March 2020

'Stay the f**k at home': Samuel L. Jackson reads you a sweary, poetic social distancing PSA

Almost a decade ago, Samuel L. Jackson's reading of bedtime poem "Go the Fuck to Sleep" captivated the internet. Now the actor has returned to spoken word, presenting author Adam Mansbach's timely new adaptation of the classic: "Stay the Fuck at Home."

"The 'rona is spreading, this shit is no joke — it's no time to work or roam," read Jackson, delivering the important PSA on a video call with Jimmy Kimmel. "The way you can fight it is simple, my friends: stay the fuck at home." 

Jackson has taken his own advice and is social distancing in his own home with his wife and daughter. He also encouraged people to donate to Feeding America, a charity that works to relieve hunger in the U.S. Read more...

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Stephen Colbert would like someone to TP his house for April Fools' Day

April Fools' Day is looming, but nobody is in the mood for jokes. Tolerance for tomfoolery is at an all-time low, as the coronavirus pandemic has people hoarding toilet paper and staying confined to their homes.

"At this point the only April Fools' joke I want is someone TP-ing my house, preferably in two-ply, quilted," quipped Late Show host Stephen Colbert, recording the show from his home. "I have a very sensitive backdoor."

Fortunately Americans' efforts at social distancing seem to be paying off, as early real-time data suggests coronavirus infection rates appear to be slowing.

"It's working!" said Colbert. "Just keep doing it America! And by 'it,' of course, I mean nothing." Read more...

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Sophie Turner and Conan talk getting drunk at home for coronavirus

Like many of us, Game of Thrones actor Sophie Turner is holed up at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, judging by Conan's video call with her on Tuesday, it seems social distancing suits the Queen in the North just fine.

"I see how people are finding it difficult, but I don't understand how people are really struggling to practice social distancing," confessed Turner. "I'm like, all you have to do is stay at home and get drunk at home. It's great."

Turner's husband Joe Jonas hasn't taken to the social distancing quite as well, though. 

"It's like prison for him, but it's great for me," said Turner, who has been supporting his livestreamed DJ sessions by bringing him shots of tequila.  Read more...

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Just three months after capping what was the best year for Indian startups, having raised a record $14.5 billion in 2019, they are beginning to struggle to raise new capital as prominent investors urge them to “prepare for the worst”, cut spending and warn that it could be challenging to secure additional money for the next few months.

In an open letter to startup founders in India, ten global and local private equity and venture capitalist firms including Accel, Lightspeed, Sequoia Capital, and Matrix Partners cautioned that the current changes to the macro environment could make it difficult for a startup to close their next fundraising deal.

The firms, which included Kalaari Capital, SAIF Partners, and Nexus Venture Partners — some of the prominent names in India to back early-stage startups — asked founders to be prepared to not see their startups’ jump in the coming rounds and have a 12-18 month runway with what they raise.

“Assumptions from bull market financings or even from a few weeks ago do not apply. Many investors will move away from thinking about ‘growth at all costs’ to ‘reasonable growth with a path to profitability.’ Adjust your business plan and messaging accordingly,” they added.

Signs are beginning to emerge that investors are losing appetite to invest in the current scenario.

Indian startups participated in 79 deals to raise $496 million in March, down from $2.86 billion that they raised across 104 deals in February and $1.24 billion they raised from 93 deals in January this year, research firm Tracxn told TechCrunch. In March last year, Indian startups had raised $2.1 billion across 153 deals, the firm said.

New Delhi ordered a complete nation-wide lockdown for its 1.3 billion people for three weeks earlier this month in a bid to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

The lockdown, as you can imagine, has severely disrupted businesses of many startups, several founders told TechCrunch.

Vivekananda Hallekere, co-founder and chief executive of mobility firm Bounce, said he is prepared for a 90-day slowdown in the business.

Founder of a Bangalore-based startup, which was in advanced stages to raise more than $100 million, said investors have called off the deal for now. He requested anonymity.

Deepinder Goyal, co-founder and chief executive of food delivery firm Zomato, said in January the startup would close a round of up to $600 million by the end of the month. Two months later, Zomato has only raised $150 million.

Many startups are already beginning to cut salaries of their employees and let go of some people to survive an environment that aforementioned VC firms have described as “uncharted territory.”

Travel and hotel booking service Ixigo said it had cut the pay of its top management team by 60% and rest of the employees by up to 30%. MakeMyTrip, the giant in this category, also cut salaries of its top management team.

Beauty products and cosmetics retailer Nykaa on Tuesday suspended operations and informed its partners that it would not be able to pay their dues on time.

