Current Events in April 2022

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    Audi recalls A8s, S6 Sedans, S7s, S8s, and RS7s

    The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked

    Audi is recalling 26,053 model year 2013-2017 A8s, S6 Sedans, S7s, S8s, and model year 2014-2017 RS7s.

    The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to a lack of lubrication.

    Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.

    What to do

    Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change free of charge.

    Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 20, 2022.

    Owners may contact Audi customer service at (800) 253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 21H7.

    Audi is recalling 26,053 model year 2013-2017 A8s, S6 Sedans, S7s, S8s, and model year 2014-2017 RS7s.The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become b...

    Fruit Fresh Up recalls fresh-cut fruit, vegetable products, and ready-to-eat dips

    The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

    Fruit Fresh Up is recalling various fresh-cut fruit and vegetable products and ready-to-eat dips.

    The products, which were processed at the firm's Depew, N.Y., facility, may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

    No illnesses have been reported to date.

    The recalled fruits and vegetables are packaged in clear plastic containers with a tamper-evident seal and a “Best if Used By” date between March 5, 2022, and March 23, 2022.

    The ready-to-eat dips come in 7-oz. clear plastic clamshell containers with a Best if Used By date of March 15, 2022, to March 31, 2022.

    A list of all the recalled products, sold in New York and surrounding states, may be found here.

    What to do

    Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them. Instead, they should discard them immediately.

    Consumers with questions may contact the company at (716) 684-3400 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ET).

    Fruit Fresh Up is recalling various fresh-cut fruit and vegetable products and ready-to-eat dips.The products, which were processed at the firm's Depew...

    CFPB sues TransUnion for allegedly deceiving consumers

    The agency says the company offered 'free' credit scores that weren't actually free

    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has filed a lawsuit against one of the three largest U.S. credit reporting agencies, TransUnion, for violating a 2017 order that is intended to protect consumers from deceptive marketing tied to their credit scores.

    The agency claimed that even though TransUnion agreed to stop duping consumers four years ago, it disregarded the order’s stipulations and instead continued employing “deceitful digital dark patterns” in order to sweeten its revenue stream to the tune of $3 billion for 2021. Its complaint alleges that TransUnion also violated other consumer financial protection laws, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.

    “TransUnion is an out-of-control repeat offender that believes it is above the law,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. “I am concerned that TransUnion’s leadership is either unwilling or incapable of operating its businesses lawfully.”

    In response to the suit, TransUnion said it made efforts to appease the CFPB.

    "Despite TransUnion’s months-long, good faith efforts to resolve this matter, CFPB’s current leadership refused to meet with us and were determined to litigate and seek headlines through press releases and tweets. The CFPB’s unrealistic and unworkable demands have left us with no alternative but to defend ourselves fully."

    Failure to maintain consumer trust

    Consumers typically feel that they can count on credit reporting agencies to create accurate credit reports to help banks, credit card companies, and other lenders ascertain how creditworthy they are and how much debt they can safely handle. However, the CFPB cites consumer reports in saying that TransUnion has struggled to maintain that trust. At least one ConsumerAffairs reviewer feels the same way.

    “I got on the Transunion website to access my free credit report. But because of their deceptive website, I ended up signing up for a subscription that costs $25 a month without realizing it,” wrote Janissa from Wayan, Idaho.

    “Nowhere on the page did it say anything about a charge. I thought I was just creating a free account in order to see my credit report. BEWARE when using Transunion!”

    Trap doors and hidden tricks

    What Janissa alluded to may be one of the “dark patterns” that the CFPB referred to. The agency said companies sometimes build in hidden tricks or trapdoors to get consumers to inadvertently click links, sign up for subscriptions, or purchase products or services. Worse yet, these dark patterns can complicate or hide information that makes it harder for consumers to do simple tasks like canceling a subscription service.

    One example the agency gave relates to the free credit reports Americans are entitled to – in TransUnion’s case, annualcreditreport.com. Officials say TransUnion asked consumers to verify their identity by entering in information from a credit card on the site.

    Where TransUnion crossed the line in the CFPB’s mind is that it then integrated deceptive buttons into the online interface that gave the consumer the impression that they could also access a free credit score on top of viewing their free credit report. But when reality kicked in, clicking that button actually signed consumers up for recurring monthly charges that used the credit card information they had provided.

    Caught in TransUnion’s web?

