Current Events in April 2022

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2022

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    Coronavirus update: Fourth COVID-19 vaccine protection doesn’t last long, study finds

    An Omicron subvariant is becoming the dominant strain in the U.S.

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

    Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 80,219,035 (80,181,869)

    Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 983,229 (982,161)

    Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 494,264,883 (492,743,552)

    Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,164,408 (6,156,480)‌

    Protection from a fourth vaccine shot wanes quickly

    Late last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for Pfizer and Moderna to offer a second booster dose of their COVID-19 vaccines. But a recent study conducted in Israel casts doubt on how long these shots may be able to provide protection from infection.

    The study showed that protection against COVID-19 infection continued to decline several weeks after fully vaccinated participants received their fourth shot of the Pfizer vaccine. However, the researchers noted that protection against severe illness was a benefit that lasted over time.

    “Protection against confirmed infection appeared short-lived, whereas protection against severe illness did not wane during the study period,” the researchers said.

    BA.2 subvariant becoming dominant, CDC says

    The subvariant of the COVID-19 Omicron variant – the strain known as BA.2 – now accounts for most of the new cases of the virus in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    In its weekly update, the health agency said BA.2 is causing about 72% of new cases. That’s up from 55% a week ago.

    The CDC said there is no cause for increased concern. Currently available evidence suggests that BA.2 does not cause more severe symptoms than previous strains. However, it is thought to be highly contagious.

    Further research to be conducted on ‘long COVID’

    Many consumers who become infected by COVID-19 eventually recover from their symptoms and can resume normal life. But there are some people out there who experience lasting symptoms from the virus – a condition that has been called “long COVID.” 

    This week, President Biden directed the Health and Human Services Department to put together a plan to research long COVID to bolster diagnosis and treatment efforts. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said he has plans for any additional funding that is granted by lawmakers.

    “If we receive additional financial support for it from Congress, we will launch new centers of excellence in communities across the country to provide high quality care to individuals experiencing long Covid,” he stated.

    Around the nation

    • New York: Cases are up sharply across the state, and the New York Health Department is renewing its recommendation to mask up when in indoor public spaces. Cases of the coronavirus were up 17% last week in parts of New York.

    • Illinois: Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation that will allow fully vaccinated teachers and other school employees to take COVID-19 related paid time off without burning up sick days. Pritzker vetoed a similar version of the measure earlier this year after it sharply divided the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools.

    • Washington: State health officials say thousands of doses of a potentially life-saving COVID-19 drug are available and could benefit those who have the highest risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Evusheld (tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab) is a monoclonal antibody treatment that has sometimes been in short supply.

    • Arkansas: Arkansas is another state that got hit hard by COVID-19, but it now appears to have turned the corner. After falling to an almost 23-month low over the weekend, the average daily increase in cases over a rolling seven-day period rose on Monday by two, to 84, the second-smallest of the year.

    • Minnesota: State health officials are cautioning residents to not let down their guard, saying Minnesota could face a resurgence in coronavirus cases. Specifically, officials say they are concerned about the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron. "We will see more waves. That’s almost I'd say guaranteed,” Dr. George Morris, COVID lead physician with CentraCare Health told Minneapolis’ FOX 9.

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

    Biden administration extends suspension of student loan repayments

    The Department of Education will use the time to try and make things easier for borrowers

    President Biden is extending the suspension on federal student loan payments and interest accrual through August 31. Originally, student loan repayments had been paused until May 1. Biden’s reason is simple – the country is still trying to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and not everyone has had the opportunity to completely regroup.

    “More than 217 million Americans are now fully vaccinated, and 2 out of 3 eligible adults are boosted. We have the tools we need to move forward safely and return to more normal routines,” Biden said in a statement. 

    “However, as I recognized in recently extending the COVID-19 national emergency, we are still recovering from the pandemic and the unprecedented economic disruption it caused. If loan payments were to resume on schedule in May, analysis of recent data from the Federal Reserve suggests that millions of student loan borrowers would face significant economic hardship, and delinquencies and defaults could threaten Americans’ financial stability.”

