Whooping cough is making a comeback, and medical providers say the highly contagious bacterial infection that causes severe coughing fits is preventable.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, whooping cough, also known as pertussis, declined dramatically.
“Cases have skyrocketed nationwide,” says Anthony Flores, M.D., MPH, Ph.D., professor of Pediatrics and Edward Claiborne Stahlman Professor at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. “The levels that are being reported are higher than pre-pandemic.
“We have had a couple of cases, but the CDC has reported seeing record numbers. It’s a vaccine-preventable disease,” he says.
While it has been difficult to pinpoint the reason for the rise in cases, Flores, director of pediatric infectious diseases at Monroe Carell, said waning immunity and vaccine hesitancy may be the likely culprits.
“Our vaccines are still very effective, and following the recommended booster schedule is by and large our biggest preventive measure,” says Flores. “If I could repeat anything over and over again, it would be to vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate. It will reduce the severity of what we are seeing.”
Initial symptoms of whooping cough are similar to that of a common cold – runny nose, fever and a mild cough. The illness is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs. The cough often intensifies, lasting for several minutes at a time, making it difficult to breathe and causing a “whoop” sound when gasping to breathe.
Antibiotics are the standard treatment if the illness is diagnosed in time, but once the exhausting, hacking cough begins, comfort care with rest and fluids is the primary therapy.
According to the CDC, preliminary data show that more than five times as many cases have been reported as of Oct. 19, compared to the same time in 2023. The number of reported cases this year is higher than the same time in 2019.
Job seeker, employee confidence down in Q4
Job seekers and employees are feeling slightly less confident about their job security, financial status and career advancement in Q4, according to recent data from Vaco, a leading global talent solutions firm.
Vaco’s Q4 Vaco Talent Pulse Report found a drop in confidence compared to the third quarter of 2024. But confidence levels in both job security and financial status were higher compared to last year.
This marks the sixth installment of the Vaco Talent Pulse Report, and the second quarter that year-over-year comparative data is available. Key findings include:
• 41% of respondents reported extreme confidence in their ability to get and hold a job in Q4 – up 3% year-over-year (38%) and down four points from Q3 (45%).
• The number of respondents who are not confident in their ability to secure a job saw a 6% increase quarter-over-quarter, jumping from 26% in Q3 to 32% in Q4 – one of the largest upticks since the inception of the report.
• 41% of respondents are extremely confident in their ability to improve their financial situation in the next six months – up 4% year-over-year and down 3% from Q3.
• But 30% are not feeling confident in their ability to improve their financial situation – a 5% increase from last quarter (25%) and one-point drop from last year (31%).
• 44% expressed extreme confidence in their ability to advance their career in Q4, a 3% dip compared to Q3 (47%) and a two-point drop from a year ago (46%). This marks the lowest career advancement confidence level to date.
• In contrast, 28% of respondents reported a lack of confidence in their ability to advance their career in Q4. This figure is up 3% from last quarter (25%), as well as last year (25%).
Information
New Hankook survey shows EV, hybrid shift
Global tiremaker Hankook Tire’s Tire Gauge Index, now in its 10th year, is the longest-running consumer survey conducted by a tire manufacturer, reports 20% of consumers plan to buy or lease an EV within the next year, a significant increase from only 8% who said the same in 2022.
Americans’ attitudes toward hybrid and EVs have shifted amid in recent years amid increased consumer interest and changing priorities. Hankook found a moderate rise in EV adoption and evolving factors influencing consumer choices.
Millennials are leading the charge toward hybrid and EV ownership, with 36% considering a purchase in the future, followed closely by Gen X at 35% and Gen Z at 32%.
While gas savings remained the most appealing benefit of hybrid and EVs over the years, the amount of consumers who cite this consideration has declined – from a high of 58% in 2022 to 36% in 2024. This suggests that although fuel cost savings still motivate consumers, its weight in decision-making may be leveling out as other factors, such as environmental impact (18%) and technology (10%) are also appealing.
As electric vehicles have evolved, questions about their performance remain, especially in adverse weather conditions: only slightly more than one-third (35%) of respondents this year said that EVs perform better than gas-engine vehicles.
A significant 45% felt that EVs handled neither better nor worse than gas-powered vehicles.
HCA named a Military Times best employer
HCA Healthcare announced that it has been recognized for the fifth consecutive year as a Best for Vets Employer by Military Times for its efforts to recruit, mentor and retain U.S. service members. HCA Healthcare has hired more than 65,000 veterans, active-duty and reserve personnel and military spouses since 2012.