Investors cautioned startup founders to not take a “wait and watch” approach and assume that there will be a delay in their “receivables,” customers would likely ask for price cuts for services, and contracts would not close at the last minute.

“Through the lockdown most businesses could see revenues going down to almost zero and even post that the recovery curve may be a ‘U’ shaped one vs a ‘V’ shaped one,” they said.




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Larry David's annoyed social distancing PSA is the most Larry David thing ever

POV: Larry David yells at you for being an idiot who goes outside and possibly spreads coronavirus to old people like him, but not necessarily specifically him, because he wants nothing to do with you.

California is at the top of the social distancing PSA game, from former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's mini horse to this crotchety gem from the Curb Your Enthusiasm icon, via current governor Gavin Newsom's social channels. 

"Go home! Watch TV! That's my advice to you," David says, gesticulating exasperatedly in the general direction of idiots who aren't staying home.

"You know, if you've seen my show, nothing good ever happens going out of the house, you know that. It's just trouble out there. It's not a good place to be." Read more...

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Marriott data breach exposes 5 million guests' information. Again.

Marriott International has announced a massive data breach that exposed approximately 5.2 million hotel guests' information. No, not that breach. It's a new one this time. 

"At the end of February 2020, we identified that an unexpected amount of guest information may have been accessed using the login credentials of two employees at a franchise property," the international hotel chain wrote on Tuesday. "We believe this activity started in mid-January 2020."

According to Marriott International, the breach exposed information such as customers' personal and contact details, loyalty account information, airline loyalty programs, and room preferences. This included people's names, mailing addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and birthdays. Read more...

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'Beauty and the Beast' parody stresses the importance of social distancing

Belle's introduction in Beauty and the Beast now has a pandemic twist in a parody version that emphasizes just how fast the coronavirus can spread if people don't take precautions. 

Much like the original, Belle starts off her day by greeting her fellow villagers also living dull, provincial lives. But in this version, Belle isn't the protagonist. Instead, she's the one who won't wash her hands, isn't self-quarantining, and won't keep the CDC-recommended six feet of space between herself and other villagers. 

"I've yet to see a reckless fool quite like her," the villagers croon. "Without a mask or gloves she goes?...She's gonna get us all infected, that is Belle."  Read more...

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Vericool, a Livermore, Calif.-based startup that’s replacing plastic coolers and packaging with plant-based products, has raised $19.1 million in a new round of financing.

The company’s stated goal is to replace traditional packaging materials like polystyrene with plant-based insulating packaging materials.

Its technology uses 100% recycled paper fibers and other plant-based materials, according to the company, and are curbside recyclable and compostable.

Investors in the round include Radicle Impact PartnersThe Ecosystem Integrity FundID8 Investments and AiiM Partners, according to a statement.

“We’re pleased to support Vericool because of the company’s track record of innovation, high-performance products, well-established patent portfolio and focus on environmental resilience. We are inspired by the company’s social justice commitment to address recidivism and provide workplace opportunity to formerly incarcerated individuals,” said Dan Skaff, managing partner of Radicle Impact Partners and Vericool’s new lead director. 




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Forget Zoom: Use these private video-chatting tools, instead

Zoom is so last week — which, in the time of coronavirus, might as well be last year. 

The videoconference tool that's captured the nation's attention as it socially distances and shelters in place has won legions of converts for its easy-to-use interface and fun backgrounds. It also happens to be a privacy nightmare. Thankfully, there are other options that cybersecurity and privacy experts say will get the job done — without the baggage. 

And yes, Zoom has a lot of baggage. Let's start with the fact that the company has misrepresented the security of its videoconferencing serviceThe Intercept reported today that, despite telling users that "Zoom is using an end to end encrypted connection," the company does not in fact end-to-end encrypt calls on its platform.  Read more...

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Not all memory foam pillows feel like a rock — these are the ones to try

When you hear "memory foam," the following thought is almost always "Ooh, comfy." Watching someone's handprint disappear very slowly is admittedly mesmerizing, and automatically makes you want to lay your head on that same material.

But that handprint phenomenon in a pillow isn't always a recipe for the comfiest sleep of your life.

When it's cheaply-made, memory foam isn't as soft as you think it is. The crappy stuff usually falls on two ends of the spectrum: Being so slow to respond to pressure that you might as well be sleeping on a rock, or a squish that resembles that of a dish sponge. Older memory foam designs also have the tendency to trap heat and make you really, really sweaty. Read more...

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IMAGE: Layla Sleep

BEST SHREDDED MEMORY FOAM

Layla Kapok Pillow

There's nothing like this mix of shredded foam and kapok, which molds to your head with a little bit of fluff.

  • Trial period: 120 nights
  • Loft: 8 inches
  • Sizes: Queen, king
  • Adjustable fill: Yes
$99 from Layla Sleep
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IMAGE: Bear Mattress

BEST COOLING PILLOW

Bear Pillow

This blue and white pillow is as cooling as it looks and has a latex-y bounce along with conforming foam.

  • Trial period: 100 nights
  • Loft height: 5 to 5.5 inches
  • Sizes: Queen, king
  • Adjustable fill: No
$95 from Bear Mattress
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IMAGE: Casper

BEST FOR BACK SLEEPERS

Casper Foam Pillow

Three layers of high and low-density foam were combined to create a huggable cloud that works for back and side sleeping.

  • Trial period: 100 nights
  • Loft height: 5 inches
  • Sizes: Standard, king
  • Adjustable fill: No
$89 from Casper
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IMAGE: Tempur-Pedic

BEST FOR SIDE SLEEPERS

Tempur-Cloud Breeze

Experience Tempur-Pedic's famous NASA-designed foam and cooling pads with a loft higher than most gel pillows.

  • Trial period: 90 nights
  • Loft height: 6.4 inches
  • Sizes: Queen, king
  • Adjustable fill: No
$169 from Tempur-Pedic
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IMAGE: Coop Home Goods

BEST BODY PILLOW

Coop Home Goods Body Pillow

Your whole body will stay afloat all night on this cuddly balance of cross-cut foam, fluff, and a bamboo cover.

  • Trial period: 100 nights
  • Loft height: 7 inches
  • Size: Standard (20'' x 54'')
  • Adjustable fill: Yes
$69.99 from Coop Home Goods
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IMAGE: Brooklyn Bedding

BEST FOR STOMACH SLEEPERS

Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Pillow

Brooklyn Bedding has achieved a cool combo (literally) of low-loft, fast-acting foam and chilly phase change material.

  • Trial period: 30 nights
  • Loft height: 3 to 4 inches
  • Sizes: Queen, king
  • Adjustable fill: No
$129 from Brooklyn Bedding
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IMAGE: Purple

BEST MEMORY FOAM ALTERNATIVE

Purple Pillow

Experience a new kind of squish with Purple's hyper-elastic polymer: responsive like memory foam, but faster and resilient.

  • Trial period: 100 nights
  • Loft height: 3.25 inches
  • Sizes: Standard
  • Adjustable fill: No
$89 from Purple



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Dell has a ton of Vizio 4K TVs on sale, and they come with free gift cards

We need all the indoor entertainment we can get right now.

Making the switch from a tiny 40-inch TV (or, worse, using your laptop as a TV) is the obvious first move, but if hours of TV every day for the next few months is going to be a thing, it's really okay to splurge on those accessories.

Dell is making it super easy: A slew of Vizio 4K TVs are on sale (including the P-Series Quantum X, which is constantly out of stock), and attached to your purchase are free Dell gift cards — anywhere from $25 to $250. Read more...

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Udemy is having a flash sale so you can learn something new while stuck at home

TL;DR: Udemy is having a flash sale through Monday, March 30, making many of its popular online classes as cheap as $10.99.


We're now on Week 3 of social distancing due to the coronavirus outbreak, which means things are starting to look pretty dire on the boredom front. If you've already depleted your Netflix queue, deep-cleaned your house twice over, nailed down your sourdough recipe, attempted a TikTok dance, *and* paid off your tent loan to Tom Nook, what else is there to do while you're stuck at home for the foreseeable future besides... I don't know, descend slowly into cabin fever-induced madness? Read more...

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11 harmless April Fools' Day pranks, if you need a little fun to brighten your day

Uploads%252fvideo uploaders%252fdistribution thumb%252fimage%252f94580%252f5e8cbf3f cbcc 4d77 86da ae02fa4102ec.png%252f930x520.png?signature=ccsk5wouyc4imfpqloaxdpmzw7a=&source=https%3a%2f%2fblueprint api production.s3.amazonaws Read more...

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Sam Neill is the daily motivation we badly need during social distancing

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread and the news continues to be largely terrible, it's more important than ever that we balance out our media consumption.

And what's the best counter to a constant barrage of worrying statistics?

The answer, it turns out, has been under our noses the whole time: Sam Neill's Twitter feed.

The Jurassic Park legend's social media has long been a glorious place, but in recent weeks — while he's been social distancing on his own — Neill has really stepped up his game.

From Radiohead ukulele covers to footwear updates, here's what he's been posting... Read more...

This shoe-washing pick-me-up.

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They made vacuum cleaners before the coronavirus outbreak. Now, they’re making ventilators.

UK manufacturer Gtech revealed a prototype design for a medical ventilator, a vital piece of equipment in the battle against the novel coronavirus. Gtech, known for their vacuum cleaners, was asked to help mass produce ventilators by the UK government.  Read more...

