Just In

EVICTION MORATORIUM EXTENDED 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new eviction moratorium that will last until Oct. 3. The ban could help keep millions in their homes as the delta variant has spread and states have been slow to release federal rental aid. It temporarily halts evictions in counties with “substantial and high levels” of virus transmissions and covers areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives. If counties improve their COVID-19 rates and do not experience substantial and high transmission for 14 consecutive days, tenants will no longer be protected by the CDC moratorium.

MASKS MAKING A COMEBACK

The CDC is updating its mask guidance to try and get the spread of the delta variant under control. It now says that fully vaccinated people should wear masks indoors when in areas with “substantial” and “high” transmission of COVID-19. With that updated guidance, some stores are making changes to their own mask policies too. Below are a few of the big ones: 

Apple: The retailer will again require vaccinated customers and staff to wear masks at more than half of its U.S. stores. N95 masks with valves, and masks that do not cover your nose and extend below your chin — such as bandanas, are not permitted.

Costco: All locations will follow the face mask regulations of the applicable state and local jurisdictions.

Home Depot: It requires associates, contractors and vendors to wear a mask while indoors at all stores, regardless of vaccination status. The retailer also asks customers to wear masks while in its stores and will continue to offer masks to those who don’t have one.

Kroger: Employees and customers in all locations must wear a mask when shopping in its stores.

McDonald’s: It will require its customers and staff to wear face coverings again inside its U.S. restaurants in areas with high or substantial COVID-19 transmission, regardless of vaccination status.

Target: It requires face coverings for its team members and strongly recommends face coverings for all customers in areas with substantial or high risk of transmission.

Click here for the full list. 

FIRE RISK RECALL

Two million dehumidifiers sold at big box stores nationwide are being recalled for a fire risk. There’s been more than 107 incidents reported that have caused about $17 million in property damage. No injuries have been reported. 

Product: The dehumidifiers are manufactured by New Widetech but are under various brand names like AeonAir, ArcticAire, Whirlpool, etc. Here’s a full list of the brands and products being recalled. 

Sold at: They were sold at Lowe’s, Costco, Walmart, Menards and other retailers nationwide from February 2009 through August 2017 for between $120 and $430.

Remedy: Stop using the dehumidifiers immediately and contact New Widetechfor a refund. 

PASSPORT BACKLOG 

The State Department is dealing with a major backlog of passport applications. It’s now sorting through more than 1 million applications. It used to take six to eight weeks to get a passport but now the wait time is up to 18 weeks! That’s for a new one or a renewal of your old passport. You can do the expedited process but it’ll cost $60. The wait time for the expedited process is 12 weeks.

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

Retailers are raising the minimum wage for their workers. Some that have already done it include Walmart, McDonald’s and Chipotle. Joining that list? CVS will raise its minimum wage for hourly workers from $11 to $15. The pharmacy giant, which has nearly 300,000 employees, said that it will begin increasing wages for hourly workers this month and hit the $15 an hour mark across the company next July. CVS will also increase starting rates for positions such as pharmacy technicians and call center representatives above $15.

   Rep.  Caroletta C. Alicea

   Children and Family Law 

        Committee Clerk

    Boscawen—District 8