“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 List Goes On and On: Can “Contact Tracing” Help Get us Back to Normal Life?

April 13, 2020 0:12:02 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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

April 09, 2020 0:11:51 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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

April 08, 2020 0:12:26 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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

April 07, 2020 0:12:47 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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?

April 06, 2020 0:14:41 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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?

April 03, 2020 0:14:11 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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

The Wrong Kind of Stunning: 6.6M Americans File for Unemployment

April 02, 2020 0:15:38 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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

April 01, 2020 0:11:46 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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

March 31, 2020 0:13:15 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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

March 30, 2020 0:14:14 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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

March 28, 2020 0:22:32 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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

March 27, 2020 0:10:21 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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?

March 26, 2020 0:15:50 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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

March 25, 2020 0:14:16 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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

March 24, 2020 0:13:50 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

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