The Daily Valet. - 12/8/21, Wednesday
✔️ Are the Kids Ok?
Wednesday, December 8th Edition
Warning: You may want chicken tenders by the end of this newsletter.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s edition is presented by
Today’s Big Story
Are the Kids OK?
Surgeon general warns of youth mental health crisis
On Tuesday, the United States surgeon general, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, warned that young people are facing “devastating” mental health effects as a result of the challenges experienced by their generation, including the coronavirus pandemic.
The message came as part of a rare public advisory from the nation’s top physician in a 53-page report [PDF] noting that the pandemic intensified mental health issues that were already widespread by the spring of 2020.
According to the New York Times, symptoms of depression and anxiety have doubled during the pandemic, with 25% of youth experiencing depressive symptoms and 20% experiencing anxiety symptoms. There also seems to be increases in negative emotions or behaviors such as impulsivity and irritability—associated with conditions such as ADHD.
Even before the pandemic, children from all backgrounds faced serious mental health challenges, Murthy said. But nearly two years of disruption took a toll and worsened their mental health—especially for such groups as immigrants, students with disabilities and students of color from low-income families.
The reasons are complex and not yet definitive. Adolescent brain chemistry and relationships with friends and family are important factors, the report noted, as is a fast-paced media culture, which can leave some young minds feeling helpless. (Not just young minds, right?)
Look, the trials of the adolescent experience can be difficult enough. But screen time may be making it worse by displacing activities known to be vital to physical and mental health (including sleep, exercise and in-person activity) research has shown. The current generation of youth express heightened levels of loneliness—more than any other age group—despite spending countless hours connected over media.
↦ On The Bright side: Young people are very knowledgeable and energized about mental health as an issue.
Men Spread COVID More Than Women
Guys: 0, COVID: 1
Scientists have accidentally discovered that men spread COVID-19 more than women and children. Allow me to mansplain ...
The Colorado-based study, CBS News reported, was intended to look into COVID transmission at performing arts events. But when measuring the number of aerosols emitted by its 75 participants, researchers found something surprising: the adult male subjects spewed way more particles than adult women or children.
But the explanation is fairly simple. “Adults tend to emit more particles than children,” John Volckens, a mechanical engineering professor at Colorado State University, told CBS. “The reason men tend to emit more particles is because we have bigger lungs.”
Is singing worse than talking when it comes to how many particles are being emitted? Yes, according to the study. And, the louder one talks or sings, the worse the emissions, the University said in a news post, detailing the study. So let this be a reminder to keep it down and keep it outside when you can.
Partner
You can't give someone more time. But you can give them a nice watch to look at while time slips away.
Chicken Tenders Are in Trouble?
Prices are rising as supply is becoming increasingly limited
Have you heard that chicken nuggets are going extinct? That chicken fingers are hard to find (or more expensive when you do find them)?
It appears handheld chicken has become the latest culprit of supply chain issues, as the United States is facing a looming shortage of the popular poultry products with prices rising from coast to coast.
According to Today, the price of chicken fingers has risen nearly a dollar a pound. They report that because tenders require more processing and more packaging than non-breaded chicken, they're not only going to be more expensive but harder to find. Fast food chains like KFC have even stopped promoting tenders to avoid a total shortage at their restaurants.
But can't they just get more chicken? If chickens are going extinct, I feel like that's the bigger story here. The reasons behind the meat shortage vary, depending on whom you ask. With meat prices skyrocketing in grocery stores, the Biden administration cited illegal price fixing by the meat-processing industry. Meat manufacturers cited extreme weather, labor shortages and high demand. Others say there's not a shortage, just pockets of popularity.
↦ Make Your Own: Ready for a kitchen challenge? This private chef shows you how to make homemade chicken tenders (and keep them crispy after frying).
Uber Is Getting Safer for Everyone
The app launches overdue safety updates
Uber has launched new safety features the include a panic button, seat belt alerts and 'anomaly detection' which identifies if you veer off the planned route.
According to Mashable, the new technology will ascertain when an unexpected route is taken, if a trip finishes in a different location than the specified destination, or if a prolonged stop occurs in a journey. The tool will reach out to both the rider and driver through the app with a notification checking if everything is OK.
The company also announced on Thursday that it's launching an optional audio recording pilot program in three U.S. cities to enhance safety, allowing drivers and riders to send trip recordings to Uber in case of a safety incident.
These new and updated safety measures have been a long time coming. In 2019, Uber released an alarming report about the number of sexual assaults that took place when people were traveling in an Uber. The report indicated that thousands of assaults were taking place each year. While that might be a small fraction of the total number of rides taken, any number other than zero seems unacceptable.
↦ FYI: Uber currently has more than 93 million active users.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Partner
Give the Gift of Time
Vincero has quality, affordable timepieces to suit any man’s taste
Everybody wants more time in their day, right?Well, a handsome watch might be the closest thing to actually giving someone time. We asked the watchmakers at Vincero for their choices on the best timepieces to give this season. In case you're not familiar, Vincero is known in the horological world for its good looking watches that are well built, reasonably-priced and extremely durable. What separates them from most of their contemporaries is the fact that Vincero controls the entire manufacturing process—from sourcing materials (historic marble, Italian leather and Japanese movements) to assembly and repairs. You could say it's an old fashioned way of making modern watches. Here is their gift list of the most giftable watches, all under $500—along with a few stylish accessories as well.
↦ Want more gifts? Check out Vincero’s complete gift guide
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Ritchie white sneaker, $301 / $180.60
Ritchie Shara sneaker, $301 / $180.60
Scott off-white suede loafer, $260
Drake clean white sneaker, $260 / $156
↦ Want more gifts?Check out DUKE + DEXTER
Morning Motto
Don’t fear change. Embrace it.
↦ Follow: @swampsprouts
That’s all for today...
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