    Just last month, economists said the end of the student loan moratorium would result in a rise in loan delinquencies

    More time before payments resume

    Biden stated that the extension of the moratorium will allow borrowers to get their financial life back on track while supporting the Department of Education’s efforts to continue improving student loan programs. 

    As part of this transition, the Department of Education stated that it will offer additional flexibility and support for all borrowers. Officials said the chief benefit for borrowers will be extra time to plan for the resumption of payments. They hope that extra time will help reduce the risk of delinquencies and defaults after the restart. Between now and August 31, the Department will attempt to refine the program so borrowers can smoothly transition back into a repayment plan. 

    “This includes allowing all borrowers with paused loans to receive a ‘fresh start’ on repayment by eliminating the impact of delinquency and default and allowing them to reenter repayment in good standing,” the Department noted.

    Using extra time to focus on other goals

    Department of Education officials said they will also be using this extra time granted by the extension to work on several other goals. Some of those include:

    • Helping consumers who were defrauded by their institutions and those eligible for relief through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
    • Establishing new partnerships to guarantee that borrowers who are working public service jobs are automatically credited with progress toward forgiveness.
    • Cutting out extra hoops that borrowers have to jump through to get assistance.

    More information about the payment pause and support for borrowers can be found at StudentAid.gov.

    President Biden is extending the suspension on federal student loan payments and interest accrual through August 31. Originally, student loan repayments ha...

    Cash App hit by data breach affecting over 8 million customer data files

    The company claims that passwords and Social Security numbers were not accessed

    Block, a global technology company that owns several financial platforms, has acknowledged a data breach affecting Cash App. Officials say a former company employee downloaded reports that included information about its U.S. customers.

    The company seems to have taken its time to come forward with its admission. TechCrunch reports that the breach occurred on December 10, 2021, but Block apparently didn’t make that public until a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 4.

    “While this employee had regular access to these reports as part of their past job responsibilities, in this instance these reports were accessed without permission after their employment ended,” Block said in its filing.

    The company said the information in the reports included full names and brokerage account numbers. For some customers, the leaked data might have also included information about brokerage portfolio value, brokerage portfolio holdings, and/or stock trading activity for one trading day.

    Some sensitive information not compromised

    Block told the SEC that the reports did not include things that might make a customer nervous, such as usernames, passwords, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, payment card information, addresses, bank account information, or any other personally identifiable information.

    The company said it hired outside counsel and a “leading forensics firm” to launch an investigation into the matter the moment the breach was discovered. Cash App Investing is reportedly contacting some 8 million current and former customers to provide them with information about the incident and also share resources with them to answer their questions. 

    “The Company takes the security of information belonging to its customers very seriously and continues to review and strengthen administrative and technical safeguards to protect the information of its customers,” it said. 

    Block’s effort in that regard will be interesting to watch. One ConsumerAffairs reviewer claimed that Cash App has the “worst customer support ever.” 

    “No phone number to dial and can only be communicated through email. I’ve been waiting for 2 weeks for a response and they just keep saying they will have someone email me soon but no one did,” wrote Melody of Berkeley, California.

    Block did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ConsumerAffairs about the data breach.

    Block, a global technology company that owns several financial platforms, has acknowledged a data breach affecting Cash App. Officials say a former company...

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      PayPal launches new cash-back credit card

      The new card replaces the existing 2% cash back card

      PayPal is rolling out a new credit card that pays cash back on purchases. The card, issued by Synchrony, provides unlimited 3% cash back when paying with PayPal at checkout.

      The 3% reward is applicable for purchases made online, on a mobile device, or in-store with a PayPal QR Code. It pays unlimited 2% cash back on all other purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

      PayPal cites data showing that more than 60% of American consumers are now shopping both online and in-store across multiple spending categories. As their shopping patterns change from the pandemic, the company believes shoppers are eager to maximize rewards, especially now that inflation is on the rise.

      The new card has no annual fee, no category restrictions, and can be added to a customer's PayPal wallet for use at checkout.

