White House bolsters nominee for consumer post as battle looms
March 4, 2020, Washington Times
The White House is gearing for a fight with Democrats over President Trump’s nomination of EPA official Nancy Beck to lead the Consumer Products Safety Commission, with supporters calling her a highly qualified nominee who’s committed to protecting the public.
Coronavirus is disrupting supply chains. These industries are most vulnerable
February 29,2020, Barrons
Tariffs gummed up global trade routes over the past two years.The Coronavirus has severely disrupted nearly every link in the global supply chain, which could lead to curtailed production, product shortages and financial stress across a range of industries. How manufacturing delays ripple through the economy isn’t so straightforward, however.
Demand for hand sanitizers up 1,400% and sellers are rationing supplies
March 2,2020, CBS News
Demand for hand sanitizers spiked 1,400% from December to January and a supplier to smaller manufacturers warned its customers that it’s running out of product to sell them. Some retailers are even rationing sales of hand sanitizers: Texas-based grocery store chain H-E-B reportedly began rationing purchases, limiting customers to four bottles of hand sanitizer and four bottles of hand soap per visit.
Spring into action by adding safety to daylight saving time
March 4, 2020, CPSC Website
Last week, consumers tuned their clocks forward one hour for Daylight Saving Time. People lost one hour of sleep, but they gained daylight for activities. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants you to spring into action by adding safety to your daylight-saving time changeover. “The change in time is a perfect opportunity to check and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Bob Adler. “And with the extra daylight, practice a fire escape plan.”
https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2020/Spring-into-Action-by-Adding-Safety-to-Daylight-Saving-Time
How the coronavirus’ effect on the fashion industry reveals flaws in the global economy
March 3, 2020, Time
After the coronavirus outbreak forced Chinese fashion designers, buyers and other industry insiders to skip Milan’s Fashion Week in late February, the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, or National Chamber of Italian Fashion, launched a campaign to demonstrate solidarity: “China, we are with you.” The slogan turned out to be prophetic. By the end of fashion week, Italy was facing a coronavirus outbreak of its own, and Milan’s typically bustling streets were eerily empty.
Smart camera and baby monitor warning given by UK’s cyber-defender
March 2, 2020, BBC News
Smart cameras and baby monitors can be watched by criminals over the internet by default, security chiefs warn. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is advising people to tweak the settings after buying them. The NCSC’s technical director warned while the devices were “fantastic innovations”, they were vulnerable to cyber-attackers. There are many examples of devices being accessed without permission.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51706631
Toy industry weighing impact of coronavirus at New York toy fair
February 24, 2020, Forbes
The coronavirus could mean fewer seasonal toys in stores this spring and summer and fewer toy launches this fall. Toy makers who depend on China said they are hopeful the factories will be back to normal soon, but that there still are too many uncertainties still about the epidemic to predict the impact.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2020/02/24/coronavirus-has-toy-industry-playing-catch-up/#4f52ee8b67ef
Vaping: FDA to ban sale of flavored cartridge-based products
February 19, 2020, Cnet
Get up to date on the acute issues tied to vaping. In recent months, more than 2,500 people have ended up in the hospital due to severe lung illnesses and other health problems after vaping — and at least 64 people have died. It’s clear we’re just starting to understand the dangers of vaping.
The art and science of supply chain planning in the age of social media
March 2, 2020, Forbes
Ensuring supply meets demand has always been a simple, yet elusive formula for businesses. Aim too high and run the risk of excess inventory sitting unused; aim too low and run the risk of costly stock-outs and unhappy consumers. Today, supply chain leaders are also grappling with shifting consumer preferences and new channels for consumption. While traditional planning relied on demand-shaping activities like advertising and pricing promotions, in today’s social world, an unplanned viral moment or organic influencer endorsement can send demand skyrocketing (or plummeting), leaving companies scrambling to keep up.
Opinion: Toddlers eat shiny objects. Does Trump understand that?
March 3, 2020, Politico
The administration’s safety standards no longer include foreseeable misuse of products like desk magnets. Will Congress change the law to protect children?
