The Daily Valet. - 4/3/20, Friday
✔️ Don't Sweat the Snacks
Friday, April 3rd Edition
The time has come. I just ordered some reusable, washable masks from Los Angeles Apparel.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
The Mask Race Continues
An industry wary of liability is met with homegrown innovation
There is a serious shortage of protective gear for healthcare workers. Demand for 3M’s high-grade N95 masks have been further complicated by the company’s fear about legal liability. It seems that repurposing their industrial masks (which make up the bulk of its production) for use by doctors and nurses could leave the company vulnerable to lawsuits, reports the Washington Post.
But even simpler surgical masks are hard to come by. What’s more, we’re hearing more and more each day that masks might be necessary for everyone to successfully flatten this curve.
The president said Thursday his administration will soon release nationwide recommendations on wearing face masks as health officials suggest the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. And according to the CDC, as many as 25% of people infected may not any show symptoms.
Unfortunately, the run on masks could make the current shortage of medical-grade versions much worse. Thankfully, a slew of American clothing brands have shifted their production to churn out masks both for purchase and for donating to hospitals, reports Gear Patrol.
On Thursday, Under Armour unveiled an innovative new surgical mask that’s made of a single piece of breathable, moisture-resistant fabric and doesn’t require any sewing. It can be produced rapidly in large quantities to meet the needs of medical workers on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis. The company estimates it can manufacture 100,000 of these masks a week.
Of course, if you’ve got a bandana and something stretchy, you can make your own at home.
↦ Reminder: Health officials warn that masks should not lull Americans into a false sense of security that would lead them to abandon social distancing guidelines.
Navy Removes Captain Who Raised Alarm
He was relieved of his post for going outside the chain of command
The captain of an aircraft carrier hit by the coronavirus was relieved of his command by the Navy on Thursday—two days after a blunt letter the officer wrote warned the service of the need to get more sailors off the ship became public, reports CBS News.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly said he relieved Captain Brett Crozier of command of the USS Theodore Roosevelt after losing confidence in his ability to lead under the stress of dealing with the viral outbreak.
According to Reuters, the move could have a “chilling effect on others in the Navy looking to speak up about issues they are facing at a time when the Pentagon is withholding some of the more detailed data about coronavirus infections for fear of undermining the perception of American military readiness for a crisis or conflict.”
U.S. Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said that while the letter was sent through the chain of command, Crozier did not safeguard it from being released outside the chain.
↦ FYI: A defense official said that the number of people on the Roosevelt who had tested positive for the coronavirus was “in the high 70s” a few days ago, a figure that's likely increased.
A Record-Setting Unemployment Surge
In only two weeks, 10 million American jobs have vanished
A record 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week as the scope of Covid-19's effect on a previously booming labor market becomes painfully clear, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Hopes for a dramatic but brief downturn followed by a quick recovery have faded, and in their place are fears that the world may be on the cusp of an economic shock unseen since the 1929 Great Depression. The speed and scale of the job losses is without precedent.
Perhaps that's why so many businesses are struggling to navigate such precarious waters. On one end of the spectrum, you've got Disney furloughing employees while still providing healthcare and access to continuing education programs. But on the other, you have those like Everlane and Soulcycle abruptly laying-off staff, cutting pay and canceling benefits early.
The Congressional Budget Office on Thursday updated economic projections based on the jobless-claims data and recently enacted stimulus measures. It expects US unemployment to exceed 10% in the second quarter and gross domestic product to fall by more than 7%.
↦ FYI: Some companies are pledging not to lay off workers or offering other ways to cushion employees amid the crisis.
Don’t Sweat the Snacks
There’s plenty to worry about right now ... gaining a little weight isn’t one of them
During times of uncertainty, it helps to fall back into the comfort of the familiar—perhaps that's why I've rediscovered my love of PB&J sandwiches. I can't tell you how many I've had while isolating at home ... but it's a lot. Too many?
After all, in the midst of a dire health crisis, why shouldn’t people try to stay as healthy as possible? Sure, I'm catching workouts on Instagram live, but I'm also napping some afternoons out of sheer exhaustion from the news and depleting the snacks I had meant to keep stocked in my pantry.
But despite social media spouting off about the “quarantine 15,” voices of reason are reassuring us that we shouldn't be all that worried. According to Vice, physical and mental health self-care is crucial, but a big part of being healthy is not unnecessarily stressing yourself out, and learning to meet yourself where you are.
So workout when you get the motivation. And snack when you think it might feel good. This won't be forever and as Eater points out, no amount of starvation or exercise is going to make this pandemic feel any less scary.
↦ FYI: By the middle of this month, Bloomberg reported popcorn sales rose almost 48%, pretzel sales were up 47% and potato chip sales rose 30% compared to the same period last year.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Weekend Pairing
Future Man + a Lightweight Traveler Cocktail
Throughout its run, Future Man has been something of an outlier for Hulu's original content. Definitely not a prestige-minded award-getter, but it's fun to watch. Especially in this current climate.
Its third and final season kicks off today, and frankly, it might do us all some good. If you're not familiar, Seth Rogen is a producer (and sometimes director or co-star), and Josh Hutcherson stars along with Eliza Coupe and the incredibly funny Derek Wilson. It follows a janitor by day/gamer by night who is recruited by mysterious visitors to travel through time in order to prevent the extinction of humanity. In a show that's deeply interested in consequences and self-discovery, Den of Geek says this final chapter is bolder, crazier and more cathartic than ever before.
↦ Your Pairing:Just like the show, this Lightweight Traveler has got a little bit of everything in it. The cocktail, featured on InShaker, mixes aged bourbon with lemon juice and the bracing bite of ginger beer. That's combined with muddled mint and cucumber for a drink that's refreshing and somehow feels a bit, dare I say, healthy.
What We’re Buying
The iconic SEGA Genesis defined an era of gaming for a generation. Now it has officially returned for your quarantined enjoyment. This slick miniaturized version comes pre-loaded with 40 legendary games and is plug and play ready. Whether you're a hardcore gamer or not, it's the perfect way to shake up your binge-watching schedule for a cool $60.
↦ Get It $79.99 / $59.99 at Target
Today’s Deals
Expires 4/6
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↦ Want More? See all 64 sales
Morning Motto
Every action has a reaction ...
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