Current Events in April 2022

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    Coronavirus: Fauci says U.S. is out of the pandemic

    CDC says more than half of the U.S. population may have had COVID-19

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

    Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 81,106,584 (81,045,532)

    Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 992,009 (991,629)

    Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 511,142,131 (510,331,384)

    Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,226,008 (6,221,415)‌

    Fauci says pandemic is over

    Dr. Antony Fauci, the Biden administration’s top medical adviser, says the U.S. is “out of the pandemic phase” when it comes to COVID-19. He made the comments in an interview with PBS.

    “Namely, we don't have 900,000 new infections a day and tens and tens and tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths,” Fauci said. “We are at a low level right now.”

    However, Fauci predicted that the U.S. would not eradicate the virus that has killed nearly 1 million people in the U.S. since 2020. He said the U.S. could keep cases at a very low level and intermittently vaccinate the population. “That might be every year, that might be longer, in order to keep that level low,” Fauci said.

    More than half of U.S. population may have had COVID-19

    A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may provide a clue as to why there is a lower number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. The report suggests that 58% of the U.S. population has already had the virus and, thus, has built up some immunity.

    Many of the cases were likely caused by the Omicron variants. The CDC report found that the estimate of the percentage of the population that had been infected rose from 34% in December to 58% in February.

    “We do believe that there is a lot of protection in the community both from vaccination, as well as from boosting and from prior infection,” said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. 

    How good are rapid tests at detecting Omicron variants?

    With state after state shutting down mass testing centers, a growing number of COVID-19 tests are now administered at home using over-the-counter rapid tests. But just how effective are these tests at detecting the highly-transmissible strains?

    According to NPR, there is no evidence that these tests are any less effective at detecting the Omicron variant and its subvariants. However, the tests might take longer to yield a positive result.

    "There's usually a day or two delay between when you might test positive on a PCR versus when you might test positive on one of these at-home rapid antigen tests," Dr. Celine Gounder, a senior fellow and editor-at-large for public health at Kaiser Health News, told the network. "But they do work to pick up an infection, and they should be used frequently."

    Around the nation

    • Massachusetts: State health officials point to fresh data as evidence of how easily the Omicron variant and its subvariants spread. They report that more than 52% of the residents of the state were infected from the Omicron surge that began in December.

    • Illinois: New cases of the coronavirus are rising across the state. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the state averaged 3,136 new cases per day over the last seven days. That represents an increase of 43.1% in the last week.

    • Texas: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke has announced that he tested positive for the coronavirus this week. The candidate said he tests regularly for the virus. “I tested negative yesterday morning before testing positive today. I have mild symptoms and will be following public health guidelines.”

    • Virginia: All areas of the state now meet the criteria for “medium risk” of COVID-19. As a result, no localities within Virginia mandate masks for indoor public spaces. The Virginia Department of Health reports that new cases dropped 28% last week and that 73.1% of Virginians are fully vaccinated.

    • Oklahoma: In a briefing with the media on Tuesday, Dr. Dale Bratzler, the University of Oklahoma’s chief COVID officer, said cases of the virus are “relatively low” across the state. However, he expects an increase to occur because of the fast-spreading Omicron subvariants. But as in other states, he says Oklahoma is not seeing a rise in severe cases that require hospitalization.

    COVID-19 ‌tally‌ ‌as‌ ‌‌compiled‌‌ ‌by‌ ‌Johns‌ ‌Hopkins‌ ‌University.‌ ‌(Previous‌ ‌numbers‌ ‌in‌ ‌parentheses.)‌Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 81...

    Department of State warns consumers to renew passports 'well ahead' of travel dates

    Pandemic-related restrictions still apply in some countries, so travelers should be prepared

    The U.S. Department of State has updated its International Travel Recommendations. While the agency stopped short of saying it’s overloaded and backed up, it did urge U.S. citizens who are thinking about going overseas anytime in 2022 to check their passport expiration date as soon as possible to see if the document needs to be renewed. If that's the case, then officials say to submit applications far ahead of travel dates.

    The current processing time for routine passport service is 8-11 weeks, and that estimate goes down to 5-7 weeks for expedited service. That's a bit quicker than a year ago but nowhere near what it was in pre-pandemic 2019. The Department of State says its estimates do not factor in mailing times to and from its offices.

    "They begin the day we receive an application at a passport agency (not the day a customer applies for a passport at an acceptance facility or drops an application off in the mail), and they end the day we issue the passport,” the agency stated.

    Even if your passport doesn’t expire for a year or so, and you don’t have any international travel plans penciled in, officials recommend that you go ahead and get it renewed “well in advance” to avoid any last-minute problems or further bureaucratic backups.

    Make your checklist

    If your travel plans call for a passport renewal, here are the things you should take note of before you begin the process:

    Adults with valid passports expiring within one year should renew by mail

    Applicants who can convince the passport office that their travel is “urgent” – meaning within five days – can try to make an appointment at one of the department's 26 regional passport agencies.  

    Applicants with life and death emergencies can make an appointment within three days of travel. In that situation, applicants have to call 877-487-2778 to make an appointment and will be required to provide proof of travel and proof of the life-or-death emergency at the time they apply.

    Applicants may schedule an appointment to apply for a passport if they are traveling within two weeks or need a foreign visa within four weeks. However, the Department cautions travelers that the appointment can not occur more than five business days before the date of travel or ten business days if a visa is required to get into a certain country.

