Daily Skimm: You remind me of a girl that I once knew

"It brought tears to my eyes" – An ICU nurse, on a patient who played the violin to thank his health care workers. Anyone have a tissue?

Pass the Gravy, Hold the Travel

The Story

Health officials recommend against traveling for Thanksgiving.

This year is just getting better and better.

Truly. Right now, almost every single state is seeing an uptick in cases. While the holidays are right around the corner, the CDC says traveling not only increases your chance of getting the virus, but also of spreading it to friends and family. Reminder: You may not feel sick or show any symptoms, but that doesn't mean you're in the clear. And tests aren't foolproof. All this comes as states across the country have implemented restrictions on gatherings.

So, what do I do?

The CDC's recommendation? Stay home. Many Skimm'rs already got the memo and are planning to sit tight over the holiday. But one report found that up to 50 million Americans are still expected to travel. If you're one of them, and considering having a tough conversation with family, here are some tips. If you can't cancel plans, keep in mind that renting a car may be safer than traveling by train. And for air travel, pay extra attention to safety (think: masks, social distancing) at the airport. Yes, you can bring hand sanitizer.

I'll be staying put, thanks.

Good news then: If you were planning for a Zoom Thanksgiving, it can now last more than 40 minutes. Just enough time for another helping of dessert. There are also plenty of games and trivia you can play virtually as a group (see: Drawful, Among Us, and Kahoot). Also, now may be a great time to create new traditions, donate to orgs, or test out a new recipe.

theSkimm

This week brought really promising news from not one, but two vaccines. We all want to spend quality time with loved ones. But we're finally, maybe, in striking distance of beating this thing. Stay safe.

And Also...This

Where there are election updates...

Georgia. Yesterday, it finished its statewide hand recount of 5 million votes. And drum roll, please...it's still going to President-elect Joe Biden. Officials found more than 5,800 uncounted votes in the state. These were vote batches that reportedly weren't done being counted by Election Day or otherwise didn't make it to the Sec of State. Officials said there was no evidence of fraud...just human error. But since the margin of victory for Biden had been a little over 14,000 it was a big find. The majority of the uncounted votes went to Biden. But President Trump eked out 1,400 more votes for himself, narrowing the margin of victory to about 12,000 votes. Biden can now call himself the first Dem presidential nominee to take the Peach State since '92.

Michigan. Yesterday, the Trump campaign dropped its lawsuit in the state, which Biden won by more than 155,000 votes. It's one of the dozens of lawsuits that have been dismissed. But President Trump may not be giving up. Today, he's expected to meet with Republican state lawmakers. It's unclear what they'll chat about. But these lawmakers may have the power to appoint the state's electors – the ones who actually pick the president on December 14. The invite has people speculating if Trump's trying to pack the Electoral College with friendly faces. But the lawmakers have said they wouldn't overturn a Biden W. No comment from the Trump team.

What's creeping back up…

Unemployment. The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits has gone up for the first time in weeks. Yesterday, the Labor Dept said 742,000 people filed claims last week – up 31,000 from the week before. The increase comes as some people are running out of their state benefits amid the pandemic. And as about 12 million others are reportedly expected to lose benefits the day after Christmas. Meanwhile, Congress is heading OOO for the holidays without any stimulus package deal to provide relief.

What's reminding us that it's not all doom and gloom...

US greenhouse gas emissions. A new study says the country could see over a 9% decrease in emissions this year – the lowest level since 1983. It's in large part due to a drop in transportation since people are WFH and flights are down. Commute, party of none.

What's creating a Buzz…

HuffPost.

Feel Good Fryday

Doing good can make you feel good. And both are important, especially right now. Because 2020 has really dialed up the drama. But where to start? Try donating canned goods to a nearby food bank, volunteering with a charitable org (IRL or virtually), and/or turning your holiday list into a fundraiser for local causes you care about. So you can support your neighbors and improve your mood.

Want more inspo? Consider this: McDonald's gave Thank You Meals to essential workers during the pandemic and served hot meals to first responders and evacuees after Hurricane Laura. They also support Ronald McDonald House Charities in their mission of keeping families near the care they need when a child is sick. We're lovin' it.

Skimm Reads

"Cobble Hill" by Cecily von Ziegesar

The "Gossip Girl" author is back. But this time she's saying goodbye to the Upper East Side and hello to Brooklyn. Her latest is about four wildly different adult couples and all the chaos, tension, and turbulence that comes with living in Cobble Hill. It's definitely not Chuck, Blair, and Serena all grown up—but we loved it anyway. Xoxo.

Here are our favorite picks to help you take a break today...

1. 13 ways to increase your endorphins. Because, as you might have heard before...endorphins make you happy, and happy people don't…yeah, yeah, yeah, you know the rest.

2. The biggest Airbnb travel trends for next year. It's never too early to start manifesting things for 2021.

3. Three totally random things that made us happy: this Friendsgiving sweatshirt, some pie crust cutters, and these bow scrunchies.

PS: Want more? Sign up to get weekly recs in your inbox.

For when you know you're on Santas 'nice' list this year...

Treat yourself. Rachel Zoe's new fashion and beauty box is specially curated with pieces that retail for way more than you pay for them. And Skimm'rs that sign up for the first time get a discount with code SKIMM30. Happy holidays.*

For when counting sheep isn't cutting it…

Switch up your sheets. This company's eucalyptus bedding is soft, sustainable, and won't make you sweat. Plus, everything on their site is 30% off today. It's their biggest sale of the year. Shop now, sleep later.*

For when you're wondering if a midday nap is acceptable while WFH…

A better idea: Metabolism Super Powder from this celeb-fave wellness brand. It gives you an energy boost and revs up your digestive system. Plus, they're about to have their only sale of the year, when everything's 25% off. Aaand Skimm'rs get early access. Say 'bye,' 3pm slump.*

For when you were always told to dream big…

Pay it forward. By joining UNICEF in spreading awareness for World Children's Day (that's today) and supporting The Global Child Thrive Act. It's a bipartisan bill that will help more kids around the globe get the developmental support they need. Learn more.*

Skimm More

1. Last-minute shakeup in your Thanksgiving plans? We spoke to a chef on this week's episode of "Skimm This" about how to make quick menu changes if you're suddenly in charge of a (smaller) Thanksgiving meal.

2. We also know the holidays will look a bit different this year. We break down the CDC's guidelines to having a safe and healthy Thanksgiving.

3. 'Tis the season...to catch up with the cast of "Holidate." We texted with Kristin Chenoweth and Jessica Capshaw to talk holiday traditions. And Kristin shared her favorite memory from "Wicked."

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.

MasterClass with...Samantha PF (NY). She recently graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Master's in Environmental Science and Policy. She plans to use her degree and research to help agencies develop sustainable practices for natural resource management.

Going the distance...Madeleine R (MA). She's been running the Chicago Marathon for the past five years to raise money for a charity. But since it was canceled this year, she and her boyfriend decided to hike the Grand Canyon. Learn more.

(Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Jessica Pepper (NY), Kathy Roszak (IL), Anne Horowitz (PA), Elizabeth George (PA), Lisa Towler (NY), Heather Monte (NY), Janet Elias (NY), Kate Wahl (NY), Shivani Parikh (IL), Rachel Webster (GA), Noel Galuschik (CAN ), Kate Myette (RI), Michelle Andrizzi (NY), Rebecca Badiner (DC)

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

Skimm Share

Skimm HQ's pulling out the holiday lights. Share theSkimm with your friend who's already put up the tree.

Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Niven McCall-Mazza, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain

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