The Daily Valet. - 4/29/20, Wednesday
✔️ The New Etiquette of Flying
Wednesday, April 29th Edition
I’d happily wear a mask on a plane. But I still want to be served Biscoff cookies.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today's edition is presented by
Today’s Big Story
Retail Will Be Forever Changed
“In the short term, our cities will become more boring”
Most retailers are itching to reopen after being forced to close for weeks by state mandates curbing the coronavirus pandemic. And now that states including Georgia, South Carolina and Texas are beginning to lift those restrictions, stores will soon be welcoming back customers under special guidelines.
As they reopen, first admitting only 25% of the store’s legal capacity, they’ll eventually graduate to 50% of their original customer level. According to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, “Further increases will be allowed in the future so long as COVID-19 remains contained.”
All eyes are currently on Georgia to see what happens. Salons, gyms and tattoo parlors were given permission by Governor Brian Kemp to reopen last Friday, followed by movie theaters and restaurants this Monday. But according to CNBC, surveys suggest Americans may be reluctant to head to public places—even as authorities allow doors to reopen.
The Atlantic has an interesting examination of our current retail landscape. “We are entering a new evolutionary stage of retail, in which big companies will get bigger, many mom-and-pop dreams will burst,” writes Derek Thompson. “Chains will proliferate and flatten the idiosyncrasies of many neighborhoods, more economic activity will flow into e-commerce, and restaurants will undergo a transformation unlike anything the industry has experienced since Prohibition.”
This is an extremely dire forecast, of course, but it does come with a glimmer of hope. If cities and neighborhoods become less desirable in the next few years, they’ll also become cheaper to live in. Then, in time, the affordable rents will no doubt attract more interesting people, ideas and businesses. This may be the cyclical legacy of the coronavirus: suffering, tragedy and eventual rebirth.
↦ FYI: The biggest American mall owner, Simon Property Group, is preparing to reopen 49 properties and says it will make free temperature testing available to customers using infrared thermometers.
Still Waiting on Your $1,200 Check?
Here’s what you need to know about the payments
With May's bills coming due soon, many people are still waiting to get their $1,200 stimulus payment as part of the trillions in federal assistance meant to help Americans suffering from the financial fallout of the coronavirus.
According to the Washington Post, the Treasury Department and the IRS issued 88.1 million payments worth nearly $158 billion in the program’s first three weeks. And while that's no small feat, it doesn't matter much to those who could use that money now.
Over the weekend, the Treasury Department announced it had made “significant enhancements” to the Get My Payment tool in order to fix several glitches. For example, many taxpayers complained the website wouldn't allow them to move forward because they didn't owe any money to the IRS nor receive a refund in the last two years.
Personally, for the past few weeks, I wasn't getting anything other than an error message. But just last night, with these new fixes, I was finally able to submit my direct deposit information.
↦ FYI: The Treasury will eventually send out 150 million stimulus payments to eligible Americans.
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New Flying Etiquette
Airlines are starting to require or encourage travelers to wear masks
Beginning next week, all travelers who step foot on a plane operated by JetBlue will need to wear a face mask, reports NPR.
In announcing the rule, JetBlue became the first major U.S. airline to require passengers to wear a face covering of some sort throughout their journey—from check-in through the moment they step off the plane at their destination.
According to the Wall Street Journal, American Airlines said that it would start handing out face masks as passengers board, beginning in early May. Delta followed suit, saying that it would “strongly encourage” customers to wear masks and would make them available at ticket counters, gates and onboard.
I hope no one has a problem with this. Because this is the one situation where I really hope masks stick around. I already go full Naomi Campbell when I board, so if masks keep germs from spreading, I'm all for it. But how are we supposed to drink those mile-high G&Ts now?
YouTube to Host Free Virtual Film Festival
Major partners, including Cannes, Tribeca and Sundance, are participating in the online event
With the COVID-19 pandemic shuttering film festivals around the world, YouTube has announced a 10-day virtual film festival, reports Variety.
The online event, dubbed “We Are One,” will begin on May 29 and run through June 7. It'll feature films, shorts, documentaries, comedies, music and conversations. And it will be completely free on YouTube.
According to CNET, nearly two dozen of the world's most famous film festivals will feature their content. The Berlin International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, Jerusalem Film Festival and Venice Film Festivals will all be presenting.
A full schedule of events will be posted on the festival's YouTube page soon.
↦ FYI: Streaming films will be eligible for the Oscars, but for this year only.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Mother's Day is coming up and jewelry is alway a smart choice. Especially when it does good along with looking good. This year, join John Hardy in supporting pregnant mothers, their babies and maternity care workers with crucial health resources during such unprecedented times. For every birthstone style you purchase now through the end of May, the company will donate 20% of the proceeds to Every Mother Counts, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving maternal health and making pregnancy and childbirth safe for everyone, everywhere. John Hardy's signature sterling silver pieces beautifully showcase a loved one's birthstone and makes for a simple, subtle reminder that's always with her. Plus, you'll get 10% off and free shipping when you sign up for their email. Pretty easy, right?
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UPS and CVS Deliver Prescriptions Via Drone
COVID-19 presents an opportunity to expand limited drone delivery tests
CVS and the UPS will start using drones next month to deliver prescription medications to residents in a Florida retirement community in an effort to maintain social distancing measures, reports The Verge.
The service, which will use Matternet's M2 drones, is being conducted with authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration. UPS, which has been conducting limited drone delivery experiments in North Carolina, said it is expanding its drone service to help people who are sheltering in place.
According to CNBC, the drones will initially drop off prescriptions to a location near the community and a truck will complete the delivery to the resident’s door.
UPS received government approval to operate a so-called “drone airline” last October. The technology is still in its testing phase and not ready to scale significantly. But this may be the test it needs to prove itself.
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. Need Supply Co. started out in Richmond, Virginia selling vintage Levi's. The shop has since evolved its mission and has grown into a destination for high design and a smart selection of buzzy cult labels. It's not just the in-demand brands but also some fun outside-the-box selections that make the shop's stock list feel particularly cool. And through the end of the week, you can score 25% off nearly everything they sell sitewide—making it even easier to bring some of that cool home.
Carhartt WIP Michigan chore coat$178 / $133.50
NEED tie-dye tee$40 / $30
Vans classic slip-on 98 DX sneaker$80 / $60
Stüssy knit panel shirt$115 / $86.25
↦ Shop the Sale at Need Supply Co.
Today’s Deals
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Morning Motto
You do whatever works for you ...
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