Daily Skimm: If you want to appease me, compliment my brain

Skimm'd while [writing a]([letter to our loved ones]( MARCH 24, 2020 [READ IN BROWSER]( [theSkimm]( [theSkimm]( [Share theSkimm]( Skimm'd while [writing a]([letter to our loved ones]( --------------------------------------------------------------- QUOTE OF THE DAY "I'm watching you" – [Robert De Niro]( urging people to stay home. Say it louder for the people at the park. mailto:?body=Everyone%27s%20watching%20including%20Frank%20Sheeran%2C%20err%2C%20Robert%20De%20Niro%20%23SkimmLife%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-quote-of-the-day%26type%3Demailurl%26r%3D8c6ba2b1%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL The Story Businesses from Main Street to Wall Street are [hurting]( right now. Tell me more. The coronavirus pandemic has wracked [multiple industries]( and led to a spike in [layoffs]( across the country. A Federal Reserve official [warned]( the unemployment rate could hit 30% in the coming months, much higher than during the 2007-2009 recession. Here are some of the industries that have already taken a hit: The restaurant industry…as in, it's the country's [second-largest](private employer with 15.6 million workers. Many are without jobs as some state govs mandate that restaurants only provide takeout service or delivery. But many restaurants have closed on their own in efforts to follow stay-at-home guidelines, or because they can't afford to pay their workers. The hospitality industry...as in, about [4 million]( of its workers are expected to lose their jobs in the coming weeks. Hotels across the US are seeing unprecedented cancellations and closures. This week, [Marriott](– the world's largest hotel company – announced it's furloughing tens of thousands of employees. The airline industry…as in, the jobs of 750,000 people are in[jeopardy](. Some of the largest airlines in the US – American and Delta – are already asking employees to volunteer for unpaid leave. The industry is also reducing flights, parking hundreds of planes, and cutting corporate pay. That's not good. No. But it's not all bad news. Some industries are switching courses and looking to help out… Retail...as in, many [brands]( (like Christian Siriano, American Apparel, and Hanes) are using their resources to make masks and other protective gear for hospital workers. And other companies (like [Target](and [Apple]() are donating masks. Automobile industry...as in, some automakers (GM, Ford, and Tesla) have been given the [green light]( to produce ventilators. The decision to switch manufacturing hats could mean that some of GM and Ford's closed factories [could open]( back up. Essential services...as in, [some companies]( have their 'help wanted' signs up. [Dollar General](will hire up to 50,000 workers in the coming weeks. [Papa John's]( is hiring up to 20,000 as demand for pizza goes up. [CVS Health](is looking to fill tens of thousands of jobs across the country. And companies (like Walmart, Amazon, Kroger, and Trader Joe's) are also [hiring](. And how is the gov helping out? In several ways. The Fed's [rolled out](several programs that will provide up to $300 billion to help stimulate the economy. And is expected to announce the "Main Street Business Lending Program" – which would help small to mid-sized businesses stay afloat. As well as the TALF (used during the 2008 financial crisis) to provide credit to consumers and businesses. Meanwhile, [multiple]( trillion-dollar coronavirus relief packages are being discussed in Congress, and could provide loan programs for small businesses and industries. theSkimm The coronavirus pandemic has affected daily life worldwide, and has already led to tens of thousands of people losing their jobs in the US alone. While the gov and other companies are stepping in to help, [more job losses are expected]( – and the fallout could have lasting effects on the economy. mailto:?body=Industries%20are%20looking%20for%20%24%24%20relief%20and%20the%20gov%27s%20trying%20to%20keep%20up%20%23SkimmLife%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-9357433%26type%3Demailurl%26r%3D8c6ba2b1%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare TOO SOON? Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan responded to their coronavirus outbreaks quickly, with things like lockdowns, social distancing, and mass testing. For weeks, they've been praised as the number of new reported infections has gone down. But now, as they put 'open for business' signs back up, [the numbers of infections are on the rise](. The cases raise the question: how soon is too soon to go back to normal? President Trump [wants an answer ASAP](. He said his admin will decide Monday whether to ease White House guidelines on things like social distancing, which has taken a hit on the economy. While Trump wants to get a handle on the virus, he says we shouldn't let "the cure" for the virus become "worse than the problem itself." But places like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan seem to have a different mindset. With infections on the rise, they're jumping right back into fight mode, quickly bringing back strict travel restrictions and quarantines. It comes as health experts are gearing up for the long haul, warning of [multiple waves of the virus]( before the global community can get a handle on it with things like a vaccine or treatment. mailto:?body=Is%20it%20too%20soon%20to%20say%20%27no%20quarantine%27%3F%20%23SkimmLife%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-9352937%26type%3Demailurl%26r%3D8c6ba2b1%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare AND ALSO...THIS Who's claiming responsibility… [PG&E](. Yesterday, the gas and electric company agreed to plead guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the 2018 Camp Fire and one count of unlawfully causing a fire. Reminder: An investigation found that the company's equipment sparked the Camp Fire – California's deadliest wildfire in [history](. If approved, the plea agreement will see PG&E pay about a $3.5 million fine. And fund efforts to restore the residents' access to water for the next five years. The company said it hopes this "will help the community move forward from this tragic incident." But some of the victims don't think this is enough to hold the company fully accountable. mailto:?body=PG%26E%20agreed%20to%20plead%20guilty%20to%20involuntarily%20killing%2084%20people%20%23SkimmLife%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-9356897%26type%3Demailurl%26r%3D8c6ba2b1%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare --------------------------------------------------------------- Who caught flights… [Secretary of State Mike Pompeo](. Yesterday, he made a surprise visit to Kabul, Afghanistan in hopes of pushing forward last month's peace deal with the Taliban. Reminder: The US and the Taliban [signed]( a peace deal to pull all US forces out of Afghanistan by spring 2021. But Afghanistan and the Taliban have yet to reach their own peace agreement. This is in part due to the country's current political tensions (think: two political opponents have each claimed to be the country's president). Pompeo's some eight-hour trip appeared to end with no update on the deal. - [Let's all get along](: After Pompeo's trip, the Trump admin reportedly cut about $1 billion in aid to Afghanistan, warning that 'there's more where that came from' if the two proclaimed leaders don't form a new functioning gov soon. mailto:?body=Mike%20Pompeo%27s%20is%20trying%20to%20play%20mediator%20%23SkimmLife%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-9356911%26type%3Demailurl%26r%3D8c6ba2b1%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare --------------------------------------------------------------- Who's pulling out... [Canada and Australia](. This week, the two countries' Olympic committees said they won't be sending their athletes to the Tokyo Olympics this summer. The reason: to protect them and others from exposure to the coronavirus. Both committees, along with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, are pushing for the Olympic Games to be postponed until 2021. The International Olympic Committee is giving itself a few more weeks to decide whether it'll postpone the games this year. mailto:?body=Olympics%3F%20More%20like%20No-lympics%20%23SkimmLife%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-9356925%26type%3Demailurl%26r%3D8c6ba2b1%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare --------------------------------------------------------------- What'll make you say ["Hip Hop Hooray"](... [The key to happiness](. mailto:?body=Rita%20Wilson%20knows%20the%20key%20to%20rap-piness%20%23SkimmLife%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-9356939%26type%3Demailurl%26r%3D8c6ba2b1%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare [2020 Tuesdays] Let's talk about the race for president. As in, it's still happening. [Former VP Joe Biden]( is the clear front-runner to face off against [President Trump](. And while [Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)]( is