    The CFPB is seeking monetary relief for consumers, as well as compensation for unjust gains, injunctive relief, and civil money penalties. However, consumers need to know that the CFPB's action is not a final finding or ruling that the defendants have violated the law.

    Individuals, including current or former employees, with information related to any misconduct by TransUnion can report it to the CFPB by e-mailing whistleblower@cfpb.gov or by calling the Whistleblower Tip Line at (855) 695-7974. You can learn more about being a whistleblower here.  

    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has filed a lawsuit against one of the three largest U.S. credit reporting agencies, TransUnion, for violat...

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      Coronavirus update: Masks are back on in Philadelphia

      A clinic has started to treat ‘long COVID’

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

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 80,449,398 (80,387,143)

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 985,826 (985,436)

      Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 499,748,065 (499,564,212)

      Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,181,560 (6,113,040)‌

      Masks are going back on in Philadelphia

      City officials in Philadelphia have reimposed a mask mandate for indoor public spaces. The order is in response to a marked increase in COVID-19 cases and makes Philadelphia the first major U.S. city to resume requirements for masking up in public.

      Public health reports show that cases of the virus are up more than 50% in the past 10 days. Doctors say the increase is mostly being caused by the highly-transmissible BA.2 subvariant of the Omicron variant.

      Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, the city’s health commissioner, says the move is being made to head off a worsening outbreak. She notes that in the last two years, each outbreak of cases has been followed by a large increase in hospitalizations.

      Clinic established to treat ‘long COVID’

      A condition known as “long COVID” – which is characterized by symptoms that linger long after the patient has recovered – has become so common that a clinic is being set up just to treat it. The Iowa Heart Center has opened a clinic in Des Moines that aims to provide treatment for the long-term effects of COVID-19.

      Right from the start, research has suggested that even people with mild COVID-19 symptoms can be vulnerable to developing ailments like heart and lung disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends these patients undergo close monitoring of organ functionality.

      The clinic will treat and monitor patients while offering holistic health management. Doctors hope it will allow for early detection and prevent long-term systemic damage from the virus.

      Research promotes dietary supplements as ‘healthy’ weapon

      Medical experts at Tel Aviv University (TAU) have published a study that explores the role of dietary supplements in protecting people from COVID-19. They say the “healthy” supplements are not only effective against the virus but also against other wintertime illnesses.

      The researchers say that vaccines and antiviral drugs have been shown to be effective, but they note that the virus changes frequently, in some cases spinning off variants.

      "To address the rapid changes of the virus, we decided to develop active vaccines made of safe and easily obtainable dietary supplements, that would reduce the viral load in the body and cut down contagion,” said Prof. Ehud Gazit, one of the researchers. “We have known for years that food supplements containing zinc can enhance immunity to severe, viral, and chronic infections and their potentially grave consequences."

      Around the nation

      • Connecticut: The Connecticut Department of Social Services has announced that it will deliver more than $34.7 million in Emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to approximately 216,700 Connecticut households on Friday. The provisions are authorized under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. It will provide a minimum of $95 in extra food aid to all enrolled families and individuals, raising the state’s total emergency SNAP funding to over $679.7 million since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

      • California: The state Department of Public Health has stopped issuing weekday updates on COVID-19 data, including test positivity, hospitalizations, deaths, and vaccinations. It now publishes those numbers just two days a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. Some counties have since followed suit with their local dashboards.

      • Alaska: The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is teaming up with two federal agencies to screen wildlife for COVID-19. Scientists want to make sure that a new variant doesn’t emerge in animals that will then infect people. 

      • Minnesota: State health officials say the BA.2 subvariant of the Omicron variant is causing the most cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota. Scientists who have studied Minneapolis wastewater report that 81% of samples in the seven-county metro area are BA.2 positive.

      • Florida: Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeal has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit against the state that was brought by Orlando bar owners who claimed they were harmed financially by a state order that closed their establishments at the beginning of the pandemic. The lawsuit had argued that the state acted outside its authority.

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

      Google files lawsuit to stop alleged puppy scam

      The complaint alleges that the scheme targeted older Americans

      The “puppy scam” has been around for a long time, but it found new life during the pandemic when pet adoptions skyrocketed.

      Google has filed a lawsuit against an offshore operator, claiming that the defendant used an elaborate network of websites, phone numbers using Google Voice, and Gmail accounts to appear to be a major breeder of purebred basset hound puppies.

