Positive stories to lift your spirits in the coronavirus pandemic

Maybe you are also tired of your phone blowing up with notifications related to the coronavirus pandemic and you need something to lift up your spirits.

That’s definitely where I am at. I need some positive stories about what people are doing to help others handle this crisis the entire planet is facing together.

I’ve been following news related to COVID-19 for weeks. Now that we are in quarantine, I feel even more responsibility to share important and factual information with my audience so that I can help keep them up to date and avoid the panic.

Last night I was exhausted. Tired because I am trying to do my job and homeschool our daughter, and also manage to help feed ourselves. I cried at least 5 times yesterday reading news stories about people who lost their jobs, can’t pay their rent or their mortgage, are feeling sick but can’t get a test yet, that I knew I had to do something to get my spirits up and help others do the same.

Today, someone sent me this beautiful quote and that gave me even more conviction to move forward with this project.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead

So here I have collected a list of positive stories of human kindness, love, and courage that will fill your heart with joy and put those tears on pause.

Do you have positive stories the world should hear about? Share them with us! 

Penguins get a field trip around the aquarium

Penguins wander an empty Chicago aquarium that’s been closed because of coronavirus.

And dolphins showed up in the Venice canals as Italy quarantines over coronavirus!

Thank you to theladyboss.collective for sharing this story.

A landlord in Maine will not be collecting rent in April

These kids played music for a self-isolating elderly neighbor

A nine-year-old boy put on his best suit. His sister is missing her two front teeth but put on a party dress.

Then they went with their cellos to play a concert for their elderly neighbor. 

‘Kindness Committee’ runs errands for neighbors

A Google form lets homeowners in the neighborhood to volunteer help. Then, those who are in need can request it.

Volunteers are able to help their neighbors in a variety of ways. Whether that’s running errands, picking up groceries, meal prepping or getting assistance in other ways.

Maybe she was inspired by this professional runner who helped an elderly couple get food when they were too scared to go into a crowded grocery store because of the coronavirus outbreak.

An army of volunteers help the most vulnerable

Liam Elkind, a junior at Yale, and a friend, Simone Policano, amassed 1,300 volunteers in 72 hours to deliver groceries and medicine to older New Yorkers and other vulnerable people. They call themselves Invisible Hands, and they do something else in the process — provide human contact and comfort, at a safe distance, of course.

Businesses are pivoting to help out during the crisis

Distilleries are making hand sanitizer and giving it out for free to combat coronavirus. 

But they’re not the only ones!

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s largest luxury company known for items like handbags, makeup, and perfume, said Sunday that it would pivot three of its largest cosmetics facilities toward producing hand sanitizer to help allay a shortage in France.

Exclusive shopping time for seniors

Many stores across the country are reserving the first hour of shopping for seniors only. That way people who are more vulnerable to coronavirus can do this with a lower risk of infection. One of them is Dollar General.

Athletes and teams paying out-of-work employees

According to Sports Illustrated, since the NBA suspended play, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban helped start the initiative when he said he would set up a payment plan for his arena’s hourly workers. Many others have followed Cuban’s lead and shown that even during hard times the sports community sticks together.”

Kevin Love said he would donate $100,000 to arena and support staff of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Ohio Stadium Donates Food to Nashville First Responders

When fears of coronavirus outbreaks prevented an Ohio sports event from accommodating its typical crowd of 200,000 people, the stadium sent their surplus of event food to first responders and tornado victims in Nashville.

Originally posted on Tono Latino. Re-posted with permission.