    Keep in mind that many countries require six months’ passport validity for entry. China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil, Venezuela, and Bolivia all enforce this rule. There may be others that adopt the policy, so travelers should do their homework no matter where they’re headed.

    Be sure to check COVID-19 restrictions

    Officials are asking travelers to do their part by checking COVID-19 conditions and restrictions for their destinations in advance. While restrictions and conditions change daily, U.S. embassies and consulates around the world are trying to keep up with the latest country-specific COVID-19-related information on their websites.

    Travelers should also research potential international travel destinations on the International Travel section of travel.state.gov and review the current Travel Advisory and Country Information Page for each country. 

    The U.S. Department of State has updated its International Travel Recommendations. While the agency stopped short of saying it’s overloaded and backed up,...

    Home prices continued rising at a double-digit pace in February

    Phoenix, Tampa, and Miami led the increase

    Home prices may level off as mortgage rates rise, but prices were still climbing in February. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index shows that the median home price jumped 19.8% year-over-year in February, up from 19.1% the previous month. 

    Phoenix, Tampa, and Miami reported the highest year-over-year gains among the 20 largest markets. The median home price in Phoenix was nearly 33% higher, with prices in Tampa rising nearly as much. The median price of a Miami home gained almost 30%.

    All 20 cities reported higher price increases in the year ending February 2022, versus the year ending January 2022. Even when compared to January, February home prices were higher. Nationwide, home prices gained 1.7% from January to February.

    "U.S. home prices continued to advance at a very rapid pace in February," said Craig Lazzara, managing director at S&P DJI. "The National Composite Index recorded a gain of 19.8% for the 12 months ended February 2022; the 10- and 20-City Composites rose 18.6% and 20.2%, respectively. All three composites reflect an acceleration of price growth relative to January's level.”

    Is it sustainable?

    The big question is whether the market can sustain that kind of increase in home values. Not only have prices reached record levels, but interest rates have also moved above 5%; that's 2% higher than they were at the end of 2021.

    As we recently reported, the average monthly house payment in April was 20% higher than the average payment for homes purchased in December. Some buyers have moved toward adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) to make the monthly payment affordable, which some real estate experts have described as risky in uncertain economic times. In fact, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Wednesday that applications for ARMs last week doubled the number seen three months ago.

    “An ARM is harder to budget for in the long run because the monthly payments might go up when the loan reaches its adjustment period,” Holden Lewis, home and market insights expert at NerdWallet, told ConsumerAffairs.

    An ARM might start out at a lower rate but will go up when interest rates rise. The Federal Reserve has strongly signaled that it will continue to raise interest rates through the end of this year.

    Housing economists report signs that the housing market is already weakening as it begins what is ordinarily its busiest time of the year. They attribute softer sales to qualification issues, rising cancellations, and increased buyer hesitancy.

    Home prices may level off as mortgage rates rise, but prices were still climbing in February. The S&P; CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Inde...

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      Walmart+ offers subscribers an extra discount on gas

      It’s part of the company’s strategy to address inflation concerns

      In an effort to sign and retain more members of its subscription service, Walmart is offering an extra discount on gasoline.

      Starting today, Walmart+ members will get a 10 cents a gallon discount when they fill up at participating gas retailers. The company has added 12,000 Exxon and Mobil stations across the U.S. to its promotion, raising the number of outlets where the discount is available to more than 14,000.

      Gas discounts are also available at Walmart and Murphy’s gas pumps, as well as at more than 500 Sam’s Club locations.

      “Ninety-one percent of our customers are aware of the increased prices at the pump and nearly half of those told us they are changing behaviors because of them,” said Chris Cracchiolo, senior vice president and general manager of Walmart+. “More access to a bigger discount will make a difference for our customers.”

      Walmart+ launched 18 months ago as an answer to Amazon Prime. For $98 a year or $12.95 per month, subscribers receive free shipping on online orders, free grocery delivery on orders of at least $35, and discounts on prescription drugs.

      Inflation strategy

      In late 2021, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon told CNBC that the retail giant planned to use rising inflation to its competitive advantage, offering consumers relief. Since then, nowhere has inflation been more evident than at the gas pump. The war in Ukraine sent gas prices to a record high in March before pulling back slightly.

      The company says the new gas benefit will provide real savings on something most consumers have to buy. It also hopes the benefit will attract new Walmart+ subscribers and retain consumers who have already signed up.

      Walmart does not report the number of subscribers to Walmart+, but it has said the subscription service is a key part of its strategy to grow online sales. 

      To use the new fuel discount, Walmart+ subscribers are instructed to find their nearest Exxon/Mobil location using the location map. Upon arriving at the pump, subscribers sign into the Walmart+ app on their smartphone.

      If location services are turned on, customers will get a popup asking if they are ready to fuel. They then enter the pump number and begin fueling.

      In an effort to sign and retain more members of its subscription service, Walmart is offering an extra discount on gasoline.Starting today, Walmart+ me...

      Pregnant women were more susceptible to the Omicron variant but less likely to be hospitalized, study finds

      Experts say the virus may have been more contagious, but the symptoms weren’t as severe

      A new study conducted by researchers UT Southwestern Medical Center looked at how the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has affected pregnant women. The researchers learned that while the virus spread more rapidly among pregnant women than the previous variants, those who were infected were less likely to be hospitalized. 

      “Obstetrics never stopped during the pandemic,” said researcher Dr. Emily Adhikari. “Women are still having babies and coming in for their prenatal care. It’s important to understand how this virus behaves in the population we serve.” 

