Amazon’s new ‘essential items’ policy is devastating sellers

PLUS: YouTube slashes video quality, how to stay productive, and videogames to pass the time. View this email in your browser  |  Manage newsletter subscriptions  03.25.20   SPECIAL DELIVERY While Many Restaurants Struggle, Here's How One Is Thriving BY JOE RAY The food service industry is facing pandemic-related layoffs and closings, but tech-savvy chef Eric Rivera is using online platforms to keep his business in the black.   THROTTLED YouTube Slashes Video Quality to Save Bandwidth BY KLINT FINLEY Meanwhile, Microsoft and Sony plan to throttle game downloads during peak usage hours to help prevent internet congestion during the Covid-19 pandemic.   PRODUCTIVITY It's Time to Do the Things You Keep Putting Off. Here's How BY LAUREN GOODE If you're lucky enough to have a job that lets you shelter in place while you work, here are some ways to stay productive in your downtime.   RETAIL Amazon's New 'Essential Items' Policy Is Devastating Sellers BY LOUISE MATSAKIS Due to Covid-19, Amazon is only accepting certain supplies at its warehouses. Small businesses are already feeling the pinch.   SPONSORED CONTENT A Must-Read to Help Save Our Planet Journalist Thomas Kostigen bring readers to the front lines of the geoengineering projects that scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, and other visionaries are developing to solve the problems associated with climate change. GET WIRED   All readers get unlimited access to our coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.   Subscribe to support our journalism.   Exclusive offer: 1 year for $10 $5.   VIDEOGAMES The Videogames WIRED Is Playing While Staying Home BY WIRED STAFF Looking for something to pass the time while you're social distancing? These games have been working for us.   VIRTUAL BOSS OK, Zoomer! How to Become a Videoconferencing Power User BY BOONE ASHWORTH As the pandemic pushes work online, Zoom is the new office. Follow these tips to get the most out of those video meetups.   YOU'VE GOT MAIL The Postal Service's Surprising Role in Surviving Doomsday BY GARRETT M. GRAFF The little-known Postal Plan, which dates back to the Clinton era, charges mail carriers with delivering critical supplies—like vaccines—as a last resort.   VIDEOGAMES 'Half-Life: Alyx' Shows VR's Power, but Might Not Win Converts BY JULIE MUNCY Valve's latest epitomizes what virtual reality can do, but no game can make or break the medium.     This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book.   View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe or Manage your newsletter subscriptions