Current Events in May 2022

A new study conducted by researchers from the American College of Cardiology explored how bystander CPR (BCPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training may help cardiac arrest patients. According to their findings, requiring emergency training in schools could help improve CPR and AED rates and improve cardiac arrest outcomes. 

“BCPR and AED use rates remain low in the U.S.,” said researcher Dr. Victoria Vetter. “Lack of knowledge of CPR and AED use results in failure to perform these life-saving skills when needed.” 

Knowledge of CPR and AED is powerful

The researchers' main goal was to see whether training for CPR and AED affected outside-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patient outcomes. They pulled information from the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) dataset from January 2013, through December 2020, which included information on all OHCAs across the country. Throughout the study, 39 of 50 states required CPR and AED training in high school. 

Out of 20 states that were examined, the researchers learned that those with laws mandating CPR and AED training had better patient outcomes for OHCAs. The study showed that BCPR occurred in less than 40% of OHCA cases in states with no mandates, whereas BCPR occurred in nearly 42% of OHCA cases in states with training mandates. 

The study also showed that states who had these laws for longer periods of time had better outcomes. BCPR and AED use rates were higher with each year that CPR training laws were in place at high schools.

Moving forward, the researchers plan to get more state-specific data about CPR training mandates and the ways that individual communities can get better at handling OHCAs. The team says consumers in low-income areas may experience the greatest benefits from this important training. 

“Targeting student populations in underserved and minority communities with low rates of BCPR should help by providing a trained group of individuals who live in the communities, decreasing these health disparities,” Dr. Vetter said. “High school students will become the next generation of bystanders who can provide CPR and AED use, once they are educated. Those trained as students are likely to be in homes or community sites where cardiac arrests commonly occur.” 

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 922 model year 2019-2021 Nexos.

The hydrogen gas detection sensors may fail to detect leaks in the hydrogen gas delivery system.

A hydrogen gas leak can increase the risk of a fire while the vehicle is parked or being driven.

What to do

Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed.

Dealers will replace the hydrogen gas detection sensors free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on June 13, 2022.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 225.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 129 model year 2021 GLC 300s, GLC 300 4Matics, AMG GLC 63 4Matics, AMG GLC 63 S 4Matics, and AMG GLC 43 4Matics.

The electrical connection for the headlights may not be watertight, which can result in headlight failure.

Headlight failure can decrease visibility for both the driver and surrounding traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and replace the headlight sealing plugs -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on June 14, 2022.

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

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is taking a giant leap forward in the protection of children's privacy. The agency announced on Monday that it will strengthen the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by cracking down on any education technology company that monitors children illegally.

The FTC’s new policy statement reinforces that it is illegal for companies to force parents and schools to surrender their children’s privacy rights in order to do schoolwork online or attend class remotely. The agency says companies also cannot deny children access to educational technologies when their parents or school refuse to sign up for commercial surveillance.  

“Students must be able to do their schoolwork without surveillance by companies looking to harvest their data to pad their bottom line,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

“Parents should not have to choose between their children’s privacy and their participation in the digital classroom. The FTC will be closely monitoring this market to ensure that parents are not being forced to surrender to surveillance for their kids’ technology to turn on.”

Protecting children's privacy

The specific modifications that the FTC added to COPPA include:

Prohibitions Against Mandatory Collection: Companies cannot require children to provide more information than is reasonably needed for participation in an activity.

Use Prohibitions: Ed tech providers that collect personal information from a child with the school’s authorization are prohibited from using the information for any other commercial purpose including marketing or advertising. 

COPPA was first launched in 2000, and the FTC has used it to protect children's privacy since then. The agency previously imposed a fine on Toysmart.com for collecting and selling children's personal data. It also began a probe of YouTube and accused the platform of not doing enough to protect children who use the service.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 83,291,791 (83,269,791)

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 1,002,178 (1,002,126)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 525,703,492 (525,430,667)

Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,277,424 (6,276,826)‌

Pfizer reports vaccine results for very small children

Pfizer and BioNTech, partners that developed one of the first approved COVID-19 vaccines, say three smaller doses of their vaccine are safe and effective when administered to young children between the ages of six months and five years.

