Daily Skimm: You’re my happy ending

Skimm'd post-"Schitt's Creek" APRIL 8, 2020 [READ IN BROWSER]( [theSkimm]( [theSkimm]( [Share theSkimm]( Skimm'd post-"Schitt's Creek" --------------------------------------------------------------- QUOTE OF THE DAY "Prevents you from breathing or speaking moistly" – [Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau](, on how wearing face masks can protect others. Let's leave the word 'moistly' in 2020, shall we? mailto:?body=Justin%20Trudeau%20coming%20in%20hot%20with%20the%20adverbs%20%23SkimmLife%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-quote-of-the-day%26type%3Demailurl%26r%3D8c6ba2b1%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare LOAN LIMBO The Story Some small businesses [aren't getting the help they need](. Do explain. Small businesses are especially [vulnerable]( when it comes to coronavirus shutdowns and stay-at-home orders. Without customers bringing in foot traffic, businesses are struggling to pay rent, keep their employees, and stay afloat. So last month, the government [signed]( a historic stimulus package that included $349 billion meant to help with exactly that. The program offers loans that don't need to be paid back if the money is used for things like paying employee salaries and benefits. So what's the problem? [Technical issues](, among other things. Since its [launch last week](, the program's electronic system has been overwhelmed because of [high demand](. And businesses applying said they had a hard time navigating the program. But the problem is more widespread. Go on. The people handing the money out (think: lenders) said they need [more guidance](. Specifically, help deciding [who actually meets requirements]( for these loans. Some banks don't even have the forms necessary to finalize the loans – and are trying to [make their own](. But it turns out DIY forms can add to the confusion. While banks and the federal gov try to figure their sh*t out, businesses are left scrambling. So what happens now? Lawmakers are stepping back in to try to help. And are working with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to provide an [additional $250 billion](. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said he wants to vote on it as soon as tomorrow, adding that Congress needs to move fast before the program runs dry. Speaking of running dry... Where are you going with this? There are a couple of goodbyes in order. First up, the Pentagon's acting inspector general who President Trump [booted]( yesterday. The IG was supposed to oversee the admin's management of the stimulus bill...until he wasn't. The president didn't give a reason for the removal, but critics say it's intended to block out independent oversight on how the money is spent. Then there's acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly. Remind me. He's the guy who fired the captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt last week. Reminder: that captain had asked Navy officials to better address the coronavirus outbreak on his ship. Yesterday, Modly [resigned]( after getting heat for criticizing the captain. But that's not all: White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham is also out. Doesn't ring a bell? That's because she [never held a press briefing](. theSkimm Small businesses make up 44% of economic activity in the US – and employ about half of all the country's private-sector workers. Whether you own a small business, work for one, or spend money at one, we all have a vested interest in their success. Skimm More: The stimulus bill helps more than just small businesses. Find out if you [qualify for help here](. mailto:?body=Small%20businesses%20are%20still%20very%20much%20struggling%20%23SkimmLife%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-9435669%26type%3Demailurl%26r%3D8c6ba2b1%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare BAD AIR A [new study]( found that areas with higher pollution levels are seeing higher death rates from COVID-19. It's not entirely surprising: earlier studies found that other respiratory illnesses (like the [2002-2003 SARS epidemic]() had higher death tolls in areas of China with higher pollution levels. But this study focused on the US...and COVID-19. It looked at over 3,000 US counties. And found that places with more pollution (think: more cars, oil refineries, power plants), are seeing deadlier cases of the virus. According to the research, even a tiny increase in pollution could mean a [15% increase in the death rate](. And more than 200 New Yorkers could still be alive today if pollution levels were even marginally better. The study is raising alarm bells over recent rollbacks of environmental protection laws, as the Trump admin has reversed[dozens of environmental protection rules]( since 2017. In case you're wondering, [here's how your city's air pollution]( tends to compare with cities around the world. mailto:?body=There%20might%20be%20a%20connection%20between%20pollution%20and%20COVID-19%20death%20rates%20%23SkimmLife%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-9434547%26type%3Demailurl%26r%3D8c6ba2b1%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare AND ALSO...THIS Where voters were asked to make a big decision... [Wisconsin](. Yesterday, the state held in-person voting for its primary election. This came after a [failed]( last-minute attempt to delay the election, and despite a stay-at-home order put in place for the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, voters were left with the choice of exercising their civic duty or risking their health. Thousands of voters turned out yesterday, with many having to wait in line for hours. And although the National Guard was sent to help staff at polling places, there was a shortage of stations. Residents of Milwaukee – the state's largest city – only had the option of voting at five polling stations versus the typical 180. - [Wait for it, wait for it](: Results won't be released until at least Monday. That's because the state needs time to count absentee ballots postmarked yesterday. mailto:?body=Wisconsinites%20had%20to%20choose%20between%20their%20civic%20duty%20and%20safety%20yesterday%20%23SkimmLife%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-9435047%26type%3Demailurl%26r%3D8c6ba2b1%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare --------------------------------------------------------------- Where things are easing up… [China](. Yesterday, the country reopened Wuhan – the city where the coronavirus was first discovered – after more than two months of lockdown. The city of 11 million people had about two-thirds of China's more than 80,000 known COVID-19 cases. While more than 90% of businesses are back up and running, Wuhan officials are still urging people to stay home as much as possible, and schools are closed. A government-sanctioned [phone app](is tracking residents' recent travels and medical histories as a way to monitor the risk of spread. For some, this is a sign that life can return to some sense of normalcy. But others are cautious about a potential second wave of infections. [India](. Yesterday, the country approved some exports of hydroxychloroquine – the antimalarial drug that President Trump has suggested will help treat the coronavirus. India is one of the world's largest producers of the drug. And had put an export ban on it to preserve stock for its own citizens. But Trump threatened "retaliation" if India didn't ease up and export the drug. Now, India is saying 'we hear ya' and that it'll provide the drug to nations that have been "badly affected." But didn't clarify which countries that applied to. mailto:?body=Some%20restrictions%20in%20China%20and%20India%20are%20easing%20up%20%23SkimmLife%0D%0A%0D%0A%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-9435061%26type%3Demailurl%26r%3D8c6ba2b1%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare --------------------------------------------------------------- What we're trying to adopt this year... [Supermoon Energy](. mailto:?body=The%20moon%20was%20pretty%20in%20pink%20%23SkimmLife%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-9435075%26type%3Demailurl%26r%3D8c6ba2b1%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare --------------------------------------------------------------- Who got some much-needed privacy... [These pandas](. mailto:?body=A%20pair%20of%20pandas%20did%20it%20after%2010%20years%20%23SkimmLife%0A3Fjumpto%3Djumpto-9435089%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. A beginner's guide to running. Raise your hand if you were personally victimized by the mile run in seventh grade. Shudders. [These tips]( and [this playlist]( to the rescue. 2. The best matzo ball soup. Whether you're hosting a virtual Passover Seder or you're just someone who likes good soup. [This recipe]( is a must. Ball so hard, that sh*t's good. 3. All 92 Best Picture winners ranked. We're finally getting around to watching [all the classic movies]( we haven't seen. First up: "Casablanca." And the Oscar goes to... PS: [Sign up](to get more ideas like these in your inbox once a week. SKIMM PICKS For when you're getting tired of the same old sandwich... Switch it up with [this brand](. Their new flatbreads are made with all-veggie crusts. Think: sweet potato and cauliflower. They also have smoothies, bowls, soups, and more. All without preservatives, and delivered frozen right to your door. Skimm'rs get $25 off their first box. [Chow down](.* *PS: This is a sponsored post. SKIMM'RS In times like these, community matters more than ever. Let us know how you (or someone you know) is making an impact by helping others. Call to action with...Alyssa K (MD). She works for Phone2Action, an advocacy software company that's launched #HearUsOut. It helps people deliver feedback to their elected officials on the COVID-19 responses in their community...at the local, state, and federal levels. Brusselin' with...Bea M (NY). She's the development associate at GrowNYC, an org working to give New Yorkers access to fresh, healthy food. Learn more and donate [here](. (Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Alex Horowitz (NY), Julia Brody (NY), Olivia Grosvenor (NY), Aaron Rasmussen (FL), Tiffany Brieve (MI), Nicole Danaher-Garcia (MA), Alice Anastasia (MA), Caitlin McFeely (NY), Laura Leigh Majernik (TX), Sarah Darnell (WI), Lauren Dees (OR), Hannah Chahbazi (MI), Holly Waldman (NJ), Dean Wilson (KY), Bette Meister (TX) *Paging all members of theSkimm. [Reach out here]( for a chance to be featured. SKIMM SHARE Skimm HQ is trying out different matzo recipes. Share theSkimm with your friend who's doing a Zoom seder tonight. [Share]( Or use this referral link [theskimm.com/?r=8c6ba2b1]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Skimm'd something we missed? [skimmthis@theSkimm.com](mailto:skimmthis@theskimm.com) Issues? [help@theSkimm.com](mailto:help@theskimm.com) Copyright (c) 2020 theSkimm, All rights reserved. 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