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Save $150 on an iPad Pro, plus more tablet and laptop deals

It's not looking great out there right now, but at least we've got..retail therapy? It's cold comfort, but honestly, it's the perfect time to treat yourself — you deserve it for surviving in this world today. 

If you're a fellow tech lover, we've scrounged up a list of the best deals on laptops and tablets for your viewing (and buying) pleasure. 

Here's what we found, and catch us again on Friday for more. 

Laptops $499 and below

Laptops $500 to $999

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Audible is giving away hundreds of stories for kids — and there's no catch

TL;DR: As of March 30, you can access hundreds of  stories for kids for free on Audible. 


"For as long as schools are closed, we're open." That's Audible's latest mantra that's sure to make a huge difference in households all over the world. 

The audiobook behemoth recently announced that hundreds of their kid-friendly titles are available for 100% free with absolutely no catch. Seriously, you don't even have to register or log in. Just click the link and get to listening. 

So the next time your little ones are going a bit stir-crazy but you don't have the time to sit and read to them, let Audible do the work. There are stories perfect for all ages, from Winnie-the-Pooh for your tiny toddler to The Mystery of Alice for your tween. Plus, there are a ton of options in Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Japanese. Read more...

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How to stream TV shows and movies in one place while social distancing

If you've been stuck at home for the past two weeks because of the coronavirus outbreak, chances are you've been giving your TV quite the workout. I mean, what else is there to do lately besides Tiger King and chill Zoom party?

Of course, engaging in social distancing means you technically have lots of time on your hands to, say, flip back and forth between your laptop (for YouTube videos) and your TV (for the streaming services you pay for and sports/news programming) depending on the type of content you feel like watching. But why bother going through the trouble when media players exist?

SEE ALSO: Showtime is offering a 30-day free trial — here's how you can sign up Read more...

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The Bon Appétit YouTube stars reveal how they're working from home

The Bon Appétit Test Kitchen captured the internet's heart with their culinary YouTube videos. They're still making videos while social distancing — they're just doing it at home. 

Bon Appétit had "six to eight weeks" of content pre-filmed before New York City, where the magazine is based, issued a stay at home order. But the prepared videos felt out of place with the global pandemic keeping everyone inside. 

"Knowing that so many people all over the country are home and finding themselves in a similar situation as Brad, Claire, Molly, Sohla, and everybody in the test kitchen, not creating content that feels reflective of that felt like it would be a huge disservice to our fans," Condé Nast head of programming Matt Duckor told VultureRead more...

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'Siri, how do I know if I have the coronavirus?' Apple launches tools for COVID-19 pandemic.

Uploads%252fvideo uploaders%252fdistribution thumb%252fimage%252f94606%252ff30392cf 1504 4727 8a5f 6bc21036fd13.png%252f930x520.png?signature=iooptwk8gbjatqd5qv6ppabpdgs=&source=https%3a%2f%2fblueprint api production.s3.amazonaws Read more...

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'Watchmen,' 'Contagion' actors tell us how to keep safe from coronavirus

As city- and statewide lockdowns continue to prevent the spread of coronavirus, more and more celebrities are filming PSAs for American citizens (from the safety of their own homes, of course).

On Friday, the cast of HBO's Watchmen debuted "Washmen," featuring various actors, some in character, washing their hands for 20 seconds and urging viewers to do the same (but take it one step further than Laurie Blake and turn off the water, please).

Meanwhile, the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University virtually reunited the cast of Contagion, the 2011 pandemic movie currently surging in popularity, to do a series of PSAs about hand washing, social distancing, and more. (Experts from Mailman advised on the PSAs and consulted on Contagion during production.) Participating actors included Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Lawrence Fishburne, and Jennifer Ehle. Read more...

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How to clean your greasy remote control

Netflix streaming traffic has reached all-time highs as cities enter lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemicNetflix Party, as well as "Netflix and Zoom," too, have emerged as temporary solutions to our yearning for human interaction in these times of social isolation.

So if life from home has had you as attached to the TV as these numbers and anecdotes suggest, then now is as good a time as ever to clean your remote control. (Just think of all those greasy popcorn fingers touching it — yuck!)

That said, a spray or glob of hand sanitizer here and there isn't going to get the job properly done. In fact, always take caution when using any liquid that can enter small openings in your tech devices as it could break them. Read more...

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Sling TV is offering 2 free weeks of live TV — but first, buy a TV on sale

Your arsenal of shows to watch depletes quickly when you have to tell Netflix that yes, you're still watching, multiple times a day. Things get really dark when there aren't any islands open to travel to on Animal Crossing.

