The Daily Valet. - 4/24/20, Friday
✔️ Faster WiFi and the Future of Flying
Friday, April 24th Edition
We made it through another week. That’s it, that’s the message. And you know what, that’s enough.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today's edition is presented by
Today’s Big Story
1 in 6 Americans Lost Their Jobs
But the federal stimulus is helping balance out the lack of wages
On Thursday, the House approved a $484 billion aid package for small business, hospitals and testing. The latest measure to prop up the U.S. economy came just as an additional 4.4 million claims for unemployment were reported in the last week.
According to CBS News, that brings the total number of workers who have lost their jobs since the coronavirus outbreak began to more than 26 million. The fallout has left roughly 1 in 6 workers without a job, a number that dwarfs the impact of 2008’s Great Recession on the labor market.
Many economists say the nation’s unemployment rate is likely around 15% now and could eventually approach 20% by summer. To put that in perspective, the jobless rate peaked at about 25% in 1933 during the Great Depression.
The only upside? As millions file claims, many are poised to receive more money than they would have typically earned in their jobs, thanks to the additional $600 a week set aside in the federal stimulus package for the unemployed, reports the New York Times.
That calculation is based on an analysis of the so-called “replacement rate,” which is the share of a worker’s wages that is replaced by unemployment benefits.
Of course, despite the additional benefits, many people who qualify for unemployment have been stuck waiting to actually receive money/benefits as multiple state systems struggle to process the sheer number of new claims each week.
↦ FYI: Across Europe and in Canada, governments are easing the plight of workers idled because of the pandemic by essentially paying part of their salaries.
6GHz Wi-Fi Is Coming
That means faster, more reliable connections
In a few months, there's going to be a lot more Wi-Fi to go around. In a unanimous vote, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a proposal Thursday to open up a plot of spectrum in the 6GHz band for unlicensed use.
According to The Verge, that means there will now be more open airwaves—a lot more—that routers can use to broadcast Wi-Fi signals. Once the new spectrum is officially opened for business later this year, that should translate into faster, more reliable connections from the next generation of devices.
With more than twice as much bandwidth as the 5GHz band used by Wi-Fi devices today, the 6GHz band can accommodate up to seven 160MHz channels at once, reports CNET. This quadruples the amount of space available for routers and other devices, so it will mean a lot more bandwidth and a lot less interference.
And if it's not clear that this is a big deal, here's an interesting fact: This is the biggest spectrum addition since the FCC cleared the way for Wi-Fi use in 1989.
↦ FYI: Devices are expected to start supporting 6GHz Wi-Fi by the end of 2020, branded under the name Wi-Fi 6E.
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Flying Will Be Forever Changed by COVID-19
Could protective barriers be the future of socially distant flying?
While travel is essentially at a standstill and most scheduled flights are on pause, the industry is taking this time to question what the future of travel could look like and are coming up with some safer, smarter solutions.
According to Departures, Italian aviation design firm, Aviointeriors, has dreamed up what flying could look like with social distancing front of mind. They have shared a two-faced seat that could allow three passengers to be isolated and separated with a transparent shield. Passengers on the aisle and window seats would face forward, while the middle seat would face backward.
I'm all for this innovation. For starters, it'd keep chatty strangers from interrupting my peaceful flight time. Secondly, it makes economy class a whole lot more like business class. And the fact that it stops germs from spreading? I say get to retrofitting those planes ASAP.
↦ FYI: People miss flying so much, they're recreating the airplane experience at home.
You Need a Mask, So Make It a Good One
Which to buy and how to wear/care for them
It's now clear that we'll all being wearing masks in one way or another for a while. Earlier this week, seven states began requiring residents to cover their faces when they visit essential businesses or use public transportation, while dozens of cities around the country have issued similar mandates.
So we scoured the web for brands big and small making quality masks—the kind you'd actually want to wear. We rounded up ten of the best non-surgical fabric masks you can buy right now.
From simple styles cut from chambray shirting and cozy sweatshirt material to more advanced styles featuring antimicrobial scuba fabric or vintage bandanas, take your pick.
But remember that your mask is only effective if you wear it correctly and make sure it's clean. So we've also got all the expert advice to make sure you stay safe and healthy.
↦ Read: The best face masks to buy right now (and how to properly wear and care for them).
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Prime Your Sleep for Success
This nighttime recovery supplement is a favorite among pro and elite athletes
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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Your Weekend Pairing
Fight Club + a Beer
Without many new films opening this weekend, I’d advocate rewatching old classics, under-appreciated gems or just films that provide more upon seeing them again. Fight Club, David Fincher's sweaty adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's novel, makes the cut one way or another. Considering it's been over two decades, I'll assume any and all spoilers are safe (but, if not, stop reading now).
The first time you see the film, it's more of an indictment of consumerism paired with an identity crisis and a somewhat troubling love triangle between our narrator (Edward Norton), the wild Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) and Marla (Helena Bonham Carter)—an unhinged chain-smoker. But upon knowing that Tyler is merely a figment of the narrator's imagination, you can appreciate all the ways Fincher hints to this throughout the film. Just try counting all the Easter eggs hidden throughout the story.
Another thing you notice when rewatching this film as a fully-formed adult is that it's not about about breaking out of a conformist mold, but rather about the horrors that lie within the fragile male id. And the destruction said id can create, if left unchecked. That's not always what's remembered about this film. And maybe that's okay, because it's still a damn good movie filled with stunning visuals, an impeccable cast and some pretty trippy music.
↦ Your Pairing:This isn't the kind of film to be appreciated with a gentlemanly cocktail. Tyler Durden would want you drinking a beer. And hey, there's something to be said for the no-frills pleasures of macro-brewed beer. It's affordable, goes down easily and really quenches your thirst. What could go better with a movie you probably watched in college than the beer you likely drank back then too? Me, I'll be cracking open a bottle of Budweiser.
What We’re Buying
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Morning Motto
A little mindfulness can go a long way.
↦ Follow: @successfulmaster
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