issue #44 - the slightly distant one

Social distancing is really hard, but it’s really important.

If you’re at home going stir crazy, I hear you. But take a minute to think about the healthcare providers who are showing up in the hospitals and the urgent care centers, the scientists running tests to help diagnose what people have, and workers who just can’t stay at home because of the nature of their job.

Stay calm, and stay sane. And it’s not a bad idea to stay off Twitter.

But do join my live Ask Me Anything with The Riveter (Wednesday, March 18th at 12 pm ET). I’ll be the one wearing sweats and glasses :)

If this is your first e-mail from me, welcome! In addition to writing the book How To Pack, I'm an entrepreneur and angel investor, an avid reader, and a mom of two boys (a 5 year old and a 10 month old).

Every Saturday, I share the 25 best reads from the Internet (culled from the daily shares on my Instagram), the books I've read that week, and things I'm generally loving at the moment. You can join the conversation on all these articles - and more! - in my Facebook group.

Looking for my packing list template? Here you go!

One Smart Thing

This week on the podcast...

• What exactly is the electoral college, and what does electability have to do with it? (join the conversation)

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#ThingsILove This Week

• There are a lot of vulnerable communities that are impacted by COVID-19. Please, please, please consider donating some funds to one or several of these organizations.

• If you’re working from home for the foreseeable future, these things might help - a folding desk (no assembly required!) or a laptop stand, a solid pair of headphones and blue-light blocking glasses, a time cube and this app to minimize distractions, a giant tumbler for water and an insulated cup for your hot beverage, screen cleaning wipes, nice pens, and large Post-Its for daily to-do lists. And follow Becca’s excellent advice and avoid your comfy chairs for work - it’s easier to focus when working from a hard surface like a table, desk, or counter.

• Becca and Grace are now fans of my favorite sweatpants (now dubbed #pandemicpants). Get yourself a pair before I buy Old Navy’s remaining stock.

Some ways you can support small businesses:

• Get produce from Misfits Markets (which supports independent farms), and get 25% off with code COOKWME-NM5DMZ. Not a cook? Order smoothies/soups from Daily Harvest or Splendid Spoon and have them delivered to you.

• I put in a catering order from Jajaja (one of my favorite restaurants in the city), which gives us healthy meals we can assemble all week.

• If you do run out for errands, try supporting independent grocery stores and pharmacies.

• Buy gift cards from your favorite local shops to help them with near-term cash needs, and for you to use when things settle down.

• Download some audiobooks via Libro.fm (use code HITHA for 3 free books) and support your favorite independent bookstore in the process.

• Exercise at home with the Peloton app, obé, DanceBody, or with a personal trainer via video chat (my trainer Benjamin offers this!)

• If you have kids, Blue Balloon has virtual private music lessons and Union Square Play is offering streaming classes. We also re-downloaded ABC Mouse on Rho’s iPad (which I will regret by tomorrow, but is letting me get work done right now).

• Got some time and want to learn a new hobby? SBT Stitches has great beginner kits and online classes (I’m taking her decorative stitches class in May!) if you ever wanted to learn needlepoint.

What I read this week

A quick note - I hope you reserve the books I recommend from your local library, or purchase them from your favorite independent bookstore or the audiobook fromLibro.fm.

• Untamed (via Libro.fm) - I just started listening to this, and I don’t think I’ve needed this book more than I do right now. Full review coming next week.

Current book reviewshere, and here are all my random Amazon favorites.

Hitha’s Favorite Things

• Libro.fm is my favorite audiobook app (it credits your favorite independent bookstore with the sale). Use code HITHA to get 3 audiobooks for the price of 1 when you create a monthly membership. You can find my favorite audiobooks here.

• This is the only book club I’m a member of

• my Amazon shop

• my favorite vitamins (both their pre-natal and their essential one for women). Use code HITHA for 10% off your first 3 months.

• CBD has been a lifesaver for me. Get 20% off your first order with code HITHA.

• my favorite produce delivery company that supports small farms in the process. Use code COOKWME-NM5DMZ for 25% off.

• the app to save #5SmartReads to read later

• the notebook that has changed my life (see how I use it here and here). Get 15% off with code HITHA15.

• the marriage check-in my husband and I do every single week

• my favorite workout - and why. Use code G37YVV for $100 in accessories (spin shoes, weights, headphones - oh my!)

• Small Packages (one of my portfolio companies) is the curated gift box company I’m always talking about - get 15% off your order with the code HITHA

The Top 5

1. Why does soap work so well on the SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus and indeed most viruses? (Palii Thordarson | Twitter)

2. Why All the Warby Parker Clones Are Now Imploding (Medium)

3. Why ‘flattening the curve’ may be the world’s best bet to slow the coronavirus (STAT News)

4. Coronavirus: Why You Must Act Now (Medium)

5. Watch Katie Porter Relentlessly Grill CDC Chief Into Saying ‘Yes’ to Free COVID-19 Tests (Rolling Stone)

The Catch Up

Monday

• This is What It’s Like to Be in Control of the Most Powerful Weapons on the Planet (InStyle)

• Putin just sparked an oil price war with Saudi Arabia — and US energy companies may be the victims (CNBC)

• Female protesters often lead to effective mass movements (Axios)

• How The Cost Of College Went From Affordable To Sky-High (NPR)

Tuesday

• Author Tomi Adeyemi on Her First Paris Fashion Week (Vogue)

• The coronavirus outbreak has left medical supplies in short supply. Is the nation’s emergency stockpile ready to help? (STAT News)

• The next dominoes in the coronavirus economy (Axios)

• ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ Author Celeste Ng On Crafting To Unwind & Working With Reese Witherspoon (Bustle)

Wednesday

• The Perception Gap (More In Common)

• Interview: Madeleine Dore (Harvest)

• We know all about warrior queens like Lakshamibai. Now, let's talk of medieval India's businesswomen (Scroll.in)

• The Criminalization of the American Midwife (Longreads)

Thursday

• A Little-Known State Law Says Felons Must Carry a Special ID or Go to Jail (ProPublica)

• Jamila Rizvi: Political commentator and author (Extraordinary Routines)

• Stop believing these myths about women’s brain health (The Lily)

• Tejal Rao’s 10 Essential Indian Recipes (New York Times)

Friday

• Cooking, Cleaning, and Sewing Are the New ‘Wellness’ (Elemental)

• Pelosi ignores Trump taunts as she steers through another crisis (Politico)

• Without Paid Sick Leave, Black People Can’t Stay Home (Essence)

• Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss Wrote Broadway’s Next Big Thing — Before Turning 25 (Shondaland)