The Daily Valet. - 2/25/20, Tuesday
✔️ This Will Be Bigger Than We Thought
Tuesday, February 25th Edition
Am I grown up enough to carry a briefcase? Stay tuned ...
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
A Pandemic Looks Likely
But a pandemic wouldn’t mean that the disease has become any more deadly
The World Health Organization on Monday declined to call the series of novel coronavirus disease outbreaks flaring worldwide a pandemic, despite case numbers—and deaths—jumping precipitously over the weekend in Italy, Iran and South Korea.
The large outbreaks outside China suggests that the epidemic has reached a tipping point in which global spread of the virus is inevitable, some infectious-disease experts told the Wall Street Journal.
The WHO said it isn’t yet clear whether a world-wide spread is a foregone conclusion. The virus could be contained, develop a regular pattern of continual or seasonal transmission, or become a pandemic, said Michael Ryan, the organization's chief of health emergencies.
Harvard epidemiology professor Marc Lipsitch told The Atlantic that he predicts within the coming year some 40 to 70 percent of people around the world will be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19….“cold and flu season” could become “cold and flu and COVID-19 season.”
Still, epidemics like this tend to generate uncertainty and sometimes panic. Like the stock market’s steep drop on Monday. The S&P 500 fell more than 3.3 percent, its biggest daily decline in two years, illustrating the concerns about a global economic slowdown.
↦ FYI: COVID-19 is already larger than other outbreaks, such as SARS (which originated in Asia in 2002) or Ebola (which began in West Africa in 2014).
Harvey Weinstein Found Guilty of Rape, Sexual Abuse
He now faces up to 25 years in prison
Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of a felony sex crime and rape, three years after several bombshell reports exposed his history of alleged sexual assault and kickstarted the #MeToo movement, the New York Times reports. He is due to be sentenced on March 11.
The guilty verdicts covered just two of the five charges against Weinstein, and he was notably found not guilty on the weightiest charge, predatory sexual assault, which would have established a pattern of predatory behavior.
According to BuzzFeed News, Weinstein now faces up to 25 years in prison for the felony sex crime charge, while the third-degree rape charge carries a potential sentence of probation to up to four years in prison.
"The jury’s verdict sends a powerful message to the world of just how much progress has been made since the Weinstein Silence Breakers ignited an unstoppable movement," Tina Tchen, president and CEO of the Time’s Up Foundation, said in a statement.
Pentagon Adopts New Principles for Using AI
Preparing for battle is different these days
The Pentagon is adopting new ethical principles as it prepares to accelerate its use of artificial intelligence technology on the battlefield, reports the Associated Press.
The new guidelines call for people to “exercise appropriate levels of judgment and care” when deploying and using AI systems, such as those that scan aerial imagery to look for targets.
They also say decisions made by automated systems should be "traceable" and "governable," which means "there has to be a way to disengage or deactivate" them if they are demonstrating unintended behavior, said Air Force Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan, director of the Pentagon’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center.
An existing 2012 military directive requires humans to be in control of automated weapons, but doesn’t address broader uses of AI.
↦ Algorithms vs Ammunition: The Department of Defense increased investment in artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing from $5 billion in 2011 to $7.4 billion in 2016.
Kobe Bryant Honored
The memorial featured Michael Jordan, Shaq, Jimmy Kimmel, Beyoncé and Alicia Keys
Four weeks and a day after Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash, along with seven others, Los Angeles staged a celebration of their lives at the Staples Center.
In what came to be known as the "House that Kobe Built," Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow and Gianna’s mother, was joined by some of his closest friends on stage to speak—in devastatingly emotional terms—about their grief.
The late-night host Jimmy Kimmel played the role of emcee, introducing speakers and occasionally throwing out some gentle one-liners, reports NBC News. The memorial also featured stirring musical performances by Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera.
Jordan broke down crying during his speech, but he lifted the somber mood with a joke: "I'll have to look at another crying meme."
↦ FYI: Vanessa Bryant has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that operated the helicopter.
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
+
What Are You Carrying to Work?
We’ve found the best bags for guys
Modern men have a lot to carry to work these days. Most of us have a laptop along with a tablet in tow. Maybe you pack your lunch if you're the health-conscious type. Perhaps you've got a book you're reading. Throw in the other random items we can't seem to be without and it's clear that we're all in need of a quality work bag.
And being that we're men of style, the thing should look good too. Why put effort into your daily outfit if your bag is going to bring down your personal style? So with that in mind, the Valet. team searched far and wide for our favorite bags.
These are the ones we'd like to bring to the office each day. The real question is do you want your hands free with a sleek backpack or prefer a more classic tote or briefcase style? We've got them all, in a range of styles and prices.
↦ Check Out: The best work bags for your day (and night).
What We’re Buying
This is like a sweatshirt with a built-in crossbody bag. Billy Reid's fleece sweatshirt is a modern take on an athletic staple, made from a brushed, medium-weight French terry. It features a nylon pocket at the chest, quilted with the brand's signature ribbon stripe. And now, the modern pullover is 40% off so it's even easier to buy.
↦ Get It $225 / $134.98 at Nordstrom
Today’s Deals
Expires 2/25
Expires 3/9
Expires 2/25
↦ Want More? See all 49 sales
Morning Motto
Eyes forward. Don’t look back, don’t get tripped up.
↦ Follow: @third.eye.thought
That’s all for today...
...but we could use your help.
The more people who know about The Daily Valet., the stronger it can become. So grab your unique referral code below and start sharing with your friends, family and coworkers to earn some exclusive discounts to our favorite brands and cool stuff you'll actually want (not just throw-away “swag”).
Your Unique Referral Code:
↦ Want to Learn More? Check out your personal Valet. Ambassor page for program details and get a closer look at the available rewards (and how many referrals are needed to score them).
Valet Media LLC350 Lincoln Road, 2nd FloorMiami Beach, FL 33139[email protected]