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80 Positive News Stories That Uplifted Us During More Than A Year Of The Coronavirus Pandemic
In dark and distressing times, humankind can really pull through to show its good side
In March 2020, the outbreak of the Covid-19, was described as the 'worst public health crisis for a generation' by the UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The situation soon evolved drastically, with countries going into lockdown, and then relaxing restrictions, and then tightening them again, and so on.
The constant uncertainty over how we were to live our lives, the underlying anxiety about the devastating consequences of the disease and the impact to mental health triggered by social isolation and financial concerns have been some of the more difficult factors during an incredibly tough 20 months.
And at the crux of it all has been daily death tolls and updates, a constant reminder of how the last year and a half has seen more and more families suffering with immeasurable grief and heartbreak.
More than a year on, the ubiquitous breaking news related to the pandemic shows no sign of slowing down as the threat and spread of the virus continues to change. Last year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggested that if your mental health is suffering with the anxieties that the news brings, to limit and 'seek information updates at specific times during the day once or twice', according to the BBC.
But this news is serious and serves the purpose of informing the public about the latest developments in a rapidly escalating global news story. However, with all the noise, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and miss out on some of the more positive news updates that are still occurring in light of the concerning situation.
During times of fear and uncertainty, the very best elements of human nature can prevail, as is the case in these Coronavirus-related good news stories from around the world over, demonstrating the power of displaying care and kindness to those less fortunate or able than you in a crisis.
South Africa Says: Omicron variant may be 'very positive’ news for the world
Over the last year and a half, news of a new Covid-19 variant has invariably been met with a groan and fears of further lockdowns and safety measures, however the latest variant announcement, it seems, might actually count as good news!
Hospitals and GPs in Southern Africa have this weekend reported that the symptoms of the Omicron variant might actually be much milder in comparison to previous mutations.
Dr Angelique Coetzee told newspapers in South Africa: 'Symptoms are so different and so mild from [non-Omicron] Covid patients I have treated before.”'
And considering that around 90 per cent of all new infections in the Johannesburg region are now caused by the Omicron strain, rather than Beta or Delta or any of the other variants, this could count as positive news.
Coetzee reportedly also said the symptoms were surprising and unexpected, including such effects as fatigue, headache and a racing pulse.
Virologist Marc van Ranst went on to say 'if the omicron variant is less pathogenic but with greater infectivity, allowing Omicron to replace Delta, this would be very positive', considering the lower death toll and less hospitalisations that could result.
Fully Vaxxed Proportion of Hospital Admissions Is Actually A Good Thing
John Burn-Murdoch, a data analyst for the Financial Times, tweeted. diagram which explains why the increasing % of fully-vaccination Covid-19 hospital admissions is actually a good thing. As more of the population gets vaccinated, it follows that a larger share of hospitalisations be made up of these people, but with the overall admission rate being drastically down.
Boosters Prove Incredibly Effective
John Burn-Murdoch tweeted something else that we can all breathe a sigh of relief over. He posted a series of graphs that showed quite a staggering correlation between the administering of the booster shot and the drop off in Covid-cases. Among those getting the booster shot, case rates have been plummeting, with the age category that has above 80% boosted, Covid cases are so few as to be almost insignificant. Get your boosters folks!
Europe's Oldest Person Survives Covid-19 - February 2021
A French woman, believed to be the oldest person in Europe at 116, has overcome Covid-19.
According to the BBC, the nun Sister Andre didn't have any symptoms but received a positive test. After isolating in Toulon she has fully recovered, just days before she celebrates her 117th birthday.
Covid-19 Vaccines Are Rolled Out - December 2020
On December 8, British pensioner Margaret Keenan became the fist person in the world to receive a Coronavirus vaccine. After the UK approved the Pfizer vaccine, Keenan received it from an NHS nurse at a Coventry hospital.
Since then, more vaccines have been improved and there has been a mass vaccination programme in the UK rolled out. By the end of March, the BBC reported that more than2 8 million adults has now received a Covid vaccine.
New Zealand Returns To Normal - June 2020
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern announced in June that all restrictions including social distancing would now be lifted and that the nation was free of Covid-19 after no new cases for a fortnight. Since then New Zealanders have been living with relative pre-disease normality with other countries aiming to follow suit.
A year on and in the UK, Johnson has suggested all social distancing restrictions would be relaxed on June 21, 2021.
Hospital Transports Patients To The Beach - June 2020
At a hospital in Barcelona, medical staff have been wheeling out recovering Covid-19 patients to be closer to the ocean for short breaks.
Social Distancing And Camaraderie At Protests- June 2020
In June, Coronavirus reports were interspersed with news following the death of George Floyd - a Black man who died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for eight minutes. Uprisings around the world, to protest against ongoing systemic racism and police brutality, took place.
This photo of two friends Shmuel and Ray wearing masks while greeting each other in a socially distanced manner at a march in Brooklyn, New York went viral at the time.
