The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Lily Lines: A doctor’s powerful message about coronavirus

Plus, a callout for readers

By
March 22, 2020 at 8:15 p.m. EDT

This week:

Why the pandemic could be terrible for feminism, New Zealand decriminalizes abortion, and “Love Is Blind,” made for quarantine.

Quick hits

Today’s featured news

Powerful words about the pandemic, plus a callout for readers

Chicago doctor Emily Landon, an infectious disease specialist, was praised for remarks she made during a Friday news conference on the coronavirus pandemic. In less than 10 minutes, Landon spoke frankly about how small sacrifices today will prevent illnesses and deaths.

For an upcoming story, we want to know: Have you experienced an act of kindness during the coronavirus pandemic? It can be big or small: neighbors buying each other groceries, a laid-off worker getting tips, getting a nice email, a friend or family member reaching out to see how you are doing, etc. If you want to be featured, submit your random act of kindness here.

For more Lily coverage of the pandemic, here are tips for hosting the perfect virtual hangout, a college senior’s thoughts on how her final semester has been upended, your coronavirus coping kit, and one woman’s endeavor to connect unused masks and gloves with hospitals. Get live updates from The Washington Post here.

Why the pandemic could be a disaster for feminism

Women and girls stand to be disproportionately negatively impacted by the coronavirus crisis unless governments move to address disparities, according to a piece by Helen Lewis in the Atlantic. As past pandemics show, women’s economic status — as well as girls’ educational status — is often significantly affected because care work often falls on them. As Lewis points out, couples are already making tough decisions on how to divide the extra unpaid labor now that many families are confined to the home.

The takeaway, Lewis argues, is that we ought to prevent what happened during the Ebola and Zika outbreaks, which had long-lasting effects on gender equality in various countries. Researchers say politicians in both poor and rich countries should begin tracking gender and sex differences and take those into account when creating policy — emergency child-care provisions and financial stimulus packages paid directly to families could be steps in the right direction.

In Ohio, abortions halted during coronavirus response

As the U.S. government calls for hospitals to suspend unneeded operations, Ohio’s attorney general ordered clinics to halt many abortions under a new statewide health-care measure. That goes against the urgings of many medical professionals; in Washington state and Massachusetts, for example, officials clarified that pausing elective surgeries do not apply to abortions. As The Washington Post reports, several medical associations have advised against canceling or delaying the procedures, deeming them a key part of “comprehensive health care.” Advocates see the move by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R) as part of a conservative political agenda.

Four men executed in Delhi gang rape case

It was a case that sparked outrage across India and around the world. In 2012, a woman — known only as “Nirbhaya” — was brutally raped and murdered by multiple men aboard a chartered bus on her way home from a Delhi movie theater. She was traveling with her boyfriend, who was also assaulted but survived.

Police were able to locate six suspects in the attack including a 17-year-old, who was sentenced to three years in a juvenile correctional facility, and a school bus driver, who allegedly killed himself in prison shortly after a trial began. Four other men involved were ultimately convicted in 2013. On Friday, they were hanged at a jail in the Indian capital. According to official 2018 figures, a woman is raped every 16 minutes in India. While reports of rape are common, prisoners being executed for any crime in the country is rare.

Macy Freeman, multiplatform editor at The Washington Post

ICYMI

Four need-to-know stories in 100 words or less

1. This past week, Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) became the second lawmaker to make headlines for dumping large personal stock holdings amid market woes due to the coronavirus pandemic. The news has raised concerns given that she and Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) had publicly downplayed the economic risks associated with the virus. Loeffler has defended herself, saying her “investment decisions are made by multiple third-party advisors.”

2. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), the sole woman left in the presidential race, dropped out Wednesday. She endorsed former vice president Joe Biden, who’s leading in the delegate count. “Although I may not agree with the vice president on every issue, I know that he has a good heart,” she said in a video posted to Twitter.

3. New Zealand’s Parliament voted to decriminalize abortion. The new bill would allow unrestricted abortions in the first half of pregnancy and greatly loosen restrictions in the second half as well.

4. Nikki Haley, the former ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina governor, resigned from Boeing’s board of directors Thursday. In a letter to the aerospace company’s chief executive, Haley said she did not agree with the decision for certain companies and industries to request financial assistance amid the economic fallout caused by the coronavirus.

Comic

A single panel from Pepita Sandwich

Bella and Donna, two fictional characters created by comic artist Pepita Sandwich, are best friends trying to navigate adulthood. This week, they are craving the outdoors but staying inside anyway.

A quick Q&A

This week, we hear from actress Lisa Linke

Lisa Linke, who stars alongside Dax Shepard and Lake Bell in ABC’s “Bless This Mess,” has long made a name for herself in comedy television. The actress is also very politically engaged — she’s a firm believer in the women’s rights movement and is focused on getting people out to the polls.

What her co-stars are like in real life: “Not only are they funny, but they are truly the kindest people. Everyone — the cast, the crew, everyone in production. I love going to work. And we work on this cool ranch in Santa Clarita where there’s a llama and cows. It just could not be a more amazing experience.”

On why she’s so politically engaged: “I was very privileged to grow up in a household that instilled in me a sense of civic duty; my parents took them with me when they voted and explained the process to me and why it’s important to remain an engaged citizen. … It takes time and it takes effort, and I’m a firm believer in doing what’s best for everybody.”

On the lack of a female nominee in the 2020 election: “I really struggle this year, because I feel like we didn’t learn our lesson in 2016 about the misogyny that plays a role. … This is inherently a world built for and by men, so we mistrust women who speak out against powerful men.”

Lily Likes

Things we love but weren’t paid to promote

Manduka yoga mat

Now that gyms have closed, I’ve been finding creative ways to still work out. I’ve been doing livestreams at home with my favorite yoga studios here in Washington, D.C., and in Los Angeles, where I used to live. I love having this mat laid out in my living room, 24/7. It encourages me to stop for a down dog while making lunch or taking a break from my laptop screen. Not to mention, I can stretch while binge-watching television. It’s thick, cushiony and never slides. This mat is pricey, but I’ve often seen particular colors on sale at Nordstrom Rack.

Maya Sugarman, Lily video editor

Baiku

[bye-koo] Saying goodbye with a haiku

This newsletter was made while listening to:

“Are You Feeling Sad?” by Little Dragon, Kali Uchis

Listen to everything we’ve recommended here.

P.S. …

A quick, curated list of Team Lily’s go-to content this week

Disney’s latest heroine is like ‘a mini James Bond, but less smug,’ says Jameela Jamil

What author Celeste Ng wants you to know before you watch ‘Little Fires Everywhere’

‘I sometimes wish I could turn off my brain from everyday thoughts’: This is how I experience anxiety