The Most Inspirational Stories during the COVID-19 Crisis
With a number of 1,000,355 patients recovered from coronavirus around the globe (Last updated: April 30, 2020, 03:40 GMT), there is no better story than this that could be told. At the same time, some countries are starting to report new cases in single digits for several days. Meanwhile, COVID-19 survivors are going back home to their families, we as well witness human solidarity amid extraordinary hardship throughout every online platform. Here are our top 5 inspirational stories across the world.
For the most up-to-date news and information about the novel coronovirus (COVID-19), please visit the official WHO Website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website.
For the most up-to-date news and information about the novel coronovirus (COVID-19), please visit the official WHO Website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website.
5 Incredible Stories during the Coronavirus Pandemic
Thank Our Carers
With a devastating number of over 3 million confirmed cases (Last updated: April 30, 2020, 03:40 GMT), history of the extraordinary work of the health systems is being written again after a decade from the last pandemic. The frontline health workers and the first responders have endured a real-time COVID-19 threat which perhaps most people are too scared to think about. Working on the front lines means people who provide healthcare and health service putting their lives and their families at risk. Not only physical dedication but also mental hardship due to the fact that some of them have to isolate themselves from their loved ones. Given the circumstances, this extraordinary crisis brings realization and appreciation for the healthcare workers on the front lines.
There have been “thank-you” campaigns around the world in which people hold appreciation moments for the carers. Mostly around 8 p.m., people are together at their balconies, some open their windows and doors clap and cheer to honor hospital staff members and first responders. In other affected countries, Indian people also made cheering noise together with rang bells or hit their pots and pans. The applause went global wide across main cities such as Turkey, Israel, Paris as the doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff are battling the spread of the 2019 coronavirus.
Take Care of The Vulnerable
The SARS-CoV-2 or known commonly as COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire and make some people sicker than others. According to the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. With this caution being noted, every community comes together and supports each other, especially those who are vulnerable.
Many stories of healthy young individuals providing care to those who are at higher risk have been told throughout social media. During this difficult time to get out of the house, there have been young people assisting their seniors with running errands, taking mail to the post office. Those people at lower risk are also happy to mentally support the elderly members by offering a friendly phone call. These supports go to community members who have been advised to self-isolate as well.
Blood Donation
During this hard time and the lockdown regulation nationwide in many countries, the potential blood and blood product shortage is one of the most concerned. The Red Cross says, donating blood is essential to community health and the need for blood is constant. When it is not safe to get out of the house during coronavirus pandemic, blood donation is more essential than before.
Therefore, governments from several countries have promoted blood donation and encouraged healthy and well people to help those in need and maintain blood supply. In addition to ensuring the safety of donors, the Red Cross, the National Blood Center, and hospitals worldwide are strictly following the highest standards of safety and infection control at a time of this public health crisis.
In effect, there has been a reason to prove that we are not losing faith in humanity. Recently, hospital blood shelves are fully stocked by healthy individuals. Particularly, the fully recovered patients of COVID-19 who donate blood plasma rich in antibodies that could potentially increase the chances of recovery of the active patients from the same disease.
As can be seen on their homepage, the American Red Cross gives an appreciation for blood donors in helping them to be able to meet immediate patient needs during this tough situation. Additionally, over 450 Tablighi Jamaat volunteers are reported queuing up in different parts of India to donate blood to help serious COVID-19 patients.
“You can still go out and give blood. We’re worried about potential blood shortages in the future.
Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement.”
Coronavirus Food Support
The government’s lockdown orders globally result in an apocalyptic scene of people fighting to store food and essential supplies as much as they can. Pictures of empty grocery shelves and toilet paper shortage are as sad as the spread of the new virus itself. The economic fallout from COVID-19 has suffered many families and some people are now without income.
Apparently, buying or stocking food is the most concern. While supermarkets and grocery chains are working to make sure that their shelves will not be empty for so long, we are starting to see free food campaigns and food donations from many food companies, restaurants, and more.
Amid Coronavirus crisis, Indonesian food stalls in Jakarta offer free lunches to help people who are financially struggling. The place crowded with daily wage workers such as pedicab drivers, trash scavengers, and public transportation drivers who came to enjoy free meals. A hundred portions of rice meals are planned to serve people in need every day.
This program is run by the middle-aged stall owner and Fast Action Response (ACT), a non-profit that focuses on humanitarian work and disaster response and management. Moreover, they expect more stalls to join.
Also, free deals and low-cost foods are available nationwide in the USA. A company like Krispy Kreme announced free doughnuts to healthcare workers. Burger King is offering two free kids meals with every adult meal purchased. See a list of free food available throughout the USA here.
Other than that, there are Facebook groups under the name “Buy Nothing” where neighbors offer free items and share food locally.
Life On The Balcony
Since the earliest days of the coronavirus epidemic, social-distancing is being strictly enforced in order to keep people safe and minimize infection numbers. An unprecedented global pandemic has been transformed the modern life of half the world populations who are under the lockdown. When keeping a distance from each other, people have been adapting to connect with their friends, their neighbors, their communities through their balconies.
Human connection is being strengthened again by using balconies and windows as a channel of communication. Many balcony stories have been told. A Jewish family prays on their balcony during a lockdown in the costal city of Ashkelon, Israel. An artist from western Germany, Tirzah Haase sings Ode to Joy by Ludwig van Beethoven at the window of her apartment in Dortmund. A personal trainer carries out an exercise class from her balcony in Rome.
From a global “thank-you” campaign for the front line health workers and first responders, caring for the seniors, the donations to the balcony bondings, these are only some stories that lift our spirits during this uncertain time. It has never been more important for everyone to help and support each other.
