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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

16 Things That Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Julia Metraux
 • 
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The coronavirus outbreak has swiftly changed everyday life for people all over the world. COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus that can cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath and pneumonia. Given how contagious the virus is, isolating from others is the best defense currently available.

Of course, social isolation is easier said than done. Though at first it might sound nice, it’s hard staying at home all day, missing outing with family and friends and avoiding in-person work or school. If you are struggling to adapt to these changes, you’re not alone.

In these hard times, people are coming together to support each other in both heartwarming and practical ways. Here are 16 of these many things that people are doing to help each other and put a smile on our faces.

1. Italians in a nationwide lockdown are singing to lift spirits.

While Italy is on lockdown, Italians are staying connected with one another through music. All of Italy has been on lockdown as the number of COVID-19 cases increase.

2. Now that the Shedd Aquarium is closed to human visitors, penguins get to check out the exhibits.

These penguins do seem to be having the time of their lives.

3. People are crowdsourcing mutual aid projects to help people affected financially by the coronavirus.

Mutual aid resources have been shared across the United States and the world to help people who are financially impacted by the coronavirus and have to self-isolate. If you need support or are able to donate, you can see a list of resources here.

4. This Chinese medical team from Wuhan flew to Italy to help control the coronavirus.

Health care professionals in Wuhan managed to decrease the number of cases after months of endless work. Instead of resting, a medical team from Wuhan flew to Italy to help the country cope with the coronavirus outbreak.

5. A 17-year-old created site that updates every minute to help report on the pandemic.

A screenshot of data from the website https://ncov2019.live/data
via https://ncov2019.live/data

17-year-old Avi Schiffmann created the website nCov2019.live in late December to help track COVID-19 cases. Shiffmann told Times of Israel that he created the website to help people receive accurate information. As of March 10, over 12 million people have visited Schiffmann’s website.

6. The Metropolitan Opera is streaming performances for free.

A photo of the exterior of The Metropolitan Opera
via The Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera closed its doors, but they are streaming performances for people stuck at home to watch online. The performances will be available starting at 7:30 EST and will be on their website for 24 hours. Here is a list of scheduled performances for this week.

  • Thursday, March 19: Verdi’s La Traviata (from December 15, 2018)
  • Friday, March 20: Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment (from April 26, 2008)
  • Saturday, March 21: Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor (from February 7, 2009)
  • Sunday, March 22: Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin (from February 24, 2007)

7. Celebrities read to kids as many schools close around the world.

Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf from “Frozen,” and other celebrities like Amy Adams and Jennifer Garner are taking to social media to read children’s stories.

 

8. People are creating projects like Invisible Hands to help people get groceries and other goods.

A screenshot of the homepage of Invisible Hands
via Invisible Hands

Invisible Hands was created by three twenty-somethings in New York City to help at-risk people in NYC and Jersey City get deliveries for free. You can register to get items delivered or volunteer on their website.

9. Scholastic launched a free website to help children learn while they are home from school.

A screenshot of the "Scholastic Lean at Home" website
via Scholastic

Scholastic created a free website with resources to help children continue learning while schools are closed. There are four different streams – split into pre-k and kindergarten, first and second grade, third to fifth grade, and sixth grade and above – that focus on day-to-day projects that are “built around a thrilling, meaningful story or video.”

10. Lizzo led a 30-minute meditation session on Instagram.

Thanks, Lizzo for making some of us less stressed for a moment. You can watch a clip of her video below.

11. A patron at an Ohio bar gave a $2,500 dollar tip to help employees as their bar closed.

A bill with a $2,500 tip with instructions split between waitstaff
via CNN

States and cities across the United States are in the midst of closing as local governments shut down non-essential businesses to help limit people’s risk of getting the coronavirus. This will likely affect service workers’ incomes unless they are able to get paid time off. One person in Columbus Ohio gave a $2,500 tip on a bill to split between waitstaff at a Coaches Bar and Grill.

12. Neighbors are going the extra mile to try and help each other out.

Emily McCombs, a HuffPost editor, shared this message posted in her apartment building.

13. This dog parent sends photos of their dog on walks to residents at a local nursing home.

This golden retriever will surely make anyone smile.

14. People on social media remind others to take their medications.

If you’re new to working from home, it can be hard to get used to your new schedule and remember everything that you have to do. Fortunately, people on social media are reminding each other to do important tasks like taking medication.

Here’s a tip that may work if you have pets.

15. This Instagram list of restaurants across the U.S. you can support by buying their merchandise.

Restaurants around the country and in dire shape due to closures, curfews, and decreased foot traffic. Help keep them in business by buying merchandise or a gift card. The products are pretty cool!

16. Everyone who self-isolates plays a part in keeping people who are vulnerable to the coronavirus safe.

Even without official lockdowns, many people are self-isolating to keep people who are immunocompromised or elderly, those who have the highest risk of developing COVID-19, safe.

If you are looking for tips on how to talk to people about why self-isolating and social distancing is crucial right now, here is a helpful Instagram post:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Lily (@thelilynews) on

While the coronavirus outbreak is proving to be an incredibly stressful time, it is good to see people looking out for each other. Have a way to help out or a kind moment you want to share? Let us know in the comments below.

Concerned about coronavirus? Stay safe using the tips from these articles:

Julia Metraux
 • 

Julia Métraux is a health and culture writer whose work has appeared in Narratively, The Tempest, BUST, and Briarpatch Magazine. Follow her on Twitter at @metraux_julia and on Instagram @julia.metraux

juliametraux
Originally published: March 19, 2020
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