The Daily Skimm

The Story

Tell me more.

Yesterday, the San Francisco-based company's stock had its IPO, allowing anyone to buy company stock. The travel industry, like many others, has taken a hit during the pandemic. And Airbnb wasn't exempt. As movement slowed amid lockdowns, the company's revenue dropped. In May, it said it was cutting about a quarter of its workforce. Still, Airbnb isn't just like a regular hotel. It's a cool hotel. Sort of.

Meaning...?

Designed for longer stays, the company was able to gain more ground over hotels, even as both lost revenue. That's because travel is still happening, but often for longer periods, and to smaller towns where hotels don't necessarily have a big slice of the market. (That quarantine before seeing family? It needed to happen somewhere.) Enter, Airbnb's more flexible business model. And its ability to IPO amid a pandemic.

Tell me about that.

The company opened at $146 per share, indicating a valuation of more than $100 billion – more than the combined worth of Hilton, Marriott, and InterContinental Hotels Group. It's the latest – and biggest – tech IPO to come out amid a year and economy that's been anything but concrete.

And what does it tell us about other industries?

Nothing much...yet. But its valuation may speak to public confidence that travel is one of those industries with pent-up demand that could bounce back quickly after a vaccine. (Other industries include live music and restaurants.) It also speaks to the importance of adaptability as the pandemic accelerates disruption in everything from retail to entertainment. In Airbnb's case, it's the hotel industry that's under a microscope. But the company's IPO comes the same week DoorDash's soaring IPO highlighted another disruption, this time to food delivery.

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It will be months before the dust settles and the full scale of disruption to pre-pandemic life is clear. But in an economy with rising unemployment and an anticipated slowdown to GDP, Airbnb's IPO shows confidence that the economy – like humanity as a whole – can adapt.

And Also...This

What's one step closer to approval...

Pfizer and BioNTech. Yesterday, the FDA's advisory panel recommended approving the COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. This was in "science court," where the panel reviewed data on everything from possible allergic reactions to its safety in young people. Next up: the FDA is expected to approve the vaccines for distribution as early as today. Meaning, states could get vaccines and distribute them to health care workers and the elderly as soon as this weekend.

Fourth time's the charm?: The news comes as three other countries (hi, the UK, Bahrain, and Canada) have already approved Pfizer's vaccine. And have begun rolling it out or made plans for mass distribution.

What's shaking hands...

Israel and Morocco. Yesterday, the two countries reached a deal to normalize diplomatic relations – the fourth Arab-Israeli agreement this year, after the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan. Morocco has had informal ties with Israel for years, with tens of thousands of Israelis traveling to the country. But now, the deal – brokered by the Trump admin – will lead to the reopening of liaison offices, direct flights, and more economic cooperation. Gaining Israel recognition in the Arab world is one of President Trump's top foreign policy accomplishments. But Palestinians say the recognition reduces international pressure on Israel for it to provide concessions in any peace talks.

Take it back now: To make the deal happen, the US said it would now recognize Morocco's claim over Western Sahara. This breaks with decades of foreign policy and makes the US the only Western country to recognize Morocco's sovereignty in the disputed region. The Polisario Front, a pro-independence group that also claims the region, denounced the deal.

What's gaining support…

Texas. Earlier this week, President Trump filed a motion to join a lawsuit in the Supreme Court aiming to overturn the presidential election results. On Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) filed a suit alleging that Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Michigan's expansion of mail-in voting was an illegal change of voting procedures amid the pandemic. Fast forward to now, and 17 state AGs have also joined the suit. The four states being sued have dismissed the suit as meritless, with one state calling it an "abuse of the judicial process." The Supreme Court could decide on whether it's hearing the case as soon as today.

Baseless claims: Federal officials and AG William Barr have said there's no evidence of voter fraud. And dozens of lawsuits challenging the election results have been dismissed in the lower courts and the Supreme Court.
Timing is everything: The coalition of AGs and the president are moving forward with "the big one" (read: lawsuit) in an effort to stop the four states from casting their 62 electoral votes on Monday.

Who people are talking about...

