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| | | Quote of the Day | | | "Bennifer" – A thing that may be making a comeback. Or not. Who knows. Live your lives, JLo and Ben Affleck. | | | | | |
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The Story Genetically modified mosquitoes are buzzing in Florida. No thanks. Don't swat away this story just yet. Mosquitoes are some of the deadliest animals in the world, infecting tens of millions of people with dengue, yellow fever, malaria, and Zika. Oxitec – a British biotech company – is trying to change that. As part of a pilot program, the company's releasing about 12,000 genetically modified mosquitoes a week in the Florida Keys over the next 12 weeks. The goal is for these 'GMMs' to eventually kill off disease-carrying mosquitoes, like the Aedes aegypti. How does it work? A killer gene. Since female Aedes aegypti are the ones that bite humans and spread diseases, Oxitec created male Aedes aegypti with a gene that kills them off. Once the two mate, the gene is passed on to their offspring, killing the young females before reaching adulthood. These male mosquitoes can also glow under a special red light – making them easily identifiable by scientists, while keeping the killer gene lineage going. Eventually, the Aedes aegypti mosquito population would die. But not everyone's buzzing about the news. What do you mean? This experiment – considered an alternative 'insecticide' – has had about a 90% success rate in countries like Brazil and Malaysia, according to the company. But it's taken Oxitec a decade to get a stamp of approval from US regulators. Some scientists are eager to see if it works but others worry the mosquitoes could lead to an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. And Keys residents have been protesting the experiment (billboards and all) over concerns it could harm the Florida ecosystem. theSkimm Technology is rad. Mosquitoes, not so much. Now, Florida's looking to eliminate a species of mosquitoes altogether. And depending on its success, it could help curtail the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. | | | | | |
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What's telling the LGBTQ+ community 'I see you'... The Biden admin. Yesterday, it said health care providers can't discriminate against transgender people. Last year, the Trump admin removed Affordable Care Act guidelines that included gender identity in the definition of sex discrimination. And critics said it opened the door for hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies to deny medical care to LGBTQ+ people. Now, the Biden admin's hitting the 'undo' button, saying that a 2020 Supreme Court ruling that protects LGBTQ+ employees from discrimination also applies to health care. Assistant Health Sec Dr. Rachel Levine (the highest-ranking openly trans gov official) said the change is "to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans." But a conservative think tank said the change is government overreach and "politicizes medicine." -
Timeliness: Earlier this year, Arkansas and Mississippi passed laws targeting trans youth. It's unclear how the Biden admin's rule change would affect these states. But one analysis found at least 33 others have intro'd over 100 bills targeting transgender Americans. -
More on the agenda: President Biden has urged Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would expand discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Americans. But it could face an uphill battle in the Senate. | | | | | |
Where the sirens are going off... Jerusalem and Gaza. For weeks, tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have been boiling over the possible evictions of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem. Yesterday, amid an Israeli national holiday, some Palestinians threw stones at Israeli police from within the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The police then entered the compound – Islam's third holiest site – firing tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades. The clashes left hundreds of Palestinians and more than a dozen Israeli police officers injured. Things escalated from there. Hamas fired dozens of rockets from Gaza into Israel, including six as far as Jerusalem. Israel retaliated with airstrikes into Gaza, by one count killing at least 20 people – including nine children. The UN is calling for an end to the violence. But fighting between both sides has continued into today. | | | | | |
What could be better than summer camp... Getting vaccinated. Yesterday, Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine got FDA approval for emergency use in children ages 12-15. The vax is expected to go to 'science court' tomorrow, where the CDC will decide whether to give it the green light. While kids have largely been spared from serious coronavirus symptoms, getting millions more Americans access to a vaccine could give the US a better shot at reaching herd immunity. | | | | | |
What's not earning rave reviews... The Golden Globes. Yesterday, NBC said it won't air the show next year amid criticism that its organizer (hi, Hollywood Foreign Press Association) has no Black members. The HFPA says change is a "top priority." But Hollywood is tired of waiting.
