— The amount of sleep elephant seals apparently get per day while at sea. And we thought we were tired.
Eyes On
Self-Defense Laws
The Story
In the last two weeks, four shootings sparked by everyday mistakes resulted in seven people being injured or killed. That's reignited conversations about self-defense laws.
Fill me in.
There was the teenage boy in Missouri who rang the wrong doorbell. The woman in New York whose boyfriend accidentally turned into the wrong driveway. The two cheerleaders in Texas whose group approached the wrong car. And the family in North Carolina, who was shot after a basketball rolled into the suspect's yard. While apparently believed to still be relatively rare, some say that "wrong place, wrong time" shootings seem more common. That trend may be due to a number of factors, like increased distrust or a sometimes-racist fear of crime, marketing by the gun lobby, and self-defense laws in states that protect shooters. Those laws generally fall into two camps, though the way they're used state-to-state is different. One is the "castle doctrine," which says while someone is on their property, they can use deadly force in defense without retreating. The other includes "Stand Your Ground" laws, which extend that to public places, or anywhere someone with a gun has the legal right to be.
That sounds like a lot of places...
It is. And when it comes to "Stand Your Ground," it's all relatively new. The first "Stand Your Ground" law was passed by Florida in 2005. Since then, nearly 30 states and Puerto Rico have OK'd some version of it. While advocates of these laws say that they deter crime, critics say they do the opposite by encouraging a "shoot first" mentality — with some research indicating shooters are more likely to find success with self-defense claims if they are white, and their victim is not. And overall, "Stand Your Ground" laws have been connected to an 8% to 11% increase nationwide in monthly homicide rates, according to a recent study.
theSkimm
Four recent shootings over day-to-day interactions have brought the US's notoriously high gun violence back into the national conversation. And just how tragic that can be.
What's Happening
📰 In news…
As fierce fighting continues in Sudan, American forces evacuated US embassy personnel from the country's capital. Back at home, President Biden is expected to mark the four-year anniversary of his 2020 campaign launch with another campaign launch (yes, 2024). Also on Biden's agenda: meeting with the "Tennessee Three" state legislators and hosting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state visit. Meanwhile, the chair of the Senate Judiciary committee asked Chief Justice John Roberts to testify on SCOTUS ethics. TBD if he'll go. And in other Senate news, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) became the first woman to cast 10,000 votes on the Senate floor (something only 32 other senators have done…and surprise, all of them were guys). Plus, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed a bill into law restricting transgender healthcare, while Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) did the opposite, vetoing four anti-transgender bills — though, the state's GOP-led legislature is likely to override her.
💼 In business…
Bed Bath & Beyond is likely headed into the great, well, beyond. Meanwhile, furniture giant Ikea is getting even more giant, at least in the US. But affordable boxed furniture probably won't ease the sting of mortgage rates inching back up.Plus, 'tis the season for earnings reports: While Netflix reported mixed earnings, Tesla's stock plummeted like, well, flaming rocket debris. Keep an eye out for Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta, which are all coming up this week. Speaking of Meta, if you used Facebook in the US between May 2007 to December 2022 (so, all of you), you may be eligible for a share of its $725 million settlement. And while some workers are running to the nearest burnout retreat, others are saying 'hard pass' to retirement.
🩺 In health…
In COVID news, the FDA authorized another booster for some Americans. It comes as the Arcturus subvariant is spreading. And as researchers are looking at a variety of promising long COVID treatments, from hyperbaric oxygen therapy to psychedelics apparently. Meanwhile, more than one-third of Americans reportedly live in places with unhealthy pollution levels. And, when it comes to kids' eating habits, dads are far less researched than moms — but may have just as much of an impact. Though, an extra 10 minutes at dinner may be all you need to get your little ones to eat their fruits and veggies.
Bookmark'd
Here's a look at the reads we've saved, texted, and emailed to our friends…
On the Goop Cruise…what happens when a celebrity lifestyle brand ventures out to sea?
Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…
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Sunday Scaries, Who?
Here's one tip for a better start to your week.
We know. A chore? To fight Sunday scaries? But hear us out: Studies have shown that a cluttered, messy space at home is associated with higher levels of cortisol (aka, the stress hormone), feeling overwhelmed, and having a harder time focusing. So if you're feeling like both you and your home could stand to be a bit lighter and brighter, there's no better time for a little spring cleaning session. Here are a few tips to help you dive in:
Start simple. Cleaning the whole apartment? Great way to get overwhelmed on a Sunday. Instead, start with a task that's small and achievable, like picking up toys, washing the windows, or packing up winter clothes. You could also begin with the thing that's been bugging you most.
Ask yourself a few key questions. A big part of spring cleaning is making space. Because, out with the old, in with the new. If you're struggling with a case of decision paralysis, ask yourself if the item still brings you joy. Also, have you used it recently? Do you have a lot of things that are similar? Are you keeping it because you truly like it, or because you think you "should"?
Find a donation spot. Once you've decided what you no longer need, search for local charities or other places to donate. It may be easier to part with your old things if you know someone else will enjoy it.
Keep it up. Starting small on your first day of spring cleaning is a great way to build momentum. After that, set realistic goals for tackling other parts of your home. You could also dedicate a small amount of time weekly (think: 15 or 20 minutes) to completing other cleaning projects. And keep your new, clear space in mind when considering buying new items.
Do a little mental cleanup. Spring cleaning isn't just limited to your physical space.If your mind is also feeling dusty and cluttered, you can clean that up, too. Take a moment to make a list of the tasks, worries, and obligations that are bothering you as much as your SO's dirty laundry pile. Once it's on paper, divide it into manageable to-do's — so you can start spring as fresh as your home.
Save the Date
Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about...
In honor of National Arbor Day, plant a tree. Fir real.
The 2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner. Expect to see President Biden, VP Kamala Harris, their spouses, and "The Daily Show" correspondent Roy Wood Jr., who'll deliver the traditional roast.
PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it here.
News Quiz
Stumped by our news quiz yesterday? Here's the answer.
