A summary of positivity from COVID-19

I know that I’m not alone when I say that I'm becoming increasingly anxious about the global pandemic that is COVID-19. The scaremongering media are, shamefully, fuelling mania and feeding on the public’s state of panic by publishing their miseducated articles with hysteric headlines and cherry-picked terrifying statistics. However, in and amongst the alarming reports, there are some glimmers of hope and stories of true positivity. Admittedly, such positivity is like a needle in a haystack as the Internet is dominated with articles outlining the latest death tolls and prevalence reports.

So, in an attempt to ease at least just one other anxious mind, I’ve compiled some of the more positive perspectives and impacts related to coronavirus. I'll try and update this article regularly with the latest positive stories. Most of these should have links so you can read the full article or find out more information. And backtracking to that A-Level in Geography (cheers Mr. Murray), I’ve sorted the impacts to social, economic and environmental too (my inner Biologist has also thrown a scientific one in there).

If just one person feels more at ease after reading this, then the article has done its job.

Please share with anyone and everyone who may benefit from some anti-scaremongering.

Social Positives

Hotel owners have closed down to the public and made their rooms available for NHS workers across the UK. (https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/neville-and-giggs-open-doors-to-nhs/178575)

Following the announcement that non-essential UK businesses must close, pub landlords have been donating perishable food items to NHS staff. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-51995321)

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has made 300 hotel beds available for rough sleepers to protect them from COVID-19 for the next 12 weeks. (https://www.propertywire.com/news/londons-rough-sleepers-to-be-offered-hotel-beds)

China have set the date to lift the lockdown on Wuhan on 8th April 2020, just 2 months after the city went into full lockdown. (https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/24/asia/coronavirus-wuhan-lockdown-lifted-intl-hnk/index.html)

4,500 retired doctors and nurses have volunteered to rejoin the NHS in just 24 hours. (https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-4-500-retired-doctors-and-nurses-sign-up-to-battle-covid-19-pandemic-11961685)

Amazon, with funding from Bill Gate's investment arm, are providing the residents of Seattle (Amazon's hometown) with at home COVID-19 tests. (https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/23/21191735/amazon-seattle-coronavirus-covid-19-testing-kits-flu-study-bill-gates-foundation)

Facebook, Apple and Salesforce have joined forces to donate millions of masks to the healthcare industry. (https://nypost.com/2020/03/23/facebook-apple-and-salesforce-pledge-to-donate-masks-for-coronavirus-response/)

Everton football club are donating all of their excess food items due to postponed Premier League matches. (https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/generous-everton-donate-stock-cancelled-21702949)

Sysco are donating 2.5 million meals to vulnerable communities in North America. (https://www.fft.ie/sysco-to-donate-over-2-5m-meals-in-response-to-covid-19-pandemic/31227)

A lucky couple recently got engaged in Tonbridge's Iceland Foods store. The couple had a now-cancelled holiday to Iceland planned where the groom-to-be was hoping to propose. Iceland Foods shop was second-best but in an incredibly kind gesture they have offered to pay for the couple's honeymoon to Iceland. (https://www.facebook.com/icelandfoods/photos/a.413226913136/10157212168143137/?type=3&theater)

Residents of a block of flats in Edinburgh, Scotland have hosted a mass sing-a-long to Sunshine on Leith. (https://www.facebook.com/scottishbanter1/videos/194952845266470/UzpfSTE1MjE3MjUxMjk6MTAyMTU4NDA2MTIxOTc4NTU/)

Audiobook platform Audible have released hundreds of free titles to help with self-isolation. (https://www.radiotimes.com/news/radio/2020-03-20/audible-just-made-hundreds-of-titles-completely-free-to-help-during-coronavirus-crisis/)

Three elderly best friends have moved in together so that they don't self-isolate alone. (https://www.ok.co.uk/lifestyle/three-old-women-isolate-coronavirus-21719926)

A 90-year old woman who was infected at Seattle's senior care facility is now recovering. (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-90-year-old-woman-seattle-recovering-covid-19-life-care-center-kirkland-washington-geneva-wood/)

In an incredibly heart-warming gesture, businesses are teaming up to offer discounts and freebies to NHS staff and emergency workers. Here's a handy summary of what's on offer at the likes of Starbucks, McDonalds and Greggs: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/deals-hunter/2020/03/nhs-discounts-and-freebies/

Home Pride Alert: A North East teacher has created a story to help ease children's fears of coronavirus. Small Paul is available to read on a pdf here. (https://www.ladbible.com/community/daily-ladness-teacher-writes-story-to-help-scared-pupils-during-coronavirus-pandemic-20200317)

To help make self-isolation more enjoyable, Netflix have added an extension that allows groups of friends to watch the same show and chat about it in real time. (https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/mar/19/netflix-party-could-this-group-watching-tech-gimmick-be-a-lifesaver)