      Citing Better Business Bureau data, Google Senior Counsel Mike Trinh and Google CyberCrime Investigation Group Manager Albert Shin say pet scams now make up 35% of all online shopping scams reported to the organization.

      How pet scams work

      Pet scams follow a typical pattern. A victim responds to an online ad with a photo of a pet for sale. The price that’s quoted is about average for the particular pet, often a bit less.

      But after a week or so, the victim is contacted again and told there is an issue with delivery. The transaction will cost an additional amount of money, maybe as much as $2,000. Because the victim has now emotionally bonded with the pet, maybe even posting the picture on social media, they are often inclined to pay it.

      Of course, the pet never arrives and the “breeder” disappears – along with the money that was paid in an untraceable form, often using gift cards. 

      “Sadly, this scam disproportionately targeted older Americans, who can be more vulnerable to cyberattacks,” Trinh and Shin say. “The FTC and FBI report that older people are scammed out of an estimated $650 million per year.”

      Look for red flags

      The American Kennel Club says these types of scams always have “red flags” and that consumers seeking to purchase a puppy should watch out for them. One of the biggest red flags is the type of payment that's requested – the “breeder” won’t accept a credit card but demands some odd payment form like gift cards or bitcoin.

      Another red flag is that the seller will avoid talking on the phone and will only communicate electronically. Likewise, the victim won’t be allowed to see the puppy on a video call.

      The photo that the scammer uses may be a stock image or a photo that they downloaded from the internet. To check it out, Google recommends performing a reverse image search. Using Google Chrome, place the cursor over the photo and right-click, then choose the option “Search Google for image.” If that picture shows up in a number of places, Google says you’re likely dealing with a scam.

      Google's lawsuit is the first step in a new strategy. The company said it is moving beyond trying to raise public awareness about scams and is now targeting “bad actors” with legal action that will set a legal precedent, disrupting the tools used by scammers, and increasing the consequences for people who steal from consumers.

      The “puppy scam” has been around for a long time, but it found new life during the pandemic when pet adoptions skyrocketed.Google has filed a lawsuit a...

      Consumer prices jump 8.5% in March

      Inflation is at its highest level since 1981

      The cost of living continued to move higher in March, fueled by rising prices of gasoline, food, and housing.

      The Labor Department reports that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 1.2% from February to March and is up 8.5% over the last 12 months, the highest annual inflation reading since 1981.

      The price of gasoline rose by 18.3% in March and was a major driver of inflation; it has increased by 48% over the last 12 months. The food index rose 1%, and the cost of food prepared and consumed at home gained 1.5%.

      “The shelter index was by far the biggest factor in the increase, with a broad set of other indexes also contributing, including those for airline fares, household furnishings and operations, medical care, and motor vehicle insurance,” the Labor Department said in its release

      Wake-up call

      The only good news in the March numbers was the price of used cars. After months of steady increases due to the new car shortage, the index for used cars and trucks fell 3.8% over the month. But economist Joel Naroff, of Naroff Economics, says the March inflation report should be a wake-up call.

      “The scary part is we’re pushing toward double-digit inflation and no one wants to see that,” Naroff told ConsumerAffairs. “No one wants to see 8.5% inflation.”

      Naroff says housing inflation is being driven by a shortage of homes for sale, which has pushed prices consistently higher. 

      “I mean, you’re talking about a six month supply of houses in most places, less than that in some areas,” he said. “Houses are on the market three to five days and if you’re on the market more than five days people wonder what’s wrong with your house.”

      More pressure on the Fed

      The latest inflation numbers, while not unexpected, will likely put even more pressure on the Federal Reserve to take action to curb rising prices. The Fed is widely expected to hike the federal funds rate by 50 basis points at next month’s meeting. 

      Naroff said he would not rule out a 75 basis point hike, which would further increase the borrowing costs on auto loans and credit card payments. It all adds up, he says, to growing financial pressure on consumers.

      “If you go through the details of food costs, every category is showing large increases over the year,” Naroff said. “With rent also jumping, the staples of life, food, energy, and shelter, are likely forcing some people to do without.”    

      The cost of living continued to move higher in March, fueled by rising prices of gasoline, food, and housing.The Labor Department reports that the Cons...

