|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quote of the Day
|
|
|
"Toilet snakes aren't on the 2020 schedule until October" – A Twitter user after seeing a video of a snake sneaking out of someone's toilet. And for that reason, we're out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Story
The US is no closer to figuring out what to do with schools.
Because of COVID-19?
Exactly. For weeks, educators across the country have been pulled in different directions about reopening. On the one hand, many parents have struggled to balance working and teaching their kids at home. And schools have also faced mounting pressure from the Trump admin to reopen – and potentially lose funding if they don't. On the other hand, some teachers, staff, and parents have been pushing for online learning to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Schools across the country have taken different approaches to reopening. Here's what's happened to some after they opened the doors:
K-12…Some schools in states like Indiana, Tennessee, and Georgia have had to temporarily cancel in-person learning because students and teachers tested positive for the coronavirus. In one Georgia high school, 500 students were forced to quarantine after 25 of them tested positive. Now, many of these schools are saying 'see you online.'
Colleges and universities...A growing number of higher education institutions (Notre Dame and Michigan State) were forced to go online-only after trying their hand at reopening. Earlier this week, UNC-Chapel Hill said 'bye' to in-person classes after at least 130 students tested positive for the virus during its first week back. And other schools have done the same.
How are people taking this?
Some teachers unions are threatening to strike and demand more safety measures. In California, they've fought for more protections and more funding. Same thing in New York – where all school districts can reopen, and teachers want things like antibody and COVID-19 testing for students and staff. In Florida, they've sued state officials over the governor's order requiring all schools to open. And in New Jersey, schools now have a fully remote option after the teachers unions pressured the governor, but only if they can prove they cannot reopen safely.
theSkimm
With more than 5 million coronavirus cases and over 170,000 deaths in the US, schools have struggled for months to figure out how to reopen safely – for families, teachers, and staff. And now, as more students head back to school, there are still no easy answers for how to do that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who's started a new chapter in (her)story…
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA). Yesterday, she accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president at the DNC – officially making her the first Black woman and first person of Indian descent on a major party's ticket. Harris was introduced by her sister, niece, and stepdaughter and said she stood on the "shoulders" of Black women – including civil rights and political leaders – who came before her. She also paid tribute to her mom – an Indian immigrant – who taught her about "service to others." And talked about her background as a prosecutor and how she and Joe Biden would fight racial injustice and the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
|
|
|
|
|
What's asking for some changes...
The US. Today, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to formally demand the UN reimpose sanctions against Iran for violating the 2015 nuclear deal. Reminder: last year, Iran broke the terms of the deal by enriching nuclear fuel beyond the levels that were allowed. Now, the Trump admin says the country should be punished. The only problem? The US withdrew from the deal in 2018 and the other countries in the agreement (UK, China, France, Germany, and Russia) say the US has no right to get involved again now. It's unclear what the UN will decide – and it could mean a big fight ahead between the US and its allies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
What people are watching...
Russia. Today, the country's opposition leader Alexei Navalny was put on a ventilator and is in intensive care after a suspected poisoning left him unconscious, his spokesperson said. Navalny is a 44-year-old open critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has repeatedly been arrested and jailed for organizing opposition protests. He also tried to run against Putin in the 2018 presidential election but was barred by authorities. Now, his spokesperson says he could have been poisoned when he had tea before his flight from Tomsk, Siberia, back to Moscow, Russia. He began feeling unwell, causing the plane to make an emergency landing. Doctors say he is now in "serious condition." But the alleged poisoning had yet to be confirmed. Putin has not commented on the situation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
What's setting off alarms…
California. Earlier this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) declared a state of emergency as nearly 370 fires (believed to be caused in part by over 10,000 lightning strikes) have erupted in the last few days. The fires have destroyed and damaged at least 100 homes and more than 46,000 acres of land in Northern California alone. Thousands of people are being told to evacuate. And the pilot of a firefighting helicopter was killed when it crashed yesterday in central California. All of this as the state also deals with a record-breaking heat wave, high winds, and recent rolling power outages.
