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February 2, 2022
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Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day

"Voluntary basis" — A Swedish firm, describing how crows help them clean cigarette butts from city streets. Your move, NYC pigeons.

Opioids

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The Story

Native Americantribeshave reacheda majoropioid settlement.

Tell me. 

From 2020to 2021,over 100,000 peoplein the USdiedfromdrug overdoses — more than half of those deaths involving opioids. But Native American tribes have disproportionatelysuffered. Between 2006 and 2014,Native Americans were nearly 50% more likelyto die of an opioid overdosethan non-Natives. In recent years, big pharma’scome under a microscope for fueling theopioid crisis. It’s led to dozens of lawsuits— from states to the DOJ to over 100 Indigenous groups.Yesterday, the three largest US drug distributorsand drugmaker Johnson & Johnsonreached adeal.

Tell me more. 

Big pharmaproposed a $590 millionagreementthat the companies played a role in the opioid epidemic in tribal communities. The drug companies will pay $440 million overseven years.And J&J will pay $150 million over two years.About 15% of the total will cover legal fees while the remaining amount will go toward treatmentand prevention programs. But the deal is only step one. Next up: 95% of the tribes who sued will need to green light it.

What are people saying?

J&J says it’s just a settlement and that it doesn’t prove it did anything wrong.It plans to continue defending itselfin other lawsuits.Meanwhile, the tribes’ legal team said this settlementdoesn’t solve the opioid problem, but it does get communities some much-needed resources. It’s the latest opioid settlementsince a jury held major pharmacies liable for fueling the crisis intwoOhio counties.And the deal reportedly comes months before the Cherokee Nation’s lawsuit against CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart goes to court — the first federal opioid trial involving a Native American tribe.

theSkimm

Americans have long called for help as families deal withopioidaddiction.Many states have taken it into their own hands by suing big pharma. And Native communities refuse to be left in the dust. 

And Also...This

Who’s hoping to get a thumbs up…

Pfizer. Yesterday, the company asked the FDA to authorize extra-low doses of its COVID-19 vaccine for kids younger than 5. There are no available vaccines for the 19 million young children in the US. With Omicron still in the limelight, regulators asked the company to submit a request ASAP. Even though they’re still trying to sort out if kids need two or three doses because trials showed two for that age group didn't produce strong immunity. Next up, Pfizer is sending its data to the FDA. And kids under 5 could be eligible to get vaccinated as early as March.

What people are keeping an eye on…

HBCUs. This week, more than a dozen historically Black colleges and universities received bomb threats — including on the first day of Black History Month. Think: Howard University, Coppin State University, Mississippi Valley State University, and more. Some of the schools temporarily canceled classes and operations. And this is the third time this year that HBCUs have been a target. It's still not clear who's behind them. But the FBI says it's working to "address any potential threats."

Who people are talking about…

Tom Brady. Yesterday, the Buccaneers quarterback put the rumors to bed and announced he’s heading to the ultimate end zone: retirement. Brady is considered the most successful QB in the league's history with seven Super Bowl rings and 10 Super Bowl starts over his 22-year career. And at 44 years old, he has outlasted many of his peers in a sport that can average retirement as early as 27. Brady wrapped up this past season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won the NFC South championship. But didn't make it to this year's Super Bowl. Now, he’s saying he wants to focus his “time and energy on other things.” And that it’s best to leave the game to “the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.” No word on what’s going to happen to the Rob Gronkowski-Tom Brady bromance.

Brian Flores. Yesterday, the former Miami Dolphins head coach sued three NFL teams and the league for discrimination. Last month, Flores was fired as head coach — one of only three Black head coaches in the league. He was in the running to be the head coach for the New York Giants. But the team went with Brian Daboll, who is white. Now, Flores says he was “humiliated” by the Giants who subjected him to a “sham” interview to make it look like they gave a Black candidate a chance. And that he had a similar experience with the Denver Broncos in 2019. The NFL said these claims are “without merit.”

Skimm More: This isn't the first time the NFL's been called out for lack of diversity in its coaching staff. Listen to our “Pop Cultured” episode on racism in pro sports.

Who's been given some time to reflect...

Whoopi Goldberg. 

When you're struggling to count sheep…

Enter: 99-million-year-old flowers.

Skimm More: We've got more on sleep stages, REM, and tips here.

Skimm Well
Design: theSkimm | Photo: Dame

Roses are red. Violets are blue. When you have sex, you might get red too. 

It’s called “sex flush,” sweetie. And we looked it up. Turns out, those red blotches that pop up on some people’s skin when they’re hot and bothered are a natural response to increased blood flow. Get more of a rosy radiance? That’s normal, too. Psst…if you’re chasing a post-O glow, you just might wanna meet Dame’s Pom vibrator. It has different patterns and speeds, which can provide broad or targeted stimulation. And it’s super intuitive to use. Plus, Skimm’rs get 20% off. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s never been a better time to go, go, glow.

Skimm Picks

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

1. A no-sweat investing app. No, really. Betterment wants to help you invest like everyone’s watching.† Aka put money toward things that matter. And things you actually care about. Mother Earth included. Learn more.*

2. How to wear yoga pants without looking like you’re wearing yoga pants. Athleta’s Elation Flare Pants just made the impossible possible. They’re made of a breathable, buttery soft fabric. Aaaaand look cute with just about anything. Can we get an ‘ohmmmg’? Shop now.*

3. A hydration boost with 3X the electrolytes of sports drinks. And half the sugar. This doctor-developed formula is designed to work fast and taste great. Plus it comes in a variety of juicy flavors, like concord grape and cherry. Here’s 15% off with code DRINKUP15.*

4. Insta-famous hand soap in four swoon-worthy new colors. This cult-fave brand created those chic refillable glass soap bottles you’ve been seeing everywhere. And they’ve sold more than two million eco-friendly refill tablets in scents like Iris Agave and Lavender Eucalyptus. PS: Skimm’rs get 20% off.*

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

†Investing involves risk and performance is not guaranteed.

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.

Providing support…Jennifer K (NV). She spent more than 20 years providing mental health support to kids and families. Since retiring and relocating to Nevada, she is helping newer therapists learn the ropes.

New ventures…Samantha A (TN). She spent 25 years in K-12 and higher ed. But now, she’s launching an educational consulting company to help folks with DEI, accreditation, curriculum, and more. 

(Some) Birthdays…theSkimm's Remi Bruell (CA), Emma Eales (CA), Laura Beggins (TX), Carolyn Becker (CA), Claire Bewley (AR), Michele Corigliano (UT), Radhika Dang (FL), Roy Caudill (PA), Diane Geiger (CA), Samantha Maddin (GA), Margaret Verrico (CT), MacKenzie Foster (MA), Erin Collins (CO), Monika Barrett (IL), Christa Storch (NM)

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

Skimm More

We keep our mind on our money, money on our…careers page. Starting in April, NYC employers will be required to include salary ranges for most job postings. Read more about how the Big Apple’s pay transparency law will impact women.

And if you’re looking for other smart ways to spend your time...

Skimm’d by Rashaan Ayesh, Mariza Smajlaj, and Julie Shain

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