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Quote of the Day
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"Animals get the winter blues kind of too" – A Michigan farmer, who also found a cure: eating Christmas trees. We'll stick to eating greens and lighting fir candles.
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The Story
Today, we may finally find out which party will control the Senate.
Am I having a flashback to the election?
No, don't worry. We'll leave 2020 in 2020. But Georgia can't say the same. Back in November, neither of GA's four candidates running for two Senate seats won the majority. So a runoff election was scheduled for today. Let's get into those races…
Perdue vs Ossoff…David Perdue (R) is trying to keep his job as a Georgia Senator – which he's held since 2015. He's running on a conservative campaign: he's pro-gun rights and anti-abortion. He's also a close ally of President Donald Trump. His opponent, Jon Ossoff (D), is running on a campaign that includes strengthening Medicare (think: he wants Americans to have a public health option). He also supports President-elect Biden's decision to rejoin the Paris climate deal.
Loeffler vs Warnock...Incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R) was appointed to her seat after the previous senator resigned, and she'd like to stay there. She's also pro-gun rights, anti-abortion, and a Trump loyalist. Just yesterday, she announced she would object to the certification of Biden's Electoral College win. And she's recently come under fire for posing in a photo with a former KKK member. Her opponent, Raphael Warnock (D), is a reverend at Ebenezer Baptist Church – where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as co-pastor with his father. He's running on a campaign that includes building on the Affordable Care Act, reforming the bail system, and ending mass incarceration.
Thanks for that.
Anytime. So let's get back to control of the Senate. If Perdue or Loeffler wins, the Republican Party keeps the Senate. That would give them the power to block certain bills from the House and Biden's agenda (think: on health care and environmental restrictions). Meanwhile, if Ossoff and Warnock both win the seats – something Dems haven't done in the state in nearly two decades – the Senate will be tied 50-50. And VP-elect Kamala Harris will have to come back to the Senate to serve as the tiebreaker for future votes.
When will we know the results?
That could depend on how close it is. More than 3 million Georgians have already voted early in the runoff – the highest number since 2008. But many others will head to the polls in an especially contentious time for their state. Reminder: Over the weekend, President Trump tried to pressure GA Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) to defy the state's election results and "find 11,780 votes." While GA's election officials have tried to reassure their constituents on the safety of their votes (in both the presidential election and the runoff), the news was enough to spread the seeds of doubt.
theSkimm
Georgia's race will determine control of the Senate. For those who haven't yet voted, polls are open 7am-7pm ET, and you can return your mail-in-ballot in person. And with COVID-19 concerns, here's how you can prepare to vote safely.
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What's making a shift…
The UK. Yesterday, the country imposed its third national lockdown amid a surge driven by a new coronavirus variant. It also announced plans to delay giving the second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine – with the hopes of getting the first doses to more people, faster. Pfizer and EU health experts are saying 'please don't' as trials weren't conducted that way and they don't have enough data to know if a single dose can provide proper protection against the disease. But UK chief medical officers say 'it's worth the risk.' And other countries may start using the same technique.
The US. Yesterday, some governors told hospitals to give their COVID-19 vaccines quicker...or else. NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) threatened to give out fines (up to $100,000) and restrict further doses to hospitals that don't administer their supply of vaccines within a week of receiving them. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said that doses of the vaccines will go to hospitals that dispense them the quickest. FL will also deploy 1,000 nurses to administer the vaccine and will keep its state-run sites open seven days a week.
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Who has resolved to be less dramatic in 2021...
Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Yesterday they announced they're patching things up. In 2017, Saudi Arabia led a group of Gulf nations – Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain – to cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of ties to terror groups and of playing too nice with Iran. But now, after the Trump admin brokered a deal, the two will drop their public dispute. Saudi Arabia reopened its airspace yesterday as well as its land and sea borders. In exchange, Qatar Airways will drop its expensive lawsuits against the countries. As one Trump official reportedly put it, they won't "love each other and be best friends" but they might be able to work together on regional issues. Good timing, since the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meets to address regional concerns...today.
