Tampons. Across the country, the feminine care aisle has seen a shortage of tampons for months. The culprit: supply chain issues. Thanks to COVID-19, we’ve seen shortages of raw materials like rayon and plastic. The war in Ukraine has hindered fertilizer exports used to grow cotton. And staffing at production plants has also gone down, plugging up supply chains further. With all of that, these products are more expensive, too. Tampons are reportedly up 10% higher than last year. Pads are up more than 8%. All of this is already adding to the so-called pink tax.
When will it end?
Retailers like CVS and Walgreens are trying to restock ASAP. Proctor & Gamble — which owns Tampax and Always brands and can pull all the strings — said it's trying to "meet the increased demand." One report pointed out that the tampon shortage is lasting longer than other shortages from earlier in the pandemic — like toilet paper and cleaning supplies. And that decision-makers in the supply chain and CEOs of manufacturers are mostly men. Period.
theSkimm
Many people in the US — already facing a shortage of baby formula — are feeling déjà vu. And it’s got some people wondering why it’s taking so long to resolve.
And Also...This
Who people are talking about…
Former President Trump. Yesterday, on the second day of Jan 6 hearings, testimonies from Trump’s inner circle — including his attorney general, campaign manager, and even his own son-in-law — revealed they all told him the election fraud claims were bogus. Former deputy attorney general Richard Donoghue said he debunked the claims and told Trump it was a lot of fake news. Former Attorney General Bill Barr put it differently, indicating Trump was “detached from reality” following the election. As he testified, “there was never an indication of interest in what the actual facts were.” The next hearing (of as many as eight) kicks off tomorrow at 10 am ET.
What Wall Street and hikers have in common...
Not wanting to hear the word ‘bear.’ And yet here we are. Yesterday, the S&P 500 closed in bear market territory after dropping more than 20% below its record high earlier this year. ICYMI, a bear market is when stock prices are going down for a sustained period of time (usually at least 20% from a recent high). The steep drop came just two days before the Fed is expected to raise interest rates again to get inflation under control, with some economists predicting a .75% increase. All of this has investors feeling nervous.
A Google engineer. Last week, Blake Lemoine was placed on paid administrative leave after claiming LaMDA — Google’s AI system — was sentient. Aka, the ability to express thoughts and feelings. Lemoine, who’s a priest and engineer, claims to have had conversations with LaMDA starting in the fall. And asked questions involving topics like self-awareness, fear, and death. He ultimately concluded that LaMDA had human-like qualities including a soul. But Google says there was no evidence that supported Lemoine's claims but "lots of evidence against it." The whole thing’s got a lot of people saying ‘Hey Google, play the “The Twilight Zone” theme music.’
PS: GV (formerly Google Ventures) is a minority investor in theSkimm.
Sun’s out, buns — and overall bikini area — out, arewerite? In case you’re planning on hitting the beach (or backyard) this summer, we’ve got some tips on how to practice a little extra self-care down there. First things first, apply higher SPF to parts you don’t usually expose to the sun. Got irritation? Add a little coconut oil to help soothe and moisturize. And finally, be sure to carve out some extra time to get in ~touch~ with yourself. Dame’s Aer vibrator can help with that. It’s lightweight, waterproof, and packed with tech that’s designed to mimic a fluttering tongue. So you can stay hot and bothered in the best way. Psst…here’s 15% off.
Ah, misinformation. We see you, we hear you, we wanna get rid of you. And so do our friends at Pfizer. Which is why we teamed up to break down how to spot and stop in-faux-mation in its (e-)tracks.
The latest making the digital rounds: COVID-19 is caused by snake venom. Ssssound fake? That’s because it is. The theory stems from an online documentary full of claims that have — are you ready for it? — zero sound scientific evidence to back ‘em up. Aaaaand it already has over 2 million views online. Big sigh.
Before you stress-slam your computer shut, peep our guide on all things misinformation. Where we show you how to call out fake news when ya see it. And what steps you can take after you do.
Skimm Picks
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. Travel deals that’ll have you packing your bags. This app is having its biggest sale yet. Think: Up to $180 off on hotel, car rental, and flight discounts for 50+ destinations worldwide. Oh, and Skimm’rs get a $30 welcome bonus. Get set to jet.*
2. A skincare set that will leave you feeling radiant. Your skincare routine is about to get a wholeeeee lot easier with Biossance’s Rapid Radiance Set. The Sephora best-seller features hydrating, smoothing cult faves (hiii, algae eye cream and rose oil) in travel-ready sizes. Shop now.*
3. A serious H2O-pgrade. We’ll take our water straight (from the carton) with a twist. This brand’s known for their pure water in plant-based packaging. Now, they’re adding four subtle fruit flavors to their lineup. And Skimm’rs get exclusive access to their variety pack. Gotta taste ’em all.*
4.How to talk to someone without leaving home. This service lets you connect with a therapist anytime, anywhere. No office visit required. So you can get therapy that gets you, from wherever you feel comfiest. Aaand Skimm’rs get 20% off their first month.*
*PS: This is a sponsored post.
Skimm'rs
We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.
Food for thought…Pati J (MD). She’s celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month through a series highlighting how communities are united through food. Check it out here.
(Some) Birthdays…Kirsten Hurley (NJ), Kirsten Berry (CA), Danielle Friedman (NJ), Aimee Fourmont Meier (MD), Rachel Holder (NC), Julia Scudder (KY), Abby DeHaas (NC), Claire Ala (AR), Holly Dunham (TX), Katherine Mertens (IL), Jillian Golden (NY), Elaine Xiao (IL), Rachel Bronson (AR), Vee Williams (NC)
PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
theSkimm Loyalty Program
Design: theSkimm
New member-only discounts are here. We’re saying hello to self-care staples, gifts, and more — and goodbye to full prices. Log in or join theSkimm Loyalty Program to get in on the savings.
Skimm’d by Rashaan Ayesh, Melanie De Lima, Kate Gilhool, Julie Shain, and Mariza Smajlaj