Sheffield-based Twinkl is offering their education platform for free to support children's education at home. (https://www.thestar.co.uk/health/coronavirus/sheffield-company-twinkl-offers-free-resources-schools-amidst-coronavirus-2484189)

Also to save boredom, NOW TV have announced a mega deal subscription at ￡2.99 a month. (https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/money/watch-now-tv-299-enjoy-21714354)

Wuhan’s last purpose-built coronavirus hospital has closed down as new cases decline. There’s an incredibly satisfying video of medical staff removing their masks to signify the moment. (https://www.businessinsider.com/wuhan-medical-workers-remove-masks-after-last-temporary-hospital-closes-2020-3?r=US&IR=T)

As of 12:01 GMT on 19th March 2020, 95% of currently active cases are in a mild condition. (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/)

A 103-year-old woman has become the oldest person to beat coronavirus and return home - Zhang Guangfen recovered from the disease after receiving treatment for just six days at a hospital in Wuhan – the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak. (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/coronavirus-latest-103-year-old-woman-recovers-wuhan-hubei-china-a9393991.html)

A 100-year-old man with Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension and heart failure recovered from the virus in Wuhan after being treated by military doctors. (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/coronavirus-latest-100-year-old-man-recovers-wuhan-hubei-china-a9389306.html)

On 19th March 2020, China reported no domestic cases of coronavirus for first time since outbreak began. (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/19/china-reports-no-domestic-cases-of-coronavirus-for-first-time-since-outbreak-began)

World’s youngest coronavirus case: a new-born baby infected shortly after birth at North Middlesex Hospital in London is said to be out of danger and recovering well. (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8113665/Newborn-baby-worlds-youngest-coronavirus-victim-danger-recovering.html)

As of 12:01 GMT on 19th March 2020, 90% of closed cases resulted in recovery and/or discharge. (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/)

To give everyone an equal chance to get their essentials, supermarkets are introducing specific opening times for the elderly, those with disabilities and those with pre-existing medical conditions. (https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/03/19/818488098/supermarkets-add-senior-hours-for-vulnerable-shoppers?t=1584733406468)

To combat stockpiling, supermarkets are also introducing limits on the number of items an individual can buy. (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/18/asda-puts-restrictions-on-shoppers-to-limit-stockpiling-coronavirus)

ITV have a very handy guide summarising the fantastic policies put in place at each supermarket chain: https://www.itv.com/news/2020-03-18/sainsburys-and-tesco-impose-three-item-per-product-limit-on-groceries-others-follow-suit-amid-coronavirus-stockpiling/

Italians have been hosting incredible sing-a-longs during lockdown to boost morale. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNxhSe4TiOQ)

Self-isolation actually has a range of benefits. It gives the opportunity for individuals to spend time to focus on themselves leading to knock-on benefits including improvement of relationships. The following articles outline some of the benefits of self-isolation.(https://www.fastcompany.com/3052061/how-solitude-can-change-your-brain-in-profound-ways) (https://www.bustle.com/articles/126782-6-psychological-benefits-of-spending-time-alone)

Economic Positives

Dior and other luxury perfumery brands are using their factories to make disinfectants. (https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/a31655751/lvmh-disinfectant-gel-coronavirus/)

Brewdog have converted their manufacturing from alcohol to hand sanitizer. They've delivered their first batch to an Aberdeen hospital, entirely for free. (https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/brewdog-set-to-deliver-first-batch-of-hand-sanitiser-to-aberdeen-hospital/)

Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook CEO) and his wife Priscilla Chan are bringing at least 1,000 COVID-19 tests per day to the tech hub of San Francisco's Bay Area. (https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/20/21187521/mark-zuckerberg-chan-initiative-biohub-ucsf-covid-19-testing-coronavirus)

Trump (like him or not) has donated his Q4 salary to efforts combating coronavirus. (https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/03/trump-donates-his-2019-q4-salary-to-help-combat-coronavirus.html)

Starbucks have vowed to pay all of their workers in full for the next 30 days at least as well as increasing wages for those still working in selected open US stores. (https://employeebenefits.co.uk/starbucks-pay-employees-coronavirus/)

Ferrari have overhauled their F1 manufacturing capabilities to produce respirators for coronavirus patients. (https://www.essentiallysports.com/f1-news-ferrari-set-to-produce-fans-respirators-to-help-combat-coronavirus-pandemic-f1-news/)

New evictions are to be banned by the UK Government to help renters who cannot afford to pay during this time. (https://www.itv.com/news/2020-03-18/government-to-stop-new-evictions-of-renters-who-can-t-afford-to-pay-during-coronavirus-national-emergency/)

The UK Government will pay 80% of wages for those unable to work due to coronavirus. (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/20/government-pay-wages-jobs-coronavirus-rishi-sunak)

The next quarter of VAT payments have also been deferred by the UK Government in a "VAT Holiday", equal to the Government injecting ￡30bn. (https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/government/government-announces-unprecedented-wage-support-and-vat-holiday-20-03-2020/)

