Daily Skimm: Don’t cry over spilled condiments

"The trials and tribulations of all mothers" – A woman's response to a video of a mama bear trying to gather her rambunctious cubs. A mother's job is never den.

The Looking Glass

The Story

Scientists are looking at the past to prepare for the future.

That's deep.

Sure is. Yesterday, the World Health Organization released its report on the origins of COVID-19. For months, dozens of countries pushed China to let the WHO investigate how the pandemic got started. After a series of delays, China let in 13 WHO researchers earlier this year to do some digging. But there were restrictions. The scientists couldn't access raw data like biological samples. And when writing up the report, Chinese scientists – reportedly affiliated with the government – got a say in the conclusions.

What did the report say?

That there were four ways the virus could have gotten to humans: 1) direct transmission from an animal, 2) transmission via an intermediate animal host, 3) via frozen food, or 4) a lab accident. The report says (2) is most likely – that it jumped from bat to another animal before infecting humans. And dismissed the lab accident as the least likely option. But the WHO director-general said that the lab theory "requires further investigation" and that "all hypotheses remain on the table." It was the WHO's most confrontational comments yet toward China. And came as the US and more than a dozen other world leaders criticized the study for the lack of access to data. But even as the world still reels from COVID-19, leaders are looking ahead.

What do you mean?

Yesterday, the leaders of more than two dozen countries, the European Council, and the WHO released a joint statement calling for an international treaty to address future pandemics. The treaty would take cues from international collaboration after World War II and work to provide universal and equitable access to vaccines, medicine, and PPE – unlike what we're seeing now. Because, as world leaders are warning, the question isn't if we'll see another pandemic, but when.

theSkimm

The world's been waiting to find out the origins of the coronavirus. But with unsatisfying answers, world leaders are now focusing on a different question: 'what do we do when this happens again?'

And Also...This

What we're learning more about…

George Floyd's death. Yesterday marked day two in Derek Chauvin's murder trial. The courtroom heard testimony from six people, including from four witnesses who were minors at the time of Floyd's death. They all shared the emotional toll it has taken on them, with one saying "there was nothing" she could do. The teen who recorded the viral video of the incident said she's spent many nights "apologizing" to Floyd for not doing more to save him. A nine-year-old witness remembered feeling "sad and kind of mad" at how Chauvin kneeled on Floyd's neck. Another witness, who's an EMT and firefighter but was off-duty at the time, testified that police prevented her from checking Floyd's pulse. The trial continues today with more witnesses.

What people are paying attention to…

Anti-Asian violence. Earlier this week, a 65-year-old Asian American woman was attacked in broad daylight near New York City's Times Square. Video shows a man kicking the woman, stomping on her face, and reportedly shouting anti-Asian slurs. She suffered serious injuries and is recovering at the hospital. The video also shows several bystanders doing nothing to intervene, one even closing the door as the woman struggled on the ground. NYPD has released photos of the suspect and is investigating the attack as a hate crime. It was the fifth known anti-Asian attack in New York in just the past week – and came amid nationwide calls to "Stop Asian Hate."

• New action: Yesterday, President Biden announced the DOJ and FBI will be addressing gaps in hate crime reports, including through an updated data system. And the president's also reinstating a White House initiative to combat anti-Asian bias.

The US has a long history of anti-Asian racism. Here's what you need to know about the country's past discrimination against the AAPI community and how you can help combat it.

What could be getting its legal team ready…

Georgia. The state's been hit with three lawsuits over its new voting restrictions. Last week, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed a Republican-led state bill that limits the use of ballot drop boxes, shortens the early voting period for runoffs, and imposes new ID requirements for absentee ballots. Republicans said the changes would help build election integrity and prevent fraud. But voting rights activists are calling it voter suppression and filing suits – with the latest coming from the ACLU, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the Southern Poverty Law Center on behalf of several groups.

• Speak up, or else: Atlanta-based companies (like Delta Airlines and Coca-Cola) are facing boycott calls for not doing enough to combat the new laws. And the PGA Tour and MLB are facing pressure to pull sporting events scheduled in Georgia.

What's got people comparing brackets...

The Final Four. On the men's side: it's Houston vs. Baylor and UCLA vs. Gonzaga. And on the women's: Arizona vs. UConn and South Carolina vs. Stanford. Next up: the semifinals, happening this weekend.

What got a flat...

Voltswagen.

