At least 200,000 people worldwide have been infected in the coronavirus pandemic and it has led to the deaths of more than 8,000. But as many countries are put on lockdown, some good things have emerged.
Amid the self-isolation which many have been forced to accept, here are nine positive effects which have come from the COVID-19 outbreak.
1 | HELP FOR THE ELDERLY
Panic buying is especially hard on older people, some of whom are less able to get to the shops regularly. So supermarkets have responded, offering slots reserved for the elderly to make sure they don't miss out on essentials. Some banks are taking similar steps.
2 | POLLUTION DOWN
Up to 100,000 premature deaths caused by air pollution in China could be avoided if the country's economic slowdown continues at its current rate over the next year, researchers say.
Under measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, local businesses have been shut, factories closed, social movement restricted and transportation throughout China brought to a halt.
As the burning of fossil fuels has dropped, air quality has improved significantly, the Centre for International Climate Research in Oslo (Cicero) has said and the impact will be felt worldwide.
3 | VENICE CLEANS UP ITS ACT
Staying with pollution, Venice has been benefiting from the lockdown in Italy. The city's famous canals have never been cleaner, according to many reports.
4 | CLEAN HANDS BACK IN FASHION
The owner of fashion giant Louis Vuitton will provide French authorities with hand sanitizer "for as long as necessary" as the country battles against the coronavirus outbreak. LVMH has instructed the perfumes and cosmetics side of the business to get ready to switch to hand sanitizer this week. What's more, it will be free.
5 | MEDICAL SOLUTIONS ON THE HORIZON
Researchers of the Erasmus Medical Center claim to have found an antibody against coronavirus, Cleveland Clinic developed a COVID-19 test that gives results in hours, not days, and a San Diego biotech company is developing a COVID-19 vaccine in collaboration with Duke University and National University of Singapore. Plasma from newly recovered patients from COVID-19 can treat others infected by COVID-19.
6 | CASES SLOWING, PEOPLE HEALING
Good news from South Korea, where the number of new cases is declining. 3 Maryland coronavirus patients fully recovered; able to return to everyday life. Tulsa County’s first positive COVID-19 case has recovered. This individual has had two negative tests, which is the indicator of recovery. All 7 patients who were getting treated for at Safdarjung hospital in New Delhi have recovered. A 103-year-old Chinese grandmother has made a full recovery from COVID-19 after being treated for 6 days in Wuhan, China.
7 | SING-A-LONG-A-LOCKDOWN
Italians have been making their own entertainment since the country went into lockdown, not least in its crowded cities, where people have been channelling their inner Pavarotti to help pass the time. Check out a compilation here.
8 | THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO STAY IN
Whether it's The Office, Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, Stranger Things, The Witcher, or Love is Blind, we're constantly told this is a golden age for television, especially drama.
What better time to binge watch those series you never got around to in the past? Check out this jam-packed list of Netflix’s 26 best shows to watch right now!
9 | OUR NATION’S TRUE HEROS RECOGNIZED
Whether it’s the national guard and nurses on the frontlines providing for those in critical condition or farmers, grocery workers, and truckers producing and transporting food to replenish the shelves from which we quickly deplete, there has been an outpouring of support to our nation’s essential workers and their efforts to provide for the common good.