      "Our customers shopped across 34 different categories last year showcasing the diversity of their needs and interests, and we wanted to build a credit product that was flexible and better matched rewards with their spending behaviors," said Susan Schmidt, vice president of Consumer Credit at PayPal. "The new PayPal Cashback credit card was designed so PayPal customers can earn rewards and get cash back for everyday purchases no matter what categories they spend in that month." 

      PayPal's card evolution

      PayPal’s digital wallet has always required users to have a credit card to which purchases can be applied. It wasn’t long before the company saw the value in supplying the credit card too.

      PayPal and Synchrony signed a deal in 2018 to extend their existing co-brand consumer credit card program agreement, making the latter an exclusive issuer of the PayPal Credit online consumer financing program in the U.S. through 2028.

      “Together with PayPal, we continue to build on the seamless integration that has been a hallmark of our partnership, allowing us to enhance rewards to our customers and improve the user experience," said Bart Schaller, CEO of the Digital Platform at Synchrony. "Plus, it's easy to use and manage – the new PayPal Cashback credit card is sure to be a customer favorite." 

      The new card takes the place of the existing PayPal 2% Cashback credit card. Eligible cardholders will automatically be upgraded into the new 3% cash back card structure. The company says other consumers may apply using the PalPal app or at www.paypal.com/cashback.

      PayPal is rolling out a new credit card that pays cash back on purchases. The card, issued by Synchrony, provides unlimited 3% cash back when paying with P...

      Low-salt diets may help patients with heart failure, study finds

      Experts say reducing salt intake can improve overall quality of life

      A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Alberta explored how consumers’ salt consumption impacts their heart health

      According to their findings, limiting salt intake may help reduce symptoms related to heart failure, including fatigue, swelling, coughing, and overall quality of life; however, this diet change was not linked with a lower risk of emergency room visits or mortality risk. 

      “We can no longer put a blanket recommendation across all patients and say that limiting sodium intake is going to reduce your chances of either dying or being in the hospital, but I can say comfortably that it could improve people’s overall quality of life,” said researcher Justin Ezekowitz.  

      Limiting salt intake

      For the study, the researchers followed over 800 patients with heart failure who were receiving care in New Zealand, the United States, Chile, Canada, Mexico, and Colombia. Half of the participants received counseling that guided them through eating less salt, and the other half of the participants carried on with their diets as they normally would. The researchers tracked key health outcomes for patients with heart failure: emergency room visits, hospitalization, and mortality risk.  

      Prior to any interventions, the participants consumed an average of 2,217 mg of sodium each day; guidelines recommend that consumers keep their salt intake to 1,500 mg per day. Participants who received guidance on eating more heart-healthy options reduced their salt intake to 1,658 mg of sodium per day after one year of the study. 

      The researchers learned that these efforts helped reduce the severity of heart failure-related symptoms. Participants experienced less swelling, fatigue, and coughing while enjoying a better overall quality of life.

      However, some of the more important measures of heart failure – ER visits, hospitalizations, and mortality – were not affected by consuming less salt. Four percent of patients eating less sodium and 4% of patients who didn’t change their diets required emergency medical care related to heart failure. Ten percent of patients in the low sodium group were hospitalized for heart failure, compared to 12% of patients who didn’t change their diets. All-cause death affected 6% of the group who ate less salt and 4% of the group with no diet change. 

      While the team plans to do more work in this area moving forward, they hope these findings emphasize the benefits associated with reducing salt intake. Though this intervention may not improve major health outcomes, it can help consumers struggling with heart failure on a daily basis. 

      A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Alberta explored how consumers’ salt consumption impacts their heart health. According to t...

      Physical fitness may also improve kids' concentration in school, study finds

      Staying active has more than just physical benefits for kids

      A new study conducted by researchers from the Technical University of Munich explored the importance of kids staying physically active. Their work showed that kids who were the most physically fit also showed stronger concentration and academic abilities. 

      “Primary school pupils with good physical fitness and a good ability to concentrate are more likely to make it to secondary grammar schools,” said researcher Renate Oberhoffer-Fritz. 

      Keeping kids physically fit

      For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 3,200 girls and 3,200 boys from Bavaria’s Berchtesgadener Land district. The children were between the ages of six and 10 years old, and they completed several different tests to measure physical fitness, concentration, and quality of life. 

