Introducing your covid-19 good news roundup… During the pandemic, we’re consuming news and media like never before. Our newsfeeds and alerts are full with daily outbreak updates and information on how to keep ourselves safe. However, with so much focus on the catastrophic effects of the virus, it’s only natural for us to need a break from all the negativity.
This is why we’ve created the ‘Reasons to Feel Positive’ series. From this week, we’ll be sharing the uplifting, funny and heart-warming good news stories around the world that you might have missed. Hopefully, our curated stories of optimism and kindness will encourage you to take a pause and remember that we’re all in this together…
1. These penguins take a ‘field trip’ at the closed Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium
Edward and Annie, a bonded pair of rockhopper penguins, are exploring this Chicago Aquarium together. The aquarium closed its doors to the public to help stop the spread of covid-19, and while staff are still looking after the animals, they’ve had time to celebrate their birthdays and even let some out of their exhibits for field trips, like Edward and Annie. Check out the aquarium’s channels for more cute animal videos, including the porcupines who will be roaming free soon!
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2. A 102-year old Italian woman survives covid-19 and is nicknamed ‘Highlander the Immortal’
The legendary Grondona spent 20 days in hospital and has now recovered from the virus, according to CNN. “We nicknamed her ‘Highlander’ – the immortal,” says her doctor, Vera Sicbaldi. Despite her age and a heart condition, she required little medical intervention. Born in 1917, she’s apparently the first person to contract covid-19 and also live through the Spanish influenza pandemic that killed millions of people in 1918-1919. What a woman!
3. These UK neighbours have sparked a trend for social distance street dancing
Your morning routine might be getting a bit samey, but one street in Cheshire, UK is shaking it up with a daily sesh of energetic social distance dancing! Resident Elsa Williams is sharing videos of her street dancing on their driveaways, with a local fitness instructor leading the sessions for 10 minutes every morning at 11am. The most uplifting covid-19 good news? We think yes. Here they are on day seven dancing to It’s Not Unusual by Tom Jones (AKA, banger)…
Socially distant dancing happens every day on our road at 11am during #lockdown. This was day seven.#Covid19 #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/yBw2Q230CA
— Elsa Williams (@elsalwilliams) March 31, 2020
4. Residents are waking up to gifts left on their doorsteps in Melbourne
In one Melbourne neighbourhood, residents have been waking up to cute little surprises. Resident Alice Mitchell has taken it upon herself to boost the community spirit. Turning away from the anxiety-inducing media, she looked to board games and other fun activities to keep positive. “I figured most others could benefit from a similar thing. So I bought a bunch of puzzles which were inexpensive but might mean the difference between sanity or not,” she told The New Daily.
Now, with her two sons, they’re leaving games on their neighbours’ doorsteps at night – with a little note to encourage everyone to keep sane during the lockdown. “I just wanted to give a gesture to my immediate neighbourhood so that they know we’ve got their backs if they need it.” No doubt, we can ALL take inspiration from Alice right now!
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5. Restaurants in Toronto are donating food, no-questions asked, to frontline workers
A free food movement is emerging in this Canadian city, with business owners paying it forward to healthcare workers or those who have lost their jobs. A family-owned restaurant, Little India, Maker Pizza and even Nando’s are giving away delicious eats to those in need, reports Narcity. While one Toronto distillery, The Spirit of York Distillery Co., has switched their production from alcohol to hand sanitizer.
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And that’s your covid-19 good news for this week. We hope that we’ve inspired you to stay positive, kind and safe!