The Daily Valet. - 9/21/21, Tuesday

✔️ Deadly Serious

Tuesday, September 21st Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

Have you donated old clothes recently? Yeah, so have I.

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

America’s Deadliest Pandemic

COVID-19 has killed more than 675,000 Americans ... as pandemic dissonance endures

COVID-19 is officially the most deadly outbreak in recent American history—surpassing the estimated U.S. fatalities from the 1918 influenza pandemic, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

For a country of roughly 328 million people, that death toll means that roughly 1 in 500 Americans have died from the coronavirus. However, the U.S. population was much smaller over a century ago, so the 1918 flu had a higher death rate.

But winter may very well bring a new surge. The University of Washington’s influential model is projecting an additional 100,000 or so Americans will die of COVID-19 by Jan. 1, which would bring the overall U.S. toll to 776,000 or more.

Those grim statistics came on the same day that Pfizer said its vaccine works for children ages 5 to 11 and that it will seek U.S. authorization for this age group soon. This a key step toward beginning vaccinations for youngsters.

Of course, for people who have been “back to normal” for months, both news stories can seem a bit strange. We are living in a state of pandemic dissonance: social media photos of jam-packed stadiums appear next to news stories of overwhelmed hospitals. Or austere rows of white flags placed near the Washington Monument commemorating COVID victims.

The truth is that the vaccines have helped protect many Americans during the most recent wave of infections—especially older people, who have the highest vaccination rates and are otherwise at greatest risk of dying from the disease. But according to the Wall Street Journal, the highly contagious Delta variant and low vaccination rates in parts of the country have driven cases and fatalities to levels far above those seen last summer, before vaccines were even available.

↦ Meanwhile: While experts debate whether booster shots are needed, 36% of the country hasn’t received a single dose of vaccine yet, according to CDC data.

The Abortion Battle Continues

Despite overwhelming support for reproductive rights in general

A man in Arkansas and another in Illinois on Monday filed what appeared to be the first legal actions under a strict new abortion law in Texas that is enforced by ordinary citizens (regardless of where they live). The lawsuit is against a Texas doctor, who publicly wrote about performing an abortion, to test the provisions of the law.

However, a new Monmouth University poll found that the majority of Americans disagree with that particular provision—70% said they don't think private citizens should be able to enforce the law through civil suits. The poll also found broad support for reproductive rights in general.

In addition to the new, controversial Texas law, the Supreme Court will hear arguments on the legality of a highly-anticipated Mississippi abortion law on Dec. 1.

Meanwhile, more than 500 athletes and coaches, as well as the players' unions for two major women's sports leagues, said in an amicus brief filed Monday that forcing people to carry pregnancies to term would reverse major gains in gender equality in sports. They were joined by 900 state legislators from 45 states who asked the Supreme Court on Monday to uphold Roe v. Wade.

↦ FYI: 62% of Americans want the Supreme Court to leave the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision intact.

Partner

Don't settle for any old snack. These bars have become my go-to because they're tasty and packed with nutrients that actually boost concentration and help you overcome the mid-day slump.

Fast Fashion’s Surprise Eco-Disaster

Do you know where your donated clothes end up?

The rise of fast fashion in the United States is supporting an invisible “salvage market” that sees American clothing waste shipped to faraway countries where it fills marketplaces, clogs up beaches and overwhelms dumps.

According to CBS News, there has been a five-fold increase in the amount of clothing Americans buy over the last three decades, but each item is worn only an average of seven times, according to reports. This has resulted in more discarded clothing than ever.

Many of us donate used clothing to charities, under the assumption that it will be reused. But with the increase in items being discarded, and the poorer quality of fast fashion, less and less can be resold. So millions of garments are put into bales and shipped abroad to places like Ghana.

At Ghana's Kamanto market, around 15 million items of used clothing from Western countries arrive every week. And nearly 40% are so cheaply made that they're deemed worthless to the marketplace and sent instead to the 30-foot bluffs made of discarded clothes mixed with other waste that tower over the shoreline in the city's Korle Lagoon. There's also Panipat in northern India which, according to a BBC report, is known as the world’s “cast-off capital.” I think what's most troubling is that people think that donating used clothes is a good thing but most of it just ends up polluting a beach far away.

↦ FYI: Every year as many as 4 million tons of used textiles are shipped across the planet. The secondhand clothes trade is estimated to be worth $4.6 billion.

A Legendary SUV Could Return

The International Harvester Scout may return as an all-electric off-roader

Volkswagen insiders are considering building an all-electric SUV to go up against the Jeep Wrangler and the recently reborn Ford Bronco. And they want to call it the Scout, reviving the classic International Harvester Scout name for the first time in decades.

Volkswagen's COO Johan De Nysschen floated the idea during a conversation with the media at a recent press event. And MotorTrend noted that Volkswagen Group now owns the rights to the Scout name through its commercial truck division and recognized the heritage and brand equity the name carries with off-roaders.

With Volkswagen shifting its entire product line to electric vehicles, though, the reborn Scout wouldn't be a photocopy of a Jeep Wrangler or a Ford Bronco, the old Scout's direct competition. Instead, De Nysschen envisioned something like the upcoming Rivian R1S all-electric SUV, but “at a $40,000 price point instead of $70,000.”

↦ Dig Deeper: HotCars has everything you've likely forgotten about the International Harvester Scout.

In Other News

↦ So Snoop Dogg Just Claimed to Be a Prominent NFT Booster

↦ U.S. to Lift International Travel Ban for Vaccinated

↦ Canada’s Trudeau Wins Another Minority in Election, Claims ‘Clear Mandate’

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

‘Seinfeld’ movie references

Horny sodas?

Adidas’s “illegal” running shoe

Partner

The Ultimate Work Snack

Satisfy cravings, boost brain power and beat the afternoon slump

We're all making smarter choices when it comes to our diets these days. But when it comes to snacks—especially while we're working—many of us still choose junk food that's filled with more sugar, salt and preservatives than we should probably be eating. Why? Because it's easy. And it promises a little moment of joy. But the result is that all-too-common afternoon slump, sugar crash or brain fog.

You don't need a nutritionist to tell you that grabbing an apple is better for your wellbeing than a bag of Cheetos or a Snickers. But there's a reason why we keep mindlessly noshing on empty calories—it's simple. That's why IQBARs are so ideal. These protein bars are as quick and easy to grab as “the bad stuff,” but they're filled with all “the good stuff” you need to thrive. And bonus, they actually taste really good. (I'm currently chewing on an Almond Butter Chip right now).

But these aren't your average protein bars. They're formulated with clean-label ingredients rich in compounds shown to benefit the brain and body. So whether you're in the office or WFH, you can reach for one of these keto and paleo friendly bars and start to feel the benefits of Lion's Mane (which has been proven to strengthen the connections between brain cells), MCTs (known to improve short-term memory recall) and Choline (regulates mood and increases focus). All by just chowing down on a tasty bar that has less than 1g of sugar.

↦ Get It: 7 Bar Sampler pack for $14.99

What’s the Best Jacket for Fall?

Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket

Flannel-lined waxed trucker jacket,$268 by Flint and Tinder

With so many styles to choose from, you can pick the jacket best for your personal dress code, but some of our favorite looks of the season involve defying expectations. Matching a longer, dressier coat with sweats is arguably the ultimate way to do high-low in fall 2021, when even a refined gent can get away with a hoodie. Likewise, a sleek nylon bomber or zip-up over a shirt-trouser combo has been a go-to look for some of Valet.'s favorite dressers for some time now. The best jackets should have something special, because if there's any time to let your outerwear do the talking, it's now.