Stories of Hope During the COVID-19 Pandemic
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”- Victor E. Frankl
These days it may seem difficult to keep your spirits up and not feel overwhelmed navigating these times of the Coronavirus pandemic.
There’s fear, stress, loneliness and unease but we are going through this together and if you look a little closer, past the negative news, you’ll see signs of hope and moments of kindness and care around the globe.
These stories of everyday heroes, nurses and doctors working tirelessly on the frontlines and small, selfless acts of kindness by many have added hope and happiness to my days.
Soccer moms are hand-sewing masks. Hotels like the Four Seasons have opened their doors to medical professionals and groups of teens are delivering meals to seniors staying safe at home.
Below are some of the stories that have inspired me and I hope they will do the same for you.
Small Businesses in Vermont Charter Private Plane to Deliver Coronavirus Tests to Those in Need
After a flight from Logan airport to Minnesota carrying COVID-19 test samples for the Mayo Clinic Laboratories was cancelled, Vermont-based company Green Mountain Messenger worked with local businesses and the State of Vermont to send the hundreds of COVID-19 test specimens to the Clinic for processing.
Walters and Martti Matheson, co-owners of JV Air, agreed to fly their private plane from Burlington to Minnesota not just for that one trip, but then again each day for the next 10 days, carrying a total of 4,000 test kits to the lab.
Nursing Home Staff Throwing Parties to Help Residents Cope With Their Loneliness
The staff at Brightview Senior Living in New Jersey have gone above and beyond to help make their residents feel safe and happy.
In addition to hosting FaceTime calls and going door-to-door giving out ice cream, the staff has organized special even
New Yorkers Cheering at 7pm Every Night to Show Their Support for Medical Professionals
What began in the streets of Italy has made its way to America — cheers, singing and applause every night to thank health heroes. New York City residents have taken to their balconies, windows and doorsteps (at a safe distance) to energetically make noise (even banging on pots and pans) as a sign of gratitude for those in the hospitals risking their lives to save others.
A Group of Teens Created a Website to Deliver Groceries to Seniors
Senior citizens are at the highest risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. With extra time on their hands from social distancing, California native Daniel Goldberg, a junior student-athlete at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara (along with a couple of friends), wanted to help the elderly.
He created Zoomers to Boomers, a website where seniors in the Santa Barbara area can sign up to have their groceries delivered the next day by a high school student. This act inspired many citizens throughout the country to check on their elderly neighbors.
Four Seasons Offers Free Stays for Local Medical Workers on the Frontline
Hotels and resorts across the country have temporarily closed to help stop the spread of COVID-19. With the hotel now empty, the Four Seasons on 57th Street in Manhattan is offering free shelter to medical professionals on the frontlines.
Chairman of the hotel’s corporate owner Ty Warner said, “Many of those working in New York City have to travel long distances to and from their homes after putting in 18-hour days. They need a place close to work where they can rest and regenerate.”
These are just a few of the remarkable stories out there. I’m optimistic that over time, these types of stories will start to out-number the negative ones.
Remember, we are in this together. Let’s be kind to each other and support one another as best we can. Even the smallest acts can have immense impacts.