still in the race, he faces an uphill battle when it comes to making up the delegate difference between him and Biden. It's unclear how the electoral process will adapt moving forward. Some primaries – including Georgia's, which was set for today – have been delayed over the coronavirus. But Sanders has not pulled out of the race just yet, and with the entire process up in the air it's unclear how long he'll hold out for – and what exactly he's hoping for. It's a strange time in the election process. Keep in mind many states allow [early and absentee voting](. If your state is one of them, make sure you exercise your right to vote, safely. One thing you can do remotely? [Make sure you're registered to vote](. mailto:?body=This%20week%2C%20in%20the%20primary%20process%3A%20uncertainty%20%232020%20%23election2020%20%232020Tuesdays%20%23Skimm2020%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-9352893%26type%3Demailurl%26r%3D8c6ba2b1%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare PRESS PAUSE The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting us all in different ways. No matter your situation, sometimes you just need to press pause. Enter: our picks to help you take a break… 1. [Broadway HD](. They're giving you a free seven-day trial. So you can stream classics in your PJs. Finally, it's socially acceptable to sing along during the show. 2. [Van Gogh coloring pages.]( That you can download, print, and fill in. Do them with your kids (or your own inner-kid). Let's Gooooogh. 3. [These scones](. Because your IG feed needs a break from all the bread influencers. Scones are the new sourdough...you heard it here first. PS: Want more? [Sign up]( for our weekly SkimmPicks email that will give you more recs to add to your queue. SKIMM PICKS For when you're spending your weekends on home improvement projects… Congrats, you own a house now. Take a break from decorating to file your taxes. We partnered with [H&R Block]( to help you figure it out. We also have info for newlyweds, freelancers, entrepreneurs and new parents. [Settle in](.* For when the lack of sun makes you forget to hydrate… Call for backup. [Hydrant's drink mix]( hydrates you super fast. And includes magnesium and zinc. Plus it comes in a variety pack with three flavors (think: lime, blood orange, grapefruit). PS: Skimm'rs get 33% off their first month. [Mix it up](.* For when WFH also means working out from home… Get moving with [this company](. They have over 2,000 workouts available to stream. So you can turn your home into a fitness studio. With classes like yoga, cardio, and barre. Skimm'rs get 60 days free. [Work it out](.* For when the kids in your life have cooler clothes than you… Get a gift from [this mom-founded company](. They make gender-neutral clothes for babies and kids sizes 0-12. Plus they just launched their new swim collection. Psst...Skimm'rs get 25% off. [Get dressed](.* FYI - Don’t miss our monthly newsletter of our favorite picks. [Sign up here.]( *PS: This is a sponsored post. SKIMM'RS In times like these, community matters more than ever. Send a shoutout in the link below to the people you're missing while social distancing. Or let us know how you (or someone you know) is making an impact by helping others. Skimm'r of the Week…Beth H (TX). She's the Executive Director of Kids' Meals, Inc, a free home meal delivery program for hungry children in the nation. They deliver thousands of healthy meals directly to the homes of poverty-stricken children in Houston. And the org also provides meals for low-income families who are hard hit by COVID-19. Find out how you can help Kids' Meals, Inc during the pandemic [here](. (Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Gwen Limbach (NY), theSkimm's Charlie Collina-Brown (NY), theSkimm's Lori Leibovich (NY), Karyn Beckley (WA), Finnley Monte (CT), Verna Abante (CA), Marcy Osborn (VA), Donald Cole (WA), Eleanor Thome (OH), Susan Cain (VA), Grace Kim (UK), Deirdre Fenlon (NY), Finnley Monte (CT), Keith Zona (CO), Shital Patel (IL) *Paging all members of theSkimm. [Reach out here]( for a chance to be featured. SKIMM SHARE Skimm HQ is looking to buy some plants for our home office. Share theSkimm with your green-thumbed friend and have them send us some ideas. [Share]( Or use this referral link [theskimm.com/?r=8c6ba2b1]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Skimm'd something we missed? [skimmthis@theSkimm.com](mailto:skimmthis@theskimm.com) Issues? 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