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Price Gouging Complaints Surge Amid Coronavirus Pandemic Price Gouging Complaints Surge Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
(2 months later)
In Florida, one seller was offering 15 N95 face masks on Amazon — for $3,799.In Florida, one seller was offering 15 N95 face masks on Amazon — for $3,799.
In Massachusetts, a convenience store was selling milk for $10 a gallon.In Massachusetts, a convenience store was selling milk for $10 a gallon.
And in Minnesota, a smoke shop was charging $79.99 for 36 rolls of toilet paper.And in Minnesota, a smoke shop was charging $79.99 for 36 rolls of toilet paper.
Across the country, state attorneys general said this week that they had been flooded with complaints of price gouging and profiteering on items like hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and masks that have been in high demand and hard to find on store shelves. Many have also reported a surge in exorbitant price increases on everyday grocery items like chicken, rice and milk.Across the country, state attorneys general said this week that they had been flooded with complaints of price gouging and profiteering on items like hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and masks that have been in high demand and hard to find on store shelves. Many have also reported a surge in exorbitant price increases on everyday grocery items like chicken, rice and milk.
“This is something, I think, unlike anything we’ve seen in our state,” said Michigan’s attorney general, Dana Nessel, whose office has been inundated by more than 1,880 complaints of potentially illegal price increases — far more than those fielded during previous emergencies like a so-called polar vortex last year and a widespread power failure in 2003.“This is something, I think, unlike anything we’ve seen in our state,” said Michigan’s attorney general, Dana Nessel, whose office has been inundated by more than 1,880 complaints of potentially illegal price increases — far more than those fielded during previous emergencies like a so-called polar vortex last year and a widespread power failure in 2003.
Ms. Nessel recently assigned a team of special agents to help her respond to the complaints.Ms. Nessel recently assigned a team of special agents to help her respond to the complaints.
“Our staff has been running around the clock,” she said. “It’s been really insane.”“Our staff has been running around the clock,” she said. “It’s been really insane.”
One store had raised the price of lentils and rice by 60 percent, according to Ms. Nessel’s office. Another had opened a box of 10 dust masks that sells for $25 and was reselling them in Ziploc bags for $6 to $10 apiece. Consumers, she said, have also complained of unreasonable price increases on baby formula, diapers, toilet paper and beef.One store had raised the price of lentils and rice by 60 percent, according to Ms. Nessel’s office. Another had opened a box of 10 dust masks that sells for $25 and was reselling them in Ziploc bags for $6 to $10 apiece. Consumers, she said, have also complained of unreasonable price increases on baby formula, diapers, toilet paper and beef.
Some businesses could be prosecuted criminally, officials said, although others were backing down after receiving cease-and-desist letters.Some businesses could be prosecuted criminally, officials said, although others were backing down after receiving cease-and-desist letters.
About 40 states have laws against price gouging, some of which were activated by emergency declarations issued by their governors in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Some of those laws define price gouging as an increase above a certain amount — such as 20 percent — since the emergency declaration was issued. Others ban price increases that are not deemed “reasonable.”About 40 states have laws against price gouging, some of which were activated by emergency declarations issued by their governors in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Some of those laws define price gouging as an increase above a certain amount — such as 20 percent — since the emergency declaration was issued. Others ban price increases that are not deemed “reasonable.”
On Wednesday, more than 30 state attorneys general sent letters to Facebook, Amazon, Craigslist, eBay and Walmart urging them to crack down on price gouging. The attorneys general argued that it was “especially important” that “unscrupulous sellers do not take advantage of Americans by selling products at unconscionable prices” during the coronavirus pandemic.On Wednesday, more than 30 state attorneys general sent letters to Facebook, Amazon, Craigslist, eBay and Walmart urging them to crack down on price gouging. The attorneys general argued that it was “especially important” that “unscrupulous sellers do not take advantage of Americans by selling products at unconscionable prices” during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We just don’t want people exploiting others in this time of crisis,” said Maura Healey, the attorney general of Massachusetts, who on March 20 issued an emergency regulation banning “unconscionably high” prices in the state.“We just don’t want people exploiting others in this time of crisis,” said Maura Healey, the attorney general of Massachusetts, who on March 20 issued an emergency regulation banning “unconscionably high” prices in the state.