      Preschoolers can improve their reading skills in virtual classrooms, study finds

      Experts say these online spaces can help young kids hit academic milestones

      A new study conducted by the University of Washington explored one of the benefits of kids participating in virtual school programs. According to their findings, young kids are likely to see major improvements in their reading abilities when participating in virtual classrooms. 

      “Children are ready to learn to read at the age of 5,” said researcher Patricia Kuhl. “But the pandemic robbed children of the opportunity for in-person reading instruction. What we’ve shown here is that an online Reading Camp designed to promote learning socially works phenomenally well. An online camp can be used all over the world by children anywhere, and that is truly exciting.” 

      Making the most of virtual platforms

      For the study, the researchers analyzed data from 83 five-year-olds who participated in the two-week online reading program in the fall of 2020. The classes were three hours per day with several breaks, and each class had two instructors and six students.

      The sessions focused on important literacy skills and utilized activities that were both engaging and informative for the kids. To understand the effect these lessons had on the kids, the researchers assessed their literacy skills both before and after the classes. 

      The team learned that these online classes led to significant improvements in the kids’ reading abilities. Compared to kids their age who didn’t participate in these lessons, the participants were able to show more improvement in their overall literacy by the end of the study. The researchers saw noticeable improvements in the kids’ abilities to recognize lowercase letters, identify letter sounds, and their general phonological awareness. 

      “Frankly, I had my doubts about whether 5-year-olds could learn to read live online without a live tutor,” Kuhl said. “But when I saw these 5-year-olds on Zoom laughing and encouraging each other to listen and hold up the right color egg, I was amazed. Their social connections to each other were obvious, and their learning was incredible. They called each other by name and seemed very eager to see each other on the screen.” 

      While this was a short study, the researchers explained that these findings indicate that there are benefits associated with online classes for kindergarten-aged children. Kickstarting literacy training, even online, can help develop and sharpen the skills necessary to learn to read. 

      “This shows that we can actually teach kids online if we’re using the correct methodology, keeping them engaged, and they’re interacting socially with their peers and teachers,” said researcher Yael Weiss-Zruya. 

      A new study conducted by the University of Washington explored one of the benefits of kids participating in virtual school programs. According to their fin...

      Study identifies five childhood risk factors that may predict cardiovascular disease

      Experts say blood pressure and cholesterol are important factors in long-term heart health

      A new study conducted by researchers from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute identified five childhood risk factors that may predict future cardiovascular disease. 

      According to their findings, youth smoking, high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels, high body mass index scores, and high cholesterol levels during childhood were all linked with a higher risk of heart disease into adulthood. 

      “Despite the effect medical and surgical care has had on treating heart disease, the major impact will depend on effective preventive strategies,” said researcher Terency Dwyer. “This study confirms that prevention should begin in childhood. 

      Identifying preventative strategies

      The researchers analyzed data from nearly 40,000 participants from Australia, Finland, and the U.S. for the study. Participants started the study between the ages of 3 and 19 years old, and the team tracked their health outcomes for 35 to 50 years. 

      Ultimately, the researchers found five major risk factors that either individually, or in combination with each other, significantly impact the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. Having high blood pressure, high BMI scores, high cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, or smoking during childhood were all associated with an increased risk of heart concerns, including heart attack and stroke. 

      The researchers explained that these heart health risks presented themselves as early as 40 years old. With this information, the team hopes more work will be done to prevent these risk factors and promote long-term health during childhood and beyond. 

      “While this evidence had not been available previously, the findings were not entirely surprising as it had been known for some time that children as young as five already showed signs of fatty deposits in arteries. This new evidence justified a greater emphasis on programs to prevent the development of these risk factors in children. Clinicians and public health professionals should now start to focus on how this might best be achieved," Dwyer said. 

      “While interventions in adulthood like improving diet, quitting smoking, and being more active, and taking appropriate medications to reduce risk factors are helpful, it is likely that there is much more that can be done during childhood and adolescence to reduce lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease.” 

      A new study conducted by researchers from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute identified five childhood risk factors that may predict future cardiovascul...

      Ford recalls Mavericks, Expeditions, Lincoln Navigators, and F-series trucks

      A towed trailer's brakes may fail

      Ford Motor Company is recalling 391,836 model year 2021-2022 F-150s, and model year 2022 Mavericks, Expeditions, Lincoln Navigators, F-250s, F-350s, F-450s, and F-550s.

      Due to a software error, a towed trailer equipped with an electric or electric-over hydraulic brake system may not brake.

