The Daily Valet. - 2/24/22, Thursday

✔️ This Is Bad

February 24, 2022

Thursday, February 24th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

I don’t know about you, but I’d like to stop living through major historical events.

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

Russia Attacks Ukraine

Biden calls move ‘premeditated war,’ and Putin threatens anyone ‘who tries to interfere’

Early on Thursday Russia launched a military assault against Ukraine, with explosions audible in some of the country’s largest cities, including Kyiv, the capital, in what President Biden called “a premeditated war.”

Putin said the goal of the operation was the “demilitarization” of Ukraine—not to occupy the country. He urged Ukrainian troops to lay down their weapons and warned outside countries to not interfere. Russia’s Defence Ministry says it has disabled all of Ukraine’s air defenses and airbases.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that military installations around the country were under attack, declared martial law, and said he’d spoken to President Biden. “Stay calm, stay at home, the army is doing its work,” he urged his citizens.

Biden promised Zelensky additional U.S. support in their call. He also noted that he’d be meeting with the leaders of the G7 today and vowed to work with NATO “to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the Alliance.”

Earlier Wednesday, a large-scale cyber attack preceded the invasion, as Ukraine’s security agency, its legislature, its Foreign Affairs Ministry and other important agencies were all made unaccessible, reports NPR.

And it makes you wonder: are we witnessing the start of World War III? Let’s hope not. And the BBC’s top security correspondent says that it’s unlikely—unless Russia threatens a NATO member state. Ukraine is not a member currently and Putin is determined to keep it that way. “As long as there’s no direct conflict between Russia and NATO, then there is no reason for this crisis, bad as it is, to descend into a full-scale world war.”

↦ Meanwhile: NBC News asks, why didn’t the U.S. and allies provide Ukraine with a better air defense system?

Firearm Deaths on the Rise

Guns overtake car crashes as leading cause of U.S. trauma-related deaths

Firearm-related deaths are continuing their rapid rise in the U.S., with a new well-respected study finding they have overtaken car crashes as the leading cause of “years of potential life lost” due to trauma.

The study looked at CDC data from 2009–2018. In the first few years that researchers looked at, motor vehicle crashes accounted for more years of potential life lost than firearms. However, in 2017 firearms exceeded motor vehicle crashes and continued to do so through 2018.

Researchers say that understanding the epidemiology of trauma can aid with better resource allocation, awareness, public information and suicide and injury prevention efforts.

According to CNN, the study found that suicides accounted for most of the deaths by firearms—and those numbers are increasing. Suicides by firearm rose from fewer than 19,000 in 2009 to over 24,000 in 2018. White men made up the majority of suicide-related firearm deaths during the decade examined, with 4.95 million years of potential life lost.

↦ FYI: The study highlighted that the U.S. struggles more with firearm ownership, mass shootings, injuries and death when compared with other developed countries.

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U.S. Vaxx Drive Is Bottoming Out

And the CDC says some people should wait longer for their 2nd COVID shot

America's vaccination drive is “bottoming out,” with fewer people receiving doses each day than at any point since December 2020—when the shots were first made available to health care workers, the immunocompromised and seniors.

According to the Associated Press, incentive programs that gave away cash, sports tickets, beer and other prizes have largely gone away. Government and employer vaccine mandates have faced court challenges and may have gone as far as they ever will.

Overall, 76% of the U.S. population has received one shot, 65% have received either two mRNA shots or one Johnson & Johnson shot, and 28% have received a full vaccine course including a booster.

If you're still due for a shot, you might be in luck. This week, the CDC quietly changed its advice on spacing the shots. Instead of recommending two weeks between shots, research suggests that waiting up to eight weeks can help boost antibodies and provide more enduring protection against the coronavirus. So if you've been waiting on your booster, this extra time could come in handy.

↦ Meanwhile: Google will no longer require U.S. employees to be vaccinated (and is relaxing COVID-19 policies for campus amenities as well).

Restaurants Return to Tableside Service

People are craving over-the-top feasts again

After a long pandemic where many of us ate mostly at home (or outdoors) and didn't splurge all that much, we're now ready for a serious meal out. And that means dinner and a show.

Tableside service—where your server slices the meat, prepares a salad or presents your dessert—is suddenly back in a big way for restaurant lovers. There's an old school glamour to it, which is why you can find it at eateries from coast to coast.

“People are definitely going out for the sake of socialization,” one restauranteur tells Robb Report. “It just adds a level of elegance instead of, you know, just dropping a plate in front of somebody.”

And even with meat prices raising, butchers and suppliers say that larger cuts of meat are the most popular with restaurants right now because of the steaks and chops carved tableside. That's what makes a meal so special, says chef John Villa of Cucina 8 1/2. “The guys have the nice carving knives. They'll present it and engage with the table and see how the guests want it sliced, thick or thin ... it adds a little something else to your dinner.”

In Other News

↦ Silicon Valley Is Coming for Your Chocolate

↦ California Lawmaker Proposes ‘Dog and Cat Bill of Rights’

↦ What to Do If a Cop Tries to Scan Your Face During a Traffic Stop

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

‘The Batman’ premiere

Nitro-infused Pepsi

Ferrari’s upcoming SUV

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