If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or need help, call or text 988.
As of February 3rd, 2025, California’s COVID regulations have expired, with the exception of a recordkeeping requirement. Employers won’t need to follow the specific COVID prevention rules anymore, but they’re still responsible for maintaining a safe workplace and complying with general health and safety requirements. One important thing to note: the recordkeeping requirement for COVID cases stays in place until February 2026. This means if an employer finds out about a positive case—whether the employee reports it or they get the info another way—they’ll still need to track that case, though they only need to report the details to health authorities if requested. As far as we understand it (and you should check with your own legal team for legal advice, as always!), this means that employers don’t have any obligation to notify close contacts, just to keep a record of COVID positive employees and their info. Cal/OSHA’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) Rule can also still be applied to COVID hazards, so you’ll need to follow reasonable measures to address infectious diseases along with other workplace hazards. These are likely to be pared down compared to precautions taken at the height of the pandemic. ZHH doesn’t provide legal advice, so be sure to check with your legal team to ensure compliance with Cal/OSHA and all regulations.
Sources: DIR.ca.gov, Fisher Phillips
On social media and wellness podcasts, influencers have been warning against consuming seed oils they’ve dubbed the “hateful eight.” These include canola, corn, cottonseed, grapeseed, rice bran, safflower, soybean, and sunflower oils. RFK Jr., nominated for HHS secretary, has said that Americans are being “unknowingly poisoned” by these oils. Health-focused restaurant chains have taken note of the trend, with Sweetgreen announcing a seed-oil free menu last month. Wellness influencers claim that seed oils are linked to the rise in chronic illnesses in the U.S., but there’s no evidence of this. In fact, nutritionists agree they’re a step up from butter or lard in terms of health benefits. Studies have repeatedly found that seed oils are safe to consume and may even be associated with lower risks of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. That said, seed oils are used in a lot of ultra-processed foods, which are the center of some major concerns about the American diet right now. We know that many ultra-processed and junk foods aren’t good for us, but there’s no evidence that it’s specifically because of the seed oils in them. Some concerns center around Omega-6 fatty acids in seed oils, which are essential in small amounts. A recent study suggested that they may cause inflammation that increases colon cancer risk, but teasing out causation versus correlation is difficult given their prevalence in heavily processed foods. The reality appears to be much more nuanced than a simple “bad” or “good” binary. It’s probably not any one thing in processed foods that’s the smoking gun, but a combination of factors. For restaurants, moving away from seed oils is primarily a marketing decision. While there’s not enough scientific evidence to support the claims against seed oils, the growing movement against them may resonate with health-conscious diners, depending on your target demographic.
Sources: NBC, Axios, NY Times, Scientific American
Bird flu is really ramping up, and while the risk to humans who aren’t working directly with cows and birds is still very low, the rampant spread isn’t helping egg prices or reducing the risk of further mutations that could tip the scales.