The Daily Valet. - 3/24/20, Tuesday
✔️ Making Progress and an Airline Shutdown
Tuesday, March 24th Edition
What’s everyone cooking for dinner tonight?
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
What We’re Doing Is Working
A Nobel laureate predicts a quicker coronavirus recovery: “We’re going to be fine” ... if we don’t stop now
Biophysicist and Nobel laureate Michael Levitt believes that the steps American citizens are now more rigorously adopting—significant social distancing and self-imposed isolation—will work to end the spread of COVID-19, reports the Los Angeles Times.
While many epidemiologists are warning of months, or even years, of massive social disruption and millions of deaths, Levitt says the data simply doesn’t support such a dire scenario—especially if we continue to stay away from public places. “What we need is to control the panic,” he said. In the grand scheme, “we’re going to be fine.”
Why listen to him? His predictive model, which suggested that China's infection rate would slow down and the number of confirmed cases would top out around 80,000, proved largely accurate.
The trouble with this positive news, however, is the overwhelming desire to get the economy moving again. President Trump suggested Monday that he may encourage businesses to reopen and for people to stop isolating “very soon,” contradicting all public health experts.
Tom Inglesby, the director of Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, shared his thoughts after the president spoke, saying “Anyone advising the end of social distancing now, needs to fully understand what the country will look like if we do that. COVID would spread widely, rapidly ... and could kill potentially millions in the year ahead with huge social and economic impact across the country.”
He said the key is to keep lowering the number of new infections. Which means we’ll all need to stay put—at least for the time being.
↦ FYI: Everything you need to know about social distancing.
Can Tech Detect Early Symptoms?
Emergency room doctors are wearing smart rings to better predict COVID-19 infections
Some 2,000 emergency medical workers in San Francisco are tracking their temperature and other vitals with Oura's smart rings in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
The activity-tracking company and researchers from the University of California San Francisco hope to use the data collected to develop an algorithm that will predict the onset of COVID-19 and help contain the outbreak.
Workers at UCSF Medical Center and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital are wearing the devices, and Oura has asked another 150,000 users to share their data. The rings aren't exactly comprehensive trackers, but they do record body temperature, heart rate and other vitals. In the near term, they could alert medical workers if a fever or impending illness is predicted, not just COVID-19.
By the fall, when some expect the coronavirus to resurge, UCSF and Oura hope to have an algorithm that will detect early symptoms of the virus, so that people can more effectively self-quarantine.
↦ Buy: Want a ring for yourself? The titanium bands come in two different styles and three different metal shades.
Air Travel Is About to Be Shut Down
As airlines struggle and the virus spreads, various options are being considered
Have any flights planned in the coming weeks? Probably not. This is why domestic airlines are drafting plans for a potential shutdown of virtually all passenger flights across the US, reports the Wall Street Journal. The government may also order such a move, but no final decisions have been made by the carriers or the White House.
Most airlines have already eliminated a majority of international flights and are cutting back domestic air travel by as much as 40%. The TSA reported that passenger flow at its checkpoints was down more than 80% Sunday from the same day a year earlier.
On Monday, thousands of flights were canceled, in some cases because planes simply didn't have enough people flying to justify the trip—as in less than 10 passengers.
According to the Journal, airlines generally favor government orders rather than voluntary industry initiatives. But the president has been reluctant to mandate a nationwide shutdown, partly because passenger jets also carry a large portion of mail and essential cargo.
↦ FYI: Before the pandemic, US airlines operated nearly 8.5 million flights each year.
Why Everyone Seems to Be Quarantine Horny
“Can’t leave the house … send nudes?”
Never underestimate the power of the human spirit. Or rather, the human libido. With so many people, all over the world, stuck at home lacking physical contact (with an abundance of spare time), is it any wonder everyone's horned up?
Have you noticed there are even more thirst traps than usual on Instagram? Or that people are texting their exes like there's no tomorrow? Zachary Zane of Men's Health noticed and sought an expert for some answers.
He helped shed some light on why we're so, um, eager ... despite the chaos of the outside world. Turns out, when we’re in a heightened state of physiological arousal—when heart rate, breathing and blood pressure rise—researchers have found that this can amplify sexual arousal. In other words, don't feel bad. It's totally normal.
↦ Dig Deeper: Of course, when a hook up is out of the question, there are other options.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
+
We’re Suddenly All Cooking More
This pandemic sends a nation of restaurant-goers back to the kitchen
Throughout the US, lives have been radically upended by this outbreak. But despite the worry and washing of hands, there is one bright spot emerging from self-quarantines and mandatory working from home: In this nation that so often dines out or downs fast food on the run, Americans are suddenly cooking a whole lot more, according to the Associated Press. And I know that's good news.
I've long considered cooking a palliative activity. Chopping vegetables and simmering various things provides me a sense of control after a long, stressful day. It's a great way to express affection for loved ones and an affordable way to eat really tasty food.
I cook most weeknights and make a double batch of whatever I'm making—that way, I've got lunch already prepped for the next day.
But if you find yourself suddenly needing to learn to cook, these expert resources will help guide you. They'll encourage you to discover the pleasures of cooking for yourself and find ways to actually enjoy it.
↦ From the Archive: The eight specialty items you need in your right kitchen now.
Sales We’re Eyeing
Bakers overskirt$148 / $111 by Universal Works
One of our favorite shops, Stag, is currently hosting an epic “insider sale,” offering 25% off everything sitewide to encourage us all to stay home. That means all the new spring merchandise from the brands you know and love is marked down for a limited time. Just use the code INSIDER to score the discount, plus free shipping.
Slim watch $195 / $146 by Jack Mason
New Standard tee $45 / $33.75 by Alex Mill
Concho key chain $35 / $26.25 by Yuketen
↦ Shop the Sale at Stag
Today’s Deals
Expires 3/24
Ongoing Sale
Expires 3/26
↦ Want More? See all 72 sales
Morning Motto
Remember to keep washing those hands ...
↦ Follow: @other__perspectives
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 LLC1111 Lincoln Road, 5th FloorMiami Beach, FL 33139[email protected]