      Loss of trailer brake functionality could result in an extended stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.

      What to do

      Dealers will update the integrated trailer brake control module software free of charge.

      Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 18, 2022.

      Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S17.

      Ford Motor Company is recalling 391,836 model year 2021-2022 F-150s, and model year 2022 Mavericks, Expeditions, Lincoln Navigators, F-250s, F-350s, F-450s...

      Mercedes-Benz recalls model year 2022 S580Zs, S500Vs, and S580Vs

      The rear axle carrier may fail

      Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling eleven model year 2022 S580Zs, S500Vs, and S580Vs.

      The subframe weld for the thrust arm on the rear axle carrier may have been improperly welded, causing the thrust arm to break and detach.

      A detached thrust arm can cause a sudden loss of vehicle control or cause the vehicle to pull to one side during emergency braking, increasing the risk of a crash.

      What to do

      Dealers will inspect the sub frame weld on the rear axle carrier and replace the rear axle carrier -- as necessary -- free of charge. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed.

      Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 24, 2022.

      Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at (800) 367-6372.

      Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling eleven model year 2022 S580Zs, S500Vs, and S580Vs.The subframe weld for the thrust arm on the rear axle carrier...

      Senate considers bill to ban unruly passengers from flying

      A flight attendants union believes the move is necessary

      A bill designed to protect airline crew members, security screening personnel, and passengers by banning abusive travelers from commercial aircraft flights has been introduced in the U.S. Senate.

      Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), the lawmaker behind the effort, said his Protection from Abusive Passengers Act is directed at “eliminating the rash of violence and abuse” travelers have been facing for more than two years.

      Despite the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) trying everything from fines to turning unruly passengers over to the FBI for criminal review, some flyers continue to disrupt flights with their behaviors. The FAA’s latest report on the situation shows that there have been 1,081 reports of unruly passengers so far this year.

      "The goal of our bill is to send a clear signal that individuals who engage in serious abusive or violent behavior on an aircraft or at an airport security checkpoint will be banned from flying,” Reed said in introducing the bill. “Clearly, the existing regime of civil and criminal penalties has not been enough to deter the upsurge in cases. We need to send a signal that such types of behavior will not be tolerated.”

      The bill is also being introduced in the House by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Eric Swalwell (D-CA).

      Flight attendants applaud proposal

      If the legislation makes it to President Biden’s desk and gets his signature, it should give airline officials enough muscle to affect real change. If passed, the legislation would require the TSA to create and manage a program that would ban certain disruptive or violent passengers from ever stepping foot on a commercial airline. The bill would also permanently ban abusive passengers from participating in the TSA PreCheck or Customs' Global Entry programs.

      Flight attendants – who have borne the brunt of much of the abuse – are cheerleading Reed’s efforts wholeheartedly. 

      "It’s about time we take real action to keep Flight Attendants and passengers safe in the air. Senator Reed and Representative Swalwell are heroes for introducing the legislation to protect Flight Attendants and Passenger Service Agents,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, a group that represents nearly 50,000 Flight Attendants at 17 airlines. 

      “Violence and disruptions put everyone at risk and disrupts the safety of flight," Nelson added. "That is never acceptable. We've been punched, kicked, spit on, and sexually assaulted. We urge members of Congress to co-sign this bill and pass this legislation without delay. Hold violent passengers accountable, protect aviation workers and improve aviation safety.”

      A bill designed to protect airline crew members, security screening personnel, and passengers by banning abusive travelers from commercial aircraft flights...

      Coronavirus update: Health experts worry about undetected spread

      Cases have jumped sharply higher in New York City

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

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 80,399,474 (80,269,527)

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 985,482 (984,573)

      Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 498,154,313 (496,455,668)

      Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,176,420 (6,167,708)‌

      Health experts worry about undetected spread

      As cases of the coronavirus began to decline in February, most states relaxed their COVID-19 mitigation measures. Along with expiring mask mandates, many states reduced testing.

      That worries some health experts who say a surge in U.S. cases, similar to what many other countries are now experiencing, could be hard to detect. They argue that testing and viral sequencing are critical to a quick response to an outbreak of the virus.

      “There’s always more spread than we can detect,” Abraar Karan, an infectious disease physician at Stanford University, told Bloomberg.  “That’s true even more so now than earlier in the pandemic.” 