Brandon Bernard. Yesterday, the Justice Department executed the 40-year-old Black man for his role in a 1999 robbery that resulted in two murders – a crime that took place when he was 18 years old. Bernard was the youngest person executed by the federal government, based on his age when the crime was committed, in nearly 70 years. The victims' family said they were finally able to get closure and that they waited decades for "justice to finally be served," but Bernard's death was decried by thousands. And came as the Trump admin races to move ahead with executions amid the presidential transition. Among his last words, Bernard apologized to the family of the victims, saying he wishes he "could take it all back."

Fun fact: doing the same things around the same time everyday has real mental health benefits. Like decreased anxiety, better cognitive function, and improvements in mood. So we partnered with luster & lūm® by GNC to suggest some things you can work into your morning routine to help you look, feel, and perform your best.

Drumroll, please...make your bed, exercise, drink lots of water, and take supplements. Like ones from luster & lūm® by GNC that support healthy digestion and luminous hair, skin, and nails. Skimm'rs get 25% off the luster & lūm® Bundle, which includes their Collagen Peptides, Sheen, and Beauty Detox products. Glow from the inside out.

Skimm Reads

"Mexican Gothic" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Holiday season just got a whole lot spookier. Part 1950s period piece, part Gothic classic, this novel follows a glamorous socialite who leaves her life in Mexico City to rescue her newly-married cousin in the countryside. Cue a haunted mansion and buried family secrets that'll keep you glued to the page. Oh and Hulu's developing it into a limited series. Read it now before it makes its way to the small screen.

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

1. All the best stuff to stream this month. A "Wonder Woman" sequel, a Pixar film that'll make you cry, and a dramedy starring Meryl Streep. 'Tis the season, amirite?

2. An easy way to save time and money. Yes, please. With Walmart+, you'll get free next-day and two-day shipping – no minimum spend required,† free delivery on stuff like groceries and gadgets from your local store when you spend at least $35,‡ and more. Start your free trial now.*

3. The 2020 version of matching holiday PJs. Get everyone Zoom-, Insta-, and TikTok-ready with unisex boxers from this brand. They're soft AF and have pockets(!) and a closed fly. And there's a matching tee. Aaand Skimm'rs get 20% off their first order. Get cozy.*

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

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

†Excludes oversized, freight, & Marketplace items

‡Restrictions apply

For when your family wants to be safe, but make it fashion…

Stock up on printed masks. Old Navy has breathable, washable ones with adjustable straps in festive patterns, like snowflakes and candy canes. For adults and kids, too. Did we mention a five-pack is only $12.50? Smize on.*

For when you want something healthy, delicious, and quick…

This company's gotchu. Their protein- and collagen-rich bone broth comes in 16 flavors, like Turmeric Ginger and Mushroom Chicken. Oh, and they'll send it right to your door. PS: Skimm'rs get 20% off plus free shipping. Slurp on.*

For when virtual classes are (still) all the rage…

Build your home gym. With things like fabric resistance bands, an under-the-desk elliptical, and adjustable dumbbells to save on space. Sweat it out.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

Skimm More

1. Questions about how a COVID-19 vaccine goes from FDA approval to actually ending up in your doctor's office? We explain just that on our podcast "Skimm This." Listen here.

2. Cindy Crawford's a big fan of faking it till you make it. Tune into this week's episode of "Skimm'd from the Couch" to find out why, and what advice she gives her supermodel daughter. PS: Want more career tips? Subscribe here.

3. All caught up on "The Undoing"? We spoke to Lily Rabe (aka Sylvia) about her thoughts on the finale and the theories about her character.

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.

Smiles for miles...Donald K (NJ). He's a pastor who started Cross Country Clergy, a running effort to bring joy, life, and impact to churches, communities, and causes across the country. Join his race.

Super(market) queen...Kat G (NJ). She works for Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties, coordinating its Senior Shopper Program. She grocery shops for about 15 seniors each week with the help of 45 volunteers. Learn more.

(Some) Birthdays...Katherine Haves Malitzky (NY), theSkimm's Karisa Desjardins (NY), theSkimm's Melissa Loder (NY), Irving Azoff (CA), Anna Roszak (IL), Sam Nicles (NY), Sydney Wahl (RI), Christina Kelso (UK), Vindi Kaur (WA), Elizabeth Gregory (NJ), Taylor McCall-Mazza (CT), Natalie Mullen (GA), Lizzie Smith (IN), Kaanan Shah (NY), Monika Desjardins (CAN)

*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Niven McCall-Mazza, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain