You should still watch the debate

THE BIG STORY
More than 1 million people around the world have now died from the coronavirus

In the United States, coronavirus cases are rising. Europe, too, is seeing an increase, as are many places around the world. And against that reality, we've arrived at a new grim milestone. The recorded number of people who have died from the coronavirus has surpassed 1 million.

Writing this newsletter, I find the number barely comprehensible. Yet with that in mind, public health experts believe the reported death toll is a gross undercount of the outbreak’s true devastation.

The one million milestone is a reminder of a global failure to contain the virus from the outset and the ongoing struggle to control it in the absence of a vaccine.

The US has recorded the most deaths of any country, with roughly 205,000 Americans dying from the disease, followed by Brazil, India, and Mexico. Though the US makes up 4.3% of the world's population, its death toll makes up more than 20% of reported deaths worldwide.

STAYING ON TOP OF THIS

Republicans are moving Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination faster than any Supreme Court nominee since 1975

In 2016, Republicans blocked then-president Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee because it was an election year. In 2020, Republicans are setting the fastest Supreme Court nomination timeline in nearly five decades, 5 weeks before an election.

Republicans are moving through the gears quickly as they rush to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Graham has scheduled Barrett’s confirmation hearing to start on Oct. 12, just 16 days after President Donald Trump announced her nomination on Saturday.

The broader context here: Republicans have said they will vote this year on Barrett’s nomination, regardless of whether Trump wins.

Judge Amy Coney Barrett with Trump on September 26, 2020. Olivier Douliery / Getty Images

SNAPSHOTS

Today is the first presidential debate, a highly anticipated contest between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden. The debate is unlikely to change many minds. But you should watch because it’s a rare opportunity to see the candidates in action.

Women detained by ICE told members of Congress they underwent unwanted medical procedures. Members of Congress heard firsthand accounts from women who said they were coerced at a facility that has come under fire following allegations of unwanted gynecological procedures.

Millennials are trying to shake off the stigma of moving back in with their parents. A new poll reveals that a majority of young adults are now living with their parents — surpassing a record set during the Great Depression. Here are their stories.

Ordinary people are sharing all the times they paid more in income tax than Donald Trump reportedly did. The New York Times reported that the president only paid $750 in income tax in 2016 and paid nothing for 10 out of the 15 years. People angrily shared their stories of paying more than the president.

“I CAN’T RATIONALLY THINK OF MYSELF AS NOT SEXY”

Meet the male sex workers of OnlyFans. And the women they satisfy.

OnlyFans is not particularly complicated: it works a bit like other social media, in that you follow individuals and receive a stream of their videos and images into your feed. Except on OnlyFans you often pay a monthly fee to follow someone, and the content is often X-rated.

When people think OnlyFans, they think of women sellers and men buying. But Hallie Lieberman spoke to the men posting shots of themselves and the women who buy what they’re selling.

The whole story is great, but let me just highlight this quote from Billy, one of the people interviewed: “Right now I’m probably the heaviest I've ever been in my life. To have all these people throwing money at my body has been so affirming. I can't rationally think of myself as not sexy anymore because this body just paid September rent.”

SHELTER FROM SHADE

Rihanna responded to a fan who said “it’s winter” when she promoted Fenty Skin sunscreen and the educational shade is real

Let's get this over with fast: sunscreen is great for the summer and also for the winter and also just for whenever the sun is doing its thing (aka shining).

Rihanna, who recently launched a skincare line, promoted her brand of sunscreen. When a fan responded that it’s now winter, the singer responded “it’s the ignorance for me!” and pointed out that SPF is not seasonal.

Bad news for the fan: they even need SPF with all that shade.

Spend time reminding yourself that you are capable today,

Elamin

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📝 This letter was edited and brought to you by Elamin Abdelmahmoud and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.
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