Facebook. Yesterday, 44 US attorneys general called on the social media giant to stop its plans for a kid-version of Instagram because it could affect their developmental health. Facebook says 'kids are online anyway' and that it's working with child experts on the new platform. | | | | | |
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|  | | | PSA: it's Masturbation Month. Yes, that's a thing. And to celebrate, we're gonna help you get to know (drumroll please) your pelvic floor.
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support key organs like your bladder and uterus. It's important to have a strong one to help with things like bladder control. One thing that could help work it out? Frequent masturbation. Oh, and some experts say a stronger pelvic floor = a stronger orgasm. Win, meet win.
If you're looking for help getting busy, Dame Products has you covered. With toys and accessories like lube and arousal serum that can work together to help you stay strong and satisfied. Do it to it. | | |
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| | Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life...
1. A magical summer dessert machine. Just add frozen fruit (plus any mix-ins) to this treat maker. And get something chilled and creamy in return. Think: the intersection of ice cream, sorbet, and custard. Psst...it's on super sale 'til midnight tonight. Go, go, go.*
2. The most comfortable leggings on Earth. This female-founded brand's TLC leggings are super soft and lightweight. Oh, and extremely flattering. Thanks to a high-waisted, elastic-free waistband with just-right compression. Btw, Skimm'rs get 20% off with code SKIMM. Go on.*
3. 21 smart gifts for recent grads in your life. It's time to swap out their Solo Cups and textbooks for some stuff that screams 'I'm an adult now.' Cheers to their hard-earned diploma.
4. Two products that'll make your bathroom look brand new. We're talking a grout pen that'll refresh your tile floor, and a cleaner that'll make your shower sparkle. The grout pen has a precision tip so you can cover every corner. And the shower cleaner doesn't require any tough scrubbing. Big sigh of relief.
5. A five-year memory book that only calls for a line a day. So you can record what you're thinking, a specific memory, or a wish for the future. It's a great way to reflect without the pressure to write an entire journal entry. At the end of the five years, you'll be able to look back and see your progression.
PS: Like what you see here? Make sure you're signed up to get more picks like these in your inbox every Thursday. We've got exclusive shopping recs, streaming ideas, life hacks, and more. | | | *PS: This is a sponsored post. | | | |
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|  | | | Just like us, Fidelity understands how much healthcare workers have sacrificed day after day to help their communities during these unprecedented times. Together, we're honoring Skimm'r nurses, doctors, physician assistants, EMTs, pharmacists, and other frontliners. From the bottom of our hearts: thank you.
Career moves...Beth M (PA). She finished PA school in the middle of the pandemic with a job all lined up. She's now working in the Leukemia ward of UPMC Shadyside.
Delivering care...Dr. Stacy (OR). She worked in the emergency department while pregnant. And is now back at work helping to combat the coronavirus after delivering a healthy son.
(Some) Birthdays...Emma Golkin (NY), Mackenzie Berger, Chelsea Gray (NY), Marta Checko (NY), Keirstin McHenry (FL), Allie Segura (LA), Julie Jordan (GA), Sunwoo Oh (NY), Carrie Edwards (NJ), Mckenna Paddock (WA), Tamara AL-Yassin (CA), Mariana Hyslip (NJ), Jessica Paz (CA), Chelsea Gray (NY), Lorenzo Edwards (MI)
PS: we're keeping the appreciation fest going 'til May 12. Share your story or nominate a friend, family member, neighbor or other healthcare hero here for a chance to be featured. | | |
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| | 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 "Skimm Your Life" newsletter for curated shopping, reads, and entertainment recs. -
Follow us on the gram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. -
Download our app to get it all in one place. | | |
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| | Friends don't let friends get bogged down in headlines. So click that share button to send theSkimm to your network. Because, as they say, sharing is caring. | |  |  | | | Or use this referral link theskimm.com/?r=41fd50f9 | | |
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| Skimm'd by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain | |
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