The Daily Valet. - 7/15/20, Wednesday
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Wednesday, July 15th Edition
Happy, or perhaps unhappy, rescheduled Tax Day!
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
Can Schools Reopen?
We know they should ... but the reality is complicated
The Trump administration has insisted that every school must reopen in the fall. North Carolina and New Hampshire have joined a number of other U.S. states and school districts across the country, announcing that classes will open this fall for the new academic school year, reports Reuters.
But according to the New York Times, California’s two largest public school districts are preparing for online-only instruction this August as local COVID case counts soar, in the latest sign that school administrators are increasingly unwilling to risk crowding students back into classrooms until the coronavirus is fully under control.
New York City, the nation’s largest school district and region where the pandemic first hit the hardest, announced last week that it would provide several days per week of in-person learning, with students working online from home the rest of the time. Seattle has also announced a hybrid model that is emerging as popular nationwide. Chicago, the nation’s third-biggest system, hasn’t yet released a reopening plan.
Meanwhile President Donald Trump on Tuesday lambasted the defiant school districts for making students learn from home. “Because children and parents are dying from that trauma too. They’re dying because they can’t do what they’re doing,” he told CBS News. “Mothers can’t go to work because all of a sudden they have to stay home and watch their child, and fathers.”
Health experts agree that most children do not get as sick as adults when infected with the coronavirus and are believed to be less likely to transmit the disease. NBC News spoke with pediatricians and while some said they don’t favor opening schools so soon, all agreed that the benefits of in-person schooling outweigh the risks—but the key is to reopen safely.
The vice president was quoted on Tuesday as saying, “We don’t want CDC guidance to be a reason why people don’t reopen their schools.” It’s an interesting take: We want to send our kids back so that they can get a better education—learn science, math and comprehension. But then you have adults saying that we shouldn’t listen to our nation’s scientists?
↦ Meanwhile: The Trump administration retreated on its much-criticized face-to-face attendance rules for foreign students.
A Mask Mandate?
A new CDC study recommends it
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said policymakers should consider requiring face coverings to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, reports CNBC.
The recommendation came after studying two Missouri hair stylists who had COVID-19 but didn't pass it on to their clients because they wore masks.
CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield: “Face coverings work. It's our major defense to prevent ourselves from getting this infection. If all of us would put on a face covering now for the next 4-6 weeks, we could drive this epidemic to the ground.”
Not all states in the U.S. have issued mask mandates though and some with surging outbreaks, including Florida, have left it up to local cities and counties. And in an interview with the Journal of the American Medical Association on Tuesday, Redfield reiterated the need for such a requirement. “I think we're being very clear now,” Redfield said. “Now's the time to wear a mask.”
↦ Dig Deeper: Fast Company has the story of how people hated masks during the 1918 pandemic, too. And ultimately, 675,000 Americans died.
NBC’s “Peacock” Launches Today
It kicks off with 20,000 hours of programming, and a lot of it is free
At this point, you're probably thinking, like me, another one? Do we need another streaming service? But NBC doesn't want to hear that. They're launching “Peacock” today.
It kicks off with a seven-day free trial for its premium tiers and an always-free tier that lets you sample about two-thirds of its library of shows and movies with advertising. It's a big catalog—with about 20,000 hours of television shows, movies, news, sports, curated channels, trending highlights and exclusive big-budget original programming.
According to CNET, Peacock was working out distribution deals all the way until the last minute, saying Tuesday that Sony would stream Peacock on PlayStation 4 consoles (starting the week of July 20). But, at least so far, it's still missing the opportunity for you to watch on Roku or Amazon Fire TV devices.
So is it worth it? The Verge says the interface admirably aims to recreate the feeling of live TV, but it comes up short. But Complex reminds us that there's still plenty of great TV—from The Office and Parks & Recreation to Cheers and Saturday Night Live. Not to mention such movie franchises as the Bourne trilogy, and (of course) every single Fast & Furious film.
That Old Lady Buying Booze? She’s Really 17.
Teens are taking advantage of those mask rules
These kids today ... industrious TikTok teens are hitting up liquor stores dressed as elderly grandmas and hiding made-up faces behind cloth face masks, report the New York Post.
The prank has taken social-media by storm, with kids posting their successful booze runs from coast to coast. Honestly, I admire the creativity and commitment. As comedian Jason Lawhead tweeted: “Now that we have to wear masks, this is the best time to buy alcohol with a fake ID since the early '80s ...”
Under normal circumstances, these underage drinkers could have been studying in Europe for the summer—drinking legally—but instead they're stuck in America with an overwhelming health crisis. And they're dealing with it in a way I can't help but respect.
My only question? Who's brave enough to ask for a “senior discount” for their hard seltzer and strawberry wine?
↦ Meanwhile: Eater reports that underage drinkers are apparently ordering delivery booze like crazy.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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A Reminder to Rethink Your Morning
Waris Ahluwalia on the secrets to a stress-free, productive morning at home
You might recognize Waris Ahluwalia from Wes Anderson films or the Netflix show Russian Doll. Or perhaps you've seen the countless street style shots of him—his dapper personal style has landed him on several high profile best-dressed lists.
Despite all those splashy bonafides, he's also one of the nicest guys around. He's usually jetting around the world, but the pandemic provided us some time to catch up and get him to share his morning routine.
His line of high quality teas are formulated for function and healing and he's perfected a slow, steady approach to start the day. “The whole world has been told to slow down and that's been one of our central themes—our speed, desire for shortcuts, need for productivity has led down a dangerous path.”
I, for one, am going to start the breathing technique he told me about, tomorrow.
↦ Read: Waris Ahluwalia's studied morning routine.
What We’re Buying
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↦ Get It $110 / $93 at G.H. Bass & Co.
Today’s Deals
Expires 7/15
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Ongoing Sale
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Morning Motto
Take time forming your opinions.
↦ Follow: @werenotreallystrangers
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