The Daily Valet. - 6/25/20, Thursday
✔️ Finding a Way Through This
Thursday, June 25th Edition
Just know ... you’re having a better day than this poor guy.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
Finding a Way Through This
U.S. remains committed to reopening despite virus resurgence
The United States reached its highest daily total of new cases on Wednesday, with over 36,000 positive COVID-19 infections recorded.
It’s seemingly wiping out two months of progress in the U.S. and sending infections to dire new levels across the South and West, with health experts warning Wednesday that politicians and a tired-of-being-cooped-up public are letting a disaster unfold, reports the Associated Press.
“People got complacent,” said Dr. Marc Boom, CEO of the Houston Methodist hospital system. “And it’s coming back and biting us, quite frankly.” Meanwhile, stocks slid on Wall Street as the news intensified fears that officials would have to reinstate lockdown measures.
It’s clear we have to do something. But closing everything down again doesn’t have to be it. From China to Germany, there are numerous examples of countries that are learning how to live with the coronavirus. Strategies include intensive testing, lightning-fast response times and constant reminders to their citizens of the dangers of frequent human contact and, of course, the importance of hand washing and masks.
They’re tactics that have proven to work here in the States, as seen in child care centers that have figured out ways to combat the spread of the virus instead of waiting for the CDC.
With proactive steps, a Harvard professor of exposure assessment science told the Washington Post that young people will be able to go back to school. Or make it back inside movie theaters and restaurants soon.
↦ Take Cover: Americans can’t abstain from human interaction forever, and widespread masking may be a ticket to more social and economic freedom.
A Blackface Reckoning
And there’s likely more of it than you realize
Over the past 48 hours, it seems as though Hollywood collectively decided to acknowledge and deal with their problematic occurrences of blackface over the past decade.
And you'll probably be shocked by how much of it there was. I definitely had no idea it was this common. But as Lisa Respers France writes for CNN, “the pain tied to the legacy of blackface is very real and very present for Black people.”
First, ABC's late-night host Jimmy Kimmel issued an apology for his previous use of blackface impressions in comedic sketches. Then Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show came under fire for past use of blackface and apologized on his show.
NBC's 30 Rock also received criticism for using blackface in four of its episodes (four!?). Tina Fey has since had them pulled from streaming services. Medical comedy series Scrubs also removed episodes from Hulu because they feature white actors in blackface. And something tells me more will likely resurface soon.
Have You Heard Fireworks Lately?
And why pyrotechnic conspiracy theories are everywhere right now
I haven't heard any fireworks myself lately (for which I, and my dog, are very grateful). But I have noticed a whole lot of people on social media posting about the nuisance and aggravation that these nightly bursts are causing. Maybe you have too. Or perhaps you've been dealing with the explosions firsthand.
According to BuzzFeed News, the fireworks lighting up American cities are simply a case of oversupply and under-stimulation. Fireworks industry experts and authorities have said the increase is likely caused by a restlessness born from the pandemic and a spike in sales in advance of July 4, which this year falls on a Saturday. The American Pyrotechnics Association, a fireworks industry group, said it expects 2020 to be a banner one for sales.
Complaints are already up. And worse, the conspiracies are now coming in. But according to Slate, they're not some elaborate psychological operation conducted by government officials to discredit the national protests. They were not being set off by police. They were not “professional” grade. They're simply your standard fireworks in the hands of stir-crazed people who want to blow stuff up.
↦ FYI: New York mayor Bill de Blasio has vowed to crack down on the noisy explosives. He said that he's setting up a special task force to deal with the issue.
Baseball Is Returning
But there’s not a lot of support for it
Baseball is back! Well, sort of. There's still a month left until the 2020 MLB season officially begins, and so much can happen during a global pandemic. But the league and the Players Association came to an agreement on a 60-game season that will start either July 23 or 24, the league announced Wednesday.
But not everyone is celebrating. Sports Illustrated says that all the negotiations and haggling between players and team owners wasn't necessary. “The labor issue is not the problem, the virus is ... This isn't safe anymore. It probably never was.”
It's worth noting that 40 MLB players and staff members reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days, reports CBS Sports. The league has also reportedly ordered all spring training sites to be closed and sanitized, and personnel must test negative before being allowed to return.
According to Bleacher Report, this will be unlike any other season in more than a century of Major League Baseball: a 60-game sprint, in empty ballparks, with Opening Day essentially being the start of the pennant race.
↦ Dig Deeper: The Ringer points out how the league's cost-cutting return has shortened the draft, slashed amateur signing bonuses and reduced the number of teams in the minor leagues.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
+
What to Do If You Get a Sunburn
How to treat the sting and deal with the peeling
It's going to be a hot summer. Above-normal temperatures are likely to stick around from July to September across the West, East and Gulf Coast states, according to a recent forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
That means plenty of sun. And while we'll likely be spending more time indoors this year, that inevitable sunburn is just one careless afternoon away from ruining a perfectly good day.
And while it's actually not possible to make a sunburn go away entirely, there are some clever things you can do to make it feel a whole lot better. It's about healing and helping your body recover quicker.
So we've consulted the experts to provide you with a few simple rules to take the sting out of your next burn.
↦ How to: Heal your sunburn quickly.
Weekend Shopping Plans
From old school shoes to summer chinos, our picks from three can’t-miss sales going on this weekend.
Up to 50% off Turkish towels
Anatolia towel $35 / $23.98
Up to 60% off select styles
Vans OG leather-trimmed sneakers $90 / $45
Extra 50% off w/code MAKEMOVES
Stretch chinos $98 / $34
Expires 6/30
Expires 6/30
Expires 7/5
↦ Want More? See all 66 sales
Morning Motto
Embrace the obstacles.
↦ Follow: @furthermore
That’s all for today...
...but we could use your help.
The more people who know about The Daily Valet., the stronger it can become. So grab your unique referral code below and start sharing with your friends, family and coworkers to earn some exclusive discounts to our favorite brands and cool stuff you'll actually want (not just throw-away “swag”).
Your Unique Referral Code:
↦ Want to Learn More? Check out your personal Valet. Ambassor page for program details and get a closer look at the available rewards (and how many referrals are needed to score them).
Valet Media LLC1111 Lincoln Road, Suite 500Miami Beach, FL 33139[email protected]