The Daily Valet. - 3/30/20, Monday
✔️ Keeping Your Distance + Animals in the Streets
Monday, March 30th Edition
Did a Barry’s Bootcamp workout via Instagram live this weekend ... and I’m still sore.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
Social Distancing Extended Further
“No state, no metro area, will be spared.”
During Sunday’s White House briefing, President Trump said federal guidance urging social distancing will stay in place through April 30, reports the Associated Press. He backed off of his hope that the country will be “opened up” by Easter Sunday, saying that deaths due to the coronavirus will likely peak in two weeks. “Nothing would be worse than declaring victory before the victory is won,” he said.
Unfortunately, it seems we have a long way to go until we beat this thing. Earlier on Sunday, Dr. Anthony Fauci—the government's top infectious disease expert—said the US could suffer over 100,000 deaths and millions of infections, according to current but rapidly evolving projections. And Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House task force, offered this grim assessment: “No state, no metro area, will be spared.”
The president has largely avoided talk of potential death and infection rates, but followed up by saying there were once projections of over two million deaths. “So, if we can hold that down, as we’re saying to 100,000—it’s a horrible number—we all together have done a very good job.”
As of this morning, there are more than 143,000 cases of coronavirus in the United States and at least 2,450 people have died. Those numbers should scare anyone who's feeling a bit stir-crazy to stay put, indoors and help flatten the curve.
But it means that many us will have to continue working from home while businesses both big and small must remain shuttered.
↦ FYI: The federal guidelines recommend against large group gatherings and urge older people and anyone with existing health problems to stay home. People are urged to work at home when possible and avoid restaurants, bars, non-essential travel and shopping trips.
Instacart Workers Will Walk Out Today
They say the company has not done enough to protect them during this crisis
As so many of us stay home and avoid crowded spaces, Instacart's grocery-delivery service has become an even more vital part of people's self-isolating routine.
I've used them for years, and have continued while working from home. In fact, just yesterday I received an order, but it might've been my last for a while—Instacart shoppers are planning to refuse new orders because they say the company hasn't done enough to protect them during the coronavirus outbreak.
According to The Verge, the company announced Sunday that independently-developed hand sanitizer will soon be made available to its shoppers. But workers said that's not enough.
“Where were these efforts back when Shoppers first began asking for it, weeks ago?” their statement read. One of their demands was for Instacart to provide protective gear such as hand sanitizer, but organizers also want the company to add a $5-per-order hazard payment and expand its sick leave policy.
↦ FYI: Instacart recently announced plans to hire 300,000 new shoppers due to the overwhelming demand.
Wild Animals Reclaim Cities
Emboldened critters venture into locked-down metropolises worldwide
If you've gone outside while your city has been shut down, you've likely noticed how quiet the streets are ... it's something that surprises me every time I take the dog out.
You know who else has noticed? Animals. Especially those that lurk in the periphery of big cities and suburban areas. According to The Daily Beast, deer, coyotes, bears, pumas and monkeys have all been spotted roaming streets once dominated by cars, commuters and tourists.
Seth Magle, who directs the Urban Wildlife Institute at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo, told The Guardian, “Normally, animals live in the parts of our cities that we don’t use ...it makes them an unseen presence, kind of like ghosts.”
Of course, when these curious guys come out of the proverbial shadows, it could make some people's jogs or walks with the dog a whole lot more interesting. But when humanity’s away, the animals will play.
Can the Internet Handle All the Streaming?
Governments and ISPs are trying to manage the strain as we continue streaming more than ever
An unprecedented surge in internet traffic has led to worries over the resilience of the infrastructure that keeps things humming.
As more people are forced to stay at home and a myriad of streaming options offer seemingly endless entertainment and information, viewing is up—way up. FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel noted in a tweet that they “need to report daily on the state of communications networks in this country,” especially now when “these are the networks we are all counting on for some semblance of modern life.”
According to CNBC, a busy period for streaming in households would normally last around four hours on a weekday evening, but experts say that’s now risen to more than 10 hours a day.
Netflix recently reported a surge and HBO says the percentage of people binge viewing series has increased 65%, while movie watching is up 70% on HBO Now. Streaming eats up a lot of bandwidth. Normally, not everyone is trying to watch (or video call) at the same time. Things are different now. And will be for some time.
↦ Dig Deeper: According to the Wall Street Journal, video providers can’t fill all the ad inventory being created as people stuck at home watch more streaming content.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Time to Refresh Your Apps
Here are over a dozen apps and tools to stave off cabin fever
While many people self-isolating might be glad to have escaped the grind of the daily commute for a while, staying indoors for the majority of the day comes with its own set of challenges.
But as the saying goes, there's an app for that. Wired has pulled together a slew of apps to help you forget you're in such a confined space, get healthy and let your mind roam free.
And while the usual fitness and meditation apps are present and accounted for, the editors have found some obscure options that could really come in handy.
My favorites? An app that simulates ambient sounds that boost concentration (like of a busy coffee shop or thunderstorm) and one that tells you which streaming service you can find your favorite movie on.
↦ Or Pick Up a Book: The Valet. team has rounded up some of the latest titles on our radar, along with classics that are always worth revisiting.
What We’re Buying
Anytime you can score quality sunglasses on sale you need to take notice, but when they're offering 50% off, they're hard to pass up. We're picking this modern take on a classic frame from Ray-Ban. But this matte black pair from Raen is pretty sweet too. Even though we may be staying inside a bit more, it's always a good idea to have a slick pair of shades to throw on when you take that daily stroll.
↦ Get It $163 / $81.97 at Nordstrom Rack
Today’s Deals
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↦ Want More? See all 61 sales
Morning Motto
Each day provides a new opportunity.
↦ Follow: @positivevibesquotes
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