Staying positive during a global pandemic isn’t the easiest thing to do. But while the coronavirus outbreak has left many afraid, it has also inspired acts of kindness around the world!
If this scary time has taught us anything, it’s that there are always people looking to help. That’s why we’re sharing 16 stories of good to brighten your outlook as we face this hardship together.
1. Maine landlord Nathan Nichols announced he won’t be collecting rent in April to ease his tenants’ financial worries.
Even better, Nathan later shared in another post that at least one other landlord has followed suit!
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2. A woman and her roommate can breathe easier now thanks to another landlord’s kindness.
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3. LVMH will soon be distributing free hand sanitizer in France.
The luxury corporation has already started manufacturing the gel in its perfume and cosmetics factories, which will be delivered to French health authorities as well as Europe’s largest hospital system.
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4. Woolworths has set aside one hour every morning for elderly and other vulnerable individuals to buy the items they need.
“This temporary measure will give them, and those with a disability, the opportunity to shop before our stores officially open – helping them obtain the essential items they need most in a less crowded environment,” said Managing Director Claire Peters.
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5. Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium is spreading smiles by turning its penguins into visitors.
Without any human guests, the aquarium is allowing a group of rockhopper penguins to explore various exhibits outside of their habitat. And, of course, they’re sharing lots of adorable footage!
Penguins in the Amazon?! 🐧🌴
Some of the penguins went on a field trip to meet other animals at Shedd. Wellington seemed most interested in the fishes in Amazon Rising! The black-barred silver dollars also seemed interested in their unusual visitor. pic.twitter.com/KgYWsp5VQD
— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 15, 2020
6. With Japanese schools closed, kids are getting creative when it comes to graduation.
Some elementary school students even decided to hold a digital ceremony – in Minecraft! One parent wrote, “They spent all day online together playing games and laughing. I’m glad they all had fun.”
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7. Hyundai and Genesis have pledged to cover up to six months of car payments for owners who lose their jobs in the wake of the outbreak.
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8. The Cleveland Metropolitan School District is providing free breakfast and lunch to kids while its schools are closed.
“The lunch program we’re offering is not only for CMSD, it’s for any children 18 or younger. So if there is a community that doesn’t have access and they can get to one of our 22 sites, we’ll feed them,” said district CEO Eric Gordon.
9. Wuhan doctors celebrated the closure of the last temporary hospital by removing their masks in an uplifting video.
Over 65,000 people in China have recovered from coronoavirus and the number of new cases has dropped dramatically!
Smiling faces emerge from the masks of everyday heroes as all the makeshift hospitals close in Wuhan. #EverydayHero #coronavirus #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/hgYbzGJ1FY
— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) March 11, 2020
10. Day-Today Drylaw Local, a convenience store in Edinburgh, Scotland, is giving out free “coronavirus packs” to people over 65.
These packs contain one roll of toilet paper, a bottle of hand sanitizer, one pack of tissues, and a box of paracetamol. The store will also deliver them to anyone who can’t pick them up.
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11. Asiyah and Jawad Javed, owners of Day Today Express in Stenhousemuir, are also giving out free face masks, hand santizer, and cleaning wipes to elderly people.
The couple spent about £2,000 out of their own pockets on these supplies.
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12. Chinese billionaire Jack Ma will donate 500,000 test kits and one million masks to the U.S. to help with supply shortages.
And Jack Ma just announced he will also donate 20,000 testing kits, 100,000 masks, and 1,000 protective suits and face shields for medical use!
13. Not only is Davidson College issuing refunds to students who live on campus, but it’s helping with moving costs!
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14. While Fossil is closing all its stores until March 28, the company will keep paying its employees in the meantime.
Other companies including Lush Cosmetics, Apple REI, and Lululemon are doing the same.
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15. Author and professor Roxane Gay has generously offered to send money to anyone who can’t afford groceries.
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16. Delta CEO Ed Bastian gives up 100% of his own salary for 6 months to help airline survive cancellations.
17. Finally, we’d be remiss if we didn’t recognize the everyday heroes who make sure the public has access to the supplies they need!
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Coronavirus anxiety may be hard to handle, but we can take comfort in knowing there are heroes all around us! Help remind others by sharing these stories and spreading the good!
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