How about some live TV for a change? Sling TV is offering 14 days of channels like TLC, CNN, HGTV, and FX for free — no credit card necessary. The company's whole thing is to get people to stay inside during this crucial period of time, but after those two weeks, we wouldn't be surprised if you signed onto Sling full time. For $30 per month, you can choose between packages of assorted channels adding up to a possible 45 live channels. Read more...

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Turn your photos into almost anything with this Shutterfly sale

TL;DR: As of March 27, you can save an additional 25% off already discounted Shutterfly services when you use the code "EXTRA25." 


Remember when we were able to go outside and hang out with friends without wearing gloves and masks? Ah, those were the days. 

Everyone on Twitter and Instagram seems to be reminiscing on the "better days" (aka pre-coronavirus) by sharing photos of the most recent time they were with their friends or family.

If you want to do something a bit more than just post online, you can use the extra free time you may have now to create something special with Shutterfly. It'll be a great way to organize your photos by going through them all, and save a bit of cash at the same time since Shutterfly is offering an additional 25% off when you use their code "EXTRA25". Read more...

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Bored with your panic-bought groceries? These cookers have ideas.

TL;DR: The Instant Vortex air fryer and Ninja Foodi pressure cooker are both on sale at Walmart — get the first for $82 (a $17 savings) and the latter for $149 (a savings of $40) as of March 27.


Eating is weird these days.

Meal routines have been completely thrown off, whether that's due to the uncertainty of when you'll get groceries next or simply due to the hours of every day becoming a blur.

But the importance of routine-based eating can't be understated, especially during times when it's so easy to stress over the current crisis in lieu of self-care. A new, fun kitchen appliance could be a wise purchase right now. And look: Two of our favorite little cookers, the Ninja Foodi and Instant Vortex, are on sale at Walmart. Read more...

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Lenovo X1 Carbon on sale, plus more laptop and tablet deals this weekend

So, everyone is in the same boat right now, and they're scooping up all the good tech deals at lightning speed. Like, you can't even get a Nintendo Switch right now. 

The same goes for laptops and tablets — it is slim pickings right now, but we still found some worthwhile sales in the midst of the wasteland that is online shopping right now. 

Take a look at what we were able to scrounge up for the weekend:

Laptops $499 and below

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Stop hoarding cases of water. Get a reusable bottle instead.

TL;DR: As of March 27, S'well is running a 25% off sitewide sale and free shipping with code SELFCARE.


Unless you live in an area with unsafe drinking water, there's no real need to stock up on cases of plastic bottled water. Get a reusable bottle to keep you hydrated — you're most likely spending way more time at home (within steps of your sink) so you can just keep refilling a bottle as you need.

A S'well bottle is better for the environment than single-use plastic bottles and it will keep your drink cold for up to 24 hours. Right now, S'well is running a sitewide 25% off sale with free shipping if you use the code SELFCARE. Read more...

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The Los Angeles-based digital challenger bank, HMBradley, opened its virtual doors to the public today, allowing the thousands of waitlisted would-be users to set up direct deposits and collect their sign-up bonuses.

The company is offering banking customers an up to 3% return on their savings based on the percentage they save of their quarterly deposits.

HMBradley also set up a new feature which allows users to save towards specific goals.

Backed by PayPal founder Max Levchin’s HVF Labs, along with Walkabout Ventures, Mucker Capital, Index Ventures, and Accomplice, to the tune of $3.5 million, HMBradley was designed to benefit savers, the company said.

Account holders with balances up to $100,000 can receive up to 3% annual percentage yields on their accounts. These account holders qualify by receiving one direct deposit and saving at least 5% of the total amount deposited in an account monthly.

HMBradley accounts are held through Hatch Bank, which is FDIC insured.

To qualify for the 3 percent rate, customers need to save over 20 percent of their income, account holders who save between 15 percent and 20 percent receive 2 percent of their cash per year, and those saving less than 15 percent but more than ten percent receive a 1 percent APY.

“We want to empower and protect every consumer financially to show them that a bank can be on their side, regardless of how much money they make,” said Zach Bruhnke, co-founder and CEO of HMBradley, in a statement.

Account holders have access to 55,000 fee-free ATMs around the country, mobile check deposit and around-the-clock support, the company said.

The company’s MasterCard comes with all of the standard features including zero liability protection and an ability to set up travel, fraud alerts, and cancel cards all through an online portal, the company said.




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Facebook has diverted from its policy of not fact-checking politicians in order to prevent the spread of potentially harmful coronavirus misinformation from Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Facebook made the decisive choice to remove a video shared by Bolsonaro on Sunday where he claimed that “hydroxychloroquine is working in all places.” That’s despite the drug still undergoing testing to determine its effectiveness for treating COVID-19, which researchers and health authorities have not confirmed.

