The Daily Valet. - 7/6/20, Monday
✔️ Racing Towards Progress
Monday, July 6th Edition
There’s no telling what the presidential race will bring us this week ...
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
Researchers Race Towards a Vaccine
And when it gets here ... who gets it first?
The head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cast doubt on President Donald Trump’s prediction that a COVID-19 vaccine will be ready this year, reports the BBC. “I can’t predict when a vaccine will be available,” commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn, said on Sunday.
Dr. Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, predicted there is a likelihood that a coronavirus vaccine will be available in early 2021, but cautioned that it may not be 100% effective—or that we might need yearly shots. Jha told Fox News Sunday that due to the high demand, it may take until next spring or summer before everyone in the U.S. will be able to get vaccinated.
But both are encourage by the progress. “We are seeing unprecedented speed for the development of a vaccine,” said Dr. Hahn. So fast, it seems, that it’s been hard to find people to test it on.
There are roughly 150 in development using various methods–most of which still have not started human trials. According to the Wall Street Journal, researchers are taking unusual steps, such as recruiting at pharmacies, enlisting churches in searches for subjects and even requesting employees and families to ask around.
Finding the right subjects and patients will be crucial to conducting the trials in order to evaluate whether the experimental vaccines safely protect against the virus.
Once we actually have a vaccine, the question will be who gets it first? National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins acknowledged that the public could be wary of the U.S. government having final say, so he told a Senate committee Thursday that an independent panel of experts would likely decide who gets first dibs.
↦ Meanwhile: The FDA commissioner is “concerned” that a quarter of Americans could reject a coronavirus vaccine.
The U.S. Got Lit
How’s your dog recovering?
Fireworks were already selling like crazy before the Fourth of July, so it's not all that surprising that a record number of Americans fulfilled their pyrotechnic desires this weekend, reports CNN.
Compared to 2019, demand for consumer fireworks is up at least 115%. One seller said his 1.2 million square foot distribution center, which was completely full four weeks ago, is now completely empty.
In hopes of keeping crowds at bay amid the pandemic, 80% of municipal displays were canceled and many cities outlawed the use of personal fireworks. But that didn't really stop people—or prevent many accidents. According to the Los Angeles Times, the increase in home fireworks lead to surges in both air pollution and calls for emergency services.
Of course, we may've just used them all up now. Industry leaders are worried about shortages. China normally ramps up production for fireworks in winter—but this year, the pandemic forced most of the factories to close. Once supplies are gone, there's no telling when the U.S. will be restocked.
↦ Different Perspective: Helicopter pilot Micah Muzio takes us above Los Angeles during all the firework displays for a unique perspective (with slight Blade Runner vibes).
Is Kanye Really Running for President?
There is no real evidence yet
Just when you think 2020 couldn't surprise you anymore ... Kanye West says he's running for president. Of course, he's mentioned this before but the timing over the Fourth of July weekend got everyone's attention.
His wife and potential first lady, Kim Kardashian West, retweeted him. Elon Musk offered his support as well. Then West returned to Twitter on Sunday with a photo of some dome-like structures in development that may be housing development prototypes as part of his #2020Vision.
This would also mean he'd be running against President Trump, of whom he's long been a vocal supporter. And in April, he implied he would vote for his friend in the November election.
So far, however, there is no concrete evidence West has a campaign organization, nor is there any indication he has filed papers with the Federal Election Commission just four months before the November 3 election. And according to Ballotpedia, it's too late to get on the ballot as an independent candidate for president in the states of Indiana, Maine, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina and Texas.
Will Malls Survive?
And more importantly ... should they?
As a '90s kid, the mall held great importance during my youth. But I don't think they're as important to today's young people. And, as the New York Times reports, they're in serious trouble.
After all, the standard mall relies on a mix of department stores and specialty shops—both of which were already on shaky ground before the pandemic. Now, many department stores are closing while other stores are unable to pay rent.
Analysts now say that around 25% of American malls could close in the next five years. That has the potential to reshape the suburbs, with some communities already debating whether abandoned malls can be turned into local markets or office space, even affordable housing.
According to Bloomberg, developers are turning a wide swath of a 41-year-old shopping center near Seattle into a 300-unit apartment complex with underground parking. The conversions make a lot of sense, really. Most shopping centers tend to be centrally located and connected to transit. This could be just the start of similar conversions around the country.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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The Sounds of Silence
Miss the ambience of your office or coffee shop?
Personally, I love a good sound machine. I sleep with one in my bedroom, and when I travel I use an app to provide white noise so I can get to sleep. Which is why this new discovery sounds very interesting: MyNoise is a website that's been around since 2013, but has become increasingly popular lately.
It's run by Stéphane Pigeon, an audio-processing engineer based in Brussels, who's traveled the world recording relaxing soundscapes.
You can choose from dozens of sounds—there's Distant Thunder, Coffee Shop, Office and even Gregorian Chants, which I can confirm are great for both relaxation and concentration.
What's really cool is that this sound generator is completely customizable. Each soundtrack has ten audio equalizer sliders that allow you to boost the base, bring down the melodies or add in a little more typing sound to office sounds. That way, you've got a sound that works just for you.
↦ FYI: The first white-noise machine was built in '60s, by a traveling salesman whose wife became accustomed to the sound of motel air-conditioners.
What We’re Buying
There are many items that can signify you turning your house or apartment into a true home, or make you feel like a real adult. We'll argue that a set of quality towels is one of those items. You use them everyday, so make sure it's a damn good towel. The best-selling ones from Brooklinen are beyond soft and thick like a towel you'd get from a five-star hotel. Coming in a multitude of earth tones, you can easily find a set that matches your personality and interior style. And right now, they're on sale, which makes upgrading even easier.
↦ Get It $69 / $58.65 at Brooklinen
Today’s Deals
Expires 7/6
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↦ Want More? See all 66 sales
Morning Motto
Focus on the good news ...
↦ Follow: @successfulmaster
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