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| | | Quote of the Day | | "My mama likes it" â Michael Strahan, who pranked people into thinking he got his tooth gap fixed for April Fool's. Mama knows best. | | |
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The Story Let's talk about vaccines. Let's. Public health experts are worried the US could be facing a fourth wave of coronavirus infections. But there's good news: vaccines are working. Yesterday, Pfizer announced its vaccine is 91% effective, and protective against the South Africa variant â the one that has shown the greatest sign of being able to evade antibodies â after indications it also worked against the UK and Brazil variants. Vaccine makers are also testing out boosters as the virus continues to mutate. In short: things are looking up. I'm on board. How do I get the vaccine? There should be a list or link of available vaccine sites in your state. These are typically local hospitals and medical centers, as well as some pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and ShopRite. If you're eligible, you may need to bring ID, your insurance card, and some proof of residency. And while you're waiting, you can sign up to be notified if there's a spare dose nearby. What can I look forward to? Hanging out with other fully vaccinated people, no masks required. And with some unvaccinated people if they're low risk. But the CDC's still saying 'masks on' outside to protect others. And it's asking vaccinated people to hold off on big crowds and traveling for now. Remember: you're only fully vaccinated two weeks after your two doses (or single dose if you get Johnson & Johnson). Until then, the CDC's asking Americans to sit tight. theSkimm Vaccines are our main hope of putting this virus in the rearview mirror once and for all. But for it to work we need to sit tight, wait our turn, and roll up our sleeves when we can. Let's do this.
PS: Want more info on vaccines and how to get 'em? Check out our guidelines here. | | |
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What people are following⦠Derek Chauvin's murder trial. Yesterday, witness testimony continued in the case of the former police officer charged in George Floyd's death. On day four in court, the jury heard from paramedics, including one who testified that he thought Floyd was dead by the time he arrived at the scene â as Chauvin continued to restrain him. The court also heard from a sergeant (Chauvin's supervisor at the time), who said that the officers should have stopped using force when Floyd was handcuffed and on the ground. And that Chauvin neglected to mention that he used his knee on Floyd's neck in a phone call. We're listening: Floyd's girlfriend also shared the story of how she and Floyd met. The defense team pressed her about Floyd's struggle with addiction â a tactic the prosecution said was putting Floyd's "character and struggles with addiction on trial." The trial continues today and is expected to last until the end of April. | | |
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What's saying 'mind the gap'... The Federal Reserve. Yesterday, it released an analysis on wealth gaps among older millennials (those born in the '80s). It showed white millennial families in 2019 had a median wealth of $88,000 â more than 17 times that of Black millennial families' $5,000 median wealth. One potential culprit: student loan debt. Roughly 87% of Black students borrow money for a higher education vs 60% of white students. This data comes as some Dem lawmakers are calling on the Biden admin to wipe out student loan debt. President Biden's looking into it.
Psst...here's a look at the racial wealth gap by the numbers, and what three women are doing to fight it. | | |
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Who's saying 'I'm the captain now'... These four US Navy officers. For the first time in the military branch's history, four women of color are currently commanding warships. We sea you, Kimberly Jones, LaDonna Simpson, Kristel O'Cañas, and Kathryn Wijnaldum. | | |
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Where it's going down, people are yelling timber... Virginia. Yesterday, the state Supreme Court ruled that the city of Charlottesville can take down two Confederate general statues of Robert E Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. | | |
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What happens after getting your driver's license⦠You might get deja vu. | | |
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| You might've heard that last week New Zealand approved legislation to grant three days of paid leave to couples after miscarriage (FWIW, the US doesn't have this). But you might not know that up to 20% of known pregnancies are lost â and that the rate appears to be increasing. For so long, miscarriages have been suffered in silence. We need to talk about them. Read our guide to learn the truth about why miscarriages happen and to get coping tactics to help you or a loved one grieve and recover. |
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| | | "People We Meet On Vacation" by Emily Henry This week, we've got a very special Skimm Read thanks to our friends at Book of the Month. Use code SKIMM to join now and get a copy for just $9.99. And then pick from five books every month to get one delivered right to your door.
"Beach Read" fans, assemble. Emily Henry is back with another smart, steamy romance. This one follows Poppy and Alex on a trip to Palm Springs as they work through a rough patch in their 12-year friendship. It's about opposites attracting and friends becoming...more than friends. Warning: you will feel all the feels. And probably shed a few tears.
Psst...BOTM members are getting this read before it's officially released. Welcome to the good life. |
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| Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life...
1. Three things that'll seriously upgrade your bed. Like this cool-side pillowcase for hot sleepers, this plush mattress topper, and this bedside shelf to hold everything you need. Psst...the mattress topper is three inches thick. Time to make your bed your permanent address.
2. Consciously clean skincare. Hanahana Beauty sources shea butter from a women's cooperative in Ghana â where they pay twice the asking price. Their body butter, exfoliating body bar, cleanser, and lip balm will have you feeling smooth, confident, and better about your purchases. Glow on.*
3. Hand-dyed home decor you might recognize from Madewell. Awkward Auntie founder Sarah Miller makes one-of-a-kind cement planters, candle holders, soap dishes, and jewelry trays. Aka goodies that'll make your place special. Check 'em out.*
4. A journal for anyone who needs to leave some stuff in the past. It's time to let go of what's weighing you down. With each page you'll find a new journaling activity and inspiring mantra. You'll even get a few good laughs in. Time to put pen to paper.
PS: Like what you see here? Make sure you're signed up to get more picks like these in your inbox every Monday. We've got exclusive shopping recs, streaming ideas, life hacks, and more. | | *PS This is a sponsored post. |
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| We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.
With love...Erik H (PA). He and his late-grandmother founded The Cloud Dancers Foundation, a nonprofit that helps transgender elders through a wish fulfillment program. Erik's grandmother was a WWII transgender veteran and a pioneer who helped change legislation granting more rights to transgender people. You can read about her story here. And support their org here.
Paving a path...Kristen S (VA). She works with Hope To Walk, an org that invented a low-cost prosthetic leg and that donates them to amputees in developing countries. The org's next mission is in Guatemala. Learn more here.
(Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Ivana Pino (NY), Kasey McBride (PA), Genevieve Cole (WA), Kirsten Desjardins (MA), Janice Sin (NY), Caroline Breed (NY), Carol Ditkowich (NY), Hunter Grosvenor (VT), Meredith O'Sullivan Wasson (CA), Maddie Colosimo (UT), Lauren Bentley (PA), Deborah Parker (NC), Taylor Adams (IL), Nicole Sanders (TX), Victoria Behnen (KS)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured. |
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| Quarantine snacking: it's a thing. We spoke to nutritionist Krista Linares on this week's episode of "Skimm This" about how WFH has fueled the habit. Plus, actionable advice to help you snackâ¦smarter.
And if you're looking for other smart ways to spend your time⦠Listen to our news podcast "Skimm This" for clarity on the biggest stories of the week. Tune in to our career podcast "Skimm'd from the Couch" for tips to build your resume. Subscribe to our "Skimm Money" newsletter to keep up to date with your wallet. Sign up for our "Press Pause" newsletter for curated shopping, reads, and entertainment recs. Follow us on the gram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. Download our app to get it all in one place. |
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| Friends don't let friends get bogged down in headlines. So click that share button to send theSkimm to your network. Because, as they say, sharing is caring. | | | | | | Or use this referral link theskimm.com/?r=98d063bf |
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| Skimmâd by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Maria Martinolich, Mariza Smajlaj, Kamini Ramdeen, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain |
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