      More cases but fewer hospitalizations

      For the study, the researchers analyzed data from women who received prenatal care at Parkland Health in Dallas. They studied the overall number of positive cases, the severity of those positive cases, and hospitalizations of pregnant women from May 2020, through the end of January 2022. 

      The study included information from before the surge of the Delta variant, during the surge of the Delta variant, and during the surge of the Omicron variant. While the peak of the Delta variant led to three times as many positive COVID-19 cases, the peak of the Omicron variant saw cases increase 10 times as much. 

      However, perhaps the most important finding from this study was that cases were much less severe with the Omicron variant. The researchers found that these COVID-19 cases were about 80% less severe than Delta cases; on the other hand, Delta cases were about three times as severe as pre-Delta cases. 

      The team speculates that the COVID-19 vaccine, immunity from previous strains, and the natural changes that occur with each strain could all explain why this trend has occurred among pregnant women. 

      “We’re very lucky that although Omicron caused more cases than Delta, it was a less severe variant,” Dr. Adhikari said. “If the same portion of positive patients had ended up on oxygen or ventilators, we would have been overwhelmed. We have no control over the nature of the next variant, but pregnant women do have control over whether to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which has been proven to prevent severe illness and spread.” 

      A new study conducted by researchers UT Southwestern Medical Center looked at how the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has affected pregnant women. The research...

      Viral changes in the gut may predict potentially fatal condition in preterm infants, study finds

      Experts want to help identify infants who are most likely to develop necrotizing enterocolitis

      A new study conducted by researchers from Arizona State University identified a risk factor linked to a serious disease common among infants – necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). 

      Their work found that preterm infants who experience changes to the viruses in their gut – known as the gut virome – may be more susceptible to developing NEC. The disease can be deadly for infants, and it can also increase the risk for lifelong health concerns. 

      “For many years now, there’s been some inkling that the microbiome is implicated in this rapidly developing disease,” said researcher Efrem Lim. “Studies have shown that changes in the microbiome of the gut in these preterm infants seem to predict the progression to NEC disease.”  

      Changes to viral make-up indicate disease risk

      To better understand how the gut virome can impact infants’ long-term health, the researchers analyzed nearly 140 stool samples from 23 preterm infants through their first 11 weeks of life. The team used a sequencing method that allowed them to test the bacterial diversity in the infants’ stool samples to see what role different viruses and bacteria play in the development of NEC. 

      Ultimately, nine of the infants involved in the study developed NEC. The researchers observed notable differences in the bacterial and viral make-up of the infants diagnosed with the condition. While no single bacteria or virus has been identified as the cause of NEC, this study showed that specific bacterial-viral interactions occurred in all of the infants diagnosed with the disease. 

      The study also showed that infants presented with lower diversity in viral composition in their guts within 10 days of their NEC diagnosis. This change in viral composition proved to be the biggest clue to the researchers that the infants had a higher risk of NEC. 

      NEC poses a risk to infants

      The researchers explained that NEC is most common in infants between two and six weeks old, and it can become life-threatening within a matter of hours. The disease attacks healthy intestinal tissue, and its precise cause remains unknown. 

      With these new findings, the researchers hope more infants who have a high risk of developing NEC are identified in the earliest stages. They say their goal is to help develop better treatments for infants struggling with the condition. 

      A new study conducted by researchers from Arizona State University identified a risk factor linked to a serious disease common among infants – necrotizing...

      Lakeside recalls over 120,000 pounds of ground beef

      The products may be contaminated with E. coli

      Lakeside Refrigerated Services of Swedesboro, N.J., is recalling approximately 120,872 pounds of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O103.

      There have been no confirmed reports of illness or adverse reactions. A list of the recalled items, produced from February 1 through April 8, 2022, may be found here.

      The recalled products, bearing establishment number “EST. 46841” inside the USDA mark of inspection, were shipped to retail locations nationwide.

      What to do

      Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them. Instead, they should discard or return the products to the place of purchase.

      Consumers with questions may contact the firm at (800) 493-9042 or by email at customercare@lakesiderefrigerated.com.

      Lakeside Refrigerated Services of Swedesboro, N.J., is recalling approximately 120,872 pounds of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with...

      GM recalls Truck Hero tri-fold hard and soft tonneau covers

      The tonneau cover may detach from pickup bed

      General Motors is recalling 1,236 Truck Hero tri-fold hard tonneau covers and tri-fold soft tonneau covers sold as accessories for 2019-2022 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, and 3500 series trucks.

      The tonneau cover may become loose from the rails of the pickup bed and detach from the vehicle while the vehicle is being driven.

      A tonneau cover that detaches from a moving vehicle can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

      What to do

      Dealers will inspect the tonneau covers and -- if the cover is the hard tri-fold tonneau -- will replace the tonneau rails and clamps and add a tether.

      For soft tri-fold tonneau covers, updated instructions, additional labeling, and a tether kit will be provided.

      Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 16, 2022.

      Owners may contact GM customer service (888) 988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N222359640.

      General Motors is recalling 1,236 Truck Hero tri-fold hard tonneau covers and tri-fold soft tonneau covers sold as accessories for 2019-2022 Chevrolet Silv...

      Texas sues Vroom in response to consumer complaints

      Some customers say they have waited months for their license plates

      Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a deceptive trade practices lawsuit against the online used vehicle dealer Vroom Automotive, which saw sales grow rapidly during the pandemic.

