13 positive news moments you may have missed during the coronavirus outbreak
In dark and distressing times, humankind can really pull through to show its good side.
The outbreak of the coronavirus, COVID-19, has been described as the 'worst public health crisis for a generation' by the UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Many countries are taking drastic measures in a bid to halt the spread of the virus, including social distancing, closing bars, restaurants and schools or, in the case of places like Italy, putting the entire community on lockdown.
The situation is changing on an hourly basis and in the age of the smartphone, the breaking news updates are constant. So much so that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has 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.
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 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 stories we've found from around the world, demonstrating the power of displaying care and kindness to those less fortunate or able than you in a crisis.
Quarantined dance-alongs
In Italy, where citizens have been on lockdown since the start of last week, impromptu mass sing and dance-alongs have been taking place via balconies.
The Good News Movement Instagram account shared this video of a Friday night balcony dance party in Milan where locals were attempting to keep spirits up despite being housebound.
Quarantined sing-alongs
Similarly, in Copenhagen, people leaned out of windows to join together to sing 'You've Got A Friend' while they were quarantined in neighbouring apartments.
Mass applause for healthcare workers
While many of us are working from home in self-isolation during the outbreak, medical staff are obviously not. They are working just as hard and tirelessly as ever, if not more so, to provide care to those severely affected by Covid-19.
Over the weekend, after a social media campaign, a co-ordinated mass applause for healthcare workers broke out in several areas across Spain, including Pamplona, Madrid and Murcia - where many are on lockdown - via their windows.
Volunteer cards
There have been various versions of people sharing notes and leaflets advertising their help with shopping and more to those who may be unable to get out of the house to fetch supplies.
This local Instagram account for Tooting in south west London shows the kind of help people are offering, while also bearing in mind the social distancing measures.
Australia's supermarket operating elderly-only hours
Over the weekend in the UK, supermarket chains including Sainsbury's and Asda issued a warning to ask people not to stockpile unnecessarily. They reiterated that there should be enough supplies for everyone as long as people only buy what they need.
Amid growing concern that elderly and vulnerable people would miss out on essential supplies due to the trend for stockpiling - which has reached concerning levels in Australia - one of the country's biggest supermarket chains is opening dedicated hours for those who need it.
Woolworths announced on Monday that 7-8 am would be a 'dedicated shopping hour in our stores to help support the needs of the elderly and people with disability in the community'. Supermarkets in Ireland, including Lidl and Iceland, have made similar plans.
Sizeable donations
Some high net-worth individuals have taken matters into their own hands by making generous donations to fight the Coronavirus outbreak.
Donatella Versace is just one of those contributors having pledged €200,000 to a Milan hospital.
Elsewhere, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have donated $1 million to food banks in America and Canada.
Footballers and foodbanks
Last week, the UK's Premier League announced that all football games would be temporarily suspended in a bid to protect players and fans amid the outbreak.
As this meant last minute cancellations for many matches scheduled to go ahead at the weekend, several football clubs including Liverpool FC, Everton, Aston Villa and Newcastle donated the food which had been ordered to the stadiums, to food banks instead, as well as making large cash donations.
Quarantined bingo in Spain
Local residents who are quarantined in Seville, Spain have also been keeping their spirits up via a communal game of Bingo using a loudspeaker.
Free hand sanitiser from a Scottish corner shop
A local shop in Stenhousemuir, Falkirk in Scotland is giving away free 'Covid-19 kits' for those over the age of 65.
The kits contain hand gel and cleaning wipes and shop owners Asiyah and Jawad Javed had been out and about in the local area distributing the packs.
'We are just trying to help people who can’t get out the house,' Asiyah told The Independent.
NBA players support arena staff
Across the pond, the basketball season has also been suspended due to Coronavirus, leading several NBA players to donate to the security personnel, stewards, catering staff and cleaners who work in the arenas during the season and therefore could miss out on income amid the closure.
Blake Griffin (pictured) donated $100,000 to help workers at his Detroit arena, Zion Williamson did the same pledging to 'cover the salaries' for his New Orleans colleagues. The Golden State Warriors players and management also confirmed they would be donating $1 million to support the workers who are affected.
Free streaming of the opera
Many theatres have cancelled productions and shows in light of the virus, including in the home of Broadway New York City.
However, as Vulture reports, the city's Metropolitan Opera announced that rather than ceasing production entirely they will host nightly Opera streams from their archive free of charge.
If you fancy a break from TV during self-isolation, and have never managed to catch the Opera before, now might be your chance.
Toilet paper donations
One of the biggest shortages in supermarkets at the moment is toilet paper as people panic stockpile in the event they can't reach the shops at some point.
According to The Guardian, two friends clubbed together their pocket money to buy toilet roll to distribute to elderly neighbours in their Queensland community after being shocked at the lack of toilet roll in the shelves in their supermarket.
Heartwarming.
LVMH uses perfume factories to make disinfectant gel
More reassuring news has been found among companies diverting their resources specifically to help target Covid-19 relief strategies.
LVMH, the parent company of brands including Dior, Givenchy and more, announced that they will be producing disinfectant gel rather than perfume which they will distribute to hospitals and health authorities for free.
More on this story can be found here.
Olivia Blair is Entertainment Editor (Luxury) at Hearst UK, working across ELLE, Esquire and Harper's Bazaar. Olivia covers all things entertainment and has interviewed the likes of Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Michaela Coel and Ryan Gosling over the years.
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