The UK Government have announced the Business Interruption Loan Scheme which provides a guarantee to lenders enabling them to support small businesses (SME) that wouldn’t be supported otherwise. Criteria include 249 employees or less and turnovers under ￡41m. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKtY9QBazK4&feature=youtu.be)

Louis Vuitton’s owner has overhauled cosmetic manufacturing to produce hand sanitiser and will provide this free to the French authorities. (https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/03/16/coronavirus-combat-louis-vuitton-owner-lvmh-produce-hand-sanitizer/5057167002/)

Apple has opened all 42 of their Chinese stores after recent closures. (https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/13/21177964/apple-stores-china-reopened-coronavirus-covid-19)

The European Central Bank has launched a €750bn stimulus to stabilise stock markets. (https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2020/mar/19/stock-markets-fall-ecb-coronavirus-stimulus-sterling-oil-prices-ftse-dollar-business-live)

The UK Government have unveiled a ￡350bn financial assistance package, including the Business Interruption Loan Scheme, as a lifeline to the British economy. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51935467)

Scientific Positives

Californian researchers have identified 69 potential drugs to target COVID-19 that are currently being tested. (https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/scientists-identify-69-drugs-to-test-against-the-coronavirus/articleshow/74782512.cms)

Nottingham universities have donated over ￡1m of their equipment to support coronavirus testing efforts. These were collected and delivered to the NHS by the British Army. (https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/how-nottingham-universities-helping-fight-3970735)

LabCorp have released a COVID-19 test and are currently able to conduct over 20,000 tests per day. They are working tirelessly to increase their capacity to perform more tests. (https://www.labcorp.com/information-labcorp-about-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19)

A UK biotech industry collaboration of ￡20m has been formed to sequence the whole genome of COVID-19, hopefully revealing how the spread of the virus can be reduced. (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-launches-whole-genome-sequence-alliance-to-map-spread-of-coronavirus)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced plans to buy thousands of new antibody tests to confirm coronavirus cases. Read more about the new antibody tests by clicking here. (https://www.itv.com/news/2020-03-19/prime-minister-says-antibody-tests-could-be-gamechanger-in-covid-19-response/)

A British-Israeli business have developed a new COVID-19 diagnostic, currently being tested in Scotland. This new test is semi-automatic and gives a result in as little as one hour. (https://www.cufi.org.uk/news/british-israeli-company-develops-innovative-diagnostic-method-for-coronavirus/)

UK-based biotech Abingdon Health have mobilised their lateral flow test manufacturing capabilities for use by anyone with a suitable rapid test for COVID-19. (https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6645708571873017857/)

A group of Dutch researchers have identified the first antibody against COVID-19 that could be used to create a vaccine. (https://innovationorigins.com/dutch-researchers-find-corona-virus-antibody/)

A group of Canadian researchers have successfully isolated and grown a strain of coronavirus which will be instrumental in studying the virus to discover treatments. (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/coronavirus-covid-19-virus-isolate-canada-scientists-mutations-strains-a9399226.html)

Takeda, Japan’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, are adapting a previously successful respiratory disease therapy to target COVID-19. The therapy uses the blood plasma of patients who have successfully recovered from the virus to help others fight the infection. (https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/03/04/takeda-pharmaceutical-announces-a-plasma-derived-t.aspx)

Indian doctors have reported success in curing an Italian coronavirus patient using HIV, malaria and swine flu medicines. (https://www.insideover.com/society/indian-doctors-successfully-cure-italian-coronavirus-patients.html)

Cleveland Clinic, Ohio has developed a “drive-thru” test so patients can stay in their cars. (https://www.voanews.com/science-health/coronavirus-outbreak/cleveland-clinic-offers-drive-thru-coronavirus-tests)

Environmental Positives

The European Space Agency's satellites have shown a significant decrease in nitrogen dioxide levels in Asian and European cities when compared to this time last year. (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/23/coronavirus-pandemic-leading-to-huge-drop-in-air-pollution)

Rolo, a sausage dog in the UK, is so happy that his humans are home all the time and sprained his tail from wagging it so much. (https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/21/sausage-dog-happy-family-working-home-sprains-tail-wagging-hard-12435350/)

The famous canals of Venice are clear for the first time in years thanks to a reduction in water traffic and pollution, and fish can even be seen in the usually murky waters. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-51943104/coronavirus-venice-canals-clearer-after-lockdown)

Researchers in New York have announced their carbon monoxide levels are down 50% compared to last year. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51944780)

The 25% drop in energy use and emissions witnessed in China is estimated to cause a 1% reduction in China’s overall emissions for 2020. (https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-coronavirus-has-temporarily-reduced-chinas-co2-emissions-by-a-quarter)

All facts, sources and statistics are correct at time of writing (19th March 2020).