The Daily Valet. - 12/10/21, Friday
✔️ Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
Friday, December 10th Edition
Be honest ... have you watched a corny holiday movie this season?
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s edition is presented by
Today’s Big Story
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
The COVID pandemic could end next year, but we currently have cases surging
Picture it: By the end of next year, the COVID pandemic is officially over. (*Exhales a big sigh of relief.) It’s a promising thought but, that doesn’t mean the coronavirus will disappear.
In a blog post this week, Bill Gates laid out one seemingly likely scenario: “At some point next year, COVID-19 will become an endemic disease in most places.”
If COVID becomes an endemic illness—a disease of relatively low severity that constantly circulates throughout certain parts of the world—the sickness’ pandemic phase could come to a close sometime in 2022, the Microsoft co-founder and billionaire health philanthropist wrote.
Medical experts, including White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, agree the virus may never completely vanish. “It’s very unlikely that we’re ever going to be able to get rid of COVID,” one epidemiologist tells CNBC.
And while the increased number of vaccinations had inspired hopes that Americans would be able to experience a relatively normal winter, a sudden surge in cases, upcoming holiday gatherings and unanswered questions about the Omicron variant have sparked fresh concerns and warnings from public health officials.
About 40% of the U.S. population has not been fully vaccinated, and the number of doses administered each day has decreased from about 3.3 million in April to about 1.7 million today, according to the New York Times. But at the same time, the FDA on Thursday authorized the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for use as a booster in people ages 16 and 17—meaning the supplemental shot is now available for anyone 16 and up.
↦ FYI: According to NPR, 1 in 10 Americans say the COVID-19 vaccine conflicts with their religious beliefs.
The Comfort of Holiday Movies
Why you love them, even if they’re ‘cheesy’
It seems we've hit peak corny holiday movie. On our screens this year, it's always Christmas in some little town, everywhere you turn. We're 10 days into December and we're already saturated with these festive yet formulaic films.
The ghost of Christmas past could tell you about a time when Hallmark was the only place you'd find them. Now Lifetime joins in, airing movies everyday until Christmas. And plenty of others are hoping to find themselves on viewers' nice list this year, including CBS—airing two holiday movies, the network's first in more than 10 years – along with Comedy Central, VH1 and even the Food Network.
Now the streamers are in on the action as well. Hulu, Peakcock and Netflix are all cranking them out—which has meant increased diversity with Black or Asian or gay characters, following long-held criticism about the genre's lack of representation. Okay, yeah ... I watched Netflix's Single All the Way, and while I cringed during the first 15 minutes, the pepperminty sweetness grew my heart three sizes by the end.
But there's actually a scientific reason why. In short, they de-stress us. “There's a lot of dopamine and oxytocin that gets released in watching these things,” one noted psychologist tells the Washington Post. “There's also the common thread of family and community bonds in the storytelling that as humans we're hard-wired to crave.”
↦ Watch List: Which ones are worth your time? Entertainment Tonight has compiled a list of the season's standouts.
Partner
Stumped for a gift to send? This is a gentlemanly option that's guaranteed to please.
A New Comet Is Flying by Right Now
Catch it while you can because it’s fading
There's a new comet hurling through our solar system, and this is your only chance to see it before it disappears forever. The celestial object has likely spent the last 35,000 years traveling toward the sun, reports Sky & Telescope.
Comet Leonard, also known as C/2021, will make its closest approach to Earth on Dec. 12, according to NASA. The comet was discovered earlier this year by astronomer Gregory Leonard, hence its name.
It's also an ultrafast comet, blazing through the inner solar system at 158,084 miles per hour (71 kilometers per second), but it will still appear like a slow-moving object due to its distance from Earth, according to EarthSky.
As comets near the sun, they brighten, making it easier to see here on Earth. But something strange is happening to skywatchers' most anticipated comet of the year—it's starting to fade. Astronomers told Space.com that in the past, comets that have broken apart have faded, so it's usually seen as the first sign that something's wrong. So if you want to see that comet flying through the night sky, look up sooner rather than later.
↦ Meanwhile: NASA's new impact monitoring system called Sentry-II could prevent an asteroid apocalypse.
A Weekend Pairing
The Shrink Next Door + a Mind Eraser Cocktail
People love their therapist, right? They listen. They help you unpack the emotional trauma of your past. But a therapist who's obsessed with you is bad news. Based on a hit documentary podcast, Apple TV+'s The Shrink Next Door follows Marty (Will Ferrell in a surprisingly subdued role) and his psychiatrist, Dr. Herschkopf (Paul Rudd), as their relationship quickly pushes beyond the typical boundaries of patient and client and into something much more sinister.
The AV Club says the Anchorman stars make a mesmerizing duo in this unsettling, but highly addictive show. “The series immerses audiences in the lives of its lead characters in order to elicit two distinct reactions: sympathy for one, indignation for the other.” The tension keeps growing but the payoff is well worth it. The Hollywood Reporter says the show is most effective in the last few episodes. Like therapy, you've got to make it through the uncomfortable parts to get the most out of it.
↦ Your Pairing:Did I choose this cocktail based on the name? Yes. But is it also a smart alternative to the espresso martini’s recent revival? Also yes. Combining vodka, coffee liqueur and sparkling water, the Mind Eraser is essentially a Black Russian with bubbles.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Partner
The Gift That Always Impresses
Flowers are a gentlemanly way to make someone’s holiday
Fresh flowers are a great way to send a gift that's guaranteed to please—especially when you can't be there. When the person on your list has expressed the desire not to have any more “things,” you now have the perfect option. It's a gift that always delights and this one can keep on giving for as long as you'd like. We're talking about sending flowers. But not just any bouquet. UrbanStems is known for sourcing on-trend blooms and creating stunning arrangements that fit a wide range of styles. They prioritize working directly with Rainforest Alliance Certified farms in order to cut out unnecessary middlemen and deliver the freshest bouquets.
With their subscription service, you choose the duration of the gift and the frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) along with the style and price point that suits your tastes and budget. Or you could surprise a host over the holiday season, with a bouquet that'll make a beautiful centerpiece for their table. You could also arrange them as a “thank you,” for something special you've been given. After all, what's more gentlemanly than that?
Choose the style that suits you—from timeless best-sellers to seasonal blooms. The first delivery comes with a versatile glass vase that the following bouquets can be arranged in.
The Verona bouquet of lush roses and hypericum berries, $68
The Catalina bouquet of eye-catching queen protea stems, $58
The Nutcracker bouquet of red and gold pops, $110
Double The Paxton bouquet of white novelty parrot tulips, $90
The Matcha bouquet, $65
The Rockette bouquet of anemone, $75
The Briar bouquet of roses, scabies and astilbe, $110
↦ Want more gifts? Check out UrbanStems’ gift guide
Special Promotion
The Foolproof Shoes for Anyone on Your List
What’s something you can get anyone on your list that’s all but guaranteed to please? A good pair of shoes. Think about it. Who wouldn't like another pair? Especially when they're from SeaVees. The California-based brand honors its mid-century heritage by drawing inspiration from the company's archive and using time-tested production methods. The end result is footwear that's timeless, stylish and consciously crafted. What's more, there are options to suit everyone's personal tastes—from the coziest house slides to some rugged weather-resistant boots. Just make sure you know the right size, and you can't go wrong. Here are a few of the favorites we're giving (or asking for) but there are also plenty of options for the ladies in your life.
↦ Want more gifts? Check out SeaVees
Morning Motto
Things don’t have to be perfect to start.
↦ Follow: @fowlist
That’s all for today...
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