      The researchers learned that the students’ physical fitness had a direct impact on their academic achievements and overall quality of life. They found that children with the greatest physical fitness also had the greatest concentration and were the most likely to be promoted to secondary grammar schools. 

      The study showed that the opposite was also true. Children who struggled with obesity also struggled with completing fitness assessments. They also had a harder time making friends at school and showed poorer health-related quality of life. 

      The researchers did note some differences between the male and female students. While female students outperformed male students when it came to concentration and overall health quality of life, the male students scored better on the physical fitness assessments. 

      Because of how important physical activity is for children’s physical health, mental health, and academic abilities, the researchers hope more work is done that encourages children to stay active and prioritize their physical fitness. 

      “This means it’s all the more important to encourage motor development in children at an early stage, since this can also have a positive impact on the development of mental fitness,” said Oberhoffer-Fritz. “Collaboration among parents, schools, communities, and athletic clubs is very important when it comes to creating a comprehensive and appropriate range of possibilities.” 

      A new study conducted by researchers from the Technical University of Munich explored the importance of kids staying physically active. Their work showed t...

      Volkswagen recalls model year 2021 ID4s

      An unreliable high voltage battery connection may cause a stall

      Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 351 model year 2021 ID4s.

      Incorrect soldering of the flexible printed circuit assembled (FPCA) inside the high voltage battery may cause an unreliable connection.

      An unreliable battery connection may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

      What to do

      The remedy is still under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by May 13, 2022.

      Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at (800) 893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 9302.

      Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 351 model year 2021 ID4s.Incorrect soldering of the flexible printed circuit assembled (FPCA) inside the high...

      Coronavirus update: Senate agrees to more COVID-19 spending

      Researchers say there won’t be an official end to the pandemic

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

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 80,181,869 (80,155,446)

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 982,161 (982,566) (revised lower)

      Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 492,743,552 (491,572,015)

      Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,156,480 (6,153,616)‌

      Congress considers more COVID-19 spending

      The U.S. Senate has approved $10 billion in new spending that the White House requested to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The money was about half of what the administration requested.

      "This $10 billion COVID package will give the federal government and our citizens the tools we need to continue our economic recovery, keep schools open and keep American families safe," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

      Administration officials say the funds will be spent to meet domestic needs for vaccines, tests, and therapeutic drug treatments. An additional $5 billion in international aid was cut in order to reach a compromise.

      Don’t expect an ‘all clear’ announcement, researchers say

      Americans who are waiting for someone in authority to say that the pandemic is over probably won’t get that announcement, researchers say. Their study predicts that cases and deaths will eventually rise again, but they conclude that there isn’t really a way to prevent the next surge.

      “There is likely no amount of additional waiting time in any state after which removing [Covid-19 restrictions] will not lead to a rise in morbidity and mortality,” the authors wrote.

      Cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have all trended lower in the U.S. since the end of January, but they have risen sharply in many other nations, including China. The U.S. 28-day total of cases has fallen to the 13th-highest in the world, with South Korea, Germany, Vietnam, and France in the lead.

      Study traces source of extra pandemic pounds

      Scientists report that more Americans tipped the scales toward obesity during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic than in the previous year. Their study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine presents evidence and explains behavior changes that led to widespread weight gain in 2020.

      “Previous studies present evidence that intra-pandemic changes in risky dietary and other health-related behaviors likely contributed to the rapid rise in body weight during this period,” said lead investigator Brandon J. Restrepo.

      The study found that adults who put on weight during the first year of the pandemic reported drinking more and consuming more snacks while getting less exercise.

      Around the nation

      • Kentucky: For the first time since the start of the pandemic, every one of Kentucky’s 120 counties is out of the red zone, the way the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) measures areas of high risk of transmission. Six counties remain in the yellow zone, which denotes medium risk. All others are in the green.

      • Arizona: Arizona has joined two other states in a lawsuit against President Biden that seeks to block the lifting of a ban on asylum-seekers at the U.S-Mexico border that is based on public health policy. Because of the ban, border agents have turned away migrants because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

      • New Jersey: Gov. Phil Murphy has tested positive for COVID-19. Officials in the governor’s office said the governor is asymptomatic and feeling well. However, he has decided to cancel all events and isolate himself for five days.

