The Daily Valet. - 3/20/20, Friday
✔️ Despite the Worst, Humanity Is Good
Friday, March 20th Edition
What a week, huh?
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
U.S. Cases Have Just Doubled
California governor orders all residents to stay home
Since the first U.S. case of the coronavirus was identified in Washington state on January 21, health officials have identified more than 14,000 cases across America. By Thursday, the virus had grown from several isolated clusters in Washington, New York and California to all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The dramatic increase stems in part from more testing, but also indicates just how much the virus has spread. Officials say the number will continue to rise sharply as more test results become available.
On Thursday, the State Department warned Americans not to travel internationally and advised those who are abroad to return to the United States or make preparations to shelter in place.
That was bleak, but then the CDC said their data now shows that younger adults are a large percentage of coronavirus hospitalizations in the United States.
Finally, California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered residents to stay home, reports NPR, saying that more than half of the state's 40 million residents could become infected by the coronavirus if efforts aren't taken to slow its spread.
So, in case there was any doubt or confusion as to why we all need to be self-isolating and practicing social distancing, it's the above. We'll get through to the other side of this mess, but it will take responsible action on all our parts.
↦ Dig Deeper: Track the spread of the virus on this interactive map from the Washington Post.
Senate Unveils Third Relief Package
It includes limits on paid leave, but $1,200 checks for taxpayers
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has introduced emergency stimulus legislation to address the economic fallout from the coronavirus—the third phase of the government's response to the pandemic, reports the Washington Post.
The "phase three" bill, according Axios, would provide $1,200 payments to those earning up to $75,000 a year. Those earning $75,000 to $99,000 would get smaller amounts, and anyone earning more than $99,000 wouldn't get a payment. Low-income Americans (with at least $2,500 of qualified income) get a smaller benefit of $600.
Some conservatives, not surprisingly, opposed the cash payments entirely, while others warned that GOP leaders were effectively penalizing low-income households by the way they had designed the plan.
McConnell said that Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow would be traveling to the Capitol today to work with both parties on reaching an agreement.
↦ Meanwhile: A senator reassured the public about coronavirus preparedness and then soon dumped stocks before the market tanked.
Are You Properly Disinfecting?
The best practices for keeping yourself (and everything else) clean and virus-free
When I come in from taking the dog out, I leave my shoes in a designated spot by the door, and make sure to spritz my hands with sanitizer before fully entering the apartment. If I've been handling my phone, I put it into a UV light box Valet. featured a while back.
There's something slightly unsettling about leaving the dull safety of self-isolation and stepping into the understated panic of a pandemic. It's surreal, but I think it's going to be the new normal—at least for a little while.
According to Wired, sanitizing surfaces in your home can help lower the chances you or a loved one will contract Covid-19 and decrease the risk of spreading it to others. To help you out, they've compiled an exhaustive list of best practices: what to clean, how best to sanitize it and why you don't need a mask (right now).
I felt cleaner and safer after simply reading it, but I'll be adopting some of their advice this weekend.
↦ Buy: This past fall (seemingly a lifetime ago) we rounded up our favorite hand sanitizers, though most are currently sold out.
Despite the Worst, Humanity Is Good
Random acts of kindness shine some light through the darkness of a global pandemic
I couldn't let this weird week wrap up without sharing some good news among all the heaviness. Because even in these uncertain and increasingly unsettling times, people continue to rise up to do the right thing.
For example, the doctors, nurses and other medical personnel on the front lines are running desperately low on the supplies needed to protect themselves against the virus. But TV doctors are giving gowns, masks and other equipment from their productions to the real medical personnel in need, reports The Wrap.
In San Francisco, where residents are under a shelter-in-place order, a large group of volunteers goes block-by-block checking in on the elderly, the lonely or anyone else who needs some extra help obtaining essentials like groceries or medicine.
And across America, animal shelters are reporting upticks in foster applications as people seek out a friend to ride out the coronavirus crisis with. As we prepare to spend more time at home over the coming weeks, many who couldn't have a pet before are using this time to take care of animals in need of some love and care. In return, those who are fostering get some much-needed stress relief.
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Your Weekend Pairing
The Invisible Man + a Classic Martini
Nothing really seems “normal” this week, does it? So perhaps it's not surprising that in an unprecedented move, Universal Pictures and its specialty studio Focus Features are releasing their current cinematic lineup—The Invisible Man, The Hunt and Emma—available to stream on-demand for a 48-hour rental at the suggested price of $19.99 each. Is the price a touch high? Definitely. And honestly, I wish MGM had done this with James Bond, instead of pushing it back to the fall.
But I'll definitely be streaming The Invisible Man this weekend. Led by the always outstanding Elisabeth Moss (of Mad Men fame), this is a modern reboot of a classic horror film series that was actually based on a novel by H.G. Wells. It's a gaslighting thriller expertly retooled by writer-director Leigh Whannell for the era of #MeToo. It follows a woman attempting to escape her abusive and manipulative boyfriend after he acquires the ability to become invisible.
↦ Your Pairing:How about something simple? Perhaps, with ingredients you already have on hand? A classic martini seems fitting since it's strong yet see-through. Esquire shares a fool-proof way to make the old school drink and according to their bartending experts, it should be stirred—never shaken.
What We’re Buying
Stuck inside? Huckberry's WFH sale is a saving grace and their best shirts and tops are now up to 70% off. The Proof Stretch Flannel shirt has the look of a classic flannel that your grandpa would be proud to wear, but it's updated with sneaky tech for comfort and performance. Proof is known for a more tailored cut, so it provides a little extra polish to your joggers while working on the couch or chinos when you're going for that daily stroll. I'm also picking up these exclusive whiskey tumblers that are 35% off because we all deserve a nice drink right now, right?
↦ Get It $98 / $28.98 at Huckberry
Today’s Deals
Ongoing sale
Expires 3/28
Expires 3/31
↦ Want More? See all 69 sales
Morning Motto
Having a routine is everything.
↦ Follow: @f*ckjerry
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