RIP to wedding plus-ones

But first: a rare, one-day-only sale to shop right now — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today June 18, 2024 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [daily_skimm] But first: [a rare, one-day-only sale to shop right now]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Update location]( or [View forecast]( Quote of the Day "It feels like you are staying at a party for too long" — [Taylor Tomlinson]( reminiscing about what it was like to be 29. She's wise beyond her years. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=share text%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) What's Happening [A group if University students sit on the grass outside on campus as they take a break between classes. They are each dressed casually and have their cell phones out as they catch up on social media.] Health Surgeon General Wants to Treat Social Media Giants Like Tobacco Companies What's going on: In an [op-ed published in The New York Times]( yesterday, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called on Congress to add a warning label to social media platforms, saying the platforms can cause adverse health effects. Warning labels — like the ones you see on alcohol and tobacco products — require approval by Congress, but historically they've been effective. When the government put warning labels on cigarette packages nearly 60 years ago, roughly 42% of US adults smoked cigarettes. By 2021, that percentage had fallen to 11.5%. What it means: Experts continue to study the potential link between social media and the mental health crisis affecting children and teenagers — and they haven't reached a consensus. Some studies have found negative effects, including research from 2019 linking more than three hours of daily social media use to increased mental health risks and a 2022 survey where 46% of teens reported feeling worse about their bodies due to social media. Other experts argue that social media isn't solely responsible for the decline in teens' well-being. They pointed to other factors like “economic hardship, social isolation, racism, school shootings, and the opioid crisis,” according to The New York Times. Still, it's pretty clear where America's top doctor stands in the debate — and he's hoping that this new proposed warning label will finally sway teens' screen time. [More than half of US teens]( spend at least four hours a day on social media, according to a survey from last year. Related: [Tips To Help Your Kids Cut Down On Screen Time]( (NYT Gift Link) Climate A Dangerous Heatwave Is Coming to Most of the US What's going on: Thanks to a powerful heat dome, temperatures across the Midwest and Northeast are [expected to reach record-breaking highs]( this week into the weekend, affecting an estimated 265 million people. Some areas could experience the longest heat wave they’ve seen in decades, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures are expected to rise into the 90s (with real feel in the 100s thanks to humidity) in areas as far north as Maine. Tomorrow and Thursday are expected to be the hottest days of the week, but global heat problems are here for the long-haul. Yesterday, dozens of labor and environmental groups [filed a petition]( urging FEMA to categorize extreme heat and wildfire smoke as "major disasters." A move that would allocate federal funds to help communities as they deal with heat waves. What it means: Extreme heat is the deadliest type of severe weather, [killing on average twice as many people annually]( than tornados and hurricanes combined. The elderly, small children, and outdoor workers are at a higher risk of heat-related illness in affected areas. Mitigating extreme heat has become an urgent priority in cities across the US, as scientists have warned that heat waves will get more severe as the climate crisis worsens. Phoenix has been resurfacing the pavement with a more reflective finish to help reduce heat and Miami reportedly installed 150 new bus shelters. It remains to be seen whether these efforts will be enough to make rising temps livable. Related: [What To Do When There’s A Summer Blackout]( (AP) Health Major Hospitals Are Reportedly Silencing Patients With Nondisclosure Agreements What's going on: An NBC News investigation found that some public hospitals [settled malpractice cases]( with nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), preventing victims and their families from disclosing information about what went wrong. The investigation looked into settlement negotiations between the University of Washington Medical Center and its affiliated hospitals, and found that 70 of those 89 settlements included NDAs. According to NBC, some of the patients involved suffered cognitive impairments and severe brain damage as a result of malpractice, but because of the use of NDAs, the misconduct was never made public. What it means: Since the #MeToo movement, there has been increased scrutiny on the use of NDAs and their role in protecting bad actors or employers. However, NDA use in the medical system, particularly in public hospitals like those highlighted in the NBC investigation, has received less attention. Public hospitals, funded by taxpayers, are expected to adhere to federal transparency laws, which actually prohibit the use of NDAs. Beyond potential legal concerns, experts also argue that these agreements prevent hospitals and doctors from being held accountable for misconduct when patients and their families are silenced, potentially putting future patients at risk. Related: [Four Things You Should Know About NDAs]( (Thomson Reuters) Quick Hits 🛴While one of Taylor Swift's [biggest enemies]( is retiring, her ex is [breaking his silence](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🏀 16 years in the making, but the [Boston Celtics]( are back on top. --------------------------------------------------------------- 👀 Armie Hammer’s “[gratitude practice](” has us scratching our heads. --------------------------------------------------------------- 💒 This [wedding plus-one hot take](: Genius, or sure-fire way to lose all your friends? --------------------------------------------------------------- 🍔 Sen. Chuck Schumer’s [unique grilling technique]( is dividing the internet. --------------------------------------------------------------- Let's Unpack This Why is America struggling with a loneliness epidemic? [Woman staying home for safety during coronavirus pandemic and observing empty city] Another epidemic is on the rise in the US, and there’s no vaccine for this one. Loneliness is spreading across the country, even after the isolation of the COVID pandemic ended. The percentage of adults [feeling lonely]( is down from the pandemic high, but one poll earlier this year found that 30% of adults reported feeling lonely at least once a week. theSkimm spoke with public health expert Jody Gan to better understand how loneliness is shaping America. “Back even many decades ago, loneliness was starting to creep up as people were buying houses further away from the city for various reasons, for economic reasons, and maybe people wanted a bigger house and a bigger yard, which put people further away from one another,” Gan said. Technology is also partly to blame according to Gan. She said “people are getting so much out of their screens that they don’t feel a need to make plans.” ”People just need more practice to get their social groove back, but it’s hard to get that practice…Sometimes it feels awkward to kind of flex that social muscle or build that social muscle back up.” As for how loneliness could shape American society as a whole, Gan said “if we are not a cohesive society, how are we going to tackle some of the big problems that are ahead of us like climate change and gun violence?...I think that it is something that can have very big and serious ramifications and [I am] hoping there’s some definite things we can do as a country, as a society, to make it easier for people to connect.” [Jody Gan headshot] Featured Expert Jody Gan Professorial Lecturer Health Studies at American University Skimm Well [the skimm tweet about skincare] Embrace your wellness We’re here for any freak that’s focused on taking care of yourself. Our Skimm Well newsletter can help with that, too. Every week, we give you expert-backed advice and info to take charge of your health and well-being. Sign up and get it in your inbox tomorrow. [Subscribe now]( Watch Now [the perfect summer sunday routine]( Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… A cheat code for becoming your best self. [Take this questionnaire]( to get matched with a therapist that fits your needs and preferences in as little as 48 hours. More than 4.7 million other people have. [Skimm’rs get a special deal](, btw.* [Snag 25% off]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Clinically proven skincare with results more effective than retinol. [This award-winning skincare]( reduces wrinkles, increases firmness, and boosts elasticity by combatting skin aging at its source. Psst…one reviewer said she saw improvement in as little as two weeks.* [Get 30% off]( --------------------------------------------------------------- A smart device that optimizes your unique metabolism. Kiss cookie-cutter wellness plans and restrictive diets goodbye. With just one breath, [this handheld device]( helps you eat the right food for you and process it more efficiently. [Look out, goals](.* [Get 15% off]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 45% off an easy-to-wear summer dress. This [soft jersey dress]( from Universal Standard is the lightest thing to throw on when it's a million degrees outside and you want to look put together. Skimm'rs can get 45% off the entire Athena line with the code SKIMM45. [Buy it]( Psst…love our recs? Follow [@skimmshopping]( on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag). Extra Credit [Exhibit by R.O. Kwon] READ A book that’s spicy enough for summer but substantial enough for book club? Sold. R.O. Kwon is back with “[Exhibit](,” a story that follows Jin, a young photographer at a crossroads within her career and marriage to her college sweetheart. At a party in San Francisco, she meets Lidija, a world-class ballerina (who’s also at a standstill in her career), and the two immediately connect. The catch? Jin’s family has a deep-rooted curse known to destroy relationships. Between the story’s provocative exploration of hidden desires and boundary-pushing creativity, this is a drama you won’t want to miss. For more recs... Check out the Daily Skimm Weekend newsletter, in your inbox every Saturday and Sunday. We'll help you spend your leisure time well. Settle This [Fresh flowers wedding decoration. Table set up. - stock photo] The [internet is divided]( on whether it's considered good etiquette for couples to expect their wedding guests to give a gift with a similar or greater price tag than the cost per plate at the reception. Do you "pay your plate," when you attend a wedding? [I already bought the plane ticket, what even is money at this point?]( [I buy the gift that I budgeted for, even if they're serving a five course meal.]( [I’m with the bridal party — I’ve done my share.]( Game Time [it's puzzling puzzmo typeshift game]( Start your Tuesday off right with [Typeshift](, a fun new game that challenges you to create words from a set number of letters. Warning: It’s very addicting. [Start playing](. Meet Us On The Leaderboard [Flipart]( | [Spelltower]( | [Crossword]( | [Typeshift]( | [Pile-Up Poker]( Skimm'd by: Anacaona Rodriguez Martinez, Chantal Vaca, Marina Carver, and Alex Carr. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff. --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by FatCamera via Getty Images, Riverhead Books, Brand Partners Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? [Subscribe to all theSkimm has to offer](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Instagram Icon]( [Tik Tok Icon]( [Linkedin Logo]( [Twitter icon]( [Facebook icon]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Skimm'd something we missed? skimmthis@theSkimm.com Issues? [help@theSkimm.com](mailto:help@theskimm.com) [Advertise with us]( | [Careers]( [See our full sponsor agreement]( | [Update Your Preferences]( or [Unsubscribe]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 2024 theSkimm, All rights reserved. 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