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 QUOTE OF THE DAY  |
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"He has to work a little bit on the Brooklyn accent" – Dr. Anthony Fauci on Brad Pitt's "SNL" impersonation. Fuhgeddaboutit, doc.
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The Story
So...meat is apparently part of the US's critical infrastructure.
People do like their meats.
Right. Yesterday, President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to require meat processing plants to stay open during the pandemic. It's not the first time he's invoked the 1950s law. Last month, he used it to order GM to produce ventilators. Now, he's using it for the food supply chain.
What's at stake?
Potential meat shortages. Some processing plants have become coronavirus hotspots. More than 5,000 meat and food processing employees have been infected or exposed to COVID-19. Over a dozen plants have shut down, and production is down by at least 25%. Meat shortages could hit grocery stores as soon as the end of this week.
That's soon.
It is. The admin ordered the factories back open to protect supply chains. But unions and worker advocates are concerned the move will endanger employees' health. That's because workers at these plants are often required to stand shoulder to shoulder, even as the CDC recommends keeping them six feet apart. As one union president said, "We only wish that this administration cared as much about the lives of working people as it does about meat, pork, and poultry products."
What does the admin say?
That it wants workers safe. It's rolling out new guidelines, including recommending that employees 65 and older, and those with pre-existing conditions, stay home. And if companies follow these guidelines, the admin is reassuring them the gov could side with them in lawsuits workers might bring for exposing them to the virus.
theSkimm
As the US begins to open up for business, there's tension between companies trying to make it work...and employees concerned for their health. In this case, the admin appears to be putting the security of the food supply chain front and center.
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Who people are remembering…
Irrfan Khan. The Bollywood star passed away this morning after being admitted to the hospital in Mumbai, India, with a colon infection. He was 54. Khan had been diagnosed with a rare cancer in March 2018 but continued to push through with acting after receiving intensive care. The actor had achieved success in both Bollywood and in western cinema – and was known internationally for his roles in "Life Of Pi," "Slumdog Millionaire," and "The Namesake." Tributes came from people around the globe, including from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said Khan's death is a "loss to the world of cinema and theatre." RIP.
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What's sounding a brazillion alarms...
Brazil's Supreme Court. This week, it greenlighted an investigation into President Jair Bolsonaro, setting off a political crisis. Last week, the country's justice minister resigned, accusing Bolsonaro of trying to interfere with federal police investigations involving his family. For context, two of Bolsonaro's sons are being investigated for corruption. One is being accused of leading a disinformation campaign. This former minister says Bolsonaro replaced the police chief so he could have someone in place who would share classified info with him. Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing. But the Supreme Court is saying 'let's find out, shall we?'
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And the Portuguese word for 'impeachment' is: Impeachment. If charged with obstruction of justice or other crimes, Bolsonaro would become the second president to be impeached since 2016 – when President Dilma Rousseff was impeached over allegations that she violated Brazil's budget rules. But this is...
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Não-t the only problem: Bolsonaro's faced criticism for downplaying the coronavirus, which he calls a "little flu." Earlier this month, he fired the country's health minister after the two disagreed on how to handle the pandemic. Now, experts believe Brazil could be the next coronavirus "hot spot," and that those infected could be closer to 1 million, versus the 68,000 reported.
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Who has big election energy...
Rep. Justin Amash (I-MI). Yesterday, the congressman basically announced he's running for president as a Libertarian. Amash – a former tea party Republican elected in 2010 – left the GOP last year as he called for President Trump's impeachment. Now, the third-party candidate says he's forming a presidential exploratory committee...political-speak for 'I'm already running for president. Though rare, third-party candidates have the potential to shake up elections. TBD if Amash has the power to draw votes away from the expected showdown between Trump and former VP Joe Biden.
Former VP Joe Biden. Yesterday, he was the projected winner in the Ohio Democratic primary. The state's primary was pushed back from the March 17 date because of COVID-19. And was done almost entirely by mail. Although some say they were confused by the process, there wasn't much widespread disruption – a change of pace from what voters in Wisconsin experienced earlier this month.
...Oh and speaking of Biden, Hillary Clinton said 'I'm with him.'
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Why people want to ET phone home...
The Pentagon. Earlier this week, it declassified and released three videos of "unidentified aerial phenomena." The videos show US Navy pilots coming across flying objects, and had been floating on the web for over a decade. Now, the Pentagon is saying 'yes, these videos are real.' But before you start mass ordering tin hats on Amazon, they don't prove aliens exist: scientists say the visuals could be caused by bugs in fighter jet code, among other explanations.
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What's missing from this news report…
Pants.
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Recreate Meetings Virtually
Keep up with your workplace traditions and routine. Quibi CEO Meg Whitman is recreating in-person company meetings online, including a weekly breakfast she hosts for employees. Except now it's BYO(Coffee).
WFH is an adjustment for everyone. Even CEOs. Five female execs and leaders shared their work from home hacks with us. Hear more on our weekly career podcast, "Skimm'd from the Couch."
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The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting us all in different ways. No matter your situation, sometimes you just need to press pause. Enter: our picks to help you take a break…
1. Simple stretches. Whether you've spent the last month hunched over a laptop or glued to your couch. It's time to stretch it out.
2. Zoom backgrounds. Download these images of magazine-worthy living rooms to plop yourself into. So your co-workers won't know you didn't make your bed today.
3. 52 places to visit virtually. This list will help you remember what...places...are.
PS: Sign up to get a list of things to do, watch, eat and more to your inbox every Monday.
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For when everyone always compliments your style…
I got it from my mama. Say 'thanks' with a Shutterfly Photo Book. They're perfect for celebrating mom, even if you can't be with her. Because you can create one and have it delivered right to her door. Design yours now for delivery by Mother's Day. Send it.*
For when you can't remember what day it is...
It's laundry day. Get going with The Laundress. They make eco-friendly and effective cleaning products (think: detergents and surface sprays). So you can be kind to your clothes, home, and Earth. PS: Skimm'rs get 25% off. Check it out.*
For when you can't wait to smell that fresh summer air...
Get ready with this company's build-your-own deodorant pack. They have scents like Coconut & Vanilla and Cucumber & Mint. Plus they're aluminum-free. Oh, and Skimm'rs get 20% off. Sniff sniff hooray.*
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*PS This is a sponsored post.
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In times like these, community matters more than ever. Let us know how you (or someone you know) is making an impact by helping others.
Join the club with...Amy K (MN). She works at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. And although they are closed down due to COVID-19, local companies stepped in to help with funding and donations so the org can continue providing weekly meal packages for families. If you want to help, you can donate here.
Tour(o) de Force...Emily K (LA). She's a manager at the Touro Infirmary Foundation, a nonprofit that's established a COVID-19 emergency fund to help medical staff and first responders. The org is also using the fund to provide things like childcare to those on the front lines. Learn more here.
(Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Jodi Patkin (NY), Jamie Pickard (CA), Peter Wiener (NY), Emily Mattice (VA), Beth Kelley (MI), Farah Benahmed (MD), Susana Rodriguez (VA), Cheryl Perry (AZ), Chelsea Lundeen (TX), Sara McCord (DC), Dina Scherer (NY), Halie Wisse (IL), Lauren Moloney (CO), Julie Nasser (CO), Jane Denham (MO), Susan Huey (MN)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
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theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile
