Daily Skimm: How often do you need to be saved by a school of salmon?

August 23, 2021

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Quote of the Day

"You are not a horse. You are not a cow." – An FDA tweet, letting people know to not use animal meds to treat COVID-19. Someone give this intern a raise.

Flying in to Help

The Story

The Pentagon’s telling airlines to help with evacuation efforts from Afghanistan.

How can they do that?

Through the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) – a voluntary program that dates back to the 1950s. When activated, it allows the federal gov to call on commercial airlines to help during a national defense crisis. The US has only used it twice before: during the Gulf War and the Iraq War. Fast forward to 2021, and the Pentagon is ordering 18 planes from six airlines (including American, Delta, and United) to get ready for takeoff. These planes won’t be flying in and out of the international airport in Kabul. Instead, they’ll carry Americans and Afghan allies from intermediary stops like countries abroad. The Pentagon says this will give military aircrafts more time to focus on Kabul operations – where the airport is still in a state of chaos.

Tell me.

It's been about a week since the Taliban took control of Kabul. Thousands are still crowding the airport – hoping to be evacuated to safety. At least seven Afghans were reportedly crushed to death when trying to enter the airport – including the 2-year-old daughter of a former interpreter. Families are being separated – some reportedly landing in different countries. One Afghan woman went into labor mid-air while on an evacuation flight to Germany. President Biden said nearly 28,000 people have been evacuated since Aug 14. And that he's trying to get all the Americans and their allies out by next week. Tall order, considering the admin admits it doesn't know how many Americans are still there. Meanwhile, ISIS is reportedly posing a terror threat to the airport, forcing the US military to set up alt routes to get there. But the chaos is only a fraction of what’s happening across Afghanistan.

What do you mean?

Since last week, the Taliban has violently cracked down on protests in at least three provinces. And despite their attempt to rebrand, the group is reportedly hunting down people who worked with US and NATO forces. But in the mountains north of Kabul, the Taliban were reportedly met with a group of resistance fighters led by a local police chief – the first armed challenge to the militant group since it effectively took over. An opposition leader against the Taliban has reportedly called civil war “unavoidable.” In the meantime, humanitarian workers reportedly warn that 35 million Afghan civilians are in need of help amid rising food costs, bank closures, and little to no internet. Meanwhile, American officials say the Islamic State is an “acute” threat to Americans at the airport in Kabul. And that officials are working to stop any potential attacks there.

theSkimm

For 20 years, the US has spent trillions of dollars to build up Afghanistan into a country that could stand independently from the Taliban. The past week has shown that project was a failure. And the exit will be dissected for years to come.

And Also...This

Where people are watching…

Tennessee. Over the weekend, the state was hit with record rainfall and flash flooding, killing at least 22 people. Dozens are still missing. Thousands are without power. Some people reportedly yelled for help from their rooftops and others were trapped in cars as rising waters flooded homes. Officials issued a curfew while recovery efforts are in place – and are getting backup from the state's National Guard.

The Northeast. Yesterday, Tropical Storm Henri hit states like Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, leaving more than 130,000 people without power. Henri was initially a hurricane but got downgraded to a tropical storm before making landfall. Long Islanders and southern New Englanders braced for destructive flooding and fallen trees. But the storm isn’t over yet. It's been downgraded to a tropical depression. And for now, flash flood warnings are still in place in NY and northeastern Pennsylvania.

Where tensions are escalating…

Florida. Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) gave two school districts 48 hours to drop their mask mandates or risk state funding. Earlier this month, the governor signed an executive order banning schools from requiring masks for students, teachers, and staff. But thousands of students and employees throughout the country had to quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 or being exposed to the virus. So two districts defied DeSantis saying ‘look at the numbers.’ Now the gov’s saying ‘speaking of numbers, let’s talk salaries.’ And told districts it’ll withhold funding until they fall in line and let people in schools mask up or down depending on their (or their parents’) preferences. Board members are apparently ready to take legal action and stand behind their mandates saying this is about protecting children.

Not just schools: All of this comes as Orlando’s urging its residents to conserve water. That’s because there’s been a rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations there, which led to a liquid oxygen shortage. As it turns out, Orlando hospitals use the same liquid oxygen as the one used to treat the city’s water. Now officials are saying ‘save lives, shower less.’

...Oh and speaking of COVID-19, the FDA is expected to fully authorize Pfizer's vaccine as soon as today. Meaning, no more 'emergency use' in the title.