Skimm’d While Listening to History

Every week, our co-founders Carly and Danielle talk career advice with inspiring, noteworthy women on our podcast, "Skimm'd from the Couch." And this Women's History Month, every episode featured a woman who made history this past year. The last episode dropped today, but you're really gonna wanna listen to them all. We've gone deep on...

• Asking for more responsibility and staying cool under pressure with NBC News Chief White House Correspondent and Weekend TODAY co-anchor, Kristen Welker.

• Managing relationships and building movements with Alicia Garza, Principal of Black Futures Lab and co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Global Network.

• Combating skepticism and listening to your intuition with Dr. Kathrin Jansen, the Head of Vaccine Research at Pfizer.

• Handling tough feedback and starting a new job remotely with Dara Treseder, the Head of Global Marketing at Peloton.

• Leading during a pandemic and expanding parental leave plans with Dr. Laura Forese, the COO of New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Btw, thanks for celebrating with us all month long. If you're not ready to say 'see ya' to Women's History Month just yet (same), head here for more.

Thing to Know

CO₂e

A standard unit for measuring something's carbon footprint. Also goes by carbon dioxide equivalent. It translates the impact of different greenhouse gases into one easy-to-understand number.

Brands like Cariuma are all about keeping those numbers low, low, low. They just launched sneakers with the lowest carbon footprint since...ever. Made from bamboo, sugarcane, and recycled plastics, Cariuma says that these 100% vegan, super cute slip-ons emit 5.48 kilograms of CO₂e. Aka about three times fewer emissions than the avg pair. PS: Skimm'rs get a special deal for a limited time. Step your sustainability game up. Literally.

Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life...

1. A self-care pick-me-up. Kristen Bell's line of clean, vegan, CBD skincare can help you relax when you need it most. Think: during a stressful day, after a workout or before bed. Yes, please.*

2. A super powder that can help your metabolism act younger. Yes, that's a thing. This female-founded wellness brand's best-selling metabolism booster also helps rev digestion, eliminate bloat, and curb sugar cravings. PS: Skimm'rs get 20% off. Go on.*

3. A fabric shaver to defuzz all your old sheets, sweaters, and towels. Why buy new when you can freshen up what you already own? Just a few quick swipes will get rid of those annoying tiny pill balls, leaving smooth fabric behind. Welcome to your new hobby.

4. A daily remedy that may help with spring allergies. These capsules are made from tinospora, nettles, butterbur, and spirulina. Aka they're all-natural, plant-based, and designed to provide sinus support. So dust and pollen don't ruin your day. Psst...we also recommend a saline nasal spray for those times when you just can't breathe out of your nose. Inhale, exhale.

PS: Like what you see here? Make sure you're signed up to get more picks like these in your inbox every Monday. We've got exclusive shopping recs, streaming ideas, life hacks, and more.

Skimm’rs

We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

A real maestro...Chris R (KY). He started VIA Academy, which provides a free summer music education program for young aspiring classical musicians in remote and underrepresented communities. It's currently fundraising for this summer's program and has a goal of $70,000 by April 15. Music to our ears.

Sharing intel...Isabel W (OH). She's the co-founder of Bridging Tech, a nonprofit that provides kids with tech for equitable learning experiences. Ahead of Earth Day, the org's created a social media push for people across the US to host tech donation drives. Learn more.

(Some) Birthdays...Andrew Labovitz (GA), Ron Stocknopf Ben-Zeev (FL), Mike Patella (PA), Travis Odom (IN), Jake Gottsegen (FL), Stacie Echelbarger (WA), Samantha Sparks (IL), Yelena Ryabenkiy (FL), Andrea Brea (NY), Lauren Pendergast (NJ), Mary Hill (VA), Claudia Frankel (NJ), Elizabeth Olsem (IA), Jordan Luguerre (OR), David Grout (NY)

PS…we've also got a video wall to shout out a woman in your life who's making an impact on you. Check it out.

We've got product recs to help you spend (and save) smarter. Like a cold brew maker, an energy-saving LED light bulb, and a personalized teeth-whitening kit.

And if you're looking for other smart ways to spend your time…

• Listen to our news podcast "Skimm This" for clarity on the biggest stories of the week.

• Tune in to our career podcast "Skimm'd from the Couch" for tips to build your resume.

• Subscribe to our "Skimm Money" newsletter to keep up to date with your wallet.

• Sign up for our "Press Pause" newsletter for curated shopping, reads, and entertainment recs.

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• Download our app to get it all in one place.

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

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