The Daily Valet. - 10/12/20, Monday

✔️ Embrace the Pandemic Meltdown

Monday, October 12th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

Is it Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day? Guess it depends on who you ask ...

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

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Today’s Big Story

Embracing the Pandemic Meltdown

We’re under all sorts of pressure ... no wonder anxiety is at an all-time high

Stress is a fact of modern life, but it seems like lately, we’re inundated with anxiety from all corners of our lives. Work life and financials; health and family; the future of our country. And I’m sure there are things to worry about that I'm forgetting ...

In April, the Journal of the American Medical Association wrote that economic stress, social isolation and reduced access to religious services increased firearm sales and healthcare worker suicides.

Well-regarded, public-health entities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization point out that our collective mental health is “languishing” and “issued warnings about the possible effects of COVID-19 on suicidal behaviors.”

If you’ve been able to hang on this long, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. You’re not alone. According to the Wall Street Journal, many of us are losing it lately.

Thankfully, they’re schooling us on the art of the “Pandemic Meltdown.” There’s an upside to losing your cool: It allows us to release tension. And once we do that, we can think more clearly, because we’re no longer spending all our energy trying to hold it together. “A meltdown is the body’s natural mechanism to let go, to cleanse itself of painful emotions,” says Tal Ben-Shahar, a psychologist who specializes in the science of happiness. “It lets us reset.”

So how do you do it to get the most out of your meltdown? First, know what you need. Some people prefer to be left alone when they lose control. Others want a hug or a pep talk. Just be clear with your loved ones about your needs, says Amanda Luterman, a licensed psychotherapist in Montreal. Then toss some cold water on your face and breathe deeply when you’re ready to calm down. Repeat as needed until we’re through this mess of a year.

↦ Quick Fix: The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, try one of these scientifically-backed and expert-approved stress busters.

Los Angeles Lakers Win NBA Title

Capping the longest season in history with a dominant final flourish

On the 356th day of the 74th NBA season, the Lakers franchise cinched its 17th championship in a 106-93 victory over the Miami Heat.

To say this was a tough season is an understatement. From the the death of franchise icon Kobe Bryant in January, to the pandemic, to the nationwide protests following the police killing of George Floyd, to the creation of a virus-free bubble where the NBA could resume its season, to the near-cancellation of the season following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, this season has tested and humbled everyone, reports ESPN.

It's the fourth championship for LeBron James, one of the world's best known and most respected players, who was honored with the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award for the fourth time. He won the prestigious award in each of his previous three title runs.

Of course, uncertainty for the 2020-21 season awaits. No schedule has been announced and plans for a full 82-game slate and a 16-team playoff could preclude the world's best players from going to the pandemic-delayed Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

↦ In Other Sports: Rafael Nadal won his 20th Grand Slam men's singles championship to tie Roger Federer's record.

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Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings Begin Today

What to expect as Judge Amy Coney Barrett goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee convenes today for the first of four days of confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court. It will, no doubt, be a fiercely partisan battle over the high court's future.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Republicans' goal is to have Barrett, who will appear before the committee but won't take questions until Tuesday, confirmed by the full Senate during the last week in October—just before Election Day.

There are 22 members on the Judiciary Committe—12 Republicans and 10 Democrats—and each will have their chance to question Barrett directly later in the week. Expect people talking about Chairman Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, (in the midst of a tough reelection fight) and Democratic Senator Kamala Harris (and Biden's VP-pick), who made waves questioning Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his contentious confirmation hearings in 2018.

Although Barrett is expected to garner support from most, if not all, 53 Republican senators, most Democrats will likely oppose her confirmation due to fears that she would rule to kill the Affordable Care Act, chip away at abortion rights and expand the scope of the Second Amendment.

↦ Dig Deeper: NBC News has a primer on the Notre Dame law school grad and mother of seven who's expected to consolidate the court's conservative majority.

The 2020 Pappy Van Winkle Is Coming

What to know, including how to score a bottle

Buffalo Trace just announced that the most-coveted bourbon in the country, Pappy Van Winkle, is currently being shipped out, and will be on sale next month.

For the uninformed, the annual release of the Van Winkle bourbons (and one rye) sees bourbon nerds scooping up as much of the six expressions of Van Winkle as they can, sometimes to stockpile, other times to re-sell for a profit, reports Men's Journal.

The bad news, according to the company, is that there will be fewer 20- to 23-year-old bourbons because the barrels allotted for 2020, “yielded far fewer bottles this fall.” But the good news, though, is that a larger supply of the equally coveted (and less expensive) Van Winkle 13-Year Rye will be made available to make up for it.

Inside Hook offers some advice: the best way to get one of these bottles is to basically call every liquor store you think might get a bottle (Van Winkle’s site can help) and ask if they're holding a lottery. Or become friendly with your local liquor store—regulars are always taken care of, right?

↦ Sweet Find: This all-natural American maple syrup is aged in retired Pappy Van Winkle bourbon barrels.

In Other News

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

These reimagined childhood toys

The new stuff we’re eyeing

This 99-year-old park ranger

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