...Oh and speaking of discussion topics: Iran. It's been making moves recently that put neighbors on edge. Like upping enrichment of uranium beyond the limits of the nuclear deal. And seizing a South Korean tanker. All of this has everyone wondering how the incoming Biden admin will respond.
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Who's saying 'new year, new U(nion)'…
Alphabet workers. Yesterday, more than 200 employees at Google's parent company signed their union cards – officially making the Alphabet Workers Union a thing. Google has faced growing discontent from its employees, who back in 2018 staged a 20,000-person walkout over the company's handling of sexual harassment. This union is inclusive of all Google and Alphabet employees and even includes contract workers. It's viewed as one of the largest and most high-profile unionizations of tech workers to date.
PS: GV (formerly Google Ventures) is a minority investor in theSkimm.
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Who may not be feeling quite so proud…
The leader of the Proud Boys. Yesterday, DC police arrested the head of the far-right group – the one President Trump told last year to "stand back and stand by." He was accused of burning a Black Lives Matter banner taken from a historic Black church last month. But he also faces weapons charges after authorities allegedly discovered two high-capacity magazines on him. All of this comes in advance of pro-Trump protests expected tomorrow, with authorities concerned about the potential for violence.
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No, you don't need a resolution to get moving. Yes, now's as good a time as any to start crushing your 2021 workout goals. That's why we partnered with Athleta to give you pointers for training…
1. Mix it up. The more exercises you're cycling between each week, the less chance you'll get bored. And the more muscle groups you'll work out.
2. Stretch before and stretch after. Pro tip: use a foam roller to help increase blood flow as you cool down – and prevent you from being too sore to walk the next day.
3. Suit up with pieces that can help you go all-out. Like Athleta's Ultimate Tight & Bra. They're made from a recycled nylon fabric that's designed to dry quickly. Sweat on.
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It's day three of our 21-day How to Skimm Your Life Challenge where we're helping you make small changes in your wallet, career, well-being, and more.
Here's some food for thought: When was the last time you cleaned out your fridge? We figured. Today's challenge: Set a timer for 10 minutes, and toss any expired condiments. If you're on a roll, tackle the spices in your cabinet, too. Brb, need a snack break.
Get more info on foods to toss and stock up on here. Plus it's not too late to check out past challenges here.
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For when you're already over resolutions...
Set (flexible) goals instead. The new myWW+ from WW (Weight Watchers Reimagined) can help. By creating a custom wellness plan juuust for you based on how you eat, move, sleep, and think. Because science shows it all matters when it comes to staying healthy. Learn more.*
For when you're trying to cut back on drinking...
Double down on these organic booze-free cocktails. They're inspired by classics, like spicy margaritas and Aperol spritzes. But infused with adaptogens to help you unwind. PS: Skimm'rs get a free bottle with orders over $50. Cheers.*
For when your pantry is boring AF…
Add some new snacks. This online marketplace will ship healthy groceries (hi, chickpea puffs and apple chips) right to your door. Skimm'rs get 25% off their first order – and a free gift. Mix it up.*
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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.
On a mission...Nikolas P (MN). This fourth-year medical student wanted to give people a digestible breakdown of COVID-19 information and a behind-the-scenes look at life as a resident amid the crisis. Learn more.
Curing boredom... Abigail M (WA). She and her husband created a free site where families can play board games as they quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their aim is to help communities have fun. Check it out.
(Some) Birthdays...Ivy Gosseen (CT), Bridget Weitman (OR), Mary Cullen (NY), Ruth Anne Richard (AR), Ruthan Dagostino (NH), Judy Marshak (NV), Natalie McIntosh (MO), Norma Ordonez (TX), Danielle Cerrachio (NY), Sara Rogan (AL), Jennifer Keffeler (IL), Caitlin Keener (OH), Danielle Cerrachio (NY), Melanie O'Boyle (NE), Mandy Sparber (NY)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
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Skimm’d by Kamini Ramdeen, Mariza Smajlaj, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain
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theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile
