|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quote of the Day
|
|
|
"When my poems are in a book, can I please have a copy?" – A four-year-old poet who just landed a book deal. Literary, the cutest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Story
The US is getting into the vaccine business.
What do you mean?
There are more than 150 vaccine candidates around the world. And public health experts are optimistic at least one will be ready to roll out by next year. But the Trump admin isn't waiting around. Earlier this month, it handed $1.6 billion to Novavax to help ramp up human trials for its vaccine – and put in an order for 100 million doses. Yesterday, gov officials reached a nearly $2 billion deal with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. And said 'save us 100 million doses of your vaccine.' It's part of a larger effort that some are calling necessary but unusual.
Unusual how?
Apparently, private companies reportedly buy most vaccines. And that's mainly by design. It's something the drug industry's reportedly lobbied for since companies pay more than the gov. But a COVID-19 vaccine is a hot commodity and the gov realizes that. In April, the Trump admin launched Operation Warp Speed with one goal: to deliver 300 million doses of a safe and effective vaccine to Americans by next year. In order to do that, the gov has been selecting the most promising candidates and giving them a financial boost.
This is good, right?
Some experts say yes. And that the move could get more Americans vaccinated, quicker. Others are more cautious. There's no guarantee the vaccines will work. And Novavax hasn't been successful in bringing a single vaccine to market in its three decades in business. The Trump admin has set some guidelines for Pfizer, saying the money will only be available if it's successful. But Novavax executives stand to make tens of millions of dollars even if their vaccine doesn't work. Meanwhile, there's concern some Americans won't get vaccinated even if one is ready to roll out.
Has anything like this happened before?
Yes. In the early '90s, Congress created the Vaccines for Children Program. It buys vaccines for kids whose families are uninsured, underinsured, or unable to pay. In 2009, the Obama admin granted a French drugmaker $190 million for an H1N1 vaccine. The drug passed the clinical trial phase and later hit the market. The Trump admin is hoping for similar results.
theSkimm
The pandemic has taken a toll on the US financially and emotionally. Many are hoping a vaccine will help get things back to normal. And the Trump admin is ready to open up its wallet to make it happen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why the US is saying 'Houston, we have a problem'…
China's consulate. This week, the Trump admin ordered China to close its Houston consulate by tomorrow. The building processes things like visas and passports for eight Southern states (including Florida, Georgia, Mississippi) and Puerto Rico. But Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) – the acting chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee – called it a hub of China's "vast network of spies." And a State Department official said the shutdown was necessary to protect Americans' intellectual property and private info. After receiving the order, consulate employees were seen burning files. The Chinese Foreign Ministry called the closure a "political provocation." And warned that if the US didn't back down, it would take "necessary reactions" – which could mean closing a US consulate in China.
|
|
|
|
|
|
What the House has been working on...
Removing Confederate statues. In a bipartisan vote yesterday, the House voted overwhelmingly to remove statues of people who served in the Confederacy from the Capitol. It's the latest push to remove Confederate monuments in the US – an effort that's been going on for years, but took on new urgency amid the nationwide protests after George Floyd's death. The bipartisan vote was seen as a tribute to the late civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis. The bill now goes to the Senate, but it's unclear if it will be passed into law. Especially since President Trump has been a vocal supporter of Confederate symbolism.
This conservation bill. Yesterday, the House passed the Great American Outdoors Act. It's being called the most significant conservation legislation in decades. It sets aside $900 million a year to help with national park maintenance. And would provide billions for neglected repairs at popular attractions like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. The bill already passed the Senate last month so it heads to President Trump – who's expected to sign it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who's still singing 'take me out to the ball game'...
Everyone at home. Today is Opening Day for Major League Baseball. But since fans aren't allowed in the stadiums, the league's helping them cheer virtually. People can submit their choice of cheers, boos or claps through a new MLB feature. And sound operators at the ballparks will use the reactions to play similar crowd noise in the stadiums. Play ball.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27 Days
The average amount of time it takes for skin cells to regenerate. Talk about slow and steady.
Enter: Augustinus Bader — a leading stem cell scientist who has spent 30 years developing better ways to heal and transform the skin — and TFC8®, his patented complex that powers his skincare line.
TFC8® supports cellular renewal, while improving on this natural 27-day regeneration process. Oh, and it creates visibly improved, healthier-looking skin — faster.
People are pretttyyy into Augustinus Bader products. Because they really work. And now we're giving 30 lucky Skimm'rs the chance to win their newest innovations: The Cream Cleansing Gel, The Body Lotion, and The Body Oil. Yes, really. Enter here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meet Audrey. She went from breaking even in NYC to saving big in Atlanta...even after adding a car and tiny plus one to her budget. Because sometimes the grass (and your wallet) really is greener on the other side. See why moving was her best move. And get some budget moving tips in case it seems like a good option for you, too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summer is here. Check out our fave picks for the season…
1. The best movies of the 2000s. The decade that taught us that Wednesdays were made for pink, spirit fingers don't solve everything, and florals will never be groundbreaking for spring. Can you say movie magic?
2. Summer hairstyles for when it's just too hot out. You've already given up on 'outfits' and 'makeup.' Don't let your locks follow suit. Hair are some solutions.
3. Texting with gold medalist Kelley O'Hara. We talked to the soccer star about where she stores all her medals, who her funniest teammates are, and how she celebrates a big win. Check it out.
PS: Sign up to get more ideas for ways to spend your summer in your inbox every Monday. Like recipe ideas, movies and book recs, and more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For when you already watched "Becoming" on Netflix…
Here's a podcast ep with Mrs. Obama's former chief of staff. Tina Tchen is now the CEO of Time's Up, where she's focused on equality in the office. And she was a guest on our most recent episode of "Skimm'd from The Couch," sponsored by Oscar Mayer. Listen here.*
For when this summer is all about the lake life…
Hit the dock with this swimwear brand. Their signature suit, The Sidestroke, has sold out over 25 times and once had a waitlist of over 10,000 people. Plus they have hundreds of other styles and colors, in sizes 0-24. Psst...Skimm'rs get $10 toward their purchase. Take a dip.*
For when you're curious about investing in art…
Enter: this exclusive platform. It lets you boost your portfolio's performance by buying shares of works from artists like Joan Mitchell and Banksy. Plus they'll create a bespoke portfolio just for you. Skimm'rs can skip the 70,000-person line and get their membership approved instantly. Learn more.*
|
|
|
*PS This is a sponsored post.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Matchmaker, matchmaker...Carly P (NY). She works with JASA, a nonprofit serving seniors in New York. During the pandemic, it started a virtual volunteer program to connect older people with a buddy to talk with by phone or video once a week. And it's made almost 200 matches. Learn more here.
Write on...Whitney B (MD). She's the founder of CHARM: Voices of Baltimore Youth, a literary arts org that helps kids develop their skills as writers and share their stories. Check it out here.
(Some) Birthdays...Marc Haves (NY), Ana Fraioli (NY), Torie Conn (IL), Angelina Russell (CA), Alexa Johnson (VA), Nicole Ayala (FL), Lauren Schilaty (WA), Maliha Mannan (CO), Adrianne Denenberg (MA), Madison McGhee (SC), Alana Berland (CO), Tiffany Cisler (CA), Heidi Fraitzl (LA), Corrine Gahagen (AZ), Ashley Swanson (UT), Wendy Roshan (MD)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
|
|
|
theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile
