts.”

Schachner’s last suggestion to consumers is to keep an eye on their bank and credit card accounts. 

“Monitor accounts for unusual activity, such as suspicious purchases and logins from unrecognized locations and devices, then report and address potentially malicious activity in a timely manner before it escalates into more serious problems,” she suggested.

It was nearly two years ago, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, that offices across America closed and employees began working from home. It set off a number of wide-ranging changes in the economy.

Rents plummeted as people moved out of apartments in the cities and purchased homes in the suburbs, sending home prices skyrocketing. Because people could work from anywhere, real estate markets in secondary cities like Boise and Des Moines boomed.

Now that COVID-19 is finally in retreat in the U.S. and many restrictions have been lifted, many businesses are trying to coax employees back to the office. But it’s not that easy. 

The “Great Resignation,” which began last year with millions of Americans quitting their jobs, has shown no sign of letting up. Nearly 4.3 million people quit their jobs in January, according to a Labor Department report issued earlier this week.

Bill Catlette, a  director at the National Foundation for Transplants, says we won't know how the current “Great Resignation” trend plays out until it collides with a recessionary economy. Right now, he says employees have a lot of leverage.

“Most companies have already made concessions in the form of pay, benefits, work schedule, and location flexibility,” Catlette told ConsumerAffairs. “The ones who don’t will pay a price, one of which involves being forced into the shallow end of the talent pool.”

Many employees want to continue working remotely

Employees cite a number of reasons for wanting to continue working from home. Near the top of the list is avoiding the daily commute. But there are many employees like Keren Gifford, an information technology worker in Pittsburgh, who hopes to continue working remotely for social reasons.

“There’s not much point in returning to the office if we’re just going back to the old boys’ club,” Gifford told the New York Times. “What a relief not to have to go in day after day, week after week, and fail at making friends and having fun.”

Piotr Majchrzak, co-founder and co-CEO of Boldare, says remote work was more successful than many business leaders dared hope. But he says there are downsides as well, which is why CEOs are encouraging a return to the office.

“Switching to a dispersed model can often put team working under stress: communication suffers, people aren’t sure what their colleagues are working on, and previous levels of information-sharing aren’t enough in a remote business environment,” Majchrzak told ConsumerAffairs. “The result is declining efficiency.”

No going back to 2019

Ira Wolfe, president of Success Performance Solutions, also weighed in on the issue. He notes that most of us long for a return to the normal of 2019, but so far it seems elusive and serves as a warning for CEOs. 

“Even as pandemic restrictions wane, an inflation crisis, fallout from the Ukraine crisis, economic volatility, and perpetual uncertainty will be the normal environment,” Wolfe said. “Leaders need to adapt their approach to work and how things get done to the environment which will be fluid. For those organizations with a vision to get ‘back to normal,’ it will likely turn out badly.”

Michael Alexis, CEO at teambuilding.com, believes a hybrid combination of office and remote work could become the new norm, at least in the short term. Smart companies, he says, will use it to attract and keep top-shelf talent.

“The volume of remote (work) is still very high, and I believe that top-performing employees who value this flexibility will move towards companies that provide a remote option,” he told us. “In order to stay competitive, other organizations will need to follow suit.”

Even though oil prices have pulled back from their recent high, gasoline prices are still catching up. That's causing motorists everywhere to suffer sticker shock at the gas pump this week.

With most Russian oil finding no buyers because of that country’s war against Ukraine, fuel prices have yet to find a top. AAA reports that the national average price of regular gas today is $4.33 a gallon, up 50 cents from last Friday.

The average price of premium gas is $4.95 a gallon, 57 cents a gallon higher than a week ago. The average price of diesel fuel has risen even faster, with the average price now sitting at $5.13 a gallon, up 87 cents over the last seven days.

While every state saw double-digit increases in average gas prices, in some states the move was stunning. The statewide average increased by 65 cents a gallon in Arizona, 62 cents a gallon in California, and 50 cents a gallon in Alaska.

New survey data from AAA shows that two-thirds of Americans believed gas prices were too expensive just a few weeks ago at $3.53 per gallon. With the national average at an all-time high, AAA says Americans may have reached a tipping point. 

Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, reported on Monday that demand had fallen sharply – as much as 11%. He said it was too early to tell whether the sharp increase in prices was destroying demand.