|
|
|
|
|
|
What's got people's attention…
Flint, MI. The state of Michigan has reportedly reached a $600 million settlement with the victims of the Flint water crisis. In 2014, city and state officials in Flint switched the city's water supply to a local river to save money. But the water wasn't treated properly, and tens of thousands of people were exposed to dangerous levels of lead – creating a public health crisis. Now, a plan that's been in the works for 18 months will reportedly offer compensation – with most of the money going to some of the youngest victims of the crisis. The settlement will reportedly be announced tomorrow and would still need to be approved by a federal judge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who's giving you a (new) reason to eat cookies for breakfast...
Girl Scouts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10%
The percent of Americans in one survey who said they love to cook.
To the rest of you: we get it. (Sorta…we're kitchen lovers over here). Not knowing where to start makes things pretty stressful. But especially since we're all home a lot more these days, we think it's time to put the joy back in cooking.
Enter: Blue Apron. With everything you need delivered right to your door, it will help you remember that making dinner can be easy...oh, and actually fun. Bonus: you can join that esteemed 10% of people who really love to cook.
*Wipes hands on apron.* Ok, enough chit-chat. Let's get started.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
And then there was one...income. If your fam is bringing home less these days, our guide can help make the transition a little smoother. We break down how you can still make your money work for you – even when there's less of it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here are our favorite picks to help you take a break today...
1. 16 home skills you should know how to do by 30. Thirty, flirty, and changing your showerhead...that's how the saying goes, right?
2. An intro to moonology. Here's what you need to know about manifesting, intention setting, and conspiring with the universe to make magic happen.
3. Self-care tips to help you be a better version of you. Good news: "doodle" and "light a candle" are on this list. Living your best life, coming right up.
PS: Want more? Sign up to get weekly recs in your inbox.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For when you can't wait for sweater weather…
Fall into it with this brand. Their pumpkin spice latte deodorant and body wash are back. Plus, their deodorant is aluminum-free. Oh, and Skimm'rs get 15% off. Gourd vibes only.*
For when you want to refresh your underwear drawer…
We're here for you. So is this female-founded company. Their underwear is soft AF, sustainably made, and only $9. Plus, it comes in sizes XS - 3X, and in eight different styles. Psst...Skimm'rs get 20% off five pairs or more. Go get it.*
For when you've been buying the same bottle of wine for ages…
Switch it up with this subscription service. Take a quiz about your preferences, and they'll send you six bottles based on your answers. Then you can rate what you got to refine your next shipment. And it's only $29.95 plus free shipping. Cheers.*
For when you're ready to update your closet for fall…
Let this curated lifestyle membership do it for you. Every season, Rachel Zoe picks five fashion and beauty items to be delivered right to your doorstep. Oh, and each piece retails for way more than what you pay for it. Psst...Skimm'rs get a special offer. Dress up.*
|
|
|
*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.
Need for speed...Alex B (CT). She's one of the founders of Sprinter, a startup that sends email newsletters on different topics. It covers a new niche topic every week and sends out three emails around the topic's background, history, and current events. Race to it here.
Hitting the right notes...Erin R (WA). She founded Mode Music and Performing Arts to make arts education more available in low-income schools in the Seattle area. Now because of COVID-19, she's made sure that the org's programs continue to run virtually at a pay-what-you-can rate.
(Some) Birthdays...Howie Kelrick (FL), Ben Faiga (CA), Adina Glass (NY), Kailah Critzer (NY), Alexandra Osten (NY), Chelsea Hayas-Keller (MD), Shannon Brown (TX), Emilee Longuski (TN), Amy Tyrrell (MI), Emily Myrick (IN), Kathie Velázquez (CA), Alyssa Komish (IL), Ashley Hahn (PA), Kelly McSwain (SC), Debra Smalley (CA)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
|
|
|
|
|
Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Ellen Burke, Niven McCall-Mazza, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain
|
|
|
theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile
