We are indeed in challenging times and if you spend a lot of time watching the news, it can get quite depressing.
So I decided to see if I could find a silver lining. Most of you probably know that I am the eternal optimist. I thought I would share some of my findings. These are from Harvard Medical School.
- Estimates now suggest that 99% of people infected will recover.
- The number of new cases are falling where the outbreak began
- We have the internet. Many of us can work from home. Kids have access to education. Facetime is my new best friend. And you can still have happy hour with your friends.
Here’s some other’s I found
- Many high-net-worth individuals are making huge donations to help in the fight. Here are just some of them. Kylie Jenner $1M, Versace 200 Million Pounds, Rihanna $5M
- In New York 6000 mental health professionals signed up to volunteer for a program to help support the city’s mental health – residents can have a free virtual session
- Netflix has donated $1M Pounds to the British Film Institute and others to help provide short term relief to the film crews not out of work
- Kids can still do Phys-ed Programs with Joe Wicks the Body Coach who is streaming 30-minute classes
- The waters in Venice are cleaner – more swans and fish are being spotted
- Many Alcohol companies and perfume manufacturers all over North America have switched to making hand sanitizer
- A local Grocer in Edmonton – Belmont Sobeys launched the Golden Shopping Hour for seniors which has spread countrywide.
- They have also started a program called Heroes for Hunger and have reached out to principals in the schools to find out who might be needing additional help. They are raising money and providing Sobey’s Gift Cards
- Scientists are reporting a reduction in CO2 emissions. Hopefully we can learn from this going forward.
Locally I’m seeing increased volunteerism, people are reaching out to help out as much as possible. I see kids and parents out going to family walks. We may not be able to interact in person however personal interactions by phone, facetime are increasing.
We will get through this and hopefully will take the lessons we’ve learned, the positive changes we’ve made going forward.
To all of you stay safe, be well and smile. That in itself has been proven to increase your mood. Heather Cournoyer – signing off till next time.
