Positive Vibes Only

Over the last three months, while the global Coronavirus outbreak has dominated the media, journalists rarely take time to step back and report the good things which are happening during the pandemic. After living with COVID-19 for 3 months, the virus seems like a part of everyday life, bringing our normal routines to a halt and changing the world completely. However, this month brought a number of positive news with it. 

So, what good news has come this month? 

Here’s a short compilation of positive stories you might have missed so far:

1. Huge drop in carbon emissions 

In the beginning of March when the coronavirus