The companies plan to cite results that were provided by a clinical trial as the basis for seeking emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later this week. According to the researchers who conducted the trial, antibody levels checked one month after the third dose showed that the vaccine produced a similar immune response as two doses in consumers between the ages of 16 and 25.

 “Our COVID-19 vaccine has been studied in thousands of children and adolescents, and we are pleased that our formulation for the youngest children, which we carefully selected to be one-tenth of the dose strength for adults, was well tolerated and produced a strong immune response,” said Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.

Infection plus vaccination produces ‘super immunity,’ researchers say

Being vaccinated doesn’t mean you won’t get COVID-19. But if you do have a “breakthrough” case, researchers say the combination of being vaccinated and infected could have some benefits. Theodora Hatziioannou, a virologist and research associate professor at Rockefeller University, says it could produce a “hybrid” immunity.

“The use of the word hybrid is, for lack of a better term, what they are referring to is the immunity that a person acquires after having been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and then vaccinated, essentially trying to describe that you have had two slightly different exposures to the antigen, one via infection and one via vaccination,” she told NPR.

Hatziioannou says one advantage of the hybrid immunity produced by antibodies in the body is that the patient appears to have greater immunity against variants of the coronavirus.

Will monkeypox be the next pandemic?

Over the last two years, scientists around the world have learned how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, many are turning their attention to what may be a new public health threat – monkeypox.

So far, there have been only a limited number of cases of monkeypox – a disease that leaves distinctive blisters on the skin but rarely results in fatalities. Scientists are still learning about the disease but say people who have received a smallpox vaccination should have some protection against the disease.

Around the nation

• New York: New York continues to be the national hot spot for the new subvariants of the coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies 54 of NY's 62 counties as having a "high risk" for community COVID-19 spread. That number has more than doubled in the last three weeks, and the state's daily case total just hit a number unseen since January.

• Wisconsin: State health officials say a number of different Omicron subvariants are behind a renewed spread of COVID-19 since late March. The state's seven-day average for new confirmed cases stood at just over 2,000, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

• Massachusetts: The Massachusetts Coalition for Health Equity is calling for state officials to reinstate mask mandates across the state as cases of COVID-19 spread across New England. Some health experts believe the actual number of new cases is higher than what is being reported.

• Tennessee: Gov. Bill Lee declined to sign Tennessee’s new “acquired immunity” law that equates a past COVID-19 infection with a vaccination when it comes to mandates imposed by governments and businesses. The legislation became law on Friday without the governor’s endorsement.

• Arizona: The Arizona Department of Health Services updates its COVID-19 dashboard on a weekly basis, and the number of new cases has risen every week over the last month. However, health officials say the current number is still 96% below the January peak.

A shortage of new cars and sky-high prices for used vehicles has led to cars and trucks on U.S. highways getting older. A report from research firm S&P Global Mobility shows that the average vehicle age is now a record 12.2 years.

Automotive experts say the increasing age of cars and trucks is not entirely attributable to the distortions in the automotive marketplace. It’s the fifth straight year that the average age has increased.

That’s partly due to the fact that cars and trucks have more longevity than they once did. If properly maintained, vehicles from many brands are capable of being driven 200,000 miles. Cars and trucks also cost a lot more than in years past, encouraging their owners to drive them longer.

Karl Brauer, an executive analyst at iSeeCars.com, says current conditions make keeping a vehicle for longer more of a necessity. Consumers, he says, have fewer options.

“Supply is crimped because no one is getting the new cars they want because they can’t build them fast enough,” Brauer said in a recent interview with ConsumerAffairs. “So people are keeping their current car, which is crimping used car supply.”

Russia-Ukraine war is making the problem worse

New car supplies are being held back by a number of factors, mainly a shortage of computer chips that has existed since mid-2020. Supply chain constraints have also limited new car production. In a separate report, S&P Global Mobility traced part of the problem to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

"With the March forecast release, we removed 2.6 million units from our 2022 and 2023 outlook, but the downside risk is enormous. Our worst-case contingency shows possible reductions up to 4 million units for this and next year," said Mark Fulthorpe, executive director for global production forecasting at S&P Global Mobility.

In total, nearly 25 million units were removed from the S&P Global Mobility light vehicle production forecast between now and 2030. That means the only option for many consumers is to keep their current vehicles running.

