The Daily Valet. - 7/26/21, Monday

✔️ Two Tales

Monday, July 26th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

I want to be an Olympic pictogram.

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s Big Story

Vaccine Refusal

Less vaxx, not the variant, is the root of rising infection rates

Vaccinated Americans seem to be getting fed up. More than six months have passed since the COVID-19 vaccines started to roll out across the country, yet a minority of unvaxxed adults are making life riskier for everyone and ultimately, extending the length of the pandemic.

This unfortunate reality, amid a rise in cases and hospitalizations in some states, was all over the news this weekend. You might’ve noticed that news about vaccine “hesitancy” has given way to reports about vaccine “hostility.” Or, as the New York Times put it in a news analysis: vaccine “refusal.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci warned on Sunday that the coronavirus pandemic is now “going in the wrong direction” in the United States because too many Americans are choosing not to get vaccinated. “It is really a pandemic among the unvaccinated,” he said, adding “It’s like you have two kinds of America.”

And the reality in 2021 is that where you live and how you vote plays into that. Republicans remain fractured over their vaccination messaging. Some GOP governors in low-vaccination states have been actively encouraging people to get the vaccine. Others are rallying around the cause of individual freedom to counter community-based disease mitigation methods.

The fact is, in 48 states, the rate of new COVID-19 infections increased this past week. And in 34 of those states, the rate of new cases increased by more than 50%. Which is why the Trump administration's former surgeon general said that “it’s spiraling out of control” and that “more mitigation is coming” due to the surge.

Meanwhile, citing studies that show there might be waning immunity in vaccinated people, Fauci said U.S. health officials are reviewing data to determine if and when booster shots might be needed for those of us who’ve already gotten the shot.

↦ Dig Deeper: The Atlantic warns that the unvaccinated are not a monolith of defectors, and treating them all as anti-vaxxers is making things worse.

Sound of the Games

What do the Olympics sound like without the crowds in the stands?

Have you been watching the Olympics? I still can't get over the surreal nature of seeing all the empty stands.

The NBC Olympics executive producer told the Associated Press that the network will not be adding additional crowd noise to its coverage. The hope is that fans will hear the Games as they haven't been able to before, whether it is the action in the pool during swimming or conversations between competitors and coaches during gymnastics.

Has there ever been an Olympics where the sound of swimmers’ arms churning through water carried into stands? After U.S. softball pitcher Cat Osterman induced an inning-ending groundout at Yokohama Stadium—the sleek ballpark near the water in that city—a teammate could be heard saying, “Good job,” as they jogged off the field.

Some of the athletes told the Los Angeles Times that the lack of audience has taken of some of the pressure. And it's not like the energy is completely gone: When Sweden scored against the U.S. in a soccer match at Tokyo Stadium, the place was so quiet that the signature cry from Telemundo commentator Andres Cantor—“Goooaaall!”—could be heard from far away.

↦ Don't Miss It: The International Olympic Committee relaxed its health rules and said medalists can remove their masks on the podium for photos ... for 30 seconds.

The Step Debate

Do we not need 10,000 steps? Or do we actually need more? Make up your mind ...

Earlier this month, it was reported that science did not exactly support the oft-cited requirement of taking 10,000 steps a day—which is about five miles—for the sake of our health or longevity.

Realistically, few of us reach that 10,000-step goal, anyway. According to recent estimates, most adults in Western nations average fewer than 5,000 steps a day.

Being active is never a bad thing, but CNET reports that even if you're aiming for those 10K steps, you could be doing your body a disservice by ignoring other crucial aspects of your health. So what are some good goals to work towards when it comes to activity? An exercise physiologist warned that a good goal to focus on should be sitting less.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services you need at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity (such as brisk walking or swimming) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (such as running, cycling or dance cardio class) every week.

↦ FYI: That magic 10,000 number is an arbitrary one that originated as an advertising campaign for a Japanese pedometer back in the 1960s.

Dying Vehicles

Say goodbye to the Toyota Land Cruiser, Hyundai Veloster and Volkswagen Passat

Similar to fashion or music, the types of cars we drive can become symbolic of an era, with certain vehicles even rising in popularity to become iconic emblems of life on the road. But in the same way, they can also fall victim to changes in customer demand, bad business decisions or a simple decline in favorability.

Case in point: Volkswagen will stop selling the stylish Passat from its lineup after the midsized sedan has seen its popularity shrink during a boom in sales for SUVs and other larger models.

Last year brought the end to more than 20 vehicles. Halfway into 2021, Car and Driver reports that automakers have already announced nine models heading toward indefinite retirement.

Toyota's beloved Land Cruiser is on the list (for Americans). So is Polestar's elegant supercharged plug-in hybrid coupe, the Polestar 1. And Hyundai's once-popular Veloster is being dropped too. You could say the compact-car contingent loses another player to team SUV.

↦ FYI: This list of the slowest-selling vehicles in each state could help lead you to the cars you're most likely going to get a deal on.

In Other News

↦ The Mask-Mandate Debate Is Back. Here’s What to Know.

↦ Digital Nomads Embraced COVID’s Work-Life Flexibility. Now Their Offices Want Them Back.

↦ Kanye Reportedly Living in Stadium Until ‘Donda’ Drops

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

Lessons from Ted Lasso

Choppers

Naomi Osaka

Straight Fire

Upgrade your coffee table with a lighter

Your coffee table is probably missing something. Something that your grandparents, no doubt, never let leave their coffee table: a proper lighter. I don't know how often you need a flame at arms length—and maybe I don't want to—but these uniquely designed implements of ignition can certainly come in handy. After all, the modern man has candles to burn, CBD pre-rollies to spark and sage bundles to smudge, right?

Not to mention, a handsome table lighter is a unique conversation piece to have among the other items on your coffee table. It's something from a different era—an item that doesn't quite belong. Yet it adds an air of sophistication and yes, even a touch of danger

The real question is what type of lighter suits your style and interiors? We've sourced a range for you, but be warned: they're in demand. Vintage items go fast and even new items—like Seth Rogen's car-inspired pop-up lighter—immediately sell out and wind up on reseller sites.

↦ Buy: The best table lighters for your style and budget.

Stuff We Want

You know what's cooler than a simple canvas tote? A sharp-looking one cut from buttery tan suede. Adsum's bag ($145) is made entirely from leather—hand-sewn in Chicago with double stitched side seams and a triple folded hem for ultimate durability. It's handsome enough to use as a work bag but rugged enough to be your weekend carry-all.

↦ Want more? The five stylish items to buy this week