“We remove content on Facebook and Instagram that violates our Community Standards, which do not allow misinformation that could lead to physical harm” a Facebook spokesperson told TechCrunch. Facebook specifically prohibits false claims regarding cure, treatments, the availability of essential services, and the location or intensity of contagion outbreaks.

BBC News Brazil first reported the takedown today in Portuguese. In the removed video, Bolsonaro had been speaking to a street vendor, and the President claimed “They want to work”, in contrast to the World Health Organization’s recommendation that people practice social distancing. He followed up that “That medicine there, hydroxychloroquine, is working in all places.”

If people wrongly believe there’s an widely-effective treatment for COVID-19, they may be more reckless about going out in public, attending work, or refusing to stay in isolation. That could cause the virus to spread more quickly, defeat efforts to flatten the curve, and overrun health care systems.

This why Twitter removed two of Bolsonaro’s tweets on Sunday, as well as one from Rudy Giuliani, in order to stop the distribution of misinformation. But to date, Facebook has generally avoided acting as an arbiter of truth regarding the veracity of claims by politicians. It notoriously refuses to send blatant misinformation in political ads, including those from Donald Trump, to fact-checkers.

Last week, though, Facebook laid out that COVID-19 misinformation “that could contribute to imminent physical harm” would be directly and immediately removed as it’s done about other outbreaks since 2018, while less urgent conspiracy theories that don’t lead straight to physical harm are sent to fact-checkers that can then have the Facebook reach of those posts demoted.

Now the question is whether Facebook would be willing to apply this enforcement to Trump, who’s been criticized for spreading misinformation about the severity of the outbreak, potential treatments, and the risk of sending people back to work. Facebook is known to fear backlash from conservative politicians and citizens who’ve developed a false narrative that it discriminates against or censors their posts.




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Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson is partnering with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to fund over $1 billion in COVID-19 vaccine and antiviral treatment research and development, the company said on Monday.

The partnership is an expansion of an existing agreement between BARDA and J&J’s Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies division.

With the agreement, the company is setting a goal of providing a global supply of more than one billion doses of the vaccine, which J&J expects to have in clinical trials by September 2020 at the latest. The first batches of the vaccine may be available for emergency use by early 2021, the company said.

BARDA’s partnership with J&J encompasses research and development of potential antiviral treatments in addition to the work that’s being done to develop a vaccine for the disease. Those efforts include development work J&J and BARDA are conducting with the Rega Institute for Medical Research in Belgium.

J&J said it had also committed to expanding its global manufacturing capacity, both in the U.S. and overseas. That additional production ability will help the company bring an affordable vaccine to the public on a not-for-profit basis for emergency pandemic use, the company said.

Working with teams at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a part of the Harvard Medical School, Janssen Pharmaceuticals began its research into potential vaccine candidates back in January. Those candidates were tested at several academic institutions, the company said, which led to the identification of a lead COVID-19 vaccine candidate — and two potential back-ups.

Last week, Moderna Health, another pharmaceutical company working on a vaccine, said that it could have an experimental treatment available to healthcare workers as soon as the fall.

The Moderna vaccine uses messenger RNA, rather than doses of the COVID-19 virus itself, to inoculate against the disease. The use of mRNA means that the inoculation doesn’t expose recipients to the disease itself, so they’re not at risk of contracting the disease.

Last Monday, Moderna made the vaccine available to volunteer participants as part of the company’s Phase 1 clinical trials conducted in Washington state.




via Tingle Tech

The list of states delaying primaries and elections is quickly increasing, with New Jersey adding local elections to the list. Even Congress — in a break from tradition — is rethinking what it means to vote safely in this new paradigm, stirring calls for remote voting for its upcoming legislation around the pandemic.

This debate, however, lacks important context: Many U.S. citizens are already voting online at home and abroad. In fact, 23 U.S. states and the District of Columbia allow some voters to return absentee ballots via email, while five others permit some voters to do so using a web portal.

We are election officials in two states that require us to offer an online method to some of our voters. For these voters, the argument is not an academic one, but an issue of necessity — traditional voting methods simply don’t work for those living abroad, deployed in the military or those with disabilities. As election officials, it’s our duty to stand up for the constitutional rights of our citizens, whatever their circumstances, and the reality is that online voting dramatically improves the opportunities for these two groups to engage with our democracy.

We should not be debating whether online voting should exist, but rather asking: What is the most secure way to facilitate electronic voting? Because it’s already being done. And because it’s needed by some voting groups — whose volume might expand in the near future.