Where the economic crisis could be going from bad to worse…

Lebanon. Yesterday, the Lebanese government reportedly said it’s raising gas prices by 66%. For over a year, the country’s been struggling with rising inflation, high unemployment, and skyrocketing poverty rates. Think: the currency has lost 90% of its value since 2019. Major fuel shortages have left hospitals without power and led to lengthy blackouts – further crippling the country. Tensions from low fuel supplies earlier this month led to violence that left three dead. But things got worse this month when the country’s central bank couldn’t cover the cost of imported fuel with subsidized rates. Now, the gov apparently reached an agreement with the central bank to raise prices so subsidized imports can continue.

While people are waving 'bye gov'na' to Andrew Cuomo...

Who is another man who's out for $300?

Thing to Know

Reentry anxiety

A term for the stress, fear, hesitancy, dread, and/or overall discomfort people are feeling as certain COVID-19 restrictions ease, social cals fill up, and some classrooms and workplaces go IRL again.

With an(other) unusual back-to-school season in full swing, kids might need some help working through it. Experts suggest parents talk openly about the COVID-19 facts, create a coping plan, and ease them into the new routine before the first day hits. Boston Children’s Hospital can help you out with all of that. And provide more insight and advice. So check out their frequently updated resource library for answers to all your health Qs. Please and thank you.

Remember the ''Before Times'' (aka 2019)? In the last year, working moms have lost or quit their jobs, gender equality in the workplace was set back more than a decade, and women were getting burned out at faster rates.

We want to make sure that doesn’t get glossed over. Introducing: theSkimm’s Back to “Normal” Power Panel. As the world returns to pre-pandemic life, we’re taking a look at what a return to “normal” really looks like these days. Join our co-founders and co-CEOs Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg in conversation with Tina Tchen, Fatima Goss Graves, Ai-jen Poo, and Tami Forman on Thursday, Aug. 26 at 1pm ET. They’ll be talking about everything from how the pandemic impacted women in the workplace to how we can create a better version of “normal” as we know it. Sign up.

Psst: It’s free.

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

1. The snack collection of your dreams. Delivered to your doorstep. SnackMagic lets you choose from hundreds of foods, drinks, and merch to build the ultimate snack stash. With unique add-ons, like poolside accessories or a celeb video message. Plus, Skimm’rs get 10% off. Snack on.*

2. Eye makeup that’ll amp up your summer glow. And hide your all-nighters. This nourishing mascara-highlighter duo by Thrive Causemetics is designed to lengthen your lashes. And brighten your eyes. Aka give you that ‘I got 9 hours of sleep’ look. PS: Skimm’rs get $8 off.*

3. A healthy meal plan for your pup. This fresh dog food looks and tastes like real human food. Because bonus: it actually is. It’s got zero preservatives and can lead to fewer vet bills in the future. Psst...Skimm’rs get 50% off their first box.*

4. All your common bra questions answered. Like how to make them last, how to get the best fit when you're ordering 'em online, and so much more. Cheers to supporting your breast friends.

5. Useful products that’ll make a return to commuting way easier. Breaking up with that extra hour of sleep is hard enough. Here’s everything you need to get from home to the office.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

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.

Bean-ing helpful...Emma B (NY). She started a website that highlights specialty coffee shops in the NYC area. It’s part blog, part interactive map – and shines some light on indie coffee shops. Show a latte love.

Epid-ural we could ask for...Nisha J (FL). After years of investing in her education and exploring different careers, she passed her medical license board exam to become an official Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant. It's a (se)date.

(Some) Birthdays...Lindsay Sutton (MA), Paige Mengel (TN), Hannah Busha (NV), Janet Kizziar (AZ), Brian Norman (NE), Emily Maxwell (MS), Hobe Scholz (SC), Richard Tamayo (CA), Andrea Cuneo (CA), Lauren Nix (PA), Cody O'Connell (CT), Christine Wehrli (TX), Heather Taylor (MD), Maria Gable (NY), Elizabeth Cook (TX)

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

We rounded up go-to gifts for the newlyweds in your life. Think: An engraved cheese board, personalized luggage tags, and custom ceramic coasters.

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

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Skimm’d by Rashaan Ayesh, Mariza Smajlaj, and Julie Shain

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Daily Skimm: How often do you need to be saved by a school of salmon?

Flying in to Help

The Story

How can they do that?

Tell me.

What do you mean?

theSkimm

Where people are watching…

Where tensions are escalating…

Where the economic crisis could be going from bad to worse…

While people are waving 'bye gov'na' to Andrew Cuomo...

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