      • Maine: Many states are logging fewer hospitalizations as cases decline, but Maine is one of the states where hospitalizations are rising. The Maine CDC says 104 people are in the hospital with the virus, up 11 from Sunday. Twenty-eight people are in the ICU, up from nine on Sunday.

      • West Virginia: Active COVID-19 cases have fallen to their lowest point since early in the pandemic, but health officials are urging residents not to be complacent. “COVID-19 has hurt far too many West Virginia families,” said Bill Crouch, the state’s top health official. “I urge everyone to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot as soon as possible.”

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

      Average car payments to likely set record in first quarter

      An industry report cites both the rising cost of vehicles and higher interest rates

      Not only are the prices of new and used cars going up, but so are the monthly payments used to finance them, according to a new report from automotive publisher Edmunds.

      Those higher monthly payments are the result of a perfect storm of economic conditions. The cost of the vehicle and the interest rate used to formulate the monthly payment continued to move higher over the last few months.

      As a result, Edmunds estimates that the average monthly payment for a new car or truck purchased in the first quarter was $648. That compares to $639 in the first quarter last year and $575 in the first quarter of 2020, just before the pandemic hit.

      The monthly payment for the average used vehicle isn’t that much lower. Edmunds estimates that the average monthly payment for used vehicles is expected to break a record, climbing to $538. That's up from $432 in the first quarter of 2021.

      Edmunds experts say the record monthly payments are the result of record prices for the cars and trucks themselves. They estimate that the average auto loan was $39,340 for a new vehicle and $30,040 for a used car or truck.

      Using those calculations, the average new car loan increased by 12.2% year-over-year, and the average used car loan surged 28.6% higher. Edmunds data suggests that luxury new vehicle lease penetration fell to 32% in March 2022, down from 53% in March 2019.

      Inventory is still a problem

      The researchers say lower inventories are a massive problem for buyers who are looking for a good deal on a vehicle.

      "Shrunken inventory continues to wreak havoc on both the new and used vehicle markets, and shoppers who can actually get their hands on a vehicle are committing to never-before-seen average payments and loan terms," said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds' executive director of insights.

      Edmunds also estimates that the average new car buyer made a down payment of $6,026 in the last quarter, a 27% increase compared to the same period in 2021. It’s the first time that number has crossed $6,000.

      “It’s a tough time to have to buy a car,” said Karl Brauer, executive analyst at iSeeCars.com, in a recent ConsumerAffairs interview. “I’m telling  people that if they can wait to replace their car, they should.”

      Not only are the prices of new and used cars going up, but so are the monthly payments used to finance them, according to a new report from automotive publ...

      Honda and GM to co-develop electric cars priced under $30,000

      Much of the effort will be centered around building 'next generation' batteries

      General Motors and Honda have entered into a partnership to build a new series of electric vehicles. That alone is an interesting development, but what’s even more interesting for consumers is that the price for those EVs is expected to be under $30,000 – almost half the price of what Kelley Blue Book says EVs were selling for late last year.

      The GM-Honda EV series is expected to go on sale in 2027 starting in North America. Compact crossover vehicles will be manufactured under the partnership -- a type of vehicle that both automakers are familiar with; GM has the Chevy Blazer, Equinox, and Tahoe, and Honda has the CR-V, HR-V, and Pilot. The compact crossover segment is also the largest in the world, with an annual volume of more than 13 million vehicles. That affords the companies a better chance of addressing the automotive market’s sweet spot.

      Affordability will be a key issue if automakers want to turn the corner on EVs. The market for these vehicles continues to grow, but buyers are typically older and make more than $100,000 annually – a fact not lost on GM or Honda. In a call with reporters, GM's Ken Morris said the two companies expect their co-developed EVs to be priced below $30,000.

      “GM and Honda will share our best technology, design and manufacturing strategies to deliver affordable and desirable EVs on a global scale, including our key markets in North America, South America, and China,” said GM chair and CEO Mary Barra.

