“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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The Wrong Kind of Stunning: 6.6M Americans File for Unemployment
We woke up this morning to some record-breaking unemployment numbers — as huge as they are, they may not even be showing the full picture. We’ll explain why. Meanwhile: the US’s secret stockpile of emergency medical equipment is running low. We’ll explain what the stockpile is and why this is happening at precisely the wrong moment in history. Also on today’s show: two cruise ships get the green light to dock in Florida after days of pleading. We tell you why more cruise ship drama is likely to come. This morning, theSkimm hosted a live presentation: Recessions, Skimm’d. We explained what recessions are, why they’re a big deal, and how you can be prepared for when one comes up. 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 Few Very Bad Weeks: Forecasting COVID-19 in the US
The US intelligence community is reportedly warning that China hid key info about the severity of its COVID-19 outbreak. We’ll walk you through what that could mean for other countries that relied on Chinese data as they crafted their own epidemic response plans. Meanwhile: it’s Census Day. We’ll explain what that means and how COVID-19 is complicating the count. Also on today’s show: more states are telling residents to stay at home after the White House revealed models showing dire statistics about the likely course of the COVID-19 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
COVID-180°: Convention Centers and Parks Become Hospitals
A US Navy Captain is pleading for help containing a COVID-19 outbreak onboard an American aircraft carrier in Guam. We’ll explain why the Navy is facing similar problems as cruise ships, and why having a nuclear power plant and fighter jets on board make this situation totally different. Meanwhile, a field hospital opened today on a grassy patch of Central Park, famous for its sunbathers and picnickers. We look at why these makeshift medical facilities are cropping up all over the country. Also on today’s show: a story so cute, we can’t even bear it. 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
Strike Now, Shop Later: Delivery Workers Want More Pay for More Risk
Grocery delivery workers went on strike today. We’ll explain how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the delivery industry and how consumers can respond. Meanwhile: the White House extends social distancing guidelines until the end of April. But it remains up to states to decide how to actually enforce them. We look at a few approaches different states are taking. Also on today’s show: trivia night just got a reboot. 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: Equal Pay
It’s 2020 and women’s median earnings are about 80 cents for every dollar a man makes. Cool cool. That’s known as the gender pay gap. Ahead of Equal Pay Day on March 31st, we wanted to find out why this gap has persisted for so long, and what’s being done about it. That includes steps you can take. Yes, you. We talked to: Jennifer Klein, chief strategy and policy officer for Time’s Up Claire Wasserman, founder of ladiesgetpaid.com Maria Colacurcio, CEO of pay analysis software Syndio Skimm more: Wasserman recommends approaching your HR department about setting up a professional sponsorship program. Here’s what that can mean. Research has shown that salary transparency can help close the gender pay gap. Read up here and here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The COVID-19 Stimulus Package
President Trump just signed the most expensive relief bill in US history, but it wasn’t exactly a cakewalk. We explain the drama that had lawmakers scrambling to fly back to the Capitol. Meanwhile, officials at the World Health Organization have been warning for weeks that developing nations could have a tougher time coping with COVID-19. We break down why that is and why more developed nations should care. Also on today’s show: what it means now that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for COVID-19, and the new fashion trend that Walmart says WFH life is driving. 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
