The Daily Valet. - 3/18/21, Thursday

✔️ Pandemic Drinking

Thursday, March 18th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

Are you drinking more or less these days?

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

Pandemic Drinking

The numbers highlight America’s all-or-nothing attitude toward alcohol

A year ago, when it was clear we’d all be spending a lot more time by ourselves in our homes, some hoarded toilet paper, while others (myself included) decided to stock up on booze.

Ever since, alcohol has been an underlying presence in the larger story of the pandemic, in ways that alternately celebrate and condemn its role in our lives. We celebrated takeout cocktails as a lifeline to struggling restaurants. But the past year also saw a surge of interest in sobriety—perhaps as a way to reclaim some control over our health?

Throughout this crisis, booze has been both a balm for isolation and a tool for human connection (virtual happy hours, anyone?). According to the San Francisco Chronicle, it’s been a coping mechanism for desperate times, but it’s also presented increased dangers for some people who are in recovery.

And that’s not the only danger. Recent research found that between April and June last year, sales of alcoholic beverages increased by 34% compared to 2019. The study also found that sales of hard liquor had increased at a larger rate compared to beer and wine.

“Among those drinking more, many are doing so in an effort to cope with stress, anxiety and depression,” an alcohol abuse expert from the National Institutes of Health told Forbes. “But the relief is short-lived and negative emotions actually tend to increase when the alcohol wears off.”

What’s more, cases of alcoholic liver disease—which includes milder fatty liver and cirrhosis, as well as alcoholic hepatitis—are up 30% over the last year, reports NPR. Between the pandemic, economic uncertainties and an ugly presidential election, it’s no wonder we were driven to drink. My question is: When things finally go back to normal, will the drinking stay the same? Or increase more as we celebrate?

↦ Booze-Free: Nielsen data shows nonalcoholic wine sales up 34% as of last month, and nonalcoholic beer up 39%.

About That “Bad Day”

Racism, sexism must be considered in the killing of six Asian women, experts say

The man accused of killing eight people in three shootings at Atlanta-area spas was charged with eight counts of murder Wednesday. Earlier in the day, local authorities held a press conference, suggesting at points that the 21-year-old shooter was having a “bad day” and may have been “lashing out” based on the temptation to frequent the massage parlors.

The backlash was swift. And the sheriff spokesman’s statement drew criticism from outlets as varied as the Washington Post to Jezebel to The Onion.

While police said the suspect denied having racial motivations, experts and activists alike say it's nearly impossible to divorce race from the discourse, given the historical fetishization of Asian women.

Margaret Huang, president of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups, told the Associated Press, law enforcement needs “some training understanding what a hate crime is. This man identified targets owned by Asians.” Meanwhile, from Phoenix to Philadelphia, Asian American organizations nationwide organized events aimed at showing unity.

↦ Dig Deeper: Variety examines how Hollywood can be considered complicit in the violence against Asians in America.

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Time for Taxes

IRS delays tax deadline after a chaotic year

The words “good news” and “taxes” are rarely in the same sentence, but that's just what we got Wednesday, as the Internal Revenue Service announced it was postponing the tax filing deadline this year from the usual April 15 to May 17.

The IRS said it would provide further guidance in the coming days. The move provides more breathing room for taxpayers and the government alike to cope with recent tax law changes and the third round of government relief payments.

According to CNBC, the extended deadline applies only to federal income returns and taxes, meaning that taxpayers will need to check to see if due dates for state taxes have been changed. (Not all states follow the same filing deadline as the federal government.)

Failing to understand the tax code can mean you'll miss out on beneficial breaks and deductions or getting slapped with late-payment charges. And you've likely got some questions. Like is unemployment money taxable? What about the stimulus checks? Should we all be taking a home office credit? We consulted some experts to cut through all the shop talk and bring you everything you need to know.

↦ Get Filing: Consider this a cheat sheet to help you prepare for an easy tax filing.

The Cicadas Are Coming

They’ve been underground for 17 years ...

In a few weeks, a natural spectacle will take place across much of the United States—one that is not found anywhere else in the world. Billions of cicadas will emerge from the soil after 17 years of nibbling on tree root nutrients underground.

Cool, right? Or gross. I guess it's a matter of taste. But according to NBC News, the last time we saw these singing bugs, Facebook was brand new, theaters were showing Spider-Man 2, and the 2004 Summer Olympics were underway in Greece.

As one of the largest periodical cicada broods (not to be confused with the more common annual cicadas), these will be buzzing all the way from Georgia up through Illinois, as soon as soil temperature warms to 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

And while it may feel overwhelming or uncomfortable to some, cicadas are harmless. They don't bite or sting. They're not attracted to people; they're attracted to noises. And by the end of summer, their offspring will fall to the ground and make their way back into the soil for another 17 years.

↦ Bug Watch: Go on a cicada safari using the University of Connecticut's free app, available from the Apple app store or Google play.

In Other News

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Usher in Spring With Flowers

Celebrate the seasonal rebirth with some fresh blooms

At the end of a long, cold winter, what better way to usher in the coming Spring by bringing some nature inside? Even if the weather isn't perfect outside, we can brighten someone's day or simply improve our own surroundings with a stylish plant or bouquet of fresh blooms. UrbanStems, the tastemaker's choice for flowers, has a wide assortment to suit anyone's personal style or decor—all available to be shipped right to you (or a lucky loved one). It's a simple way to be reminded that better, brighter and warmer days are ahead.