“Skimm This” is a weekly news program that breaks down important stories from the past week and adds context and clarity to answer the questions on your mind. Every Thursday evening.
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Business, Unusual: Decoding Wall Street’s Unemployment Warnings
The House of Representatives is expected to pass another major stimulus bill to get more money into the hands of small businesses. We’ll dive into why convincing small businesses to put their names in the hat for this financial lifeline will still take some work. Meanwhile: this week’s new unemployment numbers are in. We’ll explain what “earnings season” is, and how the latest word from Wall Street could mean more bad news for workers. Also on today’s show: Georgia plans to take its first step towards normal life tomorrow. We’ll explain what that could mean for your state. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Only as Good as the Data: Newly Discovered Death Complicates COVID-19 Timeline
Officials say the first known death from COVID-19 in the US happened weeks earlier than they realized. We’ll tell you what that might mean for the projection models everyone has been relying on. Meanwhile: a new study shows that a drug some were hopeful about might not actually help fight COVID-19. We’ll look at how the search for a COVID-19 treatment is going. Also on today’s show: a new software update you might not want to miss. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Time for a Refresh: Small Business Relief Bill To Get a Vote
Last night, President Trump announced he’ll sign an executive order to suspend immigration into the US. But the administration has already made a number of changes to immigration procedures since the pandemic began. We’ll explain. Meanwhile: the Senate has reached a deal to refresh the Paycheck Protection Program. We’ll explain what that might mean for your favorite neighborhood bakery. Also on today’s show: an appeals court is allowing Texas to restrict abortion. We’ll dive into the debate over what medical procedures are considered ‘essential’ in the age of the pandemic. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Low Lows: Oil Prices Go Negative For First Time
Most public health experts agree: we need more testing to start lifting stay-at-home orders. But in the US, officials disagree on how to get more tests. We’ll explain how this impacts you. Meanwhile: people across the country defied social distancing measures this weekend to protest. We’ll explain what message protestors are trying to send. Also on today’s show: the price of oil dips into the negatives for the first time. We’ll look at why that happened and why it’s such a big deal. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Skimm Special: COVID-19 and Climate Change
Across the world, economies have essentially been on pause due to COVID-19. The unintended consequence? A significant decrease in air pollution and carbon emissions. We talked to climate experts about how the pandemic is highlighting the human impact on the planet. And what that can teach us about the steps individuals and governments need to take to tackle climate change. You’ll hear from: Dr. Elizabeth Sawin, co-director of Climate Interactive, a think tank that builds computer simulations related to climate change solutions. Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, which specializes in understanding Americans’ attitudes toward climate change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
That’s (Not) an Order: States Have Final Say About New White House Guidelines
The White House has new advice for states that might want to lift their stay-at-home orders. We’ll tell you what these new guidelines actually mean for you. Meanwhile: you might be hearing a lot about a new antiviral drug that could be used to fight COVID-19. We’ll explain why doctors say remdesivir has a lot of promise, but also a few shortcomings. Also on today’s show: millions of people are still waiting for their stimulus checks. We’ll look into the reasons your payment might not have come yet. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A Trend Everyone Hates: Unemployment Rises by the Millions (Again)
For the fourth week in a row, US unemployment claims have risen by the millions. We’ll explain what Congress is doing to try to curb that trend. Meanwhile, there’s a new test that some say could help us get back to normal life. We’ll break down what these antibody tests are all about. Also on today’s show: we’ll explain why — despite orders to stay put — some people are venturing outside to protest. This morning, theSkimm hosted a live online presentation, Unemployment, Skimm’d. We explain what the latest unemployment numbers mean for your wallet, and how to navigate the unemployment benefits process. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Your Shopping Cart Misses You: Retail Has One of its Worst Months Ever
A new report from the US Commerce Department says shopping carts across America are way emptier than usual. We’ll tell you what a drop in retail sales means for the rest of the economy. Meanwhile: President Trump says he’s halting funding to the World Health Organization. We’ll dive into how this could impact the global fight against COVID-19. Also on today’s show: after a week of negotiations, ten airline companies will accept billions of dollars in federal aid. We’ll explain how that aid impacts us. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work?: States Unite to Coordinate COVID-19 Response
States are teaming up to figure out how and when to lift their stay-at-home orders. We’ll explain why that’s causing tension with the White House. Meanwhile: over 80 million people are supposed to get their stimulus payouts by tomorrow. We'll tell you who that applies to and who’s left out. Also on today’s show: a US Navy sailor has died after COVID-19 spread onboard the USS Roosevelt. We’ll look at why the military’s handling of these outbreaks is becoming a big story. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The List Goes On and On: Can “Contact Tracing” Help Get us Back to Normal Life?
There’s been a lot of talk lately about when it’s OK to ‘reopen the economy.’ Public health experts say one thing that could get us to that point is contact tracing. We’ll explain why. Meanwhile: meat processing plants across the country have been shutting down over COVID-19 concerns. We’ll look at what this means for the food supply chain and those who work in it. Also on today’s show: there’s some big news about the global oil supply. We’ll tell you what it could mean for you at the gas pump. Plus: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders officially endorses his old rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jump in Line: As Unemployment Grows, States Struggle to Keep Up
This week’s new unemployment numbers are in, and things still aren’t good. We’ll look at what states are doing to keep up with the worsening jobs crisis. Meanwhile: as unemployment skyrockets, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is making moves to keep essential workers at work. Also on today’s show: grocery shopping during a pandemic already has its challenges, but food banks across the country are facing a lot more hurdles. We’ll explain why. Plus: how far can you take social distancing? Try outer space. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Numbers Talk: How the Pandemic is Affecting African Americans
We’re seeing clearer trends that black Americans may be at disproportionately higher risk of falling ill and dying from COVID-19. We’ll break down why public health experts say this is happening. Meanwhile: Wuhan — the Chinese city where the pandemic started — ended its 76-day lockdown. We’ll look at what’s next for its residents. Also on today’s show: Europe’s top finance officials left a never-ending meeting deadlocked. We’ll tell you why that’s a big deal. Also, big 2020 news today as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders makes his way to the exit. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Odd One Out: Wisconsin Votes IRL During Pandemic
Voters are heading to the polls to cast their ballots in the Wisconsin primary despite orders from the governor to stay home. We’ll dive into the drama and look at what voting during a pandemic could mean for November’s general election. Meanwhile: President Trump has been promoting a drug that he says is a ‘game-changer’ for the fight against COVID-19. But America’s top medical officials are urging caution. We explain the big debate over hydroxychloroquine. Also on today’s show: Japan was one of the first countries to deal with COVID-19 cases, but only just enacted its strongest stay-at-home measure. We look at why the country waited until now to declare a state of emergency. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rough Road Ahead: Are Hospitals Ready for This Week?
Health officials are warning that this will be an especially tough week. Are hospitals ready? A new federal report gives us an indication. Meanwhile: the United Nations says that reported incidents of domestic violence are on the rise during the pandemic. We’ll look into why that is. Also on today’s show: we share a few ways you can say thanks to healthcare workers near you. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-7233. If you're unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Time for a Check-Up: Should Everyone Wear A Mask?
When news broke that COVID-19 had hit the US, many of us were told not to wear masks unless we were sick. Now the US government is reportedly reconsidering that guidance. We’ll tell you why. Meanwhile, US unemployment data for the month of March just got released. We’ll break down what the numbers mean and why they’re getting so much attention today. Also on today’s show: we check up on New York’s new floating hospital, and explain why celebrities are reading children’s books on social media. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices