✍️ Drawing freckles on your face

Happy Wednesday! It’s August 30 — people are talking about a possible return to wearing masks, the trend of drawing freckles on your face, and more.

As always, we’ve summarized and organized the different shades of perspective, so you can see the big picture quickly.

😷 In the news: Are masks returning?

Covid cases have started trending up again this month — making some people encourage mask-wearing. Is it worth it?

😷 Fortune recommends masking up as a good idea for anyone looking to lower their risk — fall is prime respiratory virus season.

😷 CNN agrees: It's time for people who are at serious risk of developing severe illness or death to start wearing masks again.

😷 But Hot Air thinks this is just another example of covid hysteria sweeping the nation. Hopefully “stupid and tyrannical” mask mandates don't return.

😷 The NYT takes a more neutral view. Masks are a valuable tool to lower your risk of catching covid — it's up to the individual whether to use one or not.

😷 On the other hand, maybe Americans just can't be bothered anymore. In an August Axios poll, only 2% of Americans listed covid as the current greatest threat to national public health.

✍️ Cultural trend: Drawing freckles on your face

Freckles are in right now — so much so that people have started drawing fake freckles on their faces (here’s an example). Is this trend reasonable or ridiculous?

✍️ WaPo explains that for much of history, freckles were seen as bad — even as a “mark of the devil”. But today it’s different: People want a sun-kissed look, and some celebrities are actually drawing freckles on their faces.

✍️ Elle thinks the “faux freckles” trend is silly. People with freckles are at a greater risk of developing melanoma — it's not really something to celebrate.

✍️ But a Redditor on a beauty subreddit says it’s not like that. People draw on faux freckles out of appreciation for the feature.

✍️ CNN interviewed people with natural freckles to learn what the feature means to them. Many are glad to see the rising interest, but note that there’s more to it than just appearance — cultural, racial, and health significance.

Quick hits

⛈️ Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida as a category 3 storm, hitting the area near Keaton Beach with 130 mph winds. (Orlando Sentinel)

💼 For the third straight month, the number of open jobs in the US dropped — it’s below 9 million for the first time since 2021. (CNN)

🏛️ The estate of Joseph Rosenbaum, who was killed by Kyle Rittenhouse in 2020, is suing both Rittenhouse and law enforcement. (The Guardian)

🎾 ESPN tennis analyst John McEnroe tested positive for covid-19 and will miss covering the US Open, which kicked off on Monday. (ESPN)

That’s it for today. Reply at [email protected] to let me know what you think of our newsletter, or to suggest a topic for next time.

Here at Shades we’re trying something new – quick summaries from different points of view. We think it’s a better way to stay informed and see the big picture. Please reach out if you’re curious to learn more!

- Jeff (co-founder of Shades)