Daily Skimm Weekend: Where you sit with friends

Ready or not, Monday’s almost here. We’ve got what you need to prep for the week ahead — from the biggest conversation starters to the most important dates. Who says Sundays have to be scary?

“I want to be human”

— Bing, Microsoft’s AI-powered chatbot. You can’t always get what you want.

Eyes On

Abortion Pills

The Story

Access to abortion pills has become one of the latest battles in the fight over reproductive healthcare — and it could come to a head this week.

Tell me.

Currently, the fate of mifepristone — the first of two medications used to end pregnancies — is in the hands of one federal judge in Texas. That’s because, in November, a group of anti-abortion advocates filed a lawsuit challenging the decades-old FDA approval of the drug. They said the agency chose “politics over science” and used an accelerated drug review process. In response, FDA called the lawsuit “extraordinary and unprecedented,” adding that the drug’s approval came about four years after the manufacturer filed the initial application. The American Medical Association said that taking the pill off the market would have a “severe, almost unimaginable cost.”

What happens next?

The judge could make a decision as early as Friday. If he sides with the anti-abortion group, the FDA would have to pull the drug from the market nationwide. His decision could also impact the White House’s recent efforts to expand access to medication abortions — like allowing pharmacies to offer pills directly to patients. That would leave abortion care providers with two options: a misoprostol-only regimen or surgical abortions. Pulling the drug would mean that 40 million women could lose access to abortion care. Keep in mind: Even if the judge sides with the FDA, many states in the US already have restrictions on medication abortions. Many experts say more could be on the way. So in the meantime, some doctors and abortion advocates are reportedly urging people to pre-order and stockpile abortion pills while they still can.

theSkimm

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, around 300 bills — both restricting and protecting abortion access — have reportedly been proposed in the US. This court ruling could make the ripple effects even greater.

What's Happening

📰 In news…

Jimmy Carter, who at 98 is the longest living US president, has decided to receive hospice care at home in Georgia, so he can “spend his remaining time” with family. The Supreme Court canceled hearing arguments about Title 42, after the Biden admin said the controversial immigration policy would soon be moot. Speaking of President Biden, he got declared “fit for duty” at his annual physical — just ahead of an upcoming trip to Poland to mark of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, over the weekend, lots of Washington officials were at the Munich Security Conference. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy opened the “Davos of defense” by asking Western allies for more support, while Russia itself was apparently banned.

💻 In the workforce…

Millennials are having a different kind of midlife crisis — not that they have much choice. But if they can’t switch careers, nonlinear days might make work, well, work for them. After millions of women lost their jobs during the pandemic, they’re now outpacing men in returning to the workforce. And these days, more and more employees with hard-to-pronounce names are setting the record straight.

🌎 In science…

Scientists got a new peek at how fast Antarctica’s “Doomsday Glacier” is melting. There’s a new theory about how pandemics begin, and a new idea about how to end them. Meanwhile, far away from Earth, neutron stars are colliding and Jupiter’s moons are glowing.

Bookmark'd

Here's a look at the reads we’ve saved, texted, and emailed to our friends…

Get Me Risa Heller!...behind these powerful men is — you guessed it — a very powerful woman.

Judging Parents Online Is a National Sport…no surprise, parenting’s even harder in the age of social media.

Five Hours at the Unofficial Starbucks of New York Fashion Week…even the fashion elite need a frappuccino.

Why the Metaverse Is Becoming a Popular Tool to Teach Black History…virtual reality is giving kids the chance to see the past through a new lens.

Skimm Picks

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

1. Lightweight leggings that feel like a soft hug. Movement’s made easy with these Nike Zenvy Leggings. They’re durable, squat-proof, and juuuust tight enough to be supportive (but not restrictive). Plus, you can store your phone in the back pocket. Softness that lasts, coming right up.*

2. How to keep your floors clean without lifting a finger. Or breaking your back. This robot vacuum doesn’t just tackle carpets, hardwood, and tile. It also self-cleans, thanks to its automatic dirt disposal feature. Plus Skimm’rs can save over $300 today.*

3. Tons of great products at Consumerhaus. This online marketplace is one of our favorite ways to find sustainable items, BIPOC-owned brands, and more. Curation done right.

Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes here.

Sunday Scaries, Who?

Here’s one tip for a better start to your week.

Feeling down? Stressed? Lonely? All of the above? Turns out, there’s a simple solution: getting by with a little help from your friends. While not necessarily groundbreaking, it is scientifically proven that our friendships make us happier and healthier. So we can’t think of a better way to beat the Sunday scaries. Now, a few things to keep in mind…

Give them a ring. A quick ‘how are you’ call or text can be more powerful than you think. But you might also find it helpful to schedule a regular catch-up with a friend who lives far away — say, every Sunday, so you can boost each other up for the week ahead.
Have a hangout. Grab a coffee, a drink, even a taco…really, whatever floats your boat. Whether you’re a social butterfly, a couch potato, or both, having a brief hangout can do wonders for both you and your friend. Also, even if they can’t hang out that day, extending the invite is still a way of connecting.
Try something new. Want some new friends in your life? We know, making friends as an adult isn’t easy. So if you’re looking to widen your circle, think about your own interests. Do you like sports? Check out local rec leagues. Are you a book lover? There’s definitely a book club for that.

Save the Date

Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about...

The premiere of E!’s new movie, “Why Can’t My Life Be A Rom-Com?” 9 pm ET. Get ready to fall in love.*

The Daytona 500 begins at 2:30 pm ET. Ready, set, go.

The 72nd NBA All-Star Game tips off at 8:30 pm ET. Sure to be a slam dunk.

Presidents Day. More in your inbox tomorrow.

Mardi Gras. Time to go all out in purple, green, and gold.

PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it here.