London's Coronavirus Cases Started To Dwindle- June 2020
Though the exact number of new cases of Covid-19 in London appeared to have conflicted at the time, one thing that's sure is that right now they are much lower than earlier in the Spring.
According to the Mayor of London's office at the start of June, only 13 people tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday (May 20th). The Telegraph also reported that six major London hospitals reported no new deaths from the virus in the past 48 hours. As London was an early hub of Covid-19 cases, this soon sparked hope around the country for the easing of restrictions.
Airline Staff Support Healthcare Workers - May 2020
A new initiative called Project Wingman, set up by two pilots and fronted by furloughed airline staff as volunteers, is providing NHS workers with a first class lounge experience between shifts.
Staff could indulge in a nice cup of tea with handmade sandwiches, specially crafted sweet treats plus a browse of luxury magazines including ELLE.
By May, there were 60 lounges open run by 4000 volunteers.
Socially Distant Weddings- May 2020
With many weddings put on hold due to the Coronavirus outbreak, other ways of ensuring people can still get married have been enacted around the world.
In California, a pop-up socially distanced wedding service was erected where only one witness is allowed. This wedding - held on May 19th - between Rodney and Monica Cosby was set up by the Orange County Clerk-Recorders in Anaheim at the Honda Centre, and was performed by a Clerk inside the pop up.
Captain Tom Moore Receives A Knighthood- May 2020
Captain Tom Moore, the centenarian who went viral for his zimmer-frame aided fundraising efforts for the NHS, received a knighthood.
'I am certainly delighted and overawed by the fact this has happened to me,' he said at the time, as reported the BBC. 'I thought this can't be true, I've always said this won't happen and it appears it actually has. I certainly never anticipated that this letter would arrive for me.'
Moore became a beacon of positivity and a prominent person in the UK throughout the year due to his selflessness, fundraising efforts and the remarkable achievements he made despite his age.
Sadly, Moore passed away in January 2021 following illnesses with pneumonia and Coronavirus. His death was marked by a congratulatory clap across the UK.
92-year-old Teaches Piano From Quarantine - May 2020
According to the New York Times, a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor Dr Cornelia Vertenstein taught piano to students from her home in Denver. The music teacher delivered the lessons via FaceTime from her iPad.
'It helped me know more about my students — what kind of life they have,' Vertenstein told the newspaper. 'It’s not much, just one room, but it is illuminating to me because I know where they come from. I know a little bit better who they are.'
Public Health England Approves Antibody Test - May 2020
On May 14, it was announced that Public Health England had approved its first antibodies test, which could detect if people had already had the Coronavirus and therefore could suggest if they are now immune to it.
According to the BBC, the test was first given to health and social care workers.
International Nurses Day - May 2020
Though the work of nurses is to be celebrated always, International Nurses Day (which was celebrated on May 13) took on added significance in light of the communities' tireless work to care for patients during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Many marked and celebrated the day including members of the royal family who spoke to nurses in the UK and across the Commonwealth to thank them for their service.
The Office US Cast Reunite To Marry Superfans - May 2020
Weddings are just one of the effects that have been affected by Coronavirus with thousands having to postpone their planned nuptials due to social distancing regulations.
However, some weddings have still taken place with the help of the internet. And one very memorable wedding happened this week thanks to John Kransinski.
The actor, who played Jim in The Office US, surprised two superfans of the show by reuniting with his castmates to marry them (he got ordained ahead of the service) on zoom during his Some Good News YouTube show.
Tissues at the ready.
A Couple Find Love Through Social Distancing - April 2020
The BBC reported how one couple found each other from across balconies while they stayed at home during the lockdown.
If the whole balcony thing is feeling quite Romeo and Juliet to you, the whole event actually unfurled in Verona, Italy - the city of the famous love story.
After noticing one another, they looked each other up on social media and were messaging ever since.
Blue Postboxes - April 2020
A number of postboxes across the UK were painted blue as a token of thanks to NHS staff battling the Coronavirus pandemic. As well as bearing the colours of the National Health Service, the postboxes also have 'Thank you NHS' emblazoned on the side in white paint.
When the scheme first rolled out, there were five erectd across the UK including Cardiff, Wales (pictured), near St Thomas hospital in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast.
Flamingos Flock To Lakes In India- April 2020
With less humans out and about, animals have frequently been roaming unexpected places. In India, flamingoes have flocked in their thousands to lakes like this one in Mumbai, lighting up the lake in a shade of pink.
According to The Hindustan Times, there were 25% more flamingoes in the Mumbai area than usually at this time of year.
Colonel Tom Moore Celebrates His Birthday- April 2020
Fundraiser and record-breaker (see below) Tom Moore's 100th birthday was marked with an RAF fly-past near where he lives and an honorary promotion to a Colonel ranking (from a Captain) in the army.
The popular centenarian was inundated with birthday cards from across the country. Housed in a local school hall (pictured), it is estimated Colonel Moore received 140,000 birthday cards.
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