Rising vehicle prices can’t be overlooked as a reason for consumers holding onto their vehicles for another year or two. Cox Automotive reports that new vehicle affordability declined slightly in April despite the fact that government data shows consumers’ incomes rose during the same period.

The latest Cox Automotive/Moody’s Analytics Vehicle Affordability Index shows that the number of median weeks of income needed to purchase the average new vehicle in April increased to 40.6 weeks from a downwardly revised 40.2 weeks in March.

Memorial Day weekend is within reach. If you're itching to get out of town, there are plenty of good airfares available to consumers – especially when you consider the rising price of gas.

SkyScanner reports that the best day to depart for domestic U.S. trips is Saturday, May 28; the cheapest day to depart for international travel is Friday the 27th. Of the top 10 most popular airports to depart from, travelers departing from Las Vegas are getting the best deals, with the average price of a domestic Memorial Day Weekend trip costing $164.

Orlando is the number one destination booked for families and groups, while New York, Las Vegas, and Cancun take the first, second, and third spots for individuals and couples who want to travel. 

Consumers can find deals on some trips

The best average fares over the last month in the U.S. for Memorial Day travel include flights going to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Miami, Atlanta, and Tampa. The inverse is true for travelers leaving from Fort Lauderdale. On average, they get the best deals nationwide, with the average price of a ticket purchased over the last month costing $169 (direct, return).

“Savvy travelers are looking to enjoy the first Memorial Day Weekend in two years which will feel mostly normal, including for travel,” said Skyscanner's Mark Crossey.

Things are looking good for travelers who don’t mind a bit of jet lag and would like to see a bit of Europe.

“Of course, the domestic US features heavily in bookings for Memorial Day but we can see international favorites like London and Paris featuring higher in the top booked destinations this year as Americans venture over the pond in large numbers again," Crossey said. 

Consumers who give themselves a little breathing room for their return trip are also getting a better price over Memorial Day weekend. ConsumerAffairs found that travelers who choose to come back on Tuesday instead of Sunday or Monday could save $40 on a trip from Cincinnati to Denver and $30 on a trip from Chicago to Memphis.

Parents who are looking for ways to get their children outside and active this summer may have a new reason to redouble those efforts. Findings from a recent study suggest that engaging in "adventurous" playtime can help children develop better mental health. 

Helen Dodd, the lead researcher of the study and a professor of child psychology at the University of Exeter, says investing in ways to promote adventurous play can only benefit children in the long run. 

"We're more concerned than ever about children's mental health, and our findings highlight that we might be able to help protect children's mental health by ensuring they have plentiful opportunities for adventurous play," she said. 

"This is really positive because play is free, instinctive and rewarding for children, available to everyone, and doesn't require special skills."

Countering effects of COVID-19 lockdowns

The researchers came to their conclusions after surveying 2,500 parents about their young children's play activities, mental health before the COVID-19 pandemic, and mood during the first COVID-19 lockdown.

The team found that children who were able to spend more time playing adventurously outside had fewer problems linked to anxiety and depression and a more positive outlook during the first lockdown. The team said these results were consistent across a range of factors like age, sex, and family finances.

"This important research shows that this is even more vital to help children thrive after all they have missed out on during the Covid-19 restrictions. More play means more happiness and less anxiety and depression," said Dan Paskins, the director of the UK Impact at Save the Children.

What is adventurous play?

The researchers point out that there are several activities that children can engage in that qualify as "adventurous play." Some of them include:

• Camping out overnight;
• Swimming or paddling in a river or lake;
• Jumping from a swing;
• Creating obstacle courses inside or outside; and 
• Exploring woods alone or with a friend.

"This research emphasises the importance of adventurous play. Children and young people need freedom and opportunities to encounter challenge and risk in their everyday playful adventures," said Jacqueline O'Loughlin, CEO or PlayBoard NI. 

"It is clear from the research findings that playing, taking risks and experiencing excitement outdoors makes a positive contribution to children's mental health and emotional well-being. The rewards of allowing children to self-regulate and manage challenge in their play are widespread and far-reaching. Adventurous play helps children to build the resilience needed to cope with, and manage stress in challenging circumstances."

The full study has been published in the journal Child Psychiatry & Human Development.

