The Daily Skimm

The Story

The state of our country is raising alarms.

Explain.

In the last several months, the coronavirus has taken the lives of more than 182,000 people in America. Our economy has dropped to record lows. And we've seen nationwide protests calling for police reform and racial justice. They were sparked by the killing of George Floyd. And some have continued throughout the summer. Now, they're picking up even more steam after a video came out of police in Kenosha, WI, shooting Jacob Blake in the back seven times.

What's the latest?

Last Friday, thousands of people gathered for the "Get Your Knee Off Our Necks" March on Washington on the National Mall. It was held at the same location where Martin Luther King Jr gave his "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963. Speakers addressed ways to end police violence against Black Americans and protect voting rights.

That sounds peaceful.

It was. But things have gotten more tense in other parts of the country. Last week in Kenosha, some protesters started fires and threw water bottles at officers. It escalated when a 17-year-old – who was walking around the protests with a semiautomatic rifle and apparently considers himself part of a militia – allegedly killed two protesters and injured another. He's being charged with homicide. Then there's Portland…

I'm listening.

Protests are not new in Portland. For months, protesters have rallied for police reform and racial justice. Over the weekend, President Trump's supporters held a rally in the city with a 600-vehicle caravan. And they clashed with counter-protesters: some of them drove into crowds, shooting paintballs from their windows as counter-protesters threw objects back at them. One man – who was apparently a supporter of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer – was killed in the midst of the tensions. Police say they're investigating the shooting.

Has the president chimed in?

He did. He took to Twitter to denounce Black Lives Matter protesters as "agitators and thugs." And blamed the violence on the Democratic leaders of Portland. Portland's Mayor Ted Wheeler says 'not true' and argues that Trump has created "hate and division."

theSkimm

For a time, this presidential election was about things like health care, Trump's impeachment, and the economy. But the pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests have brought to the forefront some of the country's underlying racial issues. Now, many Americans could be assessing whether it's Trump or Joe Biden who can unite the country and tackle the problems currently dividing us.

And Also...This

Who people are mourning...

Chadwick Boseman. On Friday, the actor died at age 43 after a four-year fight with colon cancer. Boseman played Black icons including James Brown, Jackie Robinson, and Thurgood Marshall. But he was best known for his star role as King T'Challa in "Black Panther" – Marvel's first Black superhero movie and a celebration of Black culture. For many of his fans, he was the first superhero that represented them on screen. Off-screen, Boseman kept his cancer battle private. His family said he filmed many of his recent movies ("Da 5 Bloods," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom") while undergoing treatments and surgery. And used his time to visit children battling cancer. Tributes have rolled in – including from the Obamas, Oprah, and many of his co-stars. "Black Panther" director Ryan Coogler called him "an epic firework display." RIP.

Who could be easing some fears...

The FBI. Last week, the intel agency said it hasn't seen any evidence of "coordinated" voter fraud efforts related to voting by mail. This contradicts President Trump's repeated claims that mail-in voting would lead to fraud. And that Democrats want to use it to "steal" the election. FBI officials also said it would be "extraordinarily difficult" to change an election's outcome through vote-by-mail fraud.

Where people are struggling…

Louisiana and Texas. Hundreds of thousands of people there still don't have power and water after Hurricane Laura hit the Gulf Coast last week as a Category 4. Officials say it could take weeks to restore electricity in some areas. At least 16 people have reportedly died. More than half of those deaths have been from carbon monoxide poisoning from unsafe use of generators. President Trump visited the area over the weekend and approved a major disaster declaration in Louisiana to help free up federal funds for recovery efforts.

A warning: The CDC says never to use a generator inside your house or garage – even if the doors and windows are open. And that all generators should be kept more than 20 feet away from your house, doors, and windows.

What's looking to learn from the past...

Austria. This week, the country will reportedly start offering citizenship to descendants of Jewish refugees who were forced to leave Austria during the Nazi regime. Reminder: About 120,000 Jewish people are believed to have fled Austria after the Nazis took control of the country in 1938. Now, citizenship could be open to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The law goes into effect tomorrow.

Who could direct an episode of "Black Mirror"...

Elon Musk.

The Magic of Me Time

Raise your hand if you forget to put 'me time' on your to do list. Ok, hands down. We partnered with Estée Lauder to remind you why carving out time for yourself is so important – and to give you some ways to say 'no' to things that might get in the way.

Plan your answer beforehand. It's easy to get caught off guard and accidentally agree to something. So be prepared: practice saying "Thank you, but I can't."

Be brief. Rather than get into long-winded excuses, just tell the person that you need some time alone and aren't available. Simple as that.

Be firm. Don't let yourself be talked into plans. Stay strong, and you'll end up with an evening free for yourself. Cue a sigh of relief.

Another way to protect your 'me time'? Make it part of your daily routine. Think: a nightly skincare regimen. It's just for you, and you can make the most of it with Estée Lauder. Meet the next generation of their most popular serum, New Advanced Night Repair. Find out more.

Here are our favorite picks to help you take a break today...

1. Nostalgic school supplies you should actually use as an adult. Like cute erasers, a Lisa Frank pencil case, and Gelly Roll pens that'll bring you back to the days of lunch lines and rolling backpacks. Get ready to lace up your Skechers.

2. The most romantic movies of 2020 (so far). Stream these love stories to get your "If you're a bird, I'm a bird" fix. Heart eye emoji.

3. Summer desserts that couldn't be easier. For when your heart says, "The Great British Bake Off" but your head says, "I don't own a stand mixer."

PS: Want more? Sign up to get weekly recs in your inbox.

For when you could use a vacation…

Treat yourself instead. Dame Products is a woman-founded company that makes sex toys designed to close the pleasure gap. And their Eva II vibrator is hands-free and flexible. Psst...Skimm'rs get 15% off their first order. Cue relaxation.*

For when your morning routine is getting stale...

Travel to 50+ countries via your coffee. Yes, really. This coffee subscription sends you on a world tour of delicious coffee you can't find anywhere else. Think Zambia, Peru, and Myanmar. Oh, and Skimm'rs get 50% off. Say hello to better joe.*

For when your hair needs some special attention…

Don't forget about your scalp. This plant-based hair care brand is clinically proven to remove more than 97% of the build up in your scalp and hair. And their new dry shampoo sold out in seven hours. Psst...it's back, and Skimm'rs get 25% sitewide. Love your locks.*

For when life is about to get super busy again…

Let this online marketplace help you out. They have high-quality and sustainable food, home, and beauty products. And you can take a quiz to get personalized recs. PS: get a free gift when you sign up today. Cue a sigh of relief.*

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

Skimm’rs

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.

Fighting hunger...Hannah M (AZ). She's raising money for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, which helps people struggling to have regular access to food – particularly during the pandemic. Find out more here.

It's Gonna Be...Alana T (CO). She helped found Mission *NSYNC, an unofficial fan club for the boy band. And in the middle of the pandemic, it's become a community including video challenges, birthday celebrations, and watch parties. If the band's breakup is still 'tearin' up your heart,' head here.

(Some) Birthdays…Sandy Andrews (IL), Caroline Safran (NY), Violet Preziosi (FL), Ann Brady (MA), Caitlin McCaffery (MD), Hannah Charney (SC), Natalie Capriola (IL), Danna Galed (NY), Dave Moyer (MA), Gloria Landi (AL), Roshni Shah (FL), Ifath Iftikhar (NY), Janel Bruno (NY), Sandra Esquivel (TX)

*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, and Clem Robineau