The Daily Valet. - 1/19/21, Tuesday

✔️ An Unwanted Milestone

Tuesday, January 19th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

Would you say the pandemic is ruining your body? Me too.

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s Big Story

400K COVID Deaths

The U.S. has counted more than 200,000 cases a day for most of December and January as new variants surge

More than 400,000 people have died of the coronavirus in the U.S., according to an NBC News tally early Tuesday, a milestone that seemed unimaginable at the start of the pandemic a year ago.

Worldwide, more than 2 million people have been recorded killed by the virus, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. death toll is the world's worst—despite making up less than 5% of the world's population.

You may remember Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus coordinator, warning us back in March that as many as 240,000 Americans could die of coronavirus even if containment measures were followed “almost perfectly.”

It's safe to say that pandemic fatigue couple with other outside forces have made measure less than perfect. As state health officials rush to vaccinate as many vulnerable people as possible, COVID-19 continues to spread at record high rates across the country—with risks of new mutant virus strains spreading from the U.K., Brazil, South Africa as well as new strains emerging in the U.S.

Rather than inheriting Operation Warp Speed, Biden press secretary Jen Psaki told Vox that the new administration will create its own vaccine program, with former Chicago health commissioner Bechara Choucair spearheading the effort as vaccine coordinator.

Biden also told NBC News he would deploy the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard to help set up vaccine clinics across the U.S. as part of an ambitious plan to get shots to millions of Americans.

↦ Meanwhile: A nationwide mask mandate could add $1 trillion to the U.S. GDP, according to a recent UCLA analysis.

Biden’s Inauguration Kicks Off

‘Field of Flags’ represents Americans unable to attend

President-elect Joe Biden will arrive in the nation’s capital today, but tomorrow will not be a normal Inauguration Day. It can't be, given the circumstances of a pandemic and threats of violence. National Guard troops were pouring into the nation’s capital over the weekend to secure the city for the multi-day event.

But despite the war-zone-like security and lack of crowds and coronavirus distancing for guests, Joe Biden's swearing-in as the 46th US president is still attempting to make an impact. This year's ceremony will have the very first “virtual parade.” And American treasure Tom Hanks is involved!

But the coolest thing I've seen so far is the "Field of Flags," a massive installation on the National Mall that planted 200,000 flags that represent all those who were unable to travel to Washington for the swearing-in. The undulating colors are a much better alternative to the cardboard-cutout crowds currently making up the crowds in the sports world.

On Monday night, the Presidential Inaugural Committee illuminated the flags with 56 pillars of light—one for each of the 50 states and six U.S. territories—beamed into the air for 46 seconds, a reference to Biden becoming the 46th U.S. president.

↦ FYI: President-elect Joe Biden will start his term with a far higher approval rating than President Donald Trump—but most Republicans still believe Trump’s voter fraud claims.

Is the Pandemic Ruining Your Body?

The short answer is: Probably

It's too early for expansive data on how (and how much) people were hurting in 2020, but according to doctors and health-care workers, some clear trends have emerged, and the complaints stretch to the far reaches of the human body, reports The Atlantic.

One doctor shared that 70% of his patients were complaining of pain in their necks, lower-backs and legs—mostly from too much time hunched over a home workstation. Others, like the elderly and children, aren't getting enough time outside. And while that takes a toll mentally, their legs are actually getting weaker.

And it's not just our muscles and bones that are suffering. We're all spending more time gazing at screens and some have noticed that their vision is suffering, too. If you've been getting nightly headaches, your screen could be to blame.

↦ FYI: If you start to incorporate a few vital stretches into your daily routine, not only will you feel the difference but you'll start to notice positive changes in your body too.

About Those Super Bowl Ads ...

Advertisers are benching the big time commercials

For decades, the Super Bowl served as a long-standing stage for the Coca-Cola and Pepsi rivalry. However, this year, both brands have announced that they will not be running any commercials on its namesake sodas.

Coca-Cola told Variety it would not run ads in CBS’ broadcast of Super Bowl LV on February 7th, citing a “difficult choice” made to “ensure we are investing in the right resources during these unprecedented times.”

They're joining brands like Ford, who also opted out of a big budget commercial. And while the automaker isn't running a commercial during the big game, executives said they wanted a spot to feel “Super Bowl-worthy,” and introduced an epic Bronco commercial to run during the NFL playoffs.

Another difference this year will be the Super Bowl viewing environment. According to Forbes, the brands that are planning on running spots are changing them to appeal to smaller groups or single people watching at home. “It's one thing watching a funny ad in an environment where a big group erupts in unison. It's a very different experience watching the ad alone.”

↦ FYI: A 30-second spot in 2021 will run advertisers $5.5 million on Super Bowl Sunday. In 2020, the price was a bit more, ringing in at $5.6 million.

In Other News

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

Rimowa’s first soft bags

The coolest coffee grinder

Daniel Arsham’s new show

Clear the Clutter

Don’t let it drag you down

You know the feeling of getting into a bed with fresh, clean sheets? The crisp newness is reassuring, isn't it? Clearing away the clutter brings that feeling into all aspects of your life. What's clutter, exactly? It's the accumulation of stuff that gets in the way of our daily life.

The tricky thing is that clutter usually starts out with good intentions—clothes you might wear, papers on your desk you'll get to later and old tech gear that could try to sell, but haven't gotten around to it.

But this clutter effects us more than we realize, says Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D, a Professor Emerita of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts. She says that streamlining has been proven to give you more energy and mental processing power.

“Getting rid of the clutter in your home seems to be a key factor that you may not have realized is so important to your feelings of happiness,” she says. We've pulled together a simple game plan to get your life and home in order.

↦ Read: Give yourself space for a fresh start.

What We’re Buying

Lululemon Metal Vent Breathe Training Shirt

Having a staple workout shirt is essential for a great training session. Avoiding constricting seams and the often odd fit are crucial in ensuring your sweat time remains free of distractions. Lululemon's Metal Vent Breathe shirt does all this plus overs superb engineering that keeps air flowing during those intense workouts. And this rare Lululemon discount shouldn't be missed, so don't wait too long.

↦ Get It $78 / $39 at Lululemon