With so much gloom and doom surrounding the recent coronavirus outbreak, it is easy to forget about the more positive aspects, and even silver linings, of this pandemic. Since I’m a silver-lining type of gal, let’s focus on the positives!
China’s Road to Recovery: Thursday, March 19th is the first day where there have been no new domestic cases in China since the outbreak started on December 31, 2019!
Research is a Team Effort: The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Wednesday that 10 countries are working together in an international study to find a viable treatment for patients infected with COVID-19.
Decrease in Air Pollution: Satellites operated by NASA and European counterparts detect significant decreases in nitrogen dioxide over China, due to factories ceasing operations.
Crisis is Creating Business Innovation: Several companies have adjusted production to manufacture items in high demand. Distilleries across the country started to use alcohol supplies to produce hand sanitizer, General Motors and Ford have prepared their factories to be used to manufacture ventilators.
“Keep the Americans Connected Pledge”: More than 200 telecommunication companies and internet services (such as AT&T, CenturyLink, Comcast, Cox Communications, Frontier, RNC, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon) throughout the U.S. are waiving late fees and not terminating services for customers who cannot pay their bills due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Free TV: Providers of television programming have started making paid content available for free over the internet to keep Americans informed and entertained amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Sling TV, as one of many examples, is providing complimentary access to live coverage from ABC News, in addition to thousands of movies and shows accessible through its website and mobile apps.
The Shows Must Go On: All sorts of musical acts are continuing to be performed live and broadcasted on the internet in an attempt to entertain fans. Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, Erykah Badu, Garth Brooks, and Neil Young are among artists who are finding ways to keep their fans happily entertained.