      “Honda is committed to reaching our goal of carbon neutrality on a global basis by 2050, which requires driving down the cost of electric vehicles to make EV ownership possible for the greatest number of customers,” added Honda president and CEO Toshihiro Mibe.

      Advancements with EV batteries

      The companies said one of the biggest benefits that brought them together is their desire to find a way to build batteries that are more affordable and “next generation.” For that element, the focus will be based on a new global architecture using next-generation Ultium battery technology.

      General Motors recently called its Ultium Charge 360 a “holistic charging experience.” It claims that its process can remove any headaches that a car owner might encounter if they decide to buy an electric vehicle.

      Not to be left out, Honda says it’s also making progress with batteries. The company says its all-solid-state battery technology is a candidate to become the core element of future EVs and that it has already established a demonstration line in Japan for all-solid-state batteries and is making further progress toward mass-production.

      General Motors and Honda have entered into a partnership to build a new series of electric vehicles. That alone is an interesting development, but what’s e...

      Mothers who earn more also tend to take on more household duties, study finds

      Experts say some couples may be leaning into 'traditional' gender roles

      A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Bath explored how consumers divide household chores between mothers and fathers. Their findings showed that married mothers who have higher salaries than their husbands are also more likely to take on more of the household responsibilities. 

      “Of course, we understand why specialized division of labor exists, but there is no reason for this specialization to be gender-specific,” said researcher Dr. Joanna Syrda. “Traditional division has been conventionally explained by men earning more and working longer hours and has a certain logical appeal. 

      “However, I found that the gender housework gap actually gets bigger for mothers who earned more than their spouses – the more they earned over their partner, the more housework they did."

      Income impacts household duties

      For the study, the researchers analyzed data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics from 1999 through 2017. This included long-term information on more than 6,600 couples across the U.S. 

      While society has moved past some traditional gender norms, the researchers identified an interesting trend among heterosexual couples when it comes to income and household chores. Married mothers who made more money than their husbands were also more likely to take on the bulk of household responsibilities. 

      “Married couples that fail to replicate the traditional division of income may be perceived – both by themselves and others – to be deviating from the norm,” Dr. Syrda. “What may be happening is that, when men earn less than women, couples neutralize this by increasing traditionality through housework – in other words, wives do more and husbands do less as they try to offset this ‘abnormal’ situation by leaning into other conventional gender norms.” 

      The researchers learned that this trend wasn’t as strong among unmarried partners who lived in the same house compared to those who were married. Moving forward, the team hopes these findings can help couples understand their dynamics and hopefully prevent future conflicts. 

      “This is important, because how couples divide the increased domestic workload after becoming parents will be an important determinant of earnings inequalities between women and men over the course of their lives – a pattern once settled upon is often difficult to renegotiate,” Dr. Syrda said. “And these norms may be passed to their children.” 

      A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Bath explored how consumers divide household chores between mothers and fathers. Their findings...

      Omicron variant may not be as severe as Delta variant for children under 4, study finds

      While the Omicron variant may be more contagious, it isn’t likely to be as dangerous to younger kids

      A new study conducted by researchers from Case Western Reserve University explored how the COVID-19 variants may affect young children differently. 

      According to their findings, the Omicron variant may not lead to COVID-19 cases that are as severe as those caused by the Delta variant in children under the age of four. 

      “The major conclusion to our research was that many more children were infected with Omicron when compared to Delta, but the children who are infected are not impacted as severely as were children infected with the Delta variant,” said researcher Pamela Davis. “However, because there are so many more children infected, our hospitals were affected over the winter months by an influx of young children.” 

      Less severe infection

      For the study, the researchers analyzed electronic health records from over 651,000 children who had received medical attention between September 2021, and January 2022. This included data on over 66,000 kids infected with the Delta variant, nearly 23,000 kids infected with the Omicron variant, and more than 10,000 kids who had COVID-19 at the start of the Omicron surge when the Delta variant was still prominent. The team paid close attention to emergency room visits, hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and ventilation use. 

      The researchers ultimately learned that the Omicron variant yielded less severe health outcomes than the Delta variant of COVID-19. While Omicron was found to be as much as eight times more contagious than Delta, the risks were much lower for children under the age of four. 

