The Daily Valet. - 8/31/20, Monday

✔️ The Hero We Needed

Monday, August 31st Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

It's Monday. A fresh start. Let's do this.

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today's edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

The Hero We All Needed

xxxSUBHEADxxx

By now, you’ve heard that Chadwick Boseman died late Friday at the age of 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer. His death—and the diagnosis itself, as he battled his illness largely in private—was announced via a tweet that’s gone on to be the most-like tweet in history.

Celebrity deaths are often mourned as if we knew the person, but that sense of loss seems especially intense during a pandemic. When so much of our everyday life feels taken from us. It’s painful to think about such a bright light snuffing out way too soon.

Culture writer Lisa Respers France pointed out that there’s an added layer of grief for Black America—one more blow in a particularly challenging year. She said that he made a career of playing real life Black historical figures including Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Thurgood Marshall but excelled in the iconic role of Black Panther. “Boseman was aware of the cultural impact of such a film coming at a time when Black people felt mired in the seemingly never ending fight for equality.”

Off-screen, Boseman was beloved as a role model in his own right—a star who overcame early obstacles to become a voice of encouragement, especially to young Black people, reports NPR, which shared his wisdom, in his own words from his commencement address for alma mater Howard University to award acceptance speeches.

According to The Ringer, Boseman’s last completed role was opposite Viola Davis in the upcoming August Wilson adaptation Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: more icons for him to stand among, to further bring to life, to have long ago proved himself worthy of. Whenever it’s released, it will be no doubt be a painful movie to watch—knowing now what he was going through while filming it.

Even now, Boseman reminds us that while at our lowest, we can still strive to bring joy and uplift others who don’t have a clue about the challenges we're facing. Let’s all try to be a little more like that.

↦ Dig Deeper: How to stream Boseman ’s greatest film performances right now.

The VMAs Were Last Night ...

Socially-distant and socially active

The 2020 MTV VMAs was the latest awards show to try to mount a ceremony amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic with virtual acceptance speeches and outdoor performances.

Despite having no live audience to receive applause from or a red carpet to interviewed on, the musicians were not silent when it came to the growing call for racial justice and inclusivity, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

When The Weeknd, sporting bloody makeup and bandaged nose, accepted awards for "Blinding Lights" winning best R&B and later video of the year, the singer admitted it was “really hard to celebrate and enjoy this moment.” He concluded his short acceptance speeches by telling the audience, “Justice for Jacob Blake. Justice for Breonna Taylor.”

Lady Gaga, who won artist of the year and song of the year for “Rain on Me,” also received the inaugural Tricon Award, which honored the star for being a “multidimensional artist” involved in music, acting and philanthropy. Wearing a mask, she acknowledged that this has been a tough year. “Just because we are separated right now and culture may feel less alive in some ways, I know a renaissance is coming, and the wrath of pop culture will inspire you,” she said.

↦ FYI: Because the clothes matter as much as the music at this awards, here are The Cut's best, worst and most chaotic looks.

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Need some new pants? If you’re tired of sitting around in the same pair, consider this pair that seems perfect for the moment in which we’re living.

Man Killed at Portland Protest

Trump seizes on protests as Dems blame him for tensions

Portland, like many cities around the country, has had nightly protests since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. According to the New York Times, a caravan of supporters of President Trump traveled through the city on Saturday night, clashing with counterprotesters and man was shot and killed during the unrest.

The man who died was wearing a hat with the insignia of Patriot Prayer, a far-right group based in the Portland area, reports the Associated Press. Trump praised the caravan participants in a tweet as “GREAT PATRIOTS!”

Democrats accused the President of trying to inflame racial tensions and incite violence to benefit his campaign. According to ABC News, the mayor of Portland Ted Wheeler and Trump engaged in a real-time argument Sunday as the president sent a flurry of critical tweets about the mayor.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles police responded to reported shooting near pro-Trump rally on Sunday after a similar caravan of cars amassed but no one was hurt.

↦ FYI: The President plans to visit Kenosha tomorrow, but Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian, both Democrats, asked him not to come.

U.S. Tops 6 Million COVID-19 Cases

We've recorded more than 183,000 deaths due to the virus since the outbreak began

The U.S. has surpassed 6 million coronavirus cases as the country struggles to reopen schools and rebuild its economy as the pandemic rages with no end in sight, Reuters reports.

Although case numbers have continued to rise in waves (especially in the Midwest), many states have chosen to reopen their economies and schools. Universities and colleges that board students have particularly struggled to keep cases under control as young adults move back to campuses and nearby residences to begin in-person courses.

More than eight months into the pandemic, the United States continues to struggle with testing. Many health officials (and at least 33 states) have rejected the new COVID-19 testing guidance issued by the Trump administration last week that said those exposed to the virus and without symptoms may not need testing.

While the U.S. has the most recorded infections in the world, it ranks tenth based on cases per capita, with Brazil, Peru and Chile having higher rates of infection. But, according to Forbes, our infection rates are still too high to consider lifting the EU travel ban on Americans.

↦ FYI: Experts believe that one shot of coronavirus vaccine won't be enough . We'll likely need two.

In Other News

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

This impressive recovery

The stuff we want right now

Cooking broccoli

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Pants Built to Get You Through the Day

Public Rec promises indoor comfort and outdoor style

Some days are better than others. And some pants are better than others. This pair, from Public Rec, promises a better day because you’ve got on comfortable pants. As working (and working out) from home becomes more and more normal, a good pair of adaptable pants is a vital staple.

The All Day Every Day jogger features an elastic waistband with internal drawstring for maximum comfort and tapered cuffed hems for a more polished finish. They’re cut from a highly breathable, moisture-wicking fabric that blends the stretchy comfort of spandex, with the durability of nylon. Available in eight different shades, they’re the kind of pants you can easily slip on after your morning shower, do a full day of work and then crush an after-hours workout in. You can’t ask for much more from your pants.

↦ Get It: All Day Every Day jogger, $98 by Public Rec

What We’re Buying

You've likely heard all the benefits of a percussive massage gun at this point, but it's still a big jump to invest nearly $300 on a recovery device. If you're looking for a starter option, try this well-reviewed one by Flyby. Though it's half the weight of other massage guns, it's just as powerful. The industrial-grade motor provides deep tissue massage, which is adjustable across three different speeds. Moreover, you can choose from six massage heads, allowing you to target every muscle. All without any pain in the wallet.

↦ Get It $129.99 / $79.99 at Amazon

Special Promotion

Treat Yourself to Better Skin

Marine Layer Intense Recovery Treatment Masks by Port Products

One of my favorite sheet masks is finally back in stock. The award-winning Marine Layer Intense Recovery Treatment Masks from California-based Port Products combine potent yet soothing botanical extracts to soothe and hydrate worn-out or sun-damaged skin. What’s more, the cooling coconut-derived mask clings to your face and won’t get caught on facial hair. When you pull the mask off, you'll notice an immediate improvement in the look and feel of your skin.

↦ Get It $46 / $26 (for a four-pack) w/code VALETVIP20 at Port Products