Daily Skimm

March 4, 2022

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Daily Skimm

Skimm’d with a new season of our fave time-traveling romance

Quote of the Day

“Courthouse dog” – A good doggo’s newest job title after a county in Maine hired a dedicated courthouse therapy dog. We sentence the dog to belly rubs for life.

Zaporizhzhia

The Story

Ukraine is faced with the threat of environmental and humanitarian disasters.

What do you mean?

This week has been a nightmare. More than a million people — including more than 500,000 children — have fled the country. Hundreds of civilians have been killed. And efforts to reach a ceasefire have failed. Yesterday, Ukraine reportedly called for one yet again after Russian forces attacked a nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine and a fire broke out.

That sounds harmful.

It could be. The Zaporizhzhia power plant is the largest in Europe and is responsible for about 20% of Ukraine’s power generation. Officials warned that if something happens, the impact could be “10 times larger” than Chernobyl. It's the same plant that was captured by Russian forces last week.

Can you remind me what happened there?

In 1986, a reactor exploded — marking the worst nuclear accident in history. Roughly 350,000 people living near the explosion had to be evacuated. Millions of people are believed to have suffered from elevated levels of radiation.A death toll has not been settled, but many have developed thyroid cancer. The area remains radioactive to this day.

Where do things stand with Zaporizhzhia?

Thankfully, radiation levels haven’t spiked. And the essential equipment at the facility is fine. Firefighters were able to put the fire out. But now, Russian forces have seized control of the power plant.

theSkimm

It’s still not clear whether the attack on Zaporizhzhia poses a larger threat, but it could be a warning sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin isn’t afraid to put his hands on nuclear sites. And that any attack could have lasting impacts.

The Bigger Picture

It is difficult to predict how this war will evolve, but we can help you make sense of what's happening now. Make sure to catch up on:

How financial warfare is being used against Russia and what impacts it could have on the US and your wallet
The backstory of the Russia/Ukraine relationship
The discrepancy between the treatment of white Europeans in this conflict and other refugees
The reality of Putin's nuclear threat
How to help those most impacted
How to grapple with another traumatic news event

And Also...This

Whose name people are saying…

Breonna Taylor’s. Yesterday, a jury acquitted a former officer of charges from the night of her death. In March 2020, Louisville, KY, officials carried out a no-knock warrant on the 26-year-old Black woman’s home. Police ultimately fired shots into her apartment, killing her. For months, protesters petitioned for accountability. But the only person to be charged was an officer there accused of endangering not Taylor…but her neighbors. Now, the acquittal is expected to end any possibility of state criminal charges for anyone involved in the raid. A lawyer for Taylor’s family said in a statement the verdict shows “how much more work there is to be done."

Where women could see their rights restricted…

Florida. Yesterday, state lawmakers passed a bill banning most abortions after 15 weeks. The bill was modeled after Mississippi legislation that could overturn Roe v. Wade. And comes as a wave of Republican states have limited women’s constitutional right to an abortion. Like the Mississippi law, the Florida bill reportedly makes an exception if the mother’s life is at risk — but it stops short of allowing abortions in cases of rape or incest. The bill's sponsor reportedly said a child shouldn't be killed because of the "circumstances in which it was conceived." Meanwhile, it's a dark day for critics. Now, it heads to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) who’s expected to sign it into law. The bill could then go into effect on July 1.

Back on the docket: By June, SCOTUS is expected to rule on whether to uphold the Mississippi heartbeat bill. The court's leaning more conservative, and early signs show they may overturn Roe v. Wade.

Who’s paying up…

Purdue Pharma. Yesterday, the company reached a nationwide settlement over its alleged role in fueling the opioid epidemic. The Sackler family, who owns the company, agreed to pay up to $6 billion to states and communities battling opioid addictions. The new deal also means the Sacklers are protected from civil lawsuits — not criminal charges. Now, a judge has to greenlight that could bring Purdue Pharma even closer to bankruptcy.

Who’s updating their game plan…

The NFL. Yesterday, the league announced it’s benching all COVID-19 protocols.

Thing to Know

Stratum Corneum

The scientific way to say skin barrier. Aka the outermost layer of your skin, which works to lock good stuff (like moisture) in and keep bad stuff (like pollutants, toxins, and irritants) out. So your skin stays healthy and glow-y.

If your barrier gets damaged or over-stressed, your skin can get red, inflamed, flaky, reactive, and dull. Enter: Augustinus Bader’s Ultimate Soothing Cream. It calms and nourishes sensitive, dry, irritated skin for immediate relief. And helps rebuild and strengthen the stratum corneum for lasting results. Oh, and it’s backed by 30 years of scientific research. In a recent User Trial of 105 participants, 100% of users said visible signs of irritation were instantly soothed and their skin felt intensely hydrated. Renewed complexion, coming right up.

Health First

Work. School pickups. Passion projects. New TV shows. Let’s be real…there are a lot of things you might be prioritizing over regular doctor’s appointments.

In fact, when we asked our Instagram followers to share what tends to get in the way for them, 657 answered. 27% said back-to-back meetings are to blame. Over 59% said it’s just plain overwhelming. The rest pointed to family and social obligations. If any of that feels familiar, meet new women's health care company, Organon. They want to help you and your loved ones prioritize wellness this International Women's Day (and beyond). And they've got a chart that breaks down the health milestones women should keep up with at each stage of life. Check it out here.

SkimmU Well

If you’ve got Qs about food, nutrition, sustainable health habits, and body respect, we’ve got As. Check out our recording of SkimmU Well: Food For Thought. Registered dietitians and founders of “Food Heaven'' Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones taco ‘bout (sorry, had to) what intuitive eating really is and how to take care of yourself — from the inside out. And after class, Dalina Soto, registered dietitian and positive health advocate, joins in for a panel discussion to answer your health Qs. Watch now.

Skimm Picks

Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. Chic arm candy to have and to hold. Get ready for wedding season withHammitt’s buttery leather clutches and crossbody bags. They’re perfect for any bride-to-be or VIP guest (aka you). Plus, they make great gifts. Don’t mind if you do.*

2. Everything you need to celebrate the Festival of Colors. This year, Holi’s happening March 18. And this kit’s got color powders, water soakers, a Bollywood playlist you’ll have on repeat, and more. So you can get everyone in the spirit. Check it out.*

3. Jewelry problem-solvers that are totally worth it. Like this brush that'll clean your diamonds, a layered necklace clasp, and a tool that'll help you put on bracelets. Psst...they're all under $20.

*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.

For the children…Jennifer B (CA). She created a version of the Wordle app just for kids. It’s totally free and her daughter can’t get enough of it. Check it out.

(Some) Birthdays…theSkimm's Alex Palazzo (NY), theSkimm's Erika Trombley (NY), theSkimm's Medha Imam (NY), Stephanie Schein (NY), Kevin Sachs (NY), Bob Snyder (FL), Marsha Goldberg (NY), Brendan Dubois (IL), Janet Hershaft (NY), Diana Egan (NY), Dan Behrens (MN), Kelcey George (NM), Jayna Nance (TX), Grace Vieth (MN), Lauren Hutton (PA)

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

Skimm More

When news alerts are high, your anxiety might be high too — and you’re not alone. This week on “Skimm This,” we ask a licensed psychologist her best tips to decompress from the headlines and get in a better headspace. Listen now.

And if you're looking for other smart ways to spend your time…

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