The Daily Valet. - 4/10/20, Friday
✔️ Now We're Making Progress
Friday, April 10th Edition
What a week, huh? Let’s all take it easy this weekend and rest up.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
Cautious Optimism
The latest models show that our efforts are paying off
As U.S. COVID-19 cases creep towards 500,000, White House officials are seeing real evidence that statewide lockdowns and other efforts to curb the pandemic are working in states like California and Washington, even as New York and other parts of the country struggle to get a handle on the outbreak, reports CNBC.
In the Seattle area, which was the original epicenter of the pandemic in America, new cases have dropped to about 350 a day (from a high of over 550), with about 9% of all coronavirus tests coming back positive, White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state appears to be flattening the curve of the outbreak, referring to a line chart that projects the growth in new cases over time. But he quickly added that it would only last if people continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
According to the Wall Street Journal, governors in New Jersey, Louisiana and other hard-hit states this week also expressed cautious optimism that stringent social-distancing measures have helped slow the virus’s spread.
Perhaps because we’ve all been so good at self-isolating, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN it’s possible that Americans could maintain many of their plans (including gatherings and some travel) this summer, but cautions against complacency and prematurely decreasing social distancing efforts.
↦ Beware: This is how coughing can spread coronavirus in a store environment, according to researchers.
10% of US Workforce Is Unemployed
A record 16.8 million have sought U.S. jobless aid since the outbreak began
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits continued to surge for the third week in a row. With a startling 6.6 million people applying for unemployment benefits last week as the U.S. reached a grim landmark: More than one in 10 workers have lost their jobs to the coronavirus outbreak, reports the Associated Press.
To put such big numbers into context: During the Great Recession of 2008, it took 44 weeks—nearly an entire year—for unemployment claims to go as high as they now have in less than one month with COVID-19.
And the damage is worldwide. The equivalent of 195 million full-time jobs could be lost globally in the second quarter as businesses shut down for the pandemic, according to the United Nations’ labor organization. It estimates that global unemployment will rise by 25 million this year.
And that doesn’t even count workers on reduced hours and pay. If the trend continues as it has, over 20 million Americans will lose their jobs in April alone.
↦ FYI: JPMorgan economists are expecting a 40% decline in the nation’s gross domestic product in the second quarter of 2020, which has no modern precedent.
Saturday Night Live Returns This Weekend
The episode will be remotely-produced
Saturday Night Live will return to the air this weekend with a remotely produced episode after NBC suspended the comedy show's production due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The show will include its signature “Weekend Update” sketch and original cast content, according to the Associated Press. The network said the episode will be completely produced remotely to abide by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's social distancing guidelines.
To say that we need this is an understatement. SNL is best when it's slightly unpolished and the cast breaks. And something tells me that this format could lend itself to some much-welcomed messiness.
And while the comedy program always features a guest host and musical artists, the show hasn't confirmed whether anyone beyond the regular cast will participate.
18K Pounds of Food Was Prepped to Feed U.S. Olympians ...
But now it’s with a Colorado food bank
Food banks and pantries across the country are facing a tough reality at the moment. With supermarkets over-shopped and many restaurants closed, the donations that are the lifeblood of their operations are all but dried up, reports NBC News.
When the national nonprofit Feeding America surveyed its affiliated food banks in mid-March, 92% said they were seeing increased need, while 64% reported a decline in donations.
But in one positive turn of events, the postponement of this summer's Olympic Games means that over 18,000 pounds of highly nutritious food that was being prepped for shipment to Tokyo has been donated to the Care and Share Food Bank in Colorado Springs, Colorado—where the U.S. Olympic Training Center is located.
That works out to roughly 30,000 meals. So while many of the athletes (and plenty of spectators) were disappointed that the Games were postponed, this proves that some good can come out of it.
↦ Want to Help? Donate to Feeding America's Coronavirus Response Fund.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
+
Your Weekend Pairing
Layer Cake + a Single Malt Scotch
Without many new films opening this weekend, I’d advocate rewatching old classics and under-appreciated films. Like 2005's Layer Cake. If you were disappointed by the delay of Daniel Craig's last Bond film (pushed back until November due to the global coronavirus pandemic), consider this the next best thing. It was essentially Craig's audition for the franchise, complete with violence, car chases and plenty of brutish charm mixed with sardonic humor.
Craig plays a cocaine distributor, known only as "XXXX," who's looking to get out of the business. But before he can enjoy early retirement, the big boss gives him one last job—one that digs him even deeper into the dark underworld of drugs and organized crime. It's a stylish film and the cast is amazing—there's Sienna Miller, Tom Hardy and even his future Bond co-star, Ben Whishaw. It's grittier than a Bond film, but all the swagger and action are accounted for.
↦ Your Pairing:There's plenty of drinking in this film, but there's more whiskey than anything else. At one particularly low point, XXXX crushes some recreational pharmaceuticals and washes them down with a swig of Macallan. Not a smart move—if only because it's a waste of a perfectly good Scotch, if you ask me. Pour yourself a proper glass of the highland single malt Scotch ($71.99 at Total Wine), aged for 12 years in Sherry oak casks, and enjoy it like a gentleman.
In solidarity with the independent brands and shops that are weathering the uncertainty of a socially-isolated world, we're highlighting the ones that continue to inspire and delight us. Los Angeles-based Wittmore has long been one of our go-to spots. What started as an online-only store founded by industry vet Paul Witt in 2012, quickly grew into three modern, gallery-like brick-and-mortar shops. Their well-edited collection mixes high-end designers and emerging labels with more rugged casual brands. And through this weekend, you can score an exclusive discount: 25% off site-wide (including final sale items) when you use this link or code VALET EXCLUSIVE.
Relwen Flex chino$198 / $148.50
Velva Sheen pullover hoodie$150 / $112.50
Cuisse de Grenouille Dark Hawaiian shirt$170 / $127.50
↦ Shop the Sale at Wittmore
Today’s Deals
Ongoing Sale
Expires 4/12
Expires 4/12
↦ Want More? See all 73 sales
Morning Motto
In the midst of where you’re going, don’t forget to enjoy where you are.
↦ Follow: @werenotreallystrangers
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]