      Cases are up sharply in New York City

      New York City is experiencing a sharp increase in new cases of COVID-19, and one of the latest to be infected is Mayor Eric Adams. Over the weekend, Adams tweeted that he had tested positive but is experiencing minimal symptoms.

      In the last 14 days, New York City’s average daily case count has risen by 49%, to 1,688. Statewide, new cases are up 61%.

      Officials say most of the new infections are being caused by the fast-spreading BA.2 subvariant of the Omicron variant. Even though the subvariant appears to be milder, hospitalizations have risen in New York by 2%.

      Researchers still working on COVID-19 tests

      Operating under the assumption that the world will have to live with COVID-19 for the foreseeable future, academic researchers continue to develop new tests to detect the virus. Many of the new efforts focus on increasing the speed of test results. A University of Georgia nanotechnology research group is using optical sensors to detect the virus quickly and accurately.

      “Right now, we already have rapid antigen test kits available on the market, though the big issue continues to be the high rate of false positives, around 60%,” said Yanjun Yang, a doctoral student at the UGA College of Engineering and lead author on the new paper.

      Researchers at the University of Florida have helped develop a COVID-19 testing device that can detect coronavirus infections in as little as 30 seconds. They say the test is as sensitive and accurate as a PCR test, which is the gold standard of testing. 

      Around the nation

      • Pennsylvania:  Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg is being recognized by the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania for the creative way it approached the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospital is being honored for quickly setting up an alternative testing site to meet the needs of the community by using a drive-through method. The hospital's work made it possible to separate people who only needed tests from those who required emergency treatment.

      • Florida: Cases of COVID-19 have increased for the first time in nine weeks along Florida’s central Atlantic coast. The Florida Department of Health on Friday reported 312 cases in Brevard County, or 51 cases per 100,000 population compared to 26.3 cases per 100,000 population from the last period. 

      • Maine: The state government will distribute more than 1 million free COVID-19 tests to schools for use by students and staff. The at-home tests are being purchased with federal funds and distributed to any Maine schools that choose to participate.

      • Colorado: The Colorado Department of Public Health has suspended Centennial-based Health Now Medical from the COVID-19 vaccination program. The agency said it has determined that a small number of patients received vaccine doses that may not be effective. It said the facility wasn’t properly storing the vaccine.

      • Hawaii: With COVID-19 cases declining, Hawaii's transportation officials have allowed the resumption of inter-island cruises for the first time in two years. However, The Pride of America Cruise ship will operate at only 50% capacity.

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

      Consumers went $42 billion deeper into debt in February

      Credit card debt registered the biggest increase

      With inflation ratcheting higher to start 2022, a new report from the Federal Reserve shows consumers tapped into a massive amount of credit in February.

      Consumer debt increased by almost $42 billion between January and February to a total of nearly $4.5 trillion. That works out to an 11.3% annual increase and far outpaces the 2.4% growth rate in January.

      Not surprisingly, credit cards played a major role in the increase. The Fed’s report shows that revolving credit, which includes credit cards, increased by nearly 21% to about $1.1 trillion. Revolving credit debt rose by just 4% in January.

      The growth in credit card debt just as inflation kicked into high gear may be an ominous sign.

      Rod Griffin, senior director of Public Education and Advocacy at Experian, says it is easy for consumers to get overwhelmed by credit card debt if they don’t have spending under control, a task made harder by rising prices.

      “This is a responsibility that always needs attention,” Griffin told ConsumerAffairs. “It is really difficult to build a plan to pay off debt or accumulate savings if you don’t know where your money is going and how much of it is available.”

      Griffin says consumers should look at their debit and credit card statements, track their income and expenses, and automate savings if possible.

      “If they cannot pay the balance in full each month, consumers should aim to keep their total credit card balance under 30% of their credit limit to maintain a good credit score,” he said.

      Credit card rates are headed higher

      The news may get worse in the months ahead. Even if consumers don’t increase their credit card debt beyond February’s surge the cost of servicing it will continue to rise. The Fed has signaled that its plans to continue raising the federal funds rate this year to combat inflation. Unfortunately, whenever that rate goes up, so do credit card interest rates.

      WalletHub recently reported that the average credit card interest rate is 18.32% for new offers and 14.51% for existing accounts. Carrying a balance at those rates will make it difficult to pay off – especially since the average rate is expected to move even higher.

      With inflation ratcheting higher to start 2022, a new report from the Federal Reserve shows consumers tapped into a massive amount of credit in February....