      In filing the lawsuit, Paxton noted that consumers have filed over 5,000 complaints since 2018 with both the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Office of the Texas Attorney General against Vroom and Texas Direct Auto, which Vroom owns.

      In a statement, the BBB said it noticed an increase in complaints starting in January 2020 that focused on two areas. Some consumers reported that the cars they received via delivery were not the same vehicles pictured online, or that they were dirty or damaged.

      “Consumers also stated they were having customer service and communication issues when trying to reach out to the company to address their concerns,” the BBB said. The organization added that consumers have also reportedly not received paperwork to get their cars registered, faced delayed deliveries for vehicles, and had issues concerning trade-ins.

      Unhappy consumers air concerns

      Similar reports have been posted at ConsumerAffairs, especially in recent months. Mary, of Davis, Calif., wrote in mid-April that she bought a Lexus in November and has waited five months for the car to be registered.

      “Five months after buying my car and three months after the temporary registration expired and I still have no idea if they will ever register my car and no way to find out,” Mary wrote.

      Todd, of Aurora, Colo., describes the process of purchasing a vehicle from Vroom as “a headache.” He’s waited even longer than Mary to get his license plates.

      “Now six months later and we still do not have our plates,” he wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “When I call to inquire why, they say they need to log a ticket and send me an email. The email they send is a no reply email.”

      To be fair, not all of Vroom’s ConsumerAffairs reviews are negative. Some consumers report a good experience, though many of the positive reviews are about the experience of selling a car to Vroom.

      Rapid growth may contribute to issues

      Auto industry analyst Cliff Banks, the publisher of TheBanksReport.com, says Vroom and its competitor Carvana are the only dealers that appear to be producing complaints about delays in titling.

      “We're not seeing any issue with new car dealers or even large used chains such as Carmax, Echo Park, or Driveway.com,” Banks told ConsumerAffairs. “I think it's due to them both (Vroom and Carvana) trying to grow quickly and not having the processes in place as they enter new markets to adequately provide the services required in a vehicle transaction.” 

      ConsumerAffairs reached out to Vroom for comment, but the company did not immediately reply to our request. In its last annual earnings report, Vroom told investors that it has encountered “operational challenges” due to its rapid growth.

      “During the past six months there has been an increase in customer complaints, leading to an increase in such regulatory inquiries,” the report said. “We endeavor to promptly respond to any such inquiries and cooperate with our regulators.”

      What to do

      For customers dealing with these issues, the only recourse may be to submit a report about their experience. On forums where customers have aired their frustrations, many later amended their submission to say the issue had been resolved. It seems someone at the company is monitoring the reviews and responding.

      It may also pay to file a complaint with the state attorney general’s office. WAVE-TV in Louisville recently reported that the Kentucky Attorney General’s office helped two Vroom customers resolve their issues.

      Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a deceptive trade practices lawsuit against the online used vehicle dealer Vroom Automotive, which saw sales gr...

      When Musk takes full ownership of Twitter, its users could see a variety of changes

      Goodbye ads, hello subscription? Maybe.

      Now that Elon Musk has another new toy to play with courtesy of his buyout of Twitter, the world will be watching every move he makes. By ponying up $44 billion to buy Twitter, Musk went all-in on his quest to improve what he calls “the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated." 

      How will people who use Twitter see his mission play out? Among the things the SpaceX, Starlink, and Tesla CEO has said is on his wish list is shaking up Twitter’s content rules in the name of free speech. Musk thinks of himself as a  "free speech absolutist" – going as far as taking a not-so-cheap shot at the company he just bought for what he views as excessive moderation.

      “If it’s a gray area, let the tweet exist,” Musk said in Tweets and conversations leading up to his takeover of Twitter.

      Revoking bans?

      Does that mean Twitter’s current stance of banning harassing and abusive tweets will end on the first day that Musk is in charge? 

      “Experts who study social networks fret about Musk's push to loosen the rules of engagement on Twitter,” Bobby Allyn reported on NPR’s Morning Edition. “They say that could give license to harassers, trolls and others who abuse the platform to target people.”

      Allyn said the same experts fret that relaxing Twitter's rules will give power to those who want to exploit the platform to spread misinformation about political events, government officials, and matters related to public health and safety.

      Editing tweets and cutting out ads

      Another change – one that Twitter users have been begging for for years – is a rudimentary edit button. There’s no guarantee that change will happen, but Musk has gone on record saying he supports letting people change what their tweets say. If Musk gives users that power, they can change content on the fly just like they can on other platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

      Musk took a poll of what changes Twitter users would like to see in advance of his takeover bid. An edit button got the thumbs-up on more than 3.2 million of the 4 million votes cast. 

      Lastly, users who hate advertising may no longer have to deal with it on Twitter. With Musk taking the company private, it won’t be under the same stress to perform for shareholders like it is now.

      However, Musk has indicated he might move Twitter to a subscription model instead of making it ad-free. That's a move that's been tested out before. Last year, the company introduced Twitter Blue -- a premium service that cost $2.99 a month for additional features like different color schemes and advanced editing options.

      Now that Elon Musk has another new toy to play with courtesy of his buyout of Twitter, the world will be watching every move he makes. By ponying up $44 bi...

      Coronavirus update: Remdesivir cleared for treatment of very young children

      The Biden administration is increasing access to Paxlovid

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

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 81,045,532 (80,988,514)

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 991,629 (991,260)

      Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 510,331,384 (509,574,738)

      Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,221,415 (6,218,431)‌

      FDA approves remdesivir to treat young children

      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its approval of the COVID-19 treatment remdesivir to include pediatric patients, including infants.