Previous research has already shown that children who suffer from insomnia have a higher risk of developing anxiety and other mental health problems. But a new study from the University of Helsinki suggests that the condition can be devastating to older consumers too. 

Researchers found that consumers who developed insomnia in midlife experienced problems with their memory, concentration, and ability to learn. These problems persisted well into later life, affecting participants even after they had retired. 

"The findings indicate that severe insomnia symptoms were associated with worse cognitive function among those who were on statutory pension," said researcher Antti Etholén.

Symptoms worsen with prolonged insomnia

The researchers found that study participants who experienced insomnia symptoms over longer periods of time had the worst cognitive outcomes. However, the team noted that mental function improved by retirement age if symptoms eased over the years. 

The team stated that there are several ways for consumers to improve their chances of getting a good night's sleep, including adjusting the temperature and brightness of the sleeping area. Adjusting factors like coffee consumption, diet, and exercise can also help.

"Based on our findings, early intervention tackling insomnia symptoms, or measures aimed at improving the quality of sleep would be justified," said researcher and professor Tea Lallukka.

The researchers hope to continue researching this subject by investigating whether the treatment of insomnia could help slow down the development of memory disorders. The full study has been published in the Journal of Aging and Health.

BMW of North America is recalling 61,221 of the following vehicles:

• Model year 2022 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive);
• Model year 2019-2022 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M;
• Model year 2021-2022 X5 xdrive45e;
• Model year 2020-2022 X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6M and
• Model year 2019-2023 X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, X7 xDrive60i, X7 M60i, X7M, Alpina XB7.

The roof function control unit may be programmed incorrectly, allowing the sunroof to close without the key fob present inside the vehicle.

A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury.

What to do

Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on June 13, 2022.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at (800) 525-7417.

The J. M. Smucker Co. is recalling select Jif peanut butter products sold in the U.S.

The products may be contaminated with salmonella.

The following items, with lot codes ranging from 1274425 to 2140425 included alongside best-if-used-by dates, are being recalled:

• JIF 16 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER 5150025516
• JIF 16 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 5150025537
• JIF 96 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TWIN PACK 5150024705
• JIF 96 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER TWIN PACK 5150024706
• JIF 40 OUNCE NATURAL CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 5150007565
• JIF 12 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER INTERNATIONAL 5150008026
• JIF 3/4 OUNCE PEANUT BUTTER PLASTIC CASE 5150008051
• JIF .64 OUNCE NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER PLASTIC CASE 5150008058
• JIF 96 COUNT NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER TO GO CASE 5150021889
• JIF 36 COUNT CREAMY JIF PEANUT TO GO CASE 5150024114
• JIF 8 COUNT CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO 5150024130
• JIF 8 COUNT CREAMY PBTR TO GO 5150024136
• JIF 4.5 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO 5150024137
• JIF 54 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO 36 PACK 5150024143
• JIF 28 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 5150024163
• JIF 96 COUNT CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO 5150024170
• JIF 54 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO 36 PACK 5150024174
• JIF 28 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER 5150024177
• JIF 40 OUNCE NATURAL HONEY 5150024182
• JIF 12 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER 5150024191
• JIF 12 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO 5150024307
• JIF 40 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER 5150024321
• JIF 28 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER 5150024322
• JIF 4 POUND CAN CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER 5150024331
• JIF 96 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY TWINPACK 5150024404
• JIF 15.5 OUNCE NO ADDED SUGAR PEANUT BUTTER 5150024540
• JIF 13 OUNCE SQUEEZABLE POUCH 5150024545
• JIF 33.5 OUNCE NO ADDED SUGAR PEANUT BUTTER 5150024548
• JIF 13 OUNCE NATURAL SQUEEZE POUCH 5150024572
• JIF 80 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TWIN PACK 5150024769
• JIF 80 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER TWIN PACK 5150024776
• JIF 40 OUNCE REDUCED FAT CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER 5150025499
• JIF 16 OZ REDUCED FAT CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER 5150025518
• JIF 16 OUNCE CREAMY OMEGA 3 PEANUT BUTTER 5150025530
• JIF 80 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TWIN PACK 5150025542
• JIF 16 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER 5150025565
• JIF 16 OUNCE NATURAL CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 5150025574
• JIF 16 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER HONEY 5150025578
• JIF 40 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER 5150072001
• JIF 40 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 5150072002
• JIF 46.5 OUNCE NO ADDED SUGAR PEANUT BUTTER 5150041418
• JIF 1.1 OUNCE PORTION CONTROL PEANUT BUTTER 120 COUNT 5150092100
• JIF 48 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER 5150024094
• JIF 48 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 5150024095
• JIF 1.5 oz CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO 5150024141
• JIF 48 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY 5150024402
• JIF 40 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER 5150024090
• JIF 40 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 5150024091
• JIF 40 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER 5150025524

