Spreading Smiles: 10 Heartwarming Stories From The World Right Now
In this time of doom, gloom and uncertainty, the need for positive content is more needed than ever. For your reading pleasure, here are 10 stories related to coronavirus that will (hopefully) make you smile!
1. Any fans of Meredith Grey out there? Grey’s Anatomy, Chicago Med, Good Doctor and many other medical TV shows are generously donating masks, gloves and other medical equipment to healthcare workers and hospitals in need. The shortages of protective supplies globally is becoming a separate crisis so we hope this contribution will alleviate some of the pressure on medical staff.
2. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is experiencing a similar state of affairs as many entertainment facilities around the world: they’re closed to help prevent the spread of the virus. However, this closure only extends to humans. A unique opportunity became possible for a couple of penguins who get to take little “field trips” around the aquarium and meet some of the other aquatic animals! Part of the penguin crew are two bonded rockhopper penguins, who even got to enjoy a cute aquarium date- how sweet!
3. Another story from across the Atlantic, Disneyland and Disney World are donating their excess food supplies to local food banks in Florida and California after shutting their doors due to coronavirus. As many of us know, there are expected shortages at food banks if they haven’t already been affected by panic buying. Food banks are a critical service for those most vulnerable to illness so this charity will definitely go a long way.
4. To combat coronavirus anxiety and the boredom of staying home from school, famous actor and singer Josh Gad is tweeting videos of himself reading bedtime stories for kids at 7:30 every night. As the famed voice of Olaf in the popular Frozen franchise, he hopes kids and parents can enjoy and have a little fun despite being stuck at home.
5. In Italy, arguably the worst hit country, residents kept the community spirit alive with heartwarming renditions of the classic Italian song ‘Bella Ciao’. As the country was and still is in lockdown, this song was belted from balconies leading to ‘balcony parties’! Even better, a German town called Bamberg also sang along to Bella Ciao in a show of solidarity with Italy.
6. A little closer to home, many supermarkets across the country have introduced a ‘Silver hour’ for the elderly to do their shopping before panic buyers come in and the shelves are bare. This is generally the first hour the supermarket is open and has been declared a hit by Secretary for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock, who has asked that this hour may be extended to key workers who are also struggling to access basic goods.
7. A strange silver lining of the pandemic is being witnessed across the world: reduction in pollution levels. Nowhere is this more evident than in Venice, where the canals are clearer than they have been for years. Thanks to the lack of tourists and subsequent less traffic in the canals, the water appears clearer and Venetians have even spotted fish and dolphins in the water. Across the globe, the Chinese are seeing blue skies after a long time due to the improvement in air pollution. Silver linings everywhere!
8. For girl scouts, March is normally prime time for selling their famous cookies. However, due to the coronavirus crisis they have been advised to stop selling via their usual route: booths and stalls. 3 sisters didn’t let this hurdle stopped them and decided to set up a virtual cookie booth to donate boxes for first responders and other hospital workers during this difficult time. These savvy scouts have been applauded by people across the world and by the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast CEO Tracy Keller.
9. A positive story in our very own London is the number of homeless people who will be off the streets thanks to a new initiative by the Mayor. To protect rough sleepers, hotels and unused offices will be converted to emergency safe spaces so the homeless people are not at unnecessary risk to coronavirus. As this group are amongst the most vulnerable to the virus, this also ensures more people stay out of hospital and less spread.
10. Lastly, a ray of hope from Iran: a 103-year-old grandma made a complete recovery from coronavirus after being hospitalised for about a week, becoming the world’s oldest survivor of the pandemic. The centenarian is currently doing well and will hopefully live many more years!