      The drug may be used if children test positive for the coronavirus and are hospitalized. The drug may also be prescribed if a child is at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19.

      The FDA action makes remdesivir the first approved COVID-19 treatment for children under 12 years of age. Previously, the drug was only approved to treat certain adults and pediatric patients who are 12 years of age and older and weigh at least 40 kilograms, which is about 88 pounds.

      White House to make Paxlovid more available

      The White House today said it is taking steps to help more COVID-19 patients get access to Pfizer’s treatment drug Paxlovid. They say the drug could make the U.S.’ falling death toll decline even more.

      So far, the drug has been underused in the fight against the virus. To turn that around, administration officials say the government plans to double the number of places where patients can access Paxlovid.

      “We can save more lives by getting this medication to more people,” a senior administration official stated. The official said the drug will soon be available at as many as 10,000 locations in the U.S.

      Cruise ship reports outbreak

      Cruise ships were among the first venues to see a surge in COVID-19 cases in March 2020, before the rest of the nation fully grasped the severity of the pandemic. Now, at least one cruise ship is experiencing a disconcerting case of deja vu.

      CBS reports that the Ruby Princess docked in San Francisco earlier this month with 143 passengers who had tested positive for the virus. Travelers reported seeing some of their fellow passengers with symptoms not long after leaving Hawaii.

      But unlike two years ago, everyone aboard the cruise ship was vaccinated. The San Francisco Health Department reports that nearly all infected passengers had mild or no symptoms. Only one person was admitted to a hospital for treatment.

      Around the nation

      • Nevada: The number of new COVID-19 cases rose by 7.9% last week, as the state added 1,230 positive test results. The previous week had 1,140 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. Despite that, Nevada only ranks 33rd among states where the virus is spreading the fastest.

      • Connecticut: State officials are urging school districts to prepare for an increase in COVID-19 cases. In a message to school officials, the departments of Education and Public Health stated that COVID-19 transmission rates are on the rise throughout Connecticut. The positivity rate went over 8% last week.

      • Kansas: Even though cases of COVID-19 are at only a fraction of what they once were, the state legislature is considering a number of bills that limit government rules and mandates. Cheered on by anti-vaccination activists, lawmakers are considering passage of House Bill 2280, which would open the door to treatments not fully endorsed by federal regulators.

      • New Mexico: One sign that the virus may be in retreat is the return of tourists to New Mexico. After suffering sharp declines over the last two years, tourism officials say things are looking up. "We returned to 2019 levels in October of 2021," Jim Walton, public Information officer with the New Mexico Tourism Department, told The Center Square. "We're actually doing quite well."

      • Maine: While many states have seen COVID-19 hospitalizations drop off this month, Maine is seeing its numbers move in the opposite direction. Health officials report that the number of people requiring hospital treatment for the virus increased sharply last week to the highest level since March 9.

      COVID-19 ‌tally‌ ‌as‌ ‌‌compiled‌‌ ‌by‌ ‌Johns‌ ‌Hopkins‌ ‌University.‌ ‌(Previous‌ ‌numbers‌ ‌in‌ ‌parentheses.)‌Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 81...

      Scammers favor deepfakes and cryptocurrency scams in 2022

      Norton Labs reports that it blocked 1 billion attacks in the first quarter

      Deepfakes and cryptocurrency scams were a big part of scammers’ arsenal of weapons against consumers in the first quarter of the year, according to researchers at Norton Labs, part of NortonLifelock.

      The company’s Consumer Cyber Safety Pulse Report calls attention to what it describes as the top consumer cybersecurity insights and takeaways from the first three months of 2022. 

      Researchers said deepfakes were widely used to scam consumers and spread disinformation. Specifically, the researchers say this kind of scam is being used to create fake social media profiles, fuel charity scams, and other fraudulent ploys. They are also being used to spread propaganda about the war in Ukraine.

      Cryptocurrency scams were also widespread, the researchers found. Norton Labs tracked over $29 million in stolen bitcoins in 2021, and it expects this figure to continue to rise in 2022 as the cryptocurrency market's value increases and scammers capitalize on world events.

      Evolving tactics

      Scammers like cryptocurrencies because they are untraceable. Norton Labs found that criminals have combined deepfakes and cryptocurrency scams in some cases to present misinformation and steal charitable donations from cryptocurrency investors.

      "Scammers are always evolving their tactics to make their attacks look more believable," said Darren Shou, head of technology at NortonLifeLock. "Cybercriminals are masters at profiting from deception, so it's crucial for consumers to be aware of the latest scams and to critically analyze anything suspicious they encounter on the internet.”

      Savvy consumers protect themselves by being careful when visiting unfamiliar websites or when receiving an unsolicited email. Joan, of Palmetto, Fla., went a step farther and downloaded Norton’s security software.

      “I discovered personal information on the dark web when I purchased Norton for my computer and phone,” Joan wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “I feel safer knowing my information is being monitored now for an affordable price.”

      George, of Clarksville, Tenn., uses McAfee antivirus software to protect his devices. He tells us he has used it for several years with good results.

      “Their system has worked for me and it seems to catch any problems before they happen,” George wrote in a review. “It removes unwanted cookies on a regular time basis automatically.”

      In an indication of the size of the threat, Norton says it blocked over 1 billion online threats between January and the end of March. The company says it blocked 79 million file threats and 86,000 ransomware attacks.

