What We’re Reading

Flying:

The number of Americans getting on airplanes has sunk to a level not seen in more than 60 years as people shelter in their homes to avoid catching or spreading the new coronavirus.

The Transportation Security Administration screened fewer than 100,000 people on Tuesday, a drop of 95% from a year ago.

Historical daily numbers only go back so far, but the nation averaged 97,000 passengers a day in 1954.

School:

Worldwide more than 1.5 billion children are out of school right now.1 This has dramatically increased the need for childcare. In addition, grandparent-provided childcare is now discouraged due to the higher mortality rate for the elderly, and given social distancing measures, sharing childcare with neighbors and friends is very limited also. Thus, most families have no choice but to watch their kids themselves.

Stuck at home:

Although China publishes nationwide statistics on divorce only annually, media reports from various cities show uncouplings surged in March as husbands and wives began emerging from weeks of government-mandated lockdowns intended to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Incidents of domestic violence also multiplied. The trend may be an ominous warning for couples in the U.S. and elsewhere who are in the early stages of isolating at home: If absence makes the heart grow fonder, the opposite might be true of too much time spent together in close quarters.

Sounds of the city:

A musician friend of mine keeps measurements. The average noise level of Vancouver is 90 dB. It is now averaging 35 dB.

Zoom attire:

Walmart EVP of corporate affairs Dan Bartlett tells @YahooFinance that amid coronavirus: “We are seeing increased sales in tops, but not bottoms” because so many people are doing video conferences from home. and all that matters is the above the waist shot.

Have a good weekend, stay safe.