      Used car prices rise more than 30% in February

      The cost of buying hybrid and electric vehicles increased the most

      The prices of used cars continued their double-digit increase in March, rising an average of 30.4% on an annual basis. That compares to a 35% gain in February, according to an analysis by iSeeCars.com.

      With gas prices well over $4 a gallon in many areas, it may not be a surprise that hybrid and electric vehicles were the most in-demand and had the highest prices increases. Hybrid used car prices were up 40.5% and EV used car prices were 36.3% higher, the analysis shows.

      “After coming down for the second consecutive month, used car prices remain elevated due to lingering supply constraints, and could rise again due to geopolitical factors as Russia is a key supplier of materials used to make car parts and microchips,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. 

      Fuel efficiency now in demand

      Brauer says fuel-efficient vehicles are generally seeing stronger demand, as consumers who purchased vehicles last month looked for cars that would save money at the gas pump.

      In fact, the top ten vehicles with the greatest price increases have risen 1.4 times to 2.1 times higher than the average vehicle’s price increase and are primarily small, relatively affordable cars and alternative-fuel vehicles. 

      The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid registered the largest price increase of any used vehicle last month. In March 2021, the car went for an average price of $9,911. Last month, consumers paid an average of $25,620 – an increase of nearly 64%.

      The Kia Rio sold for nearly 50% more than last year. All of the vehicles on the list sold for at least 42% more than in March 2021.

      Main driver of inflation

      Used car prices remain a major driver of inflation because of the shortage of new cars and trucks. Demand for used vehicles is running well ahead of last year. Even so, Brauer says there are some relative bargains.

      “The Kia Rio, Chevrolet Spark, and Mitsubishi Mirage subcompact cars are among the lowest-cost vehicles on the market, while the Kia Forte and Kia Soul are among the lowest-priced options in their respective vehicle classes,” he said. “These vehicles, priced at $20,000 and below, are attainable for new drivers and those looking for affordable transportation, even after their large increase in price over the past year.”

      The list of cars with the smallest price increase is dominated by luxury names and SUVs. Used luxury cars were already pricey, and SUVs have suddenly fallen out of favor because of fuel prices.

      Brauer says the car shortage is likely to last even longer than previously expected because of the sanctions against Russia. His advice to consumers is to put off a purchase if possible. Otherwise, he says consumers should be willing to make compromises on colors and options.

      The prices of used cars continued their double-digit increase in March, rising an average of 30.4% on an annual basis. That compares to a 35% gain in Febru...

      Many dog owners don't follow guidelines on pet food handling, study finds

      Experts say these measures help keep pets and owners safe

      A new study conducted by researchers from North Carolina State University explored how ignoring pet food handling guidelines may pose health risks to consumers and their pets

      According to the findings, many dog owners are unaware of important guidelines regarding handling dog food. They explained that dog food bowls are a breeding ground for many kinds of bacteria and that it’s important for consumers to keep things clean to avoid contamination. 

      “Most pet owners are unaware that pet food bowls can be a hidden source of bacteria in the household,” the researchers wrote. “Knowing how to mitigate this risk and practice proper pet food storage and hygiene may make for a happier, healthier household.” 

      Avoiding health risks

      The researchers divided the study into two parts to better understand consumers’ knowledge of FDA guidelines for handling pet food and the potential health risks for both dog owners and their pets when these guidelines fall by the wayside. 

      The first part of the study included a survey of nearly 420 dog owners. The researchers asked respondents if they were aware of the FDA’s pet food handling guidelines and if they followed them. It was overwhelmingly clear that the dog owners were unaware of the FDA guidelines; just five percent of the group reported knowing about the precautions to take when feeding their pets. Additionally, just one-third of the survey respondents said they washed their hands before and after feeding their pets. 

      To understand the health risks associated with ignoring these guidelines, the researchers tested nearly 70 dog bowls for different kinds of bacteria. They then had the dog owners handle their pet’s food in a variety of different ways for one week. When the owners followed the FDA guidelines, the dog bowls were much less likely to be contaminated with any kind of bacteria. 

      Following the FDA guidelines

      While the team plans to do more work in this area to better understand the health risks for dog owners and their pets, they hope these findings encourage consumers to follow the FDA’s guidelines for handling pet food. 

      Some of their tips include: 

      • Washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds before and after feeding and any snacks.