As a country, we currently have three million eligible voters living abroad, and only 7% cast ballots in the 2016 elections, according to the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s biennial Overseas Citizen Population Analysis. This same analysis found that removing logistical barriers to voting would raise participation by 30%. A different analysis separately found that while nearly one million active-duty military are eligible to vote, only around 23% of them actually did in 2018.

The traditional system of mailed-in absentee ballots and centralized polling places is failing these voters, and they aren’t alone among the disenfranchised. The turnout story is also grim for the 35 million U.S. voters with disabilities. An October 2017 Government Accountability Office report also found widespread barriers to disabled voting, such as machines that could have made it impossible to cast votes privately. It’s no wonder that, as a 2017 Rutgers University study found, disabled voting participation has declined in each of the last two presidential elections, dropping from 57.3% in 2008 to 55.9% in 2016.

New technologies offer promise to expanding and securing access for overseas citizens and voters with disabilities. Consider MacCene Grimmett, who is, at 106, Utah’s oldest voter. When she was born in 1913, women did not have the right to vote. Homebound since she broke her ankle two years ago and unable to hold a pen steadily, she was able to cast her ballot last year thanks to an app on a mobile device. The technology empowered her, helping her execute — independently, anonymously, securely and with dignity — her most basic duty as a citizen.

Pilots and tests are happening at different scales in localities around the country, and early results are demonstrating positive outcomes. In 2019,Utah County’s offering mobile-phone voting to overseas citizens resulted in a marked increase in participation rates. In fact, turnout rates for voters using the app overseas were higher than for those who went to the polls in-person on Election Day. Oregon also successfully permitted its citizens to use app-voting in 2019.

Importantly, all pilots include the ability to rigorously audit the results so we can ensure 100% accuracy along the way.

The challenge, ultimately, is how to continue leveraging technology in a secure and innovative way to maximize access. Safety is paramount: We are deeply aware that we live in an interconnected world where foreign adversaries and other malicious entities are using information technology to try to undermine our political system. It’s our responsibility to understand the environment in which we operate as we forge ahead.

But while these concerns can be valid, they should not outweigh both the necessity and potential benefits of internet-based voting. Just as we cannot place blind faith in the infallibility of our technologies, we also cannot fall into a senseless, all-encompassing mistrust that would both disenfranchise millions of voters and shake trust in our elections.

Rather than making sweeping judgments, we need to weigh each case individually. Why, for example, should Iowa’s failure, which involved poor training, lack of testing and trouble reporting caucus results on one specific technology platform by a political party adversely affect whether a disabled Utahn or an Oregonian soldier can cast their vote — and verify it — by app?

Expanding voter participation by ensuring ballot access for all citizens is paramount to protecting our democracy. In the 21st century, that will necessarily include electronic methods, particularly as we face challenges with voters abroad and contemplate emerging challenges at home like COVID-19, where large public gatherings — and long lines — spark new threats to consider.

We must continue trials and experiments to broaden access for voters, while hardening the system and making it more resilient, and that means beginning with small-scale pilots, seeing what works, stringently auditing the results and then employing that knowledge in new rounds of testing. App-based voting, for example, is already more secure than returning a ballot by email, and it also preserves voter anonymity in a way that email makes impossible (because whoever opens the email to hand-copy the vote onto a paper ballot for tabulation knows who sent it).

These are the everyday successes that internet-based voting is producing right now. And they ought to be driving the discussion as we move forward slowly, responsibly and confidently.




via Tingle Tech

Yes, it's officially time to set up that home office — here's where to shop

A week or two ago, you may have been holding close the hope that this whole "WFH indefinitely" thing would be over within the 14 days. If you don't set up your home office, it's not real. Right?

This week, many of us are accepting that the privilege of working from home for the foreseeable future is reality —even those whose jobs were never the "working from home" type until now. 

That means that it's probably time to replace your makeshift kitchen table desk with a legit computer desk and a comfortable, ergonomic chair. You'd be surprised at how your productivity can spike when your space feels professional.  Read more...

More about Mashable Shopping, Working From Home, Gaming Chair, Culture, and Work Life


via Tingle Tech

An indoor grill will keep BBQ season alive even during quarantine

New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo, held a news conference on March 22 in which he advised New Yorkers to be prepared for a shutdown that could last up to nine months. If that's true, those who live in New York and other states with similar situations can say goodbye to summer weekend trips and backyard BBQs. But instead of dwelling on the negative, let's find other ways to do the things we have been waiting for. 

If you have the space, there's actually nothing wrong with enjoying your own backyard and using the grill to bring in some perfectly made steaks and burgers — just be sure to practice social distancing. Yup, you're the head chef. There should be no sidekick by your side — or within six feet of you.  Read more...