      Deepfakes and cryptocurrency scams were a big part of scammers’ arsenal of weapons against consumers in the first quarter of the year, according to researc...

      CFPB invokes seldom-used authority to protect consumers

      Officials will look at risky practices employed by companies that deal with consumer finances

      The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced that it is turning to a largely unused legal provision to protect consumers from risky practices used by nonbanks and fintech companies.

      The agency said it will use conventional law enforcement and the leeway it’s allowed under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 to protect consumers' best interests and help level the playing field between banks and nonbanks. If necessary, officials said they will litigate issues in court.

      The CFPB has called on Dodd-Frank and the Consumer Protection Act a handful of times to conduct supervisory examinations to review the books and records of regulated entities in the last 10 years. In 2014, Bank of America was ordered to pay $727 million for deceptive marketing of credit card add-ons thanks to those two legal avenues. In 2015, it investigated companies that lied to consumers with ads for a mortgage payment program that promised tens of thousands of dollars in interest savings. In 2017, it went after Experian for misleading consumers about how their credit scores are used.

      By dusting off the rule, it's possible that the CFPB may also be looking to keep an eye on Big Tech companies and Buy Now Pay Later providers. Consumers groups have already urged the agency to find a way to regulate the latter.

      “Given the rapid growth of consumer offerings by nonbanks, the CFPB is now utilizing a dormant authority to hold nonbanks to the same standards that banks are held to,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. “This authority gives us critical agility to move as quickly as the market, allowing us to conduct examinations of financial companies posing risks to consumers and stop harm before it spreads.”

      Taking a supervisory role

      Before Dodd-Frank was enacted, only banks and credit unions were subject to federal supervision. But that was long before fintech companies – “nonbanks” that don’t operate with a charter like “real” banks do – came into vogue and subsequently played a significant role in the 2008 financial crisis.

      Soon after everything fell apart in 2008, Congress tasked the CFPB with supervising certain nonbanks, large depository institutions with more than $10 billion in assets, and other service providers.

      Among the entities that Congress gave the CFPB supervisory power over are payday loan industries and nonbank companies that deal with mortgages and private student loans, regardless of size. What the agency says it will be looking for in those categories is “reasonable cause” that a nonbank is acting in any fashion – regardless of financial product or service – that puts consumers at risk. 

      The CFPB said this allows it to be “agile and supervise entities that may be fast-growing or are in markets outside the existing nonbank supervision program.” Conduct that officials consider risky may involve potentially unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices – all items that it will be watching to pop up in reports from consumers, whistleblowers, and judicial opinions.

      “We call this scheme regulation by threat,” said Daniel Schwarcz, Professor of Law at the University of Minnesota Law School, and David Zaring, Associate Professor at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, in their analysis of Dodd-Frank and nonbanks.

      “The use of regulatory threats can, in the right circumstances and with the right constraints, induce caution in an industry inclined to risky behavior that is difficult to police.”

      The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced that it is turning to a largely unused legal provision to protect consumers from risky practices...

      Shopping around for car insurance almost always saves consumers money, survey finds

      Ninty-two percent of consumers who switched providers got a lower rate

      There are many ways to deal with rising inflation, but saving money on things you already pay for is a good place to start. For example, a new survey shows that shopping around for a better rate on car insurance almost always pays off.

      The survey by ValuePenguin shows that 92% of consumers who switched to another company saved money.

      “This impact was limited, however, as 65% of policyholders didn’t seek additional quotes during their renewal period,” the authors write, suggesting that they might have saved more if they did more legwork.

      Even so, some of the savings were substantial. The survey found that 26% of those who recently switched to a new insurer saved $200 or more per year.

      Rate optimization

      If you haven’t shopped around, chances are you are paying more than you should. The survey found that nearly 40% of auto insurance policyholders saw their rates increase during their most recent renewal period. According to ValuePenguin’s "State of Auto Insurance," rates were expected to increase by an average of 0.6% across the U.S. in 2022.

      There can be many reasons for that, but one of them may be something called “rate optimization.” In the past, some car insurance companies have slowly raised the rate on their long-time customers because they believe these people won't shop around.

      Jacqueline, of Queens, N.Y., told us she started shopping for a new provider when her Geico bill began to go up.  

      “They increase insurance rates rather than drop them for long-term customers,” Jacqueline wrote in a recent ConsumerAffairs review. “I am shopping around now to get the best deal because Geico is super expensive compared to other auto insurance companies. I have a good driving record and do not see the benefit.”

      For consumers who want to lower their car insurance bills, ConsumerAffairs has compiled some helpful advice here. The first thing we suggest is getting multiple quotes. You may be surprised at how the rates vary.

      How to lower your bill

      Another thing consumers should do is determine how much and what coverage they need. Liberty Mutal has incorporated this into its marketing strategy with the tagline “only pay for what you need.” However, nearly all insurance companies now tailor policies to customer needs.

      Many insurance companies offer a number of discounts, including safe driver discounts. When pricing a policy, ask what discounts are available. They may also offer lower prices when you bundle insurance policies. If you are a homeowner, it probably pays to have your homeowners insurance and car insurance with the same company.

      Consumers should also consider raising their deductible – the amount of money you will pay for a covered repair before the insurance kicks in. If you have ample savings and are willing to take on more risk yourself, you can save money each month by raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000.