States with the most expensive gas

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

• California ($5.69)   

• Nevada ($4.87)  

• Hawaii ($4.81)      

• Oregon ($4.72)  

• Washington ($4.70)      

• Alaska ($4.68)   

• Illinois ($4.57)   

• Arizona ($4.55)      

• Connecticut ($4.48)   

• New York ($4.47) 

States with the cheapest gas

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

• Kansas ($3.82)

• Oklahoma ($3.85)

• Missouri ($3.85)

• North Dakota ($3.89)

• Arkansas ($3.90)

• Nebraska ($3.91)

• Iowa ($3.92)

• Colorado ($3.95)

• South Dakota ($3.95)   

• Minnesota ($3.96)      

Researchers have previously identified a link between mental health and physical health outcomes, and now a new study conducted by researchers from the American Heart Association is further proving that connection. 

According to the findings, consumers who struggle with a serious mental illness may have a higher risk of developing heart disease – even from an earlier age. 

“Even at younger ages, people with serious mental illness had a higher risk of heart disease than their peers, which highlights the importance of addressing cardiovascular risk factors for these individuals as early as possible,” said researcher Dr. Rebecca C. Rossom. “Interventions to address heart disease risk for these individuals are maximally beneficial when initiated at younger ages.”  

The link between mental health and heart health

The researchers analyzed data from 600,000 people between the ages of 18 and 75 who had received health care at a primary care clinic in Minnesota and Wisconsin between 2016 and 2018. The team used different risk analysis measures to determine how mental health impacted the participants' heart health outcomes. 

Ultimately, 11,000 participants were diagnosed with severe mental illness, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder. The researchers learned that participants in this group were nearly 10% more likely to develop heart disease within 10 years; comparatively, those who didn't have a serious mental illness had an 8% higher risk of heart disease within a decade. 

The risk shot up even higher when looking at the 30-year projections. Participants with mental illness were 25% more likely to develop heart disease, whereas those without mental health concerns were 11% as likely to develop heart disease long-term. 

The study showed several risk factors that may increase the risk of heart disease for those struggling with a serious mental illness. For starters, smoking was common among 36% of participants with mental health concerns, and obesity was common in half of this group. The team found that these participants were more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes, both of which can increase the risk of heart disease. 

The researchers say these findings held up for the youngest participants in the trial – those between the ages of 18 and 34. With a better understanding of these physical and mental health risks, the team hopes health care professionals use this new information to help their patients.

“We encourage health care systems and clinicians to use the 30-year cardiovascular risk estimates for young adults with serious mental illness, as these may be used starting at age 18,” Dr. Rossom said. “Right now, estimates of 10-year heart disease risk are used most frequently, and they cannot be applied until people are at least 40 years old, which is too late to start addressing heart disease risk in people with serious mental illness.” 

As recent studies have highlighted the ways that consumers’ food choices may impact their blood pressure, a new study conducted by the American Heart Association looked closely at how protein may affect health outcomes. 

According to the findings, eating a variety of different protein sources may help lower the risk of developing high blood pressure. 

“The heart health message is that consuming a balanced diet with proteins from various different sources, rather than focusing on a single source of dietary protein, may help to prevent the development of high blood pressure,” said researcher Dr. Xianhui Qin. 

Protein variety improves blood pressure

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 12,200 adults enrolled in the China Health and Nutrition Survey from 1997 through 2015. Participants took the survey every two to four years and reported on everything they ate in three 24-hour periods for each survey. The group also reported on their health outcomes related to blood pressure, including being diagnosed with high blood pressure or being prescribed medication for high blood pressure throughout the survey. 

Ultimately, the researchers learned that the variety of proteins the participants consumed played a role in their blood pressure outcomes. Those who regularly ate four or more different kinds of proteins were 66% less likely to develop high blood pressure when compared to those who regularly ate less than two different kinds of protein. 

While protein variety was beneficial for blood pressure readings, the quantity of protein consumed played a cautionary role for the participants. Those who ate the largest quantities of protein and those who ate the smallest quantities of protein were at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. 

The researchers hope these findings encourage consumers to consider their diets and what changes they can make to improve their health outcomes. 

“Nutrition may be an easily accessible and effective measure to fight against hypertension,” said Dr. Qi. “Along with fat and carbohydrates, protein is one of the three basic macronutrients.” 

Ford Motor Company is recalling 247,445 model year 2017-2022 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks with gasoline engines and aluminum driveshafts.

Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage it and cause it to fracture.

A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power or a loss of vehicle control if it contacts the ground. Unintended movement could also occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Either of those situations can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft -- as necessary -- and properly attach the underbody insulators free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 4, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S09.