The Daily Valet. - 4/23/20, Thursday
✔️ The Bronco, Quarantine Mustaches and Instagram After Dark
Thursday, April 23rd Edition
I’m seriously considering a quarantine ’stache.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today's edition is presented by
Today’s Big Story
What If We Reopen Too Fast?
Closing America was hard. Science says reopening it will be harder.
Federal health officials estimated that more than 300,000 Americans could die from COVID-19 if all social distancing measures are abandoned, and later models pushed the possible death toll even higher, according to documents obtained by the Center for Public Integrity.
The models, created by the Department of Health and Human Services, spell out the data the agency is sharing with other federal departments to help shape their responses to the coronavirus. Turns out, the country has been excelling at social distancing, with over 90% complying with state orders.
But after Georgia announced its reopening, more states in the South and Midwest signaled readiness on Wednesday to jumpstart their economies in hopes that the worst of the pandemic is over, reports Reuters. The mayor of Las Vegas even went as far as to offer up her city as a “control group” to see if social distancing is necessary anymore.
The science is clear though. “The math is unfortunately pretty simple,” Jeffrey Shaman, a Columbia University epidemiologist, told the Washington Post. “It’s not a matter of whether infections will increase, but by how much.”
Epidemiological models suggest that the best strategy for keeping the burn rate under control is to drive the number of infections as low as possible before restoring economic activity. That could then provide time to react if cases flare. But the question remains: Can the country last that long in isolation?
↦ Go Deeper: A new survey finds Americans remain overwhelmingly in favor of stay-at-home orders and other efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
McConnell Taps Brakes on Next Round of Aid
He cited concern for the national debt
The House will vote today on an aid package aimed at small businesses, and while Democrats sought to include roughly $150 billion in funding to shore up state and local budgets, the money didn't make it into the final bill due to objections from Republicans and the Trump administration.
Now, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has told the Wall Street Journal that Congress should “push the pause button” on future economic relief and consider the potential impact on federal debt.
However, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin disagrees. He said Wednesday that while he's sensitive to concerns about rising federal debt, “this is a war, and we need to spend what it takes to win the war.”
Following the Great Recession, state and local governments took years longer to recover than the federal government, contributing to a sustained drag on the economy, reports NBC News.
↦ FYI: The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget projects that the national debt will exceed the size of the economy this year.
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The Bronco Is Coming Despite Factory Downtime
Ford says it’s on schedule for release this year
Manufacturing centers for pretty much every automaker around the globe are currently shut down, but things are still active in the world of auto prototype testing. According to Motor1, Ford's revival of the Bronco Sport was spotted this week, ready to shed its camouflage.
And although there are some rumored delays in production and model previews, Ford has decided to proceed with the global debut of the Bronco's revival in the U.S., reports Yahoo News.
The iconic SUV and its boxy, lovable style, will be available later this year. And just like the original, the newest generation of the Bronco will also have both two- and four-door configurations, along with removable roof sections.
Muscular, affordable and undeniably fun, this is a revival we could all use right now. With so many films and events postponed or canceled, I'm happy to hear that the Bronco is still rolling along.
↦ By the Numbers: The 2021 Ford Bronco 4x4 will feature a 2.7 liter V6 petrol engine, along with a 10 speed automatic transmission (producing around 300 horsepower).
Growing a Quarantine Mustache?
An expert has some advice for men in isolation
“Of all the worthy projects to tackle during quarantine, the one with the least chance of resulting in real self-improvement is the introduction of a new mustache.”
So writes our friend and venerable author David Coggins in Bloomberg. But as we hunker down inside, the time away from friends can provide the push some guys need to embrace a more adventurous side.
Growing a beard is the obvious choice, “but the full Tolstoy doesn't fit inside the masks we're now advised to wear in public,” he warns. And going for a mustache presents something of a challenge: Can you pull it off?
The key is confidence. James Nord, founder of the marketing platform Fohr, says “If you don't take yourself seriously, how will anyone take your mustache seriously?” He also said that it grows on you—literally. “My first was a joke that soon became serious, and I think that happens for a lot of people.”
↦ FYI: Want to do some extra good with your newly hirsute lips? You can donate to Grow Your 'Stache for Cash, which helps burn survivors.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Better sleep has been proven to provide a myriad of benefits from less inflammation to a greater resilience against illnesses like the common cold. The Sleep Recovery all-natural supplement from clean sports nutrition company Momentous is a favorite among pro and elite athletes because it combats sleep challenges like nighttime games, late workouts, travel and anxiety, which can disrupt circadian rhythms. How does it do it? Each capsule is packed with a special form of magnesium which, according to the scientists, crosses the blood-brain barrier to promote cognitive function.
There's also melatonin, the natural sleep-inducing hormone, along with wild jujube seed extract, which helps relax brain regions like the hippocampus by releasing rest-inducing neurochemicals. Curious, I tried them myself for several weeks (including one pre-quarantine overseas trip). Momentous was the key to quieting my mind before bed and helping me slink into a deep, restful sleep—with no grogginess or jet lag come morning. I now pop these 20 minutes before bedtime, fall asleep fast and wake up ready to take on the day.
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Instagram After Dark
Strip clubs are closed. But you can still scroll through social media ... 😈
In every city across the country, strip clubs, lounges, bars and concert venues are closed. But if you think deep-pocketed patrons have stopped showering money on dancers, you'd be woefully mistaken.
According to Complex, celebs like YG, Kevin Durant, Meek Mill and Jake Paul have simply traded bottle service and roped-off VIP sections for a new kind of after-hours spot—Demon Time: Instagram's new network of digital strip clubs, where clout will get you in the door and cash (or, more specifically, CashApp) is still king.
Magic City, a strip club in Atlanta, has started offering “virtual lap dance” performances on Instagram stories, reports the New York Times. And the women said they have raked in thousands of dollars from CashApp donations.
Ready for the good news? The tips help the out-of-work dancers, who, as independent contractors, have largely been left out of unemployment benefits and provide an opportunity to keep making money in the midst of the ongoing crisis.
Weekend Shopping Plans
From ultra-soft tees to some new spring shoes, our picks from three can’t-miss sales going on this weekend.
Up to 70% off sale items
Clarks Wallabees $140 / $98
Up to 60% off best-sellers
Made-in-LA slub jersey T-shirt $68 / $29
Up to 50% off SeaVees sneakers
Legend 90 $80 / $55.98
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↦ Get It $40 / $20 w/code VALETPP20 at Port Products
Morning Motto
Nobody said it’d be easy ...
↦ Follow: @wetheurban
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