US News

Senator Lindsey Graham Dies 

What's going on: Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) died on Saturday of an aortic dissection, according to preliminary findings. The senator, who was 71, had returned earlier that day from a trip to Ukraine and was scheduled to appear on NBC’s Meet the Press yesterday. Graham was campaigning for a fifth term, and had served in the Senate since 2003 after eight years in the House. He built a reputation as a foreign policy hawk and was staunchly conservative on domestic issues such as abortion and LGBTQIA+ rights (while also facing years of rumors about his sexuality, which he vehemently denied). He was occasionally willing to join bipartisan efforts on causes like gun control. Graham started as a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump's, but later became one of the most high-profile leaders of the MAGA movement.

What’s next for Republicans?: South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) will name someone to fill Graham’s seat, and the state’s Republican Party will hold a special primary election next month to nominate a new candidate for the November midterms. (Several Republicans are already vying for both.) Whoever they pick will run against Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician who has built her campaign on restoring trust in public health and vaccines. Meanwhile, back in Washington, DC, Politico writes that Graham’s death “is poised to upend the Senate,” putting ”the fate of multiple legislative priorities into question.” Senate Republicans are up against a larger math problem: They’re already one man down. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been absent from Congress since June 14 following a fall and subsequent pneumonia. Their empty seats narrow the Republican majority from 53/47 to 51/47 — just as the Senate returns from recess today.

Related: Why So Many Congresspeople Keep Their Health Struggles Secret (NPR)

With apologies…

…It’s Time To Discuss This Viral Stomach Bug

What's going on: You might want to leave the breakfast table for this. Nearly 3,000 people across the US have reported coming down with cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness linked to various types of fresh produce that causes intense, watery diarrhea. Again, we’re so sorry. At least 32 states have reported cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with Michigan and Ohio seeing the highest numbers. While it's rarely life-threatening, more than 80 people have been hospitalized, and symptoms (which, even if they won’t kill you, are extremely unpleasant) can last for days to weeks. Cyclosporiasis is not uncommon, but this outbreak is 20 times higher than what’s typical this time of year. And it comes at a time when health officials have more blind spots than in years past. The CDC recently scaled back surveillance for several foodborne illnesses, including this one, and now state health departments are playing catch up.

Does this mean I don’t have to eat my vegetables?: Not necessarily — but it is a good time to be extra cautious with fresh produce. Cyclospora spreads through food or water contaminated with human waste (shudder), and past outbreaks have often been linked to raw produce like leafy greens, herbs, and berries. Experts also suspect contaminated water — not just food — could be contributing to the outbreak, especially after heavy rain and flooding in areas with a high number of cases. Protect yourself by cooking your veggies (stir-fry anyone?), or thoroughly washing your produce. It’s probably best to avoid pre-cut fruits and veggies altogether, especially if you’re in a hotspot (here’s a map). Most importantly, wash your hands. But you already knew that.

Related: Guggenheim Museum Tests Positive for Legionnaires Amid NYC Outbreak (AP News) 

Going Viral

All the Shingle Ladies

Chickenpox, part two: If you’ve mentally filed away shingles under “problem for future me,” that future could be sooner than you think. Cases of shingles –– the viral infection that usually comes with a painful rash along your torso –– have been rising for decades, particularly among adults in their 30s and 40s. Within that group, it's millennial women (lucky us) who get shingles at a higher rate than men, as The Cut reports. We’re also stuck between a rock and an itchy place: too young to qualify for the shingles vaccine, mostly too old to have gotten the chickenpox shot when we were kids (it came out in 1995). For many in this group, the virus has been camping out in our bodies, just waiting for a comeback tour.

Bring on the oatmeal bath?: Considering how debilitating shingles can be, there’s a small but growing push to give millennials access to the vaccine sooner. But, in a tale as old as medicine, one researcher told The Cut she suspects the fact that shingles mostly affects women may be part of why this protection gap has been shrugged off. The Shingrix vaccine is over 90% effective, but the CDC only recommends it for those who are over 50 or immunocompromised. There are ways around it: If you’re under 50 and worried about shingles (especially if you’ve had immune-system issues, which can trigger the condition for those who’ve had chickenpox), a doctor may be able to prescribe Shingrix off-label. Just be prepared to pay out of pocket — it varies, but costs around $235 a dose, and it's a two-dose series — because insurance coverage is often tied to CDC recommendations. Sooo, another place for us millennials to park our avocado toast money? Sigh.

Related: Why More Young People Are Getting Shingles (Glamour)

PS: Turn health headlines into healthy habits. Every Wednesday, we break down the stories and trends to give you the need-to-know in health, nutrition, and fitness in our weekly Well + Good newsletter. Sign up here.

Quick Hits

💚 Prince Louis and his many faces missed Wimbledon again. But Kate Middleton says he's already practicing his own clever way to get onto Centre Court.

🎨 Hasbro has given this classic childhood toy a makeover for adults. This will be catnip for the Pinterest girls.

🤨 Dwayne Johnson says he still has one Broadway dream… and Kevin Hart is in it. Frankly, this is worth rearranging a few calendars for.

☀️ These "soft living" habits are meant to help create calmer mornings. As much as we rolled our eyes, they're surprisingly low-lift, especially number one.

🎤 This Oscar-winning Hollywood legend just signed… a record deal? Score one for the “it’s never too late” crowd.

🪞JLaw and Dua Lipa made a very convincing case against Coco Chanel's most famous fashion rule. Are we team Skant now?

Skimm'd by: Anna Davies, Marisa Iallonardo, Stephanie Gallman, Molly Longman, Mallory Simon, Erika W. Smith, Kate Preziosi, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.