The Daily Valet. - 4/1/20, Wednesday
✔️ Timelines, Tunnels and Tactics
Wednesday, April 1st Edition
Let’s all agree to sit out “April Fools Day” this year, yeah?
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
Tragic Days Ahead
White House task force paints a grim picture of the Covid-19 fallout in the coming weeks
The White House coronavirus task force on Tuesday presented a grim picture of where America could be heading over the next couple of months, even with interventions like physical distancing, reports the Washington Post. The task force projects 100,000 to 240,000 deaths from the virus, despite the best self-isolation practices.
Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, and Dr. Deborah L. Birx, who is coordinating the coronavirus response, called the staggering estimate “our real number,” but pledged to do everything possible to reduce those numbers even further.
Cases and deaths are soaring: There have been at least 4,000 reported deaths in the United States— more than 900 of which occured on Tuesday alone. More than 189,000 coronavirus cases have been reported in the country thus far.
But as frightening as these predictions and numbers are, Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx said the number of deaths could be much higher if we don’t follow the strict guidelines to keep the virus from spreading. Taking such restrictions seriously means staying home, avoiding large gatherings and limiting travel.
On the upside, the tactics do seem to be working. CNN reports that early clues—in places like New York, California and Seattle—indicate social distancing may be slowing the rate of new infections. But it’s clear we’ve got some hurdles to get over before things can start to calm down.
↦ FYI: Currently, more than 80% of Americans live in areas under a stay-at-home order.
A Gallon of Gas for 95 Cents?
It’s here ... and it could get even cheaper
Gas prices are dropping. I mean, really dropping. Several locations are now offering gasoline for less than $1 per gallon, reports NPR. But most Americans aren't supposed to go anywhere. That's the irony of the coronavirus lockdown.
The national average price for a gallon of gas is now $1.997, according to AAA, and it's expected to drop further in the next few weeks—to $1.75 or even lower.
The cost of gasoline varies region-to-region, and it's largely determined by taxes and how easy it is to sell fuel in a particular area.
But according to Business Insider, this is all about supply and demand: Demand has obviously cratered in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic—largely, because people aren't driving nearly as much—and top oil-producing countries are ramping up supply as a price war breaks out between Saudi Arabia and Russia.
Drug Smuggling Tunnel Found in San Diego
There was about $30 million worth of drugs inside
Federal immigration authorities have discovered a drug smuggling tunnel leading from San Diego under the U.S.-Mexico border and seized over 4,000 pounds of narcotics, reports NBC News.
The confiscated drugs included 1,300 pounds of cocaine, 86 pounds of methamphetamine, 17 pounds of heroin, 3,000 pounds of marijuana and more than two pounds of fentanyl—for a total street value of about $29.6 million, officials said.
Investigators estimated the passageway, 31 feet below the ground, is several months old based on “advanced construction” in parts of the tunnel, including reinforced walls, ventilation, lighting and an underground rail system.
“I hope this sends a clear message that despite the ongoing public health crisis," Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego Cardell T. Morant said in a statement, “Our law enforcement will remain resilient and continue to pursue criminal organizations.”
FCC Calls for the End of Robocalls
The technology is finally being made a requirement
In the grand scheme of things, a spam robocall on your cell phone is only a mild nuisance. But it's still something we don't need to be dealing with, right? Thankfully, we won't have to much longer.
The Federal Communications Commission voted Tuesday to finalize rules requiring phone companies to automatically block calls to fight illegal robocalls, reports CNET. The new rules mandate the use of the technology by all voice providers by the end of June 2021.
The FCC has said previously that eliminating the wasted time and the nuisance caused by illegal scam robocalls could save the US economy $3 billion annually. Shaken/Stir—the authenticating technology used by the four major wireless carriers in the US—is a vital element in stopping the calls.
According to The Verge, the protocol allows providers to verify that a call is coming from a real number, letting people know they should pick up the phone rather than ignore a spoofed robocall.
↦ By the Numbers: Americans received 58.5 billion robocalls in 2019, up 22% from the previous year.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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The Responsible Man’s Guide to Takeout
Strategies for supporting local businesses while enjoying some good food
I like to cook. I love it, actually. But too much of a good thing, you know? If I cook all week, how do I differentiate between the daily grind and the weekend? So on Friday and Saturday, I want takeout. Plus, it's a chance to support a local business that probably really needs it right now.
The question is: how safe is restaurant food while the coronavirus continues spreading? Right now, there is a lot of information swirling, but the short answer is: pretty safe.
“There is no evidence that it can be transmitted by eating food,” Angela L. Rasmussen, PhD, a virologist told Forbes. The FDA seconds this. It also helps to note that similar viruses like the flu and SARS aren’t spread via food either.
But according to the latest suggestions in the Wall Street Journal, you should practice “safe takeout.” Ask for the delivery person to drop the order outside and tip electronically instead of exchanging cash. (And for the sake of those hardworking couriers, consider tipping big too.) Unpack your food, dispose of the packaging, disinfect the surfaces your bags contacted and then wash your hands thoroughly before you dig in.
↦ FYI: The National Restaurant Association estimates that the industry has already lost more than three million jobs, and many independent restaurants may never reopen.
What We’re Buying
Everlane has never had a sitewide discount like this before, but these are unprecedented times. And for the rest of this week, you can score 25% off anything they sell, from denim and cashmere to this ruggedly handsome chore overshirt. Cut from 8.6 oz cotton twill, it's been double-stitched for durability and washed for extra softness. You won't find a better one—especially not at this price.
↦ Get It $75 / $56 at Everlane
Today’s Deals
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Morning Motto
Do one thing today to help someone out.
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