🐤 Run for cover
Players are learning the hard way that the NFL is serious about its rule dictating the length of uniform pants.
Friday | September 23rd, 2022 | |
It’s Friday again, chirpers! With the weekend right around the corner and cooler weather on the way, it’s a great time to start thinking about ways you can positively influence those in your community. For starters, today is Hug A Vegetarian Day. So if you’re a meat eater like me, show some love to those who choose to abstain for ethical, health, or sustainability reasons. And if you’re a vegetarian reading this newsletter right now, here’s a virtual hug from me to you! Oh, it’s also Redhead Appreciation Day. If you know any ginger vegetarians, be sure to give them an extra-large embrace. You might even want to share this installment of Early Chirp with them so they know why Sept. 23 is such an important day. -Chris Agee World
The BreakdownA quick look around the world.Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images⛈️ Disaster Declaration: In the wake of a major storm that wiped out power in every corner of Puerto Rico, President Joe Biden declared a disaster for the island. That means locals will receive federal money for emergency assistance, shelter, and other needs that stemmed from Hurricane Fiona’s landfall. As Biden explained, the declaration also includes “low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of this disaster.” 🚗 Tesla In A Pinch: More than a million Tesla owners might be in danger of having their fingers caught in the vehicle’s windows. That’s the announcement the company released this week along with a recall of select Model 3, Model Y, and Model Z vehicles sold between 2017 and 2022. Apparently, the problem lies in an inability for the window’s sensor to detect obstructions — like a finger — when the window is rising up into the door. Tesla is confident that a software patch will remedy the issue. 🍺 Boozy Boulevard: Florida officials were forced to shut down a section of Interstate 75 on Wednesday following a pileup that included a semi truck hauling a shipment of Coors Light. An impromptu happy hour resulted when cans of suds littered the roadway. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the crash — but the loss of all that beer probably hurt more than a few feelings. 👑 Royally Rejected: It’s no secret that Prince Harry has been out of the loop since he and his wife Meghan decided to reject their official roles and move to the U.S. two years ago. In light of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, however, insiders provided a glimpse into just how strained the relationship has become. Even as Harry raced to be beside his grandmother in her final moments, he learned of her death on social media, not from a call from his royal relatives. Share this issue:sports
NFL Cracks Down On Bare KneesViolating the rule can cost players thousands.Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesFor football fans, there seems to be no end to the manufactured controversies surrounding rules and regulations within the NFL. This one, however, might be among the most ridiculous in recent memory. According to reports, the league is getting serious about fining players — particularly kickers and punters — who dare to bare their legs on the field. There’s a specific rule that dictates players cannot wear any pants that stop above the knee. The transgression is strictly prohibited in all cases except when a player has a knee brace or similar apparatus that covers the same area of his leg. L.A. Rams kicker Matt Gay has been a prominent voice against the rule, poking fun at it in a social media post that showed him attempting to kick a ball in some seriously baggy pants that definitely covered his entire legs — and then some. The tweet came after NFL officials fined him for a previous infraction. “Thanks guys now I feel safe and can do my job super well,” he sarcastically wrote. As Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo noted after receiving his first fine, a second one “is crazy” and can cost players almost $16,000. Of course, this isn’t the only seemingly absurd uniform rule in professional sports. Here are a few other gems to consider:
Who knew there was such a focus on wardrobe in the world of pro sports? Share this story:finance
E-Bikes: A Budget-Friendly, Eco-Friendly Transportation Solution?The latest versions are more capable than you might think.Photo by Pietro S. D'Aprano/Getty Images for Matchless LondonWith gas prices stubbornly high and a climate crisis to contend with, many motorists are gravitating toward electric-powered vehicles. Of course, such cars are often more expensive to purchase and repair — plus, experts say the true environmental impact might not be that much better than traditional automobiles. So what’s the solution? Some folks are now arguing in favor of so-called e-bikes. You’re probably thinking that a bike isn’t an optimal solution for a number of reasons, but hear me out. They’re easy to use, inexpensive to own, and quite a bit more capable than the humble bicycle you might be envisioning. There are several ways that an e-bike might be a better option than a typical car, truck, or SUV — even an electric-powered one. They’re self-powered Don’t worry about pedaling yourself to death when you hop on an e-bike. Some models provide a boost while the rider engages with the pedals and others offer consistent power that means you really won’t have to move your legs much at all. They’re fun Many people who try an e-bike remark that it is an enjoyable experience. Sure, it might not take the place of an automobile for long road trips, but it’s simple and fun to hop aboard one for a ride to the store, when commuting for work, or completing any type of local errand. They’re efficient Not only will many e-bikes travel at up to a brisk 28 miles per hour, but one charge of the onboard motor will keep you rolling for 100 miles or more. All this comes without a trip to the gas station or really any added effort aside from plugging it into an electrical socket. With an investment somewhere between $1,000 and $10,000, you can have an e-bike that can tote a load of groceries or even tote your kids in an attachable trailer. Share this story:health
Wait … Are We Really Done With COVID-19?The answer depends on who you ask.PexelsPresident Joe Biden recently caused a stir during an interview when he declared that the COVID-19 pandemic is “over.” That led to some backpedaling from the White House and attempts to explain that he really meant the worst of the global health crisis is in the past. Nevertheless, there are some encouraging statistics related to the pandemic even as cases of COVID-19 continue to spread across the U.S. and around the world. So are you wondering what to believe? As it turns out, that depends on who you ask. Even medical experts are divided over when to make the announcement that the pandemic has ended. University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Director Michael Osterholm outlined two schools of thought. The first relates to how the pandemic is impacting physical health while the other is more concerned with its psychological impact. “Everyone right now is fairly focused on the psyche,” he said. “They want to move on. They’re done with the pandemic.” It is by this metric, he reasoned, that Biden made his sweeping statement that the pandemic is over. On the other hand, there’s still plenty to worry about in terms of COVID-19’s physical toll. Osterholm concluded: “We’ve been in this high-plains plateau for 12 weeks. I don’t know how anyone can say the pandemic is over for that reason. In addition, we don’t yet know what the next shoe to drop is.” comic
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Written by Chris Agee 90 N Church St, The Strathvale House Copyright © 2022 Early Chirp. All rights reserved. |