The recalled products were sold nationwide in retail stores and other outlets.

What to do

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

Consumers with questions may contact the company online or by phone at (800) 828-9980 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET).

Safeway Fresh Food of Vineland, N.J., is recalling approximately 717 pounds of ready-to-eat Chicken Caesar Salad.

The product contains anchovies, eggs, and wheat, which are allergens that are not declared on the label.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions.

The following item, produced on April 19, 2022, is being recalled:

• 13.6-oz. plastic bowl containing “Dole FRESH Takes CLASSIC CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD” with a use by date of 05/05/2022 and lot code S109000 1, located at the top of the front label.

The recalled product, bearing the establishment number “EST. 40283” inside the USDA mark of inspection, was shipped to distributors in Maryland and Virginia and then further distributed to retailers in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

What to do

Consumers who purchased the recalled product should not consume it. Instead, they should discard or return it to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions may contact Safeway Fresh Food at (609) 774-4796 or by email at jchayka@safewaygroup.net.

If you think surfing the web in Google’s “Incognito Mode” keeps you disguised, then you are mistaken. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says the feature still allows Google to track and collect data on consumers when they're browsing.

On Friday, he filed an amended petition that adds Incognito Mode to his previous geolocation-related lawsuit against the tech giant. 

Google’s definition of Incognito Mode states that it can "help keep your browsing private from other people who use your device." It also tells users that a site or Google service may remember their activity if they sign in while using Incognito Mode. However, Paxton says the company implicitly tells consumers that it will not track their search history or location activity.  

Paxton vs. Google... again

Paxton doesn't appear to be a big fan of Google. In this lawsuit – his fifth against Google – he tries to make the point that the company hoodwinked consumers by tracking their personal location without their consent. He said Google continued to track users after they had disabled the feature in many cases, which constitutes a violation of Texas' Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

The Texas attorney-general isn't buying Google’s “you’re in control” pledge one bit. He further alleges that Google’s representations that users can avoid having their internet search and activity history recorded by using Incognito Mode are misleading.

“Google claims to give users control and to respect their choice but in reality, regardless of the settings users select, the Big Tech giant is still hard at work collecting and monetizing the location and other personal information that users seek to keep private,” said Attorney General Paxton. “I am not going to let Google succeed in deceiving Texans.” 

Google’s been down this road before

This is not Google’s first incognito rodeo. In 2020, the company was sued for allegedly allowing websites visited on Chrome to collect personal information while Incognito Mode was active. The complaint argued that Google “cannot continue to engage in the covert and unauthorized data collection from virtually every American with a computer or phone.” 

“Google knows who your friends are, what your hobbies are, what you like to eat, what movies you watch, where and when you like to shop, what your favorite vacation destinations are, what your favorite color is, and even the most intimate and potentially embarrassing things you browse on the internet — regardless of whether you follow Google’s advice to keep your activities ‘private,’” the complaint stated. 

ConsumerAffairs reached out to Google for comment, but the company did not immediately respond to our request.

---

Update 

A Google spokesperson responded to ConsumerAffairs' request for comment after publication of this story. 

"The Attorney General’s case is, once again, based on inaccurate claims and outdated assertions about our settings. We have always built privacy features into our products and provided robust controls for location data. We strongly dispute these claims and will vigorously defend ourselves to set the record straight," they said in response to the suit.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decided against imposing a total ban on a group of potentially dangerous chemicals called phthalates, which are commonly found in fast-food packaging and other food handling products like plastic gloves. The decision did not sit well with environmental organizations and scientists who have been trying to get the chemicals removed for years.