      • Washing food bowls and utensils with soap and hot water after each use.

      • Using clean utensils to scoop pet food for each use.

      • Throwing out old pet food in a safe way.

      Consumers can view all of the FDA's safety tips by visiting the agency's website here

      A new study conducted by researchers from North Carolina State University explored how ignoring pet food handling guidelines may pose health risks to consu...

      Virtual cooking classes expand kids' knowledge of nutrition, study finds

      Researchers say these classes help bring families together to learn about healthy eating

      While recent studies have shown that exposing kids to healthy cooking shows can help them make healthier choices, a new study explored how virtual cooking classes can also be beneficial to their health. 

      Experts found that kids who participate in virtual cooking classes are likely to expand their knowledge of nutrition. 

      “Amid parental concerns regarding poor nutrition and lack of cooking skills among youth in Flint, Michigan, a team of local dietitians, chefs, and researchers created Flint Kids Cook (FKC),” the researchers wrote. “A trained chef and registered dietitian co-facilitated interactive lessons designed to increase knowledge and develop skills to prepare healthy meals and snacks at home. FKC demonstrated early success in reaching low-income youth and improving cooking self-efficacy, attitude towards cooking, and quality of life of young participants.” 

      Encouraging healthy eating

      The FKC classes totaled 7.5 hours of live education over the course of five consecutive weeks, and they covered everything from roasting, knife skills, baking, and the health benefits of specific foods, among several other important topics. To understand the impact this had on kids, the researchers conducted surveys before the classes began and after five weeks.

      Ultimately, the researchers learned that these classes were effective for several reasons. One of the most important findings was that the kids felt confident in their ability to pick out, make, and eat healthy foods at the end of the five weeks. They also reported having more confidence when it came to navigating a kitchen.

      The researchers found that the benefits of the classes extended beyond just the participating kids -- they were helpful to the whole family.

      “One very important part of the class that is happening because of the virtual platform is that families are not participating in the classes together as opposed to children participating in the class individually, apart from their family,” said researcher Amy Saxe-Custack, Ph.D. “We started to see parents becoming much more involved in the education and sitting at the table once the meals were prepared for a family dinner.” 

      While recent studies have shown that exposing kids to healthy cooking shows can help them make healthier choices, a new study explored how virtual cooking...

      Volkswagen recalls Tiguan ,Taos and Taos long wheel base vehicles

      The rear suspension knuckle may break

      Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 10,119 model year 2022 Tiguan & Taos, and model year 2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles.

      The left or right rear suspension knuckles may corrode, crack, and break.

      A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.

      What to do

      Dealers will inspect and -- if necessary -- replace one or both rear suspension knuckles free of charge.

      Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 20, 2022.

      Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at (800) 893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42L8.

      Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 10,119 model year 2022 Tiguan & Taos, and model year 2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles.The left or ri...

      PlayMonster recalls Kid O Hudson Glow Rattles

      The rattle’s legs can break off, posing a choking hazard

      PlayMonster Group of Beloit, Wisc., is recalling about 9,100 Kid O Hudson Glow Rattles sold in the U.S. and Canada.

      The rattle’s legs can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

      The firm has received three reports of the rattle legs breaking off. No injuries have been reported.

      This recall involves the Kid O Hudson Glow Rattle, a motion-activated rattle that is shaped like a puppy and makes a soft rattling sound when shaken. The plastic puppy is white with spots that can glow in red or green. The puppy’s legs are textured soft plastic in red (front) and green (back) for teething children.

      The rattles measure about 4 inches long by 2 inches wide by 3.8 inches high. The battery cover on the puppy’s stomach states “Kid O.”

      The rattles, manufactured in China, were sold at specialty stores nationwide and online at amazon.com, walmart.com, playmonster.com, and zulily.com from February 2018, through February 2022, for about $25.

      What to do

      Consumers should immediately take the recalled rattles away from children, stop using them, and contact PlayMonster for instructions on receiving a $25 refund. PlayMonster will provide consumers with a prepaid shipping label to return the recalled product.

      Consumers may contact PlayMonster at (800) 469-7506 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday, by email at hudsonglowrattlerecall@playmonster.com, or online for more information.

      PlayMonster Group of Beloit, Wisc., is recalling about 9,100 Kid O Hudson Glow Rattles sold in the U.S. and Canada.The rattle’s legs can break off, pos...