      Finally, all consumers should take steps to raise your credit score. That’s one of the factors car insurance companies consider when they set rates. Paying all of your bills on time every month is the best and easiest way to raise your credit score and it will probably result in a more attractive rate on car insurance.

      There are many ways to deal with rising inflation, but saving money on things you already pay for is a good place to start. For example, a new survey shows...

      PTSD creates over $230 billion in annual health care costs, study finds

      This economic burden is much higher than care for other mental health conditions

      A new study conducted by researchers from the Veterans Affairs Research Communications explored the financial impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The team explained that PTSD creates over $230 billion annually in health care costs, which surpasses the cost of care for any other mental health condition. 

      “The $232 billion annual economic burden of PTSD in the U.S. demonstrated in this study is staggering and fuels the urgency for public and private stakeholders to work together to discover new and better treatments, reduce stigma, improve access to existing treatments, and expand evidence-based recovery and rehabilitation programs,” the researchers wrote

      The economic burden of PTSD

      For the study, the researchers analyzed government publications, insurance claim data, and academic literature to understand the costs related to PTSD. This included information on both civilian and U.S. military populations. 

      The researchers explained that 2018 was the latest year for which PTSD-related cost data was recorded. That year, the group estimates that total health care costs for PTSD exceeded $232 billion. 

      The study showed that civilian costs for PTSD totaled nearly $19,000 per person each year. That figure was nearly $26,000 for military personnel. The researchers explained that the burden among civilians comes from unemployment and general health care costs, whereas the use of disability programs is higher among military members. 

      Not just a military problem

      The study showed that all consumers are struggling with PTSD – not just veterans. Civilians account for more than 80% of total PTSD costs, while veterans and active military personnel make up less than 20%. 

      “Much of the research and legislative response on PTSD has focused on combat-exposed populations due to the high prevalence of the condition among the military population,” the researchers wrote. “However, the military population composed a small proportion of the overall U.S. population with PTSD. 

      “With the increasing occurrence of national and societal traumatic events around the world, including COVID-19, civil unrest, and climate change, there is mounting concern of an increase in PTSD and burden in the civilian population. As such, the current cost estimate is likely an underestimation given these recent global traumas, the effects of which would not have been captured and are likely to result in increasing negative repercussions.” 

      Improving PTSD treatment

      The goal moving forward is to improve treatment and rehabilitation programs for consumers struggling with PTSD. As these efforts get stronger, the researchers say the economic burden that is linked to the condition will likely decrease. 

      “Experts agree that there is a long-standing crisis in pharmacologic drug development for the treatment of PTSD, as no medication has been FDA-approved for PTSD since the only two marketed agents were approved 20 years ago,” the researchers explained.

      “A burden that is often ignored in economic calculations is the cost for psychotherapy not covered under health plans, which represents a significant out-of-pocket [expense] for someone with PTSD, as demonstrated in the current study.” 

      A new study conducted by researchers from the Veterans Affairs Research Communications explored the financial impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTS...

      Federal funding for biomedical research creates positive ripple effects, study finds

      Experts say these grants can help inspire more work that provides wide-reaching benefits

      A new study conducted by Ohio State University looked at the positive effects that come from federal funding for biomedical research. According to their findings, getting more funding can produce even more future research, make labs more professional, and kickstart careers for newer researchers. 

      “We see a great increase in productivity in publications directly linked to a grant but also in new studies that go beyond it,” said researcher Enrico Berkes. “There is this ripple effect where people supported by the grant also produce other quality work.” 

      “Funding is actually producing the kind of research that would lead to improvements in clinical outcomes for patients,” said researcher Bruce Weinberg.

      Making strides in medical research

      The researchers analyzed data from the UMETRICS dataset from the Institute for Research on Innovation and Science. They were able to look at how funding is dispersed on sponsored research projects from 72 universities. This study focused on federal funding given to research projects from 1985 through 2020. 

      The study showed that research labs were able to do even more work with more funding. The more work they produced, the more professional their labs became and the more jobs they were able to open up and give to budding researchers. 

      “One hypothesis would be that as teams grow larger, they would become more bureaucratic, and it would become more difficult to produce quality science,” said Berkes. “But we found that labs kept productivity up, likely because they became more professionalized.” 

      The team explained that this increase in research often doesn’t have anything to do with the subject matter of the original project that was being funded. Instead, co-authors on that project or graduate students involved in the research can start work on new projects that may help kickstart their careers.

      “We can see how research funding is jump-starting the careers of trainees who take what they learn while working on these funded projects, and the collaborators they met on the grant, and start investigating other important issues,” said Weinberg. 

      This is important to know because many of these projects are focused on medical research and ways to improve consumers’ health outcomes. The team hopes this report can help shed light on the wide-reaching benefits associated with federal funding for medical research. 

      “Funders tend to focus, understandably, on the impact of their money on the specific issue they funded,” Berkes said. “But they should be aware of how their funding moves through a wide range of people and produces benefits they may not have expected.” 

      A new study conducted by Ohio State University looked at the positive effects that come from federal funding for biomedical research. According to their fi...

      Nearly half a million Toyota and Lexus vehicles recalled

      The stability control system may not activate on startup

      Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 458,054 of the following vehicles:

      • Model year 2022 Lexus LX, Lexus NX HEV, Lexus NX PHEV, & Toyota RAV4 HEV, and
      • Model year 2021-2022 Lexus LS HEV, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna & Venza, and model year 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander HEV vehicles.

      The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system.

      Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.

      What to do

      Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 16, 2022.

