Good news, everyone.
It can sometimes be hard to remain upbeat, especially in the midst of a global pandemic.
Every day, we’re reminded of the negatives – the deaths, the new cases, the worries, the fears – but what about the good things that have happened this week?
What about the recoveries, the heartwarming tales of community, the wonderful solidarity among people as they band together while staying apart?
Lots of good things have happened this week, so let’s talk about them.
1. At least 77 Covid-19 patients have been discharged from Ireland’s ICUs
Minister for Health Simon Harris shared the incredible news this week that 77 patients who had contracted Covid-19 had been released from ICUs in Ireland and were well on their way to recovery.
This update came as the country entered its fourth week of total lockdown in a bid to slow the spread of the virus, a reminder that even amid the confusion and uncertainty, recovery is possible.
“A number to give us hope this morning – 77,” said Minister Harris.
“77 lives recovering thanks to the amazing dedication of our healthcare professionals. 77 families relieved. 77 reasons to motivate us and encourage us to stay course.”
The Minister’s update was shared on Tuesday, which means that it’s likely that even more people have since been discharged.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-_pkF2DmE6/
2. And that’s not all – over half a million people have recovered from Covid-19 around the world
According to new figures released by John Hopkins University, over 500,000 people around the globe have now beat coronavirus.
A new tracker has shown the vast amount of patients who have recovered from the virus globally – a number that is only increasing by the day.
3. The virus has officially been “contained and suppressed” among the general population in Ireland
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said this week that health officials “are increasingly confident” that Covid-19 has been contained among the wider population in Ireland.
Dr Holohan was, however, adamant that more work still needs to be done to tackle the virus in spaces of vulnerability – such as nursing homes – but that we have taken the correct steps to ensure that we get there eventually.
“In the population at large, the virus is contained and effectively suppressed,” he said.
“However, the experience of the disease in long-term residential care settings continues to be a source of concern. In order to protect the vulnerable the first task was to suppress the virus in the population at large.”
Social distancing is working. The lockdown is working. The sacrifices we have made are working. We’d do well to remember that.
4. Captain Tom Moore raised millions of pounds for the NHS
There is no point in detailing exactly how much money army veteran Tom Moore raised for the NHS this week, because the number simply shoots higher and higher with each passing day.
The 99-year-old captain had originally wanted to raise £1,000 for the UK’s National Health Service by walking 100 lengths of his back garden before he turned 100 years old.
However, he completely surpassed that target and ended up raising over £17 million instead.
He was, unsurprisingly, delighted with the outcome. You can check out Captain Tom’s final lap here:
He's done it! 👏#CaptainTomMoore has completed his 100 laps before his 100th birthday live on #BBCBreakfast! 🙌
He's raised over £12 million for the #NHS
Well done @captaintommoore from everyone at the @BBC 💕 pic.twitter.com/rtil8gKKmJ— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) April 16, 2020
5. Dead To Me S2 is coming very, very soon
Not strictly Covid related, but hey, everything is Covid related these days.
Following on from the incredible success of its first season, Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini are back for more heartwarming, deeply upsetting, and tragically hilarious content in Dead To Me.
The show’s second season will be streaming from May 8, so we truly do not have all that long to wait until we’re nestled deep in the bosom of another black comedy drama.
Bring it on.
6. Denmark is continuing to ease its lockdown restrictions
Next week, Denmark will become the first EU country to reopen its primary schools and nurseries.
The country’s lockdown restrictions will continue to ease on Monday, with young children already being permitted to return to the classroom, where social distancing is a key factor of schooling.
As well as this, some businesses will also be allowed to reopen next week. These include hairdressers, tattoo parlours, and driving schools.
Some businesses in Spain and Italy are also set to reopen, as countries begin testing whether the curve will continue to flatten as they ease back to normality.
While we may not be ready to make such a move here in Ireland yet, the changes that other countries are implementing can only be a good thing for us all.
This is #UpBeat: a rundown of positive, heartwarming, and generally good things that happened during the week. It can sometimes be difficult to see beyond the doom and gloom of the current news cycle, but it’ll do us a world of good to remember that great things are still happening.