The FDA’s decision was in response to three petitions. One specifically requested that the FDA limit the use of 28 phthalates.

The packaging aspect may be of particular concern because some fast-food chains preform and partially cook their products for local stores, which prepare the foods when the items are eventually ordered. That leaves the food sitting in plastic packaging for an extended period of time. 

“FDA’s failure to ban phthalates in food packaging and processing is outrageous. We have known for a long time the impact these chemicals can have on pregnant women and children, and they disproportionately impact people of color,” Laurie Valeriano, executive director of Toxic-Free Future, told ConsumerAffairs. “Stopping the use of the most dangerous chemicals is the only way to prevent unnecessary harm and disease.”

The FDA said it is aware of concerns raised about the possible health effects of exposure to high levels of phthalates. However, at least for now, the agency said it is not aware of evidence that the dietary exposure to phthalates resulting from their use as food contact substances poses a safety risk.  

On the positive side

Although the FDA isn't acting right now, it doesn’t seem to be slamming the door on the issue either. In its announcement, the agency said it will continue to seek data about phthalate use and safety in food contact applications.

“The FDA is generally aware of updated toxicological and use information on phthalates that is publicly available. Nevertheless, stakeholders may have access to information that is not always made public,” the agency said.

The FDA is seeking scientific data and information on the specific current food contact uses, use levels, dietary exposure, and safety data for the remaining eight phthalates that are still authorized for use as plasticizers in food contact applications.

"We may use this information to update the dietary exposure estimates and safety assessments for the permitted food contact uses of phthalates,” FDA officials stated.

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

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 83,089,370 ( 82,955,985)

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 1,001,692 (1,001,274)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 526,121,673 (525,505,350)

Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,286,298 (6,284,006)‌

CDC backs FDA’s approval of boosters for kids

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has endorsed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to approve a booster shot of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of five and 11.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky moved quickly to grant final approval after the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 11-1 to back the FDA’s move.

"Today, I endorsed ACIP’s vote to expand eligibility for Covid-19 vaccine booster doses," Walensky said in a statement. "Children five through 11 should receive a booster dose at least five months after their primary series."

Vaccinations after infection may lower ‘long COVID’ risk

Scientists in the U.K. have published a study that suggests people who were infected with COVID-19, then were vaccinated, were less likely to experience “long COVID” symptoms. Long COVID is a condition in which a recovered patient continues to experience some symptoms of the virus.

The study, which was published in the BMJ, is the first large examination of anecdotal evidence suggesting the shot mitigates the risk of prolonged symptoms. More than 28,000 people took part in a study that indicated a post-infection vaccination improves outcomes.

While vaccination after infection was associated with a lower likelihood of long COVID, the researchers say more data will be needed to prove any cause-and-effect connection.

Scientists working on COVID-19 vaccine 2.0

COVID-19 researchers around the world tend to agree on two things: The virus isn’t going away, and vaccines lose some of their protection power over time. That's why work is underway to develop the next generation of vaccines that will have more staying power.

Scientists have found that the biggest drops in immunity occur about four or five months after vaccination. However, vaccinated people who get infected tend to have a better chance of avoiding the most severe symptoms. For that reason, the new generation of vaccines may build on the existing mRNA type.

"We got a really great platform with mRNA," Dr. Anthoney Fauci, head of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), told CNN. "But let's try to be better. Because our experience, maybe it's peculiar to coronavirus, but I doubt it, is that the durability of the response you can be better on."

Around the nation

• New Jersey: The CDC is recommending that people wear masks indoors in public locations in nine counties. The counties, now listed as “high risk” of transmission of COVID-19, are Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Gloucester, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, and Sussex.

• Indiana: The Office of the U.S. Surgeon General has asked state attorneys general to report instances of misinformation about COVID-19. It got an unexpected response from Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, who submitted what he said were erroneous messages from federal health agencies.

• Colorado: Cases are definitely on the rise in Colorado. State health officials report that 40% of the state is testing positive with the BA.2.12.1 Omicron subvariant variant and that it is approximately 25% more transmissible. They also say the first case of the BA 5 Omicron subvariant was detected in Colorado.

