In this difficult time, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and miss out on some of the more positive news updates during the coronavirus outbreak. Here are 5 recent positive news stories that you might have missed:
1. Army veteran, 99, raises millions for NHS
War veteran Captain Tom Moore, 99, has raised more than £13 million for the NHS by walking lengths of his back garden. He set a goal of completing 100 laps before his 100th birthday, with the aim initially of raising £1,000.
However, after launching the campaign and raising £70,000 in 24 hours, he extended his fundraiser and soon hit £1m. At the time of writing, Tom had raised an amazing £13 million.
All of the money will be donated to NHS Charities Together to go towards wellbeing packs and rest and recuperation centres for staff on the frontline, as well as electronic devices for patients to communicate with their families while in isolation. Read about it here.
2. Air pollution reduced around the globe
Air pollution in many UK cities has halved since the country entered lockdown to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, and the story has been mirrored around the world.
In India, Delhi is usually the world’s most polluted city, but it has recently seen some of the freshest air in decades. Similarly, in cities such as Bangkok, Beijing, São Paulo and Bogotá, where coronavirus restrictions have been imposed, all have reported an unprecedented decline in pollution.
While we can’t expect pollution levels to remain this low once life returns to normal, the improvements in air quality do offer a glimpse of how things could be if we all thought more carefully about whether or not car journeys are essential, and if more people used cleaner, healthier forms of transport such as cycling and walking.
3. Messages of hope and thanks flourish during crisis
Over recent weeks there has been an outpouring of gratitude and appreciation for NHS staff and key workers who are on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.
Every Thursday evening a national clapping event has been taking place in their honour, bringing neighbours together in public displays of thanks. If you’ve been out on a daily run or walk during lockdown, you may also have noticed drawings of rainbows placed in the windows of people’s homes to spread messages of hope and encouragement.
4. Wild animals wander through deserted cities under lockdown
As more countries enter lockdown to limit the spread of coronavirus, wild animals have been spotted exploring the empty streets of some of the world’s largest urban areas.
Goats have taken to the street of Llandudno, film footage of a civet cat roaming deserted streets in India has been shared on social media, Sika Deer have been seen in cities in Japan, while a puma turned up in the centre of the Chilean capital Santiago. The waters of Venice’s canals are also clearer than they have been in many years.
Animals appear to be staging an unlikely comeback, offering the chance to spot some that are rarely seen. Combined with decreased pollution and ongoing conservation efforts, a positive side-effect of the COVID-19 induced lockdown could be the recovery and reappearance of many animal species around the world.
5. Volunteers create world’s fastest supercomputer to combat coronavirus
The world’s fastest supercomputer has been created with the help of volunteers who have used their home computers to fold proteins, a scientific task that could prove vital in the fight against the coronavirus.
Thanks to one million new members who have signed up to the Folding@Home project, the network is now twelve times more powerful than the world’s fastest traditional supercomputer.
The surge in volunteers has been a breakthrough for the project, which runs a simple piece of software on home computer which then performs small tasks to help determine the physical structure of proteins. Doing so can help understand how viral proteins work and reveal new therapeutic opportunities that can help to fight coronavirus.
We’d love to hear any positive stories that you’ve been part of – share with us using the hashtag #TeamLivUni