This letter from the editor initially appeared in our email newsletter, but we wanted to share it with all of our readers here.
From the get-go the Strategist’s mission has been to help our readers shop the internet smartly. And now, though our worlds have all been pretty much turned upside down, our job remains the same, if slightly more tilted toward our weird new reality. Which is why we spent the last few weeks investigating the most effective ways to wash your hands, how to travel and commute amid the outbreak, how to prepare for a quarantine, and whether the crop of new premade emergency prep kits are any good.
Now that so many of us have hunkered down for the foreseeable future, we’re also thinking about ways to ease some of the boredom and loneliness we’re feeling — rounding up the best origami kits, 1,000-piece puzzles, and bread-making gear. Those with young children are … actively losing their minds, so we’re determined to find stuff that will keep the kids occupied (without frying their brains). For others who are used to working out regularly, we want to surface the at-home equipment that’s actually worth it. And how can you cut your own hair without looking like Peggy Olson (during the short-short period)? We’re also figuring out the best way to get things to your home, to keep both you and the people delivering it safe. As always — but now more than ever — affordability will be top of mind. And while we are committed to featuring products that are, above all, useful, we also won’t lose sight of those that are just plain delightful, too.
So we want to hear from you, our readers — how can we be helpful? Not only to those navigating new, socially distant existences, but also to those who may still be required to commute and work and interact with people during this truly strange and often scary time. Feel free to email us at [email protected] with your questions, suggestions, and requests. We hope you are all taking care of your loved ones and yourselves.
—Alexis Swerdloff and the Strategist team
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