      The study showed that 3.3% of children infected with the Delta variant were hospitalized, whereas 1.8% of children infected with the Omicron variant were hospitalized. Similarly, the risk for ventilation use was 85% lower with the Omicron variant when compared to the Delta variant, and the risk of needing emergency room care was 16% lower. 

      Because children under the age of five remain ineligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, these findings are important in understanding kids’ health risks. The researchers explained that the long-term health risks related to COVID-19 remain unknown among this young age group. 

      “We saw the number of hospitalizations within this age group skyrocket in January of this year because the infection rate of Omicron is about 10 to 15 times compared to that of the Delta variant,” said researcher Rong Xu.

      “Omicron is less severe than Delta, however, the reduction of the severity range in clinical outcomes is only 16 to 85%. Furthermore, since so many unvaccinated children were infected, the long-term effects of COVID-19 infections on the brain, heart, immune systems, and other organs of children remains unknown and worrisome.” 

      A new study conducted by researchers from Case Western Reserve University explored how the COVID-19 variants may affect young children differently. Acc...

      Volkswagen recalls model year 2022 Golf GTI and Golf R vehicles

      The engine design cover may come loose and melt

      Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 4,269 model year 2022 Golf GTI and Golf R vehicles.

      Certain driving situations, such as high-acceleration driving maneuvers, may loosen the engine design cover.

      A loose engine design cover may contact hot surfaces in the engine compartment and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

      What to do

      Dealers will remove the engine design cover free of charge. Once parts become available, Volkswagen will provide a free updated engine design cover under a separate Service Action.

      Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by May 13, 2022.

      Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at (800) 893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10H5.

      Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 4,269 model year 2022 Golf GTI and Golf R vehicles.Certain driving situations, such as high-acceleration drivi...

      Ford recalls Corsairs and Escapes with a 2.5L Hybrid powertrain

      The high-voltage battery may fail

      Ford Motor Company is recalling three model year 2022 Lincoln Corsairs and model year 2021-2022 Ford Escapes equipped with a 2.5L Hybrid powertrain.

      The high-voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.

      A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

      What to do

      Dealers will replace the high-voltage battery free of charge.

      Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S48.

      Ford Motor Company is recalling three model year 2022 Lincoln Corsairs and model year 2021-2022 Ford Escapes equipped with a 2.5L Hybrid powertrain.The...

      Mopar steering rack and pinion electric gear assemblies recalled

      The steering assembly bar may bind inside the rack

      Chrysler is recalling 53 Mopar steering rack and pinion electric gear assemblies with part numbers 68498478AA, 68499163AA, and 68499166AA.

      The steering gear rack bar may have been insufficiently hardened during manufacturing, possibly allowing it to bind within the steering rack and resulting in difficulty steering or a loss of steering control.

      Difficulty steering, or a loss of steering control, can increase the risk of a crash.

      What to do

      Dealers will replace or repurchase the steering gear assembly free of charge.

      Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 3, 2022.

      Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 852-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z26.

      Chrysler is recalling 53 Mopar steering rack and pinion electric gear assemblies with part numbers 68498478AA, 68499163AA, and 68499166AA.The steering...

      Security experts encourage two-step authentication for enhanced security

      Relying only on usernames and passwords is risky

      More websites and business organizations are requiring two-step authentication for access as a way to increase security. Security experts say requiring a second step is highly effective at blocking intrusions, just as adding a deadbolt lock to a door is more likely to deter burglars.

      Even though hackers have recently set their sights on large organizations, that doesn’t mean consumers are in the clear. Scammers are still looking for ways to take over people’s online accounts.

      If your account is only protected by a username and password, you could be vulnerable, says Dominic Chorafakis, a cybersecurity expert at Akouto. Millions of usernames and passwords have been stolen in massive data breaches so a hacker can easily access the account by purchasing the username and password on the dark web.

      ‘Something-you-have’

      The hacker’s task gets more difficult when the consumer is employing two-factor authentication. Chorafakis calls this the “something you know” authentication method.