Ms. Healey’s office said it had received about 140 complaints of price gouging, including a report of a four-pack of toilet paper selling for $25 on eBay and pharmacies charging $30 for 8 ounces of hand sanitizer.Ms. Healey’s office said it had received about 140 complaints of price gouging, including a report of a four-pack of toilet paper selling for $25 on eBay and pharmacies charging $30 for 8 ounces of hand sanitizer.
She said her office was investigating. Violators could be fined $5,000, she said.She said her office was investigating. Violators could be fined $5,000, she said.
“It’s OK to make money,” Ms. Healey said. “It’s OK to make a profit. But there is a line.”“It’s OK to make money,” Ms. Healey said. “It’s OK to make a profit. But there is a line.”
The United States attorney general, William P. Barr, recently directed federal prosecutors across the country to prioritize fraud schemes related to the pandemic and to prosecute offenders.The United States attorney general, William P. Barr, recently directed federal prosecutors across the country to prioritize fraud schemes related to the pandemic and to prosecute offenders.
“If you have a big supply of toilet paper in your house, this is not something you have to worry about,” Mr. Barr said at a White House briefing on Monday. “But if you are sitting on a warehouse full of surgical masks, you will be hearing a knock on your door.”“If you have a big supply of toilet paper in your house, this is not something you have to worry about,” Mr. Barr said at a White House briefing on Monday. “But if you are sitting on a warehouse full of surgical masks, you will be hearing a knock on your door.”
Amazon said it monitored price changes using manual and automated methods. It said it had removed more than half a million listings for price gouging and had suspended 3,900 sellers. The company said it had also worked with more than 40 attorneys general to hold predatory vendors accountable.Amazon said it monitored price changes using manual and automated methods. It said it had removed more than half a million listings for price gouging and had suspended 3,900 sellers. The company said it had also worked with more than 40 attorneys general to hold predatory vendors accountable.
“There is no place for price gouging on Amazon,” the company said in a statement. “We are disappointed that bad actors are attempting to artificially raise prices on basic need products during a global health crisis and, in line with our longstanding policy, have recently blocked or removed hundreds of thousands of offers.”“There is no place for price gouging on Amazon,” the company said in a statement. “We are disappointed that bad actors are attempting to artificially raise prices on basic need products during a global health crisis and, in line with our longstanding policy, have recently blocked or removed hundreds of thousands of offers.”
Updated June 5, 2020
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
In many states, regulators said they were racing to investigate the complaints pouring into their consumer hotlines.In many states, regulators said they were racing to investigate the complaints pouring into their consumer hotlines.
New York City officials said Tuesday that they had issued 550 violations and $275,000 in fines to retailers accused of price gouging on items in high demand during the pandemic.New York City officials said Tuesday that they had issued 550 violations and $275,000 in fines to retailers accused of price gouging on items in high demand during the pandemic.
Wisconsin officials said they had sent cease-and-desist letters to 16 businesses suspected of illegally raising prices on N95 masks as well as basic food items like pinto beans, milk, limes, rice, water and cookies.Wisconsin officials said they had sent cease-and-desist letters to 16 businesses suspected of illegally raising prices on N95 masks as well as basic food items like pinto beans, milk, limes, rice, water and cookies.
Kentucky’s attorney general, Daniel Cameron, said his office was scrambling to respond to 1,500 complaints of price gouging, most of them related to masks, hand sanitizer, gloves, wipes, paper towels and toilet paper.Kentucky’s attorney general, Daniel Cameron, said his office was scrambling to respond to 1,500 complaints of price gouging, most of them related to masks, hand sanitizer, gloves, wipes, paper towels and toilet paper.
“We’re all hands on deck in our office,” he said.“We’re all hands on deck in our office,” he said.
On Thursday, he issued subpoenas to six Amazon vendors suspected of raising prices by as much as 1,951 percent on essential medical supplies like hand sanitizer and masks. Amazon, he said, worked with his office to identify the top price gougers in Kentucky.On Thursday, he issued subpoenas to six Amazon vendors suspected of raising prices by as much as 1,951 percent on essential medical supplies like hand sanitizer and masks. Amazon, he said, worked with his office to identify the top price gougers in Kentucky.
“The subpoenas we issued should serve as a warning to anyone who tries to illegally profit from Covid-19,” he said.“The subpoenas we issued should serve as a warning to anyone who tries to illegally profit from Covid-19,” he said.