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As of Friday, more than 70,000 people in China were infected with the virus, and more than 2,200 had died. In the United States, there are 30 confirmed cases, including 14 passengers who tested positive for coronavirus after being evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Get more updates here.
First baby is born using new freezing technique
In the first instance of its kind, a woman gave birth to a baby after her immature eggs were collected, matured in a lab and frozen, according to fertility specialists at Antoine Beclere University hospital near Paris. As the Guardian reports, the procedure started when the unnamed woman was 29 and started chemotherapy for breast cancer. Because many cancer treatments are known to put fertility at risk, she opted for her early-stage eggs to be removed from her ovaries, matured in a lab and then frozen rapidly. Five years later, the woman had recovered from cancer but was unable to get pregnant. Specialists then thawed several frozen eggs and fertilized them with sperm injections; one developed into a healthy embryo. The woman gave birth on July 6, 2019, when she was 34.
The specialists involved in the procedure told the Guardian said it was not a particularly efficient process. What’s more, they said, the operation was invasive and could carry long-term risks if cancer cells are found in the ovarian tissue.
Warren and Klobuchar get the most speaking time during the Nevada debate
For the first time, women candidates — Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) — clocked in with the most speaking time during the ninth Democratic presidential primary debate in Nevada. Warren spoke for 16 minutes, 35 seconds; Klobuchar, just under 16 minutes.
The women featured prominently among the six candidates on the debate stage Wednesday, particularly Warren. She received a lot of attention after raising allegations of sexist comments by former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg and calling on him to release women from nondisclosure agreements. On Friday, Bloomberg said in a statement that he will allow his company, Bloomberg LP, to release three women from nondisclosure agreements if they “want to be released.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who won the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, won the Nevada caucuses on Saturday.
Katie Hill gives first interview since resigning from Congress
Former Rep. Katie Hill gave her first interview since resigning from Congress — a move she made in October, after nude photos were published online without her consent and reports surfaced of an alleged relationship with a staffer. Speaking to George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Hill said that she “strongly” feels she “made the right call” in stepping down. “I did not want to be a liability to my colleagues,” she said. She also said that the fact that she is a bisexual played a role in “sensationalizing” her story:
ICYMI
Five need-to-know stories in 100 words or less
1. Ahead of the 2020 election — and as women running for office continue to be scrutinized for their physical appearance — workwear retailer M.M. LaFleur announced it is offering to lend clothing for free to female candidates. In an email to customers, M.M. LaFleur said interested candidates could contact the company with their credentials to receive five outfits selected for them by stylists.
2. Barbara “B.” Smith, a top black model in the 1970s who became a successful restaurateur, television host and lifestyle maven, died Feb. 22 at 70. She opened her first eponymous restaurant in New York’s theater district in 1986 and went on to open two others, serving what was described as high-end soul food.
3. On Friday, the jury in the criminal trial against Harvey Weinstein suggested in a note that it was hung on the most severe counts in the disgraced Hollywood producer’s sexual assault case. The jury, made up of seven men and five women, must be unanimous to reach a verdict, which could come today.
4. Disney announced that its forthcoming film “Onward” will feature the first animated LGBTQ character in the Disney-Pixar universe. Voiced by openly gay writer and actress Lena Waithe, Office Specter, a Cyclops cop, reportedly references her girlfriend during the film.
5. Amid widespread protests regarding increased violence against women in Mexico, a 7-year-old girl named Fátima Cecilia Aldrighett Antón was found dead, her body mutilated, in Mexico City. Pressure has been mounting on the government to address the country’s crisis of femicides.
Powerful words
A quotable moment
Fawzia Koofi was the first for many positions: In 2005, she became the first woman elected to Afghanistan’s parliament. Then, in 2019, she became the first female deputy speaker of the lower house. She was also present at all three rounds of peace talks between the Taliban and the United States in 2019. Speaking to Lily contributor Lynzy Billing, Koofi said, “If we don’t have women in difficult places like peace negotiations, then we limit ourselves on where we can go and what we can do.” Read how Koofi and other women are reforming Afghanistan’s government here.
A quick Q&A
This week, we hear from artist and activist Nadya Tolokonnikova
Nadya Tolokonnikova, 30, is a Russian singer, activist and conceptual artist. She co-founded Pussy Riot, a feminist punk rock group, in 2011. On Feb. 9, Tolokonnikova, along with other Pussy Riot members, were arrested for shooting a music video in St. Petersburg. The band kicks off a month-long tour across the United States starting in Los Angeles on March 13.
On how music and activism go hand in hand: “Me and my friends, a lot of us came to political activism through listening to punk music. We decided to join this great tradition of trying to inspire people through music. You know, it’s one of the oldest mediums. Music always moved us, moved civilizations.”
On the increased representation of women in punk: “For sure, when you look at mosh pits, they’re male-dominated. But I think it’s going to change. You look at people like Billie Eilish, whose audience are mostly young girls who are creating change. I think Pussy Riot have been leaders. We are happy to be part of this historic change of bringing female mosh pits to the world. And we are really proud that we are mostly female and queer. We never deny anyone entrance [to our shows], but I feel like it’s a blessing that all of our concerts are these safe spaces, literally.”
What she wants people to remember: “People do have the power. We just need to remember that. When we stand in solidarity, we can actually achieve so many things and pressure politicians and hold them accountable for what they’re doing. And change history.”
Casting call: Seeking people in DMV area for ‘Nora Knows What to Say’ live taping
Do you have a difficult conversation ahead of you? Are you overthinking it? Avoiding it? If so, we want to hear from you. Click here to ask author and podcast host Nora McInerny for advice.
Upcoming Lily events in Washington, D.C.
Celebrate “The Jessicas Are Turning 30” at the National Portrait Gallery
Thursday, March 26 at 6 p.m., Kogod Courtyard
Join The Lily and the Portrait Gallery in toasting your 30s at the D.C. premiere of The Lily’s documentary, “The Jessicas are turning 30.” Learn more about the event here.
“Nora Knows What to Say” live taping
Saturday, March 28 at 3 p.m., Lincoln Theater
The Lily is partnering with Brightest Young Things at the “Future is Festival” to host a special live taping of Season 2 of our video series, “Nora Knows What to Say,” featuring Nora McInerny. Click here to buy tickets.
Lily Likes
Things we love but weren’t paid to promote
“Nothing Fancy” by Alison Roman
I’ve always loved to cook for people. I’m at my happiest when I have a group of friends at my house for dinner, gathered around a collapsible table in my apartment that’s too small for anything more permanent. This year, I’ve been cooking my way through “Nothing Fancy” by Alison Roman. (Roman participated in our Disposables project, which you can see here.) The recipes are a little involved for a weeknight, but I’m trying to do one special meal every weekend. Around five o’clock, I’ll pour a glass of wine, assemble ingredients and crack open the cookbook: This weekend it was slow-cooked short ribs, with potatoes and creamed spinach, and chocolate banana bread for dessert.
—Caroline Kitchener, Lily staff writer
Baiku
[bye-koo] Saying goodbye with a haiku
This newsletter was made while listening to:
“Forever and a Day” by DRAMA and “Boys” by Beach Bunny
Listen to everything we’ve recommended here.
P.S. …
A quick, curated list of Team Lily’s go-to content this week
