The Daily Valet. - 3/13/20, Friday
✔️ What Could Today Bring?
Friday, March 13th Edition
It’s Friday, the 13th. I shudder to think what more could happen ...
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
↦ You know we're giving away a vintage Tag Heuer Monaco watch next week, right?
↦ The iconic blue watch, complete with alligator strap, box and 2-year warranty, is worth $3,500.
Today’s Big Story
Wall Street’s Worst Day Since ’87 Crash
The 11-year bull market is dead. Here’s what a bear market means.
American stocks plunged Thursday in their worst day since the crash of 1987. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 10%, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both tumbled nearly as much to join the Dow in a bear market, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Asia’s markets joined the free fall earlier this morning as panic gripping world financial markets deepened.
Fears of a global slowdown due to the rapid spread of coronavirus were compounded by President Trump's move to restrict travel from Europe. Then the European Central Bank disappointed markets by holding back on rate cuts.
So what does this mean? Well, it means we'll be feeling this for a while. The stock plunge has wiped out a year of market gains that had lifted the fortunes of many Americans and bolstered retirement savings plans. Through Wednesday's close, the U.S. stock market had shed $6.7 trillion in value since its February high, reports CBS News.
And the repercussions of shutting down all professional sports, canceling all major music events, closing theme parks and stopping most business travel will have a large, lasting impact on the economy as a whole, affecting people of all income levels.
Meanwhile, House Democrats closed in on a compromise with the Trump administration Thursday evening. The stimulus aid package would not only provide free testing, but paid sick leave and enhanced unemployment benefits to help Americans deal with the growing economic fallout from the pandemic.
↦ Some Progress? Colorado's first drive-up COVID-19 testing facility has opened in Denver, and is free of charge.
Are You Stockpiling?
It’s good to be prepared ... but hoarding only makes it harder for the rest of us
After a day of wild news alerts, I got several texts from friends last night about the empty store shelves they were encountering while trying to stock up on supplies to last them through their working-from-home days and any possible isolation in the near future.
And while I understand that we all want to feel like we're prepared for the worst, here's my question: Why is everyone buying so much toilet paper? The rush on hand sanitizer I understood, but toilet paper and paper towels? The shelves are completely empty. And then #ToiletPaperApocalypse started trending on Twitter.
It's not like coronavirus causes diarrhea. Or that we'd be on lockdown for longer than say, two weeks. I would think people would already have enough toilet paper to last them.
But psychologists who spoke to CNBC explained why our brains push us to panic buy—even when authorities are assuring the public there’s no need to. They said that panic buying can be understood as playing to our fundamental need to take back control. I think it's overreacting, but who knows ... maybe I'll be asking my overly-prepared neighbor if he can spare a roll soon.
↦ While You're Home: Vulture has rounded up the 100 best movies to stream on Netflix right now.
Canadian Prime Minister Quarantined
Justin Trudeau’s wife tests positive for coronavirus
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will isolate himself for 14 days after his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, tested positive for coronavirus, reports CNN.
"Sophie recently returned from a speaking event in the UK, and last night she was experiencing mild flu-like symptoms," Prime Minister Trudeau tweeted earlier on Thursday. He followed it up, "Unfortunately, the results of Sophie’s COVID-19 test are positive. Therefore, she will be in quarantine for the time being. Her symptoms remain mild and she is following the advice of our doctor."
The Prime Minister will continue to perform most of his official duties, although his meetings have become conference calls and he was absent from the House of Commons yesterday.
The World’s First Dark Sky Nation
The only country to receive formal accreditation from the International Dark-Sky Association
Dark skies are on the rise, as travelers across the planet seek out places where they can get clear views of the stars. So say the travel experts at Lonely Planet who have named dark skies a continually growing travel trend.
In a world increasingly plagued by the menace of artificial light, natural darkness is an ideal to strive for—a threatened state we need to restore and protect as best we can.
Niue, an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean with a population of 1,500, is officially the first country to be accredited by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) as a Dark Sky Sanctuary, reports Afar.
To receive the distinction, the country had to make significant changes, including replacing all street lights on the island with bulbs that emit less light and upgrading lighting even at private homes.
↦ FYI: There are over 130 of these accredited dark sites across the world, including parks and reserves.
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Get in Shape at Home
Skip the gym (and the germs) and workout in the privacy and comfort of home
If you're following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines (PDF) for social distancing, then you're likely skipping the gym this week.
That's the responsible thing to do for your health (and the health of others), but not for your fitness. Thankfully, you don’t need a big, fancy home gym to get in shape at your place.
We've pulled together four proven plans to help you workout without leaving the house. They'll get you to burn calories, build muscle and tone up. And trust us that these deliver results. Just be ready for some compliments when you do finally return to the office.
↦ Get moving: Your ultimate at-home workout plan.
What We’re Buying
Gone are the days when you'd grab a tub of margarita mix from the grocery store. Instead, when you're jonesing for a libation after a long day, opt for something sophisticated yet not too fussy—like an old fashioned. The only downside is you need all the right ingredients, which can feel like overkill when you may only want one drink for yourself. The Strongwater Mountain Elixirs cocktail syrup eliminates that dilemma. All you need is a quarter ounce of the syrup and a splash of whiskey, bourbon or rye and you're ready to roll. And you'll get nearly two dozen cocktails from this one little bottle.
↦ Get It $18.95 by Strongwater
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Today’s Deals
Expires 3/15
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Ongoing Sale
↦ Want More? See all 54 sales
Morning Motto
There are some silver linings to this WFH life.
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