I didn't send out this newsletter last week or the week before. It's truly an awful time and the news is terrible. It's hard to justify blasting it into your inbox. But since you opened this email, here is some of what's on my mind:
I've been working a lot on stories about paid sick leave. The fact that the United States, unlike most other developed countries, doesn't have a national paid leave policy has never been OK. But during the pandemic, it is simply immoral that essential workers are out there busting their asses without a net. They face the "choice" of working and risking their lives or staying home and going broke. The reports of COVID outbreaks at meat-packing plants and warehouses are heartbreaking.
I've also started looking at the child care industry. Like many other parts of the economy, the child care system is in a bad place financially. But this system, already underfunded and underappreciated, is absolutely essential to working parents, particularly women. Without it, an economic recovery will be hard to pull off. People won't be able to go back to work; they may face increased discrimination from employers.
Outside the Corona-sphere, I've also been thinking a lot about the allegation of sexual assault made against Joe Biden. Have you been following? Take a look at Rebecca Traister's column in New York Magazine. Let me know what you think about the allegations and the response to them.
Finally, I'm baking and cooking a lot, like so many other people. Here are some popular recipes from HuffPost Life that might be fun to make. And this is my favorite pandemic go-to recipe, right now, from The New York Times: midnight pasta with garlic and anchovies. It is incredible and extremely easy.
That's all for now. Feel free to drop me a line and let me know how you're doing. If applicable, how are you dealing with child care? Are you working? Did you get that stimulus check? What are you cooking? emily.peck@huffpost.com.
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