The Daily Valet. - 3/16/22, Wednesday

✔️ Permanent Daylight Saving Time

Wednesday, March 16th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

You won’t catch me complaining about more daylight.

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

Permanent Daylight Saving Time

Nobody really wants to “fall back,” right?

The Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. (Can you believe this is what they agree on?) Essentially, if this becomes law, it would mean staying on summer time all year round—ridding us of those dreaded 5 PM sunsets.

An identical version of the bill has been introduced in the House and was referred to a House Committee on Energy and Commerce last month. And while the bill’s fate in the House is not immediately clear, experts who testified before the subcommittee last week urged lawmakers to make the change.

If the bill goes through in the House and President Biden signs it into law, the 2023 “spring forward” would be the last-ever time Americans will automatically lose an hour of sleep due to this old time tradition.

Talk about a vibe shift. DST began as a bid to pack more hours of sunlight into the day during the summer months and cut down on energy use, though critics question how effective it’s ever really been.

Advocates, including the bill’s co-authors, point to evidence that changing the clocks in the winter not only leads to more crime, but it’s bad for our health, too. It disturbs the circadian biological clock and increases our risk of heart attack and stroke, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Critics and, I’m assuming, “morning people,” argue that it would cut an hour of sunlight during the early hours in the winter (not great for kids going to school or early morning workouts). But as one professor stated simply to CBS News, “Darkness kills. And darkness in the evening is far deadlier than darkness in the morning.” Besides, I’d much rather sleep in and have more sunlight later, wouldn’t you?

↦ Did You KNow? Most of the U.S. went to year-round daylight saving time during the energy crisis in the ’70s. But people did not like it.

COVID Watch

What rising infections in the U.K. and Europe could mean for the U.S.

Two weeks after the United Kingdom dropped its last remaining Covid-19 mitigation measure, the country is seeing cases and hospitalizations climb once again. Daily cases are also rising in more than half of the countries in Europe.

The situation has gotten the attention of public health officials here in the U.S. One infectious disease expert told CNN, “it's like a weather alert. Right now, the skies are sunny and bright, and we hope they stay that way. But we could have some bad weather by evening, and we just don't know.”

While cases in the U.S. have been steadily going down, the rise in home tests has limited the CDC's ability to detect new infections in the U.S. Instead, experts are looking to waste water monitoring, which has shown a 38% rise in infections over the last two weeks.

Protection against the next variant, of course, starts with vaccination. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech asked U.S. regulators Tuesday to authorize an additional booster dose of their COVID-19 vaccine for seniors, based on the latest scientific evidence. Will we all need a fourth shot, eventually? It's too soon to tell. But if we do, the government might not have the funding to make it work.

↦ Meanwhile: Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.

Partner

Kickstart your sex life. Here's how you can perform the way you used to in the bedroom.

America’s Favorite Dogs

The Labrador Retriever was once again named the most popular dog in the U.S.

On Tuesday, the American Kennel Club released its annual list of the most popular dog breeds, using registration data from more than 800,000 dogs to compile the list of the country's favorite purebred pooches.

Not surprisingly, the Labrador retriever took the top spot—marking the lovable pup's 31st consecutive year of ranking Number 1 on the list. “The versatile, family-friendly Lab has solidified itself as America's dog,” Gina DiNardo of the AKC, said in a statement.

With 197 recognized breeds, there is plenty for dog lovers to dig into (like a Dachshund, #10) and point out (like a Pointer, #120). Interestingly, it's the Poodle that has people talking. For the first time in more than a decade, the Poodle has pawed its way into the top five.

According to the Associated Press, Poodles reigned as top dog from 1960 to 1982 before falling off somewhat in popularity. Recently, French and English Bulldogs, Corgis and Australian Shepherds have all been gaining in popularity. Especially during the last few years as people introduced pandemic pups into their homes.

↦ FYI: A new survey found that 42% of parents returning to work will miss their pandemic dog more than their kids.

Have We Reached Peak Alt-Milk?

Probably not. But there are some problems.

It is a boom time for plant-based milks, with new varieties of nut, seed, grain, legume and now vegetable milks popping up on store shelves seemingly every week.

According to a new report, potato milk is “set to dominate coffee shop menus in the coming months”—however unlikely that may sound. Swedish potato milk, Dug Drinks, is already being sold in Britain and will make its way to the States sometime this spring.

Perhaps it can take the place of oat milk, which has quickly become a $400 million dollar market after growing 330% in just two years, reports the Wall Street Journal. Oatly, an early leader, grew so fast that they've been struggling to keep up with demand.

Sales of plant milk in the U.S. totaled $2.5 billion in 2020, accounting for about 15% of all retail sales of milk, but analysts are projecting that alt-milks will make up more than 30% of all milk sales by 2026. And while we're on the subject, let me point you to this op-ed from the Guardian, which makes a compelling case against having to pay extra for milk alternatives. They say it's unfair, illogical and maybe a little bit racist.

↦ Dig Deeper: The Cleveland Clinic has what you need to know when choosing milk and milk alternatives.

In Other News

↦ How to Watch Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Address to Congress

↦ Ralph Lauren Revises His Vision of the American Dream, Inspired by the Style of HBCUs

↦ Is Emmanuel Macron Trying to Dress Like Volodymyr Zelensky?

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

How much leather is too much?

Using the new emoji

Envy vs. jealousy

Partner

A Smart Solution to a Common Problem

Here’s how you can perform in the bedroom like you used to

You shouldn't be stressed in the bedroom. This is a place for rest, relaxation and plenty of good sex. But that's not to say anxiety doesn't show up now and then to cause problems. And the issue is often the same for a lot of guys.

Convenient single-servingpacks for a boost before sex.From $4 per use, at hims

The good news is that the solution is usually quite simple. Several prescription medications have been clinically proven to be effective treatments—but traditional doctor visits tend to bring more anxiety. After all, it's not easy opening up about concerns when it comes to our sex life.

But hims, the popular online wellness brand, makes it easy. They connect you with medical professionals virtually from the comfort and privacy of your home—providing access to FDA-approved prescription solutions—all with a savings of 50-80% compared to traditional retail prices. And it's guaranteed. The brand is so sure it'll work for you that they'll refund your money if you (and your partner) aren't satisfied.

↦ Explore: hims sexual wellness options

If you're more spontaneous and want to be ready whenever, these medications are taken daily. From $99 a month, at hims

Help keep the lovemaking going longer and stronger with this non-prescription spray. From $29, at hims

Style Accessories on Sale Now

Easy outfit finishers, all discounted to move.

The Cap A wool twill cap with a classic 6-panel style is made for running on the treadmill and running errands. The adjustable strap and 3-inch brim will have your head fully covered, no matter the conditions.

$80 / $55.98 by Reigning Champ

The Subtle Bracelet This handmade noir bracelet is the essence of natural sophistication. A perfect accessory for the person who appreciates the subtle details in jewelry.

$225 / $115 by Miansai

The Wool Scarf Now is a great time to get your warm weather accessories since spring is almost here. This scarf is created from a wool blend yarn sourced in Italy and is the perfect seasonal transition piece that you need in your closet right now.

$95 / $66.50 by Knickerbocker