Finding Joy in the Time of Corona

There has been a strong sense of pride felt in the UK, especially over the last few days. People that were referred to as low skill workers just a few months ago are now seen as key workers, and our nation is relying heavily on their courage and determination. On Wednesday night (25th) the entire country – by the looks of it on Instagram, anyway – stood outside of their houses at 8pm to clap and cheer for the NHS. We have been inspired by this show of positivity and solidarity. This is exactly why we want to reiterate all the good things that are happening in the world right now and ride that wave of pride for a little bit longer.

The news has become an onslaught of depressing updates, statistics and harsh realities. To offer some respite from the negativity, we want to bring you a selection of the good news stories that might have got lost along the way. This will be a new regular feature in an attempt to keep spirits high during this time.

Joe Wicks donates his profits to NHS

 Joe Wicks, also now known as ‘Britain’s P.E. Teacher’. Each weekday he has motivated approximately one million children each morning at 9am to have a workout – aka a P.E. lesson. Our Instagram feed has been full of videos of children and their worse for wear parents getting sweaty together first thing in the morning; Wick’s workouts have clearly been a saving grace for many parents who are learning to homeschool and entertain their children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The other day, Joe announced that he has generated huge amounts of revenue from the sheer volume of people watching his PE Lessons each morning. But has decided to donate all of his profits to the NHS.

 “Thank you for watching, joining and sharing… I’m loving being your P.E. Teacher and now you can watch again, knowing you’re not only staying fit, you’re also helping raise money for the NHS.”

 PrEP is fully available

 PrEP is an anti-HIV drug that is 100% effective. It has until just a few days ago, only been available via a capped trial, but the NHS has just announced that it will be routinely available to all that need it!

 “We know PrEP is highly effective at stopping HIV and now it can be properly utilized to make good on the Government’s commitment to ending HIV transmissions by 2030” – chief executive, Ian Green, The Terrence Higgins Trust.

Hundreds of thousands of people volunteer for the NHS

On the 24th March, the Government asked for 250,000 volunteers to help the NHS by delivering food and medicines to vulnerable people, driving patients to appointments and phoning the isolated. The number of volunteers just a day after the call for help stood at over 500,000!

Relief for the arts

 The UK’s British Film Institute (BFI) and The Film and TV Charity have launched a new Covid-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund, with a £1 million donation from Netflix. The scheme will support the creative and arts community by providing short-term relief to the thousands of active workers and freelancers who have been impacted by the mass closures that have happened across the UK.

Spring is coming

 The clocks are going forward this Sunday 29th March – it has probably already happened by the time you’re reading this. We will officially be on British Summer Time (BST) which means the amount of daylight hours is increasing and the weather is improving. Things may seem bleak right now but sunshine always has a positive and uplifting effect on your mood!

Words by Mollie Kate Cohen