      Owners may contact Toyota customer service at (800) 331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03; Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.

      Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 458,054 of the following vehicles: Model year 2022 Lexus LX, Lexus NX HEV, Lexus NX PHEV, & Toyota RA...

      Coronavirus update: Hospital patients have trouble recovering

      Researchers say a new drug has shown promise in a clinical trial

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

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 80,995,048 (80,971,930)

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 991,360 (991,211)

      Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 509,805,166 (509,222,272)

      Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,218,898 (6,217,289)‌

      Hospitalized patients have trouble overcoming COVID-19

      If a COVID-19 infection requires hospital treatment, a new study shows that the patient has a long road to complete recovery. Researchers in the U.K. report that only 29% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are completely free of symptoms a year later.

      The study tracked 2,300 recovered COVID-19 patients who spent time in a hospital. It found that women were 33% less likely than men to fully recover from their illness.

      The study also found that if a hospitalized patient was on a ventilator, they were 58% less likely to fully recover. If the hospitalized patient was obese, they were 50% less likely to fully recover.

      New drug shown to effectively clear the virus

      A Japanese drug company, Shionogi & Co Ltd, has produced an experimental drug that researchers say rapidly clears the virus that causes COVID-19. The drug, called S-217622, is a pill that has just completed a clinical trial.

      The report, released Sunday, said the drug was most effective against five COVID-19 symptoms that are associated with fever and respiratory issues.

      The company said it is planning a worldwide clinical trial and has received developmental support from the U.S. government.

      White House reportedly will seek more COVID-19 funds

      Congress returns this week, and one Biden administration official tells NBC News that the White House will seek additional money to combat the pandemic. Just before the Congressional recess, the Senate rejected a request for another $10 billion in funds.

      Some Republicans and Democrats in the Senate had reached an outline of the funding bill before the recess. Under the agreement, half of the money would be used to pay for vaccinations and the other half to purchase drugs to treat the virus.

      Around the nation

      • New York: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its COVID-19 threat assessment for New York and is recommending that masks be worn in indoor public spaces in 23 counties due to a rising number of cases. All of the counties are located in upstate New York.

      • Wisconsin: After slowing for months, cases of COVID-19 are increasing once again across the state. Last week’s seven-day average of new cases was around 830. That’s more than double the number from a month earlier.

      • California: State health officials report that the COVID-19 positivity rate has spiked by more than 47%, mainly because of the spread of a subvariant of the Omicron variant. The subvariant of BA.2, called BA.2.12.2, is causing most of the new infections, which are described as less severe.

      • Ohio: State lawmakers have introduced legislation that would protect and expand access to drugs and treatments for COVID-19 patients, some of which are not approved by federal health authorities for treatment of the virus. The measure allows a patient and health care provider to make the decision.

      • Hawaii: Police have charged a 28-year-old woman with wire fraud, accusing her of selling fake COVID-19 test results to people traveling to Hawaii. The state requires anyone traveling to the island to test negative for the virus before arriving.

      COVID-19 ‌tally‌ ‌as‌ ‌‌compiled‌‌ ‌by‌ ‌Johns‌ ‌Hopkins‌ ‌University.‌ ‌(Previous‌ ‌numbers‌ ‌in‌ ‌parentheses.)‌Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 80...

      Hawaiian Airlines to provide free internet service to travelers

      The airline is one of many trying to upgrade its services in the post-pandemic world

      At a time when travelers are being asked to pay for almost anything an airline can turn into ancillary revenue, Hawaiian Airlines is taking a step in the other direction.

      On Monday, the airline announced that it’s struck an agreement with Starlink – the satellite internet company operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX – to provide complimentary broadband internet access to all guests onboard several of its aircraft that fly between the Hawaiian Islands and the continental U.S, Asia, Australia, and other countries. 

      Timing is everything, and Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram said the time had come to make internet access free.

      “We waited until technology caught up with our high standards for guest experience, but it will be worth the wait,” Ingram said.

      Jonathan Hofeller, SpaceX's Vice President of Starlink Commerical Sales, echoed Ingram's statement and said his company is ready to provide a premium service to consumers flying with Hawaiian Airlines.

      “Hawaiian Airlines is ensuring its passengers will experience high-speed internet the way we expect it in the 21st century, making hassles like downloading movies before takeoff a relic of the past,” he said.

      According to the announcement, the experience will be as simple as anyone could make it. Hofeller said passengers will be able to access the internet “seamlessly.” the moment they step onboard a plane.

      Airlines put their best foot forward

      Pent-up demand for travel is picking up now that some of the concerns linked to the COVID-19 pandemic have started to subside, and airlines have been bulking up their customer service to impress returning travelers as best they can.

      When it comes to “value spent,” travel analysts recently found that Hawaiian Airlines offers the most rewards value. American Airlines is stepping up its own game by promising reliability. Southwest has also rolled out new fares, and Delta changed its rewards program to make it easier to gain elite status.

      Angelina, from Sparks, Nevada, recently gave Hawaiian Airlines her vote of confidence based on a flight she took with her husband in January.

      “We had the best experience in checking in. Everyone at the counter were very helpful and friendly. It’s been one of the best travel experience[s] we had. Cabin crews were also very friendly,” she wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review.

      To read more reviews about the carrier, visit the company's ConsumerAffairs profile page here.

      At a time when travelers are being asked to pay for almost anything an airline can turn into ancillary revenue, Hawaiian Airlines is taking a step in the o...