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Unaired 'The Office' Paleyfest panel and more to hit YouTube

With 2020's PaleyfestLA postponed indefinitely because of the coronavirus, the Paley Center for Media will share previously unreleased PaleyFest panels directly to YouTube. Each video will live on The Paley Center's YouTube page for 24 hours once live at 10 AM ET.

The full lineup includes PaleyFestLA programming around The Office, Parks and Recreation, This Is Us, The Walking Dead, and more. The Paley Center will upload one a day from March 23 - March 29. View the full schedule below:

3/23: Supernatural PaleyFest LA 2018
3/24: This Is Us PaleyFest LA 2017
3/25: Parks and Recreation Reunion PaleyFest LA 2019
3/26: The Daily Show with Trevor Noah PaleyFest NY 2016
3/27: Blue Bloods PaleyFest NY 2017
3/28: The Office PaleyFest LA 2007
3/29: The Walking Dead PaleyFest LA 2017 Read more...

More about Entertainment, Television, The Walking Dead, Paleyfest, and The Office


via Tingle Tech

Extra time at home? Pressure wash your outdoor spaces.

This is a stressful time full of uncertainty, but over on the power washing porn subreddit, things are soothing as ever. People have more time at home, so they're taking it to finally do some deep cleaning.

If you want to join in on the oddly satisfying fun and your driveway, deck, or siding could use a good cleaning, grab a power or pressure washer for yourself — and don't forget to record all the action to post it on r/powerwashingporn. OK, you don't have to post anything, but you should check out these pressure washers on sale at Walmart. Read more...

Sun Joe SPX3000 electric pressure washer — save $30

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via Tingle Tech

HQ Trivia is actually back for real, just when we need it most

Remember when the only thing we were all doing online together at the same time, except live-tweeting reality shows, was playing HQ Trivia?

The massively popular trivia game announced its return on Sunday night after a year of ups, downs, cancellations, firings, and contradictory statements. In a single week in February, the CEO stated that the company was out of cash after a failed acquisition and would shut down, then four days later, announced that there was, in fact, hope.

(Hey, fun fact: February was last month. Yeah.)

A push notification announcing the game would return for a live event at 9 p.m. ET went out to users with the app still installed, and host Matt Richards confirmed during the show that the game would return each night at the same time. A report from The Verge quotes an anonymous source who says that the company has been privately acquired. Read more...

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Trish Regan, who called coronavirus an 'impeachment scam,' leaves Fox Business

Fox Business has parted ways with host Trish Regan, who was heavily criticized earlier this month for calling coronavirus an "impeachment hoax" against Donald Trump.

The network announced its decision on Friday. "Fox Business has parted ways with Trish Regan — we thank her for her contributions to the network over the years and wish her continued success in her future endeavors," a spokesperson said in a statement.

The network also provided a statement from Regan herself. "I have enjoyed my time at FOX and now intend to focus on my family during these troubled times," she said. "I am grateful to my incredible team at Fox Business and for the many opportunities the network has provided me. I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my career.” Read more...

More about Fox News, Coronavirus, Culture, and Media Industry


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'Tiger King' Season 2? Producers say more of Netflix docuseries could be on way

As the world has become swept up in the Netflix docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, everyone is clamoring for more about the wild characters that make up the colorful world of questionable exotic animal zoos.

Luckily, producers Eric Goode and Rebecca Chaiklin told Entertainment Weekly that there's plenty more footage and, because this is real life and many of the people involved are still around, the story is still ongoing and there could be more on the way.

"We have a crazy amount of footage and it's a story that's still unfolding," Chaiklin told EW. "We're not sure yet, but there could be a follow-up on this story because there's a lot that's still unfolding in it, and it'll be just as dramatic and just as colorful as what has unfolded these past few years." Read more...

More about Television, Netflix, Entertainment, and Movies Tv Shows


via Tingle Tech

Peloton Bike review: The perfect, if expensive, escape for easing coronavirus anxiety
Peloton Bike
$2,245.00
The Good
Fairly compact • Effective workouts • Library comes with thousands of classes to choose from
The Bad
Expensive • Monthly subscription fee
The Bottom Line
The Peloton Bike is expensive, but it comes with thousands of engaging and effective workouts that are all packed into a beautiful piece of equipment.
⚡ Mashable Score 4.75
😎 Cool Factor 5.0
📘Learning Curve 4.0
💪Performance 5.0
💵Bang for the Buck 5.0

Work(out) From Home is a weekly column where we review smart fitness machines in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Thanks to technology, there are still plenty of ways to exercise if your gym is closed.  Read more...

More about Tech, Fitness, Work Out, Smart Home, and Peloton


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