      “Two-factor authentication requires two different types of information to be used by the authentication process, something-you-know and something-you-have,” Chorafakis told ConsumerAffairs. “The something-you-know factor is usually the familiar username and password combination. The something-you-have factor can be many different things, the most common being your mobile phone.”

      After entering the username and password, a one-time code is sent via text to the mobile number registered with the account. Even if a hacker has your username and password, they can’t access the account because they don’t have your smartphone. It’s a way to significantly increase security, but it isn’t foolproof.

      “Unfortunately, hackers have found ways around this,” Chorafakis said. “One of the most common techniques is to trick people into installing mobile apps disguised as games that are actually malware able to steal login information including one-time-passwords. If you unknowingly install one of these malicious apps and then use your mobile phone to log into a service, hackers can get all the information they need to take over your account.”

      Security keys offer more protection

      The point is to be very careful and selective about the apps you install on your smartphone, even if they appear to be legitimate. To add an even higher level of security, some people are using hardware security keys instead of their smartphones. 

      “These are physical USB sticks that plug into your computer and act as the second factor of something-you-have,” Chortafakis said. “You can think of them as physical keys that you need to insert into a lock, in addition to providing your username and password, to gain access to your accounts.”

      Many large tech companies have made these hardware keys a routine part of security. Chortafakis says companies that have taken this additional step for their employee logins have virtually eliminated account breaches caused by password theft.

      More websites and business organizations are requiring two-step authentication for access as a way to increase security. Security experts say requiring a s...

      Rising foreclosures could signal growing consumer stress

      The end of forbearance programs just puts added pressure on some U.S. households

      As a two-year pandemic begins to wind down in the U.S., consumers are beginning to feel new kinds of stress in the form of record-high gas prices, soaring food costs, and rising interest rates. 

      Foreclosures are also rising. In a recent report, real estate data firm ATTOM found that foreclosure filings in February totaled 25,833 – up 11% from January and 129% from February 2021.

      LegalShield, a company serving 2 million households with a wide range of legal services, tracks clients’ call trends and, as far as real estate is concerned, has found them to be a valid and reliable leading indicator of what’s happening in the market.

      “When we see a significant increase in calls from people calling about foreclosures, we know that it is going to have a negative impact on home sales, housing starts, and mortgage applications," said Legal Shield CEO Jeff Bell in an interview with ConsumerAffairs.

      More ‘negative’ calls

      Right now, Bell says his company is seeing an increase in “negative” calls about housing, including from people facing eviction from a rental property. 

      He notes that this increase closely correlates with the expiration of eviction moratoriums and forbearance programs that were enacted years ago to minimize economic damage caused by the pandemic. Now that those programs have ended, the extent of the economic damage and consumer stress is being revealed.

      “It was a particularly regressive policy decision to tell people to shelter at home or to lock down," Bell said. “By that I mean people who can only make their living by leaving the home were adversely affected. It was especially hard on women.”

      And it could result in an increasing number of home foreclosures in the months ahead. At least, Bell believes that’s what the call trends are telling him.

      “We are very concerned with the trends,” Bell said. “When we see that for the last four months the number of calls about foreclosure has been increasing, to us that is a sign that there will be a change in the number of foreclosures as well as a negative impact on the housing market overall.”

      Foreclosures poised to spike higher

      No one is predicting a wave of foreclosures like the one that crashed the housing market in 2008. Most of those home losses were attributable to subprime and adjustable-rate mortgages. However, the foreclosures coincided with the Great Recession.

      Rick Sharga, executive vice president at RealtyTrac, an ATTOM subsidiary, expects to see double-digit month-over-month growth and triple-digit year-over-year increases in foreclosures well into the third quarter. 

      "This isn't an indication of economic turmoil, or of weakness in the housing market; it's simply the gradual return to normal levels of foreclosure activity after two years of artificially low numbers due to government and industry efforts to protect financially-impacted homeowners from defaulting," Sharga said.

      But with all the other economic challenges consumers are now facing, foreclosures bear watching since they could be an early sign of more than normal economic damage.

      As a two-year pandemic begins to wind down in the U.S., consumers are beginning to feel new kinds of stress in the form of record-high gas prices, soaring...