Additionally, HCA Healthcare has been nationally recognized as a Military Friendly and Military Spouse Friendly employer by VIQTORY for the 14th consecutive year and this year earned the Gold distinction for the second year in a row. VIQTORY has also recognized HCA Healthcare in its Supplier Diversity Program and as a Military Friendly Brand and Military Friendly Company.
“Our nation’s veterans bring incredible value to not only our workforce, but our culture as well,” says Sherri Neal Crowley, chief diversity officer at HCA Healthcare. “We are incredibly grateful to be recognized again this year for our efforts to provide a welcoming and supportive work environment for these noble individuals who have selflessly served our country.”
The Military Times 2024 Best for Vets: Employers is a comprehensive, editorially independent annual ranking of the country’s best employers and organizations with military-connected employment programs, benefits and support efforts.
REAL ID deadline less than six months away
The REAL ID Act of 2005, which requires anyone 18 years old or older to have a REAL ID or other federally issued photo ID, such as a passport, to enter certain Federal buildings, military bases and nuclear power plants or board commercial flights within the United States, will go into effect May 7, 2025.
The Department of Safety and Homeland Security began issuing REAL IDs July 1, 2019. Of Tennessee’s 5.8 million valid credentials, 1.6 million are not currently REAL ID compliant. Tennesseans are encouraged to decide before the implementation date to avoid the potential influx of customers to driver services centers.
To apply for a REAL ID, customers must bring proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence, proof of your Social Security Number, and two proofs of Tennessee residency. If your name has changed, you must also bring a certified legal document supporting the name change. All documents must be original or certified. Photocopies are not accepted.
Federal law requires REAL ID applications to be made in person. If you have a Tennessee driver’s license or ID, you can apply for a REAL ID at a driver services center or a participating county clerk. If you do not have a Tennessee driver’s license or ID, you must apply for a REAL ID at a driver services center.
More information about Tennessee REAL ID
Carbon pollution from private jets soars
Carbon pollution from private jets has soared in the past five years, with most of those small planes spewing more heat-trapping carbon dioxide in about two hours of flying than the average person does in about a year, a new study finds.
About a quarter million of the super wealthy – worth a total of $31 trillion – last year emitted 17.2 million tons (15.6 million metric tons) of carbon dioxide flying in private jets, according to Thursday’s study in the Nature journal Communications Earth & Environment. That’s about the same amount as the 67 million people who live in Tanzania,
Private jet emissions jumped 46% from 2019 to 2023, according to the European research team that calculated those figures by examining more than 18.6 million flights of about 26,000 airplanes over five years.
Only 1.8% of the carbon pollution from aviation is spewed by private jets and aviation as a whole is responsible for about 4% of the human-caused heat-trapping gases, the study said.
It may seem like a small amount, but it’s a matter of fairness and priorities, said the study’s lead author, Stefan Gossling, a transportation researcher at the business school of Sweden’s Linnaeus University.
The highest emitting private jet user that the team tracked – but did not identify by name – spewed 2,645 tons (2,400 metric tons) of carbon dioxide in plane use, Gossling says. That’s more than 500 times the global per person average of either 5.2 tons (4.7 metric tons) that the World Bank calculates or the 4.7 tons (4.3 metric tons) that the International Energy Agency figures and Gossling cites.
Restaurants, services still in grip of high inflation
While prices for most goods have been falling throughout the year, inflation for a wide range of services remains high. That has put a strain on consumers eating out, servicing their cars and paying for various kinds of insurance.
Prices for services rose 3.7% in September from a year ago, according to the personal consumption expenditures price index, the inflation gauge of choice for the Federal Reserve.
Prices for goods, though, have been falling, which has helped cool the overall rate of inflation nearly back to the Fed’s goal of 2%.
Restaurants, with traditionally tight margins and tough competition for diners’ dollars, are among the harder hit sectors dealing with stubborn inflation. Food services inflation rose 3.6% in September. Chains including Chipotle, McDonald’s and others say they expect inflation pressure from wages to continue.
Home and car insurance inflation also remains stubbornly high. Household insurance premiums were up 10.1% from a year ago, while auto insurance was up 6%. Companies including Allstate and Progressive have said increased storm damage and more costly parts and labor for repairs are keeping prices high.