• Maine: Maine has one of the highest COVID-19 infection rates in the nation, but when it comes to hospitalizations, officials at MaineHealth report that nearly a third are being treated for other issues. So-called “coincidental” hospitalizations occur when a patient is admitted for another reason but a test shows they also have a COVID-19 infection.

• Oregon: Even though cases of the coronavirus are spreading quickly across the U.S., health officials in states like Oregon are not exactly sounding the alarm. Dr. Dean Sidelinger, Oregon’s chief disease specialist, is urging people to take precautions, but he notes that the current subvariants of the virus are relatively mild.

Sales of existing homes continue to fall as rising mortgage rates present buyers with affordability issues.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that home sales fell 2.4% from March to April. Compared to April 2021, sales were off by 5.9%. 

In previous months, sales declines were often the result of fewer available homes for sale. But in April, sales fell against a backdrop of rising interest rates that increased the average monthly mortgage payment.

"Higher home prices and sharply higher mortgage rates have reduced buyer activity," said Lawrence Yun, the NAR's chief economist. "It looks like more declines are imminent in the upcoming months, and we'll likely return to the pre-pandemic home sales activity after the remarkable surge over the past two years."

Prices are still high

Fewer sales did not translate into lower prices. The NAR reports that the median existing home price for all housing types in April was $391,200, an increase of 14.8% from April 2021. Those numbers mark 122 consecutive months of year-over-year price increases.

Some economists believe a drop in demand for homes will eventually provide a break for buyers. But with a very tight housing inventory, Michael Gifford, CEO & co-founder of Splitero, isn’t sure when that might happen.

“The reality is that there is significant pent-up demand in all markets, with supply slowly trickling out,” Gifford recently told ConsumerAffairs. “The question is about seller motivation when it comes to dropping their price. Selling motivation is low in this market for most sellers as their next home is challenging to locate whether they are trying to buy or rent.”

Mortgage rates are a headwind for buyers

Even if prices were to moderate in the months ahead, mortgage rates will likely remain a headwind for buyers. The average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage dropped slightly this week to 5.25%, according to Freddie Mac. A year ago, buyers were locking in a 3% mortgage rate.

With declining sales, the number of homes on the market rose nearly 11% last month, giving buyers more choices and reducing the likelihood of bidding wars. But home shoppers still have to move quickly. 

NAR data shows that properties remained on the market for an average of 17 days in April before going under contract. Eighty-eight percent of homes sold in April 2022, were on the market for less than a month.

With more oil being diverted to diesel fuel to bring down raging transportation costs, motorists endured still more pain at the pump this week as gasoline prices hit yet another record high.

AAA’s daily fuel price survey shows that the national average price of regular gas is $4.59 a gallon, eclipsing the previous record set earlier in the month. The price has gained nearly 50 cents a gallon in just the last 30 days.

The average price of premium gas is $5.23 a gallon, gaining 16 cents in the past week. The average price of diesel fuel is $5.57, only a penny a gallon more than a week ago. The price of diesel fuel went down slightly at one point this week, the first decline in over a month.

What’s notable this week is that every state now has an average gas price of over $4 a gallon. Five states have a statewide average greater than $5 a gallon, and the average price in California is now more than $6 a gallon.

“The high cost of oil, the key ingredient in gasoline, is driving these high pump prices for consumers,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “Even the annual seasonal demand dip for gasoline during the lull between spring break and Memorial Day, which would normally help lower prices, is having no effect this year.”

Most states experienced double-digit price increases for another week. Alaska set the pace, with the average price rising 34 cents a gallon. Washington’s average price rose by 30 cents.

States with the most expensive gas

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

• California ($6.08)    

• Hawaii ($5.37)     

• Nevada ($5.25)

• Washington ($5.20)  30

• Alaska ($5.16)   34

• Oregon ($5.15)   

• Illinois ($4.99) 

• New York ($4.92)    

• Arizona ($4.85)   

• Pennsylvania ($4.77)   

States with the cheapest gas

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

• Oklahoma ($4.05) 

• Kansas ($4.06)     

• Arkansas ($4.14)

• Colorado ($4.15) 

• Georgia ($4.15)  

• Missouri ($4.16)

• Minnesota ($4.16)   

• Nebraska ($4.17)     

• North Dakota ($4.18) 

• Mississippi ($4.20)