3.3 Million Americans File for Unemployment: Is Help on the Way?
The latest US unemployment numbers are in. They’re historic, and not in a good way. We’ll break down the data and look at how Congress is trying to patch up the unemployment insurance system in the middle of a health crisis. Meanwhile: how do world leaders hold an emergency summit when they’re supposed to be social distancing? We’ll explain the plan G20 leaders put together to fight COVID-19 while governing-from-home. (Here’s what their WFH confab looked like.) Also on today’s show: how dating sites are helping people connect remotely. 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 Really Big Deal: Inside Congress’ COVID-19 Relief Bill
Senate leaders say they’ve reached a historic deal to help Americans and American businesses deal with the economic fallout of COVID-19. The $2 trillion relief package will also steer billions of dollars to hospitals and local governments to respond to the ongoing health crisis. We’ll tell you what’s (probably) in the bill and why each part of it matters. Meanwhile, New York is being called an ‘epicenter’ of COVID-19. We’ll explain why New York has been hit so hard and what the rest of the country might be able learn from its experience. Also on today’s show: states are asking Amazon and other online retailers to do more to crack down on COVID-19 price gouging, and our recs for the best zoo webcams (links below). Here’s a penguin frolicking through a field at the Santa Barbara Zoo Here are live streams of snow leopard cubs at the Melbourne Zoo Here’s a live feed of a coral reef in Australia 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
Not Playing Games: 2020 Summer Olympics Postponed
The 2020 Summer Olympics won’t be happening in summer 2020 anymore. We’ll explain how the decision to postpone the Olympics could impact more than your TV habits. Then: officials around the US are ordering the release of some inmates as a way to slow down COVID-19. Plus: we look at how the pandemic could complicate November’s general election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Two Strikes: The Senate’s Economic Stimulus Bill
The Senate is divided over a bill that’s supposed to help Americans deal with the economic fallout of COVID-19. We’ll tell you the latest. Meanwhile, President Trump appears anxious to send Americans back to the office. We’ll tell you why, and what other officials have to say about it. Also on today’s show: why some private companies might help the government produce hospital equipment, and a distance runner’s solution for working out at home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Don’t Panic! At the Supermarket: Understanding the Supply Chain
The US is sealing itself off from its neighbors, with big restrictions on the Mexico and Canada borders. We’ll explain why, and take a look at the other big COVID-19 news of the day. Meanwhile, if you’ve been to a supermarket lately, you may have noticed shelves looked a bit...grim. But experts say: don’t panic. Also on today’s show: we spoke with Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator. If you want to send a message to a loved one reminding them why it’s important to keep social distancing, let us be your megaphone. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mission Zero: China’s Big COVID-19 Milestone
China just reported no new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases for the first time since the outbreak began. We’ll explain why that’s great news, but why China isn’t quite out of the woods just yet. Meanwhile, the federal government is giving Americans three extra months to pay their taxes. But taxpayer beware! That April 15th tax filing deadline is still very much a thing. Also on today’s show: we’ll look at why ‘panic-buying’ groceries isn’t the most urgent food issue we should be worried about. We’d love to hear your tips for helping your community during the COVID-19 outbreak. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Not All Heroes Wear Capes: Health Workers Brace for COVID-19
Healthcare workers are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll dive into the risks they’re facing as they work around the clock to save lives. Meanwhile, the US government is coming up with ways to help Americans cope with the economic crisis. We’ll explain why one option being discussed is checks in the mail. Also on today’s show: one listener tells us how she’s ‘Zoom’-ing in to keep her community together. We’d love to hear your tips for helping your community during the COVID-19 outbreak. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. ** Dr. Lewis Nelson is the Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and also a practicing physician treating patients at University Hospital. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This is New: Voting During a Pandemic
The COVID-19 caseload in the US topped 5,000 today, but Florida, Illinois and Arizona kept calm and carried on with primary voting. Meanwhile: are we on the cusp of a lockdown? We’ll explain how federal and local governments are differing in their responses. Also: COVID-19 could create a new kind of medical problem. Listen to what’s keeping the CEO of the American Red Cross up at night. We’d love to hear your tips for helping your community during the COVID-19 outbreak. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. If you or someone you know would like to donate blood, you can learn more at: redcross.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Taking Shape: The Fed’s Plan to Stabilize the Economy
The Federal Reserve dusted off its Great Recession playbook on Sunday to find ways to boost the US economy. It cut interest rates to close to zero percent and will buy up $700 billion in financial assets to help get the economy through the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll break down what these new steps could mean for you and how markets reacted. Meanwhile, social distancing is the new going out. We’ll explain why you should get on board. Also on today’s show: a big commitment at last night’s CNN debate, and a forgery of biblical proportions. We’d love to hear your tips for helping your community during the COVID-19 outbreak. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices