The Daily Valet. - 5/4/20, Monday
✔️ We're Heading Outside
Monday, May 4th Edition
Mondays no longer really “feel” like Mondays, do they?
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today's edition is presented by
Today’s Big Story
Safe to Reopen?
The president gives states the go-ahead, as governors grapple with loosening restrictions
We’re all still social distancing, right? I noticed over the weekend, while walking the dog, that I’m the only one around wearing a mask. And around the country, people were flocking to Galveston’s beaches and forming lines at Florida’s marinas. Even in New York City, sun-seekers were spread out across the grassy patches of various parks.
President Trump on Sunday sought to reassure Americans that it is safe for states to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic, offering support to protesters who have railed against the unprecedented lockdowns across the country, reports the Washington Post.
Trump said that it’s possible to “satisfy both” anti-lockdown protesters and those who are afraid to resume public life. During a Fox News Channel town hall at the Lincoln Memorial, he noted that Americans have been wearing face masks and said that “you’re going to have to do that for a while,” even as states reopen their economies.
He also predicted that a coronavirus vaccine could be available by December. “I think we’ll have a vaccine by the end of the year,” Trump told the moderators, saying he was “very confident” in the assessment. “We’ll have a vaccine much sooner rather than later.”
According to Newsweek, the World Health Organization confirms that more than 100 possible vaccines are currently in development. Global leaders gathered online last month and agreed to deal with a future vaccine in an internationally equitable way at the request of WHO. Unfortunately, the U.S. declined to be part of the agreement.
↦ Meanwhile: Vice President Mike Pence said that he should’ve worn a mask while visiting the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota last week.
The “Murder Hornets” Are Coming to the U.S.
The 2020 B-plot you probably didn’t see coming
For the first time, Asian giant hornets have been spotted in the United States, specifically in Washington state, reports CNN. Beekeepers have reported piles of dead bees with their heads ripped off—an alarming sight in a country with a rapidly declining bee population.
According to the New York Times, the so-called “murder hornets” have a particular appetite for bees and specialize in group attacks. Apparently, they decapitate adult bees with claw-like mandibles and devour any larvae, while aggressively defending the occupied colony. State officials set up traps and launched an app to report sightings, saying just a few of the hornets can devastate a hive within hours.
Despite their moniker, murder hornets aren’t naturally interested in killing people. That only happens when they have to defend themselves, like if a person threatens to step on its nest—which it makes, ironically, in the ground.
Just when you thought 2020 couldn't get any more confusing or frightening. But I'll bet none of you had “giant killer hornets” on your quarantine bingo.
↦ Dig Deeper: Bee colonies have been disappearing in what is known as “colony collapse disorder,” according to National Geographic.
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The Dark Side of All Those Deliveries
Viral post shows just how little restaurants make from Grubhub orders
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many restaurants without their own delivery service have turned to apps like Grubhub, DoorDash and Postmates, providing them instant online ordering and a vast network of drivers, but at what cost?
While being able to offer delivery is a lifeline for many restaurants right now, it's hardly a perfect solution with processing and commission fees eating a big chunk out of restaurant profits, reports Eater.
Giuseppe Badalamenti, owner of the food truck Chicago Pizza Boss, posted his March Grubhub statement to Facebook to give people a sense of just what the breakdown is. And people are stunned. Badalamenti’s post shows he took in over $1,000 in 46 pre-paid orders and yet only netted $376.54, which he says is “almost enough to pay for the food.”
According to Newsweek, UberEats announced in March that delivery fees were being waived in order to help local eateries. And Doordash said last month it was cutting commission fees by 50% for orders until the end of May. These services have certainly helped many restaurants by outsourcing delivery staff, but are they being charged fairly? That's the question for consumers.
Billions Is Back
It’s as wild as ever, but the vicious capitalism hits different these days
When Billions premiered back in 2016, it seemed like a prototypical cable drama about male antiheros, but it often undercuts that image with humor and cleverly shifting power dynamics between the characters.
Entering its fifth season, the show has cycled back to where it started. Coming after a season where Axe and Chuck tabled their rivalry to team up and regain power, each is now back on top and at each other's throats again—just like in the first season.
According to Salon, the show is a “work of sleek, vicious joy.” The haves jab at the other haves, and treat the rest of us as pawns to be bought, sold or discarded, if they give us any consideration at all. But is the vicarious thrill of watching the ultra-rich as much fun while so many people are out of work and small businesses are hanging by a thread.
Of course, a lot is different these days. This pandemic did a number on water-coolers and the TV shows we discuss around them. Production on Billions was halted after seven episodes, so the remaining five will shoot and air whenever we figure out how to make live television again.
↦ The Music: Complex says the high finance drama has some of the best music on television.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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These aren’t your average masks
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How’s Your Place Smelling These Days?
Mood-setting has never been so important
The more time you spend at home, the more you rely on the little things to make your space feel special. Me? I've got some eucalyptus hanging in my shower and am making good, clear ice for my cocktails.
And, of course, burning through my stash of scented candles. But I've ordered some incense and am looking forward to the ritual of lighting it and watching it smolder.
Because a good scent can transport you to another place. Somewhere exotic or luxurious—which comes in handy when so many of us are living, working and cooking within the same four walls day after day.
That's why we rounded up a variety of tools to make your place smell better. The candles, incense and diffusers misting out essential oils that our team is current using while we work from home.
↦ Read: Over a dozen fragrant options to lift the mood, relax your senses and make your home feel a bit more luxurious in these trying times.
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Morning Motto
Better to ask for forgiveness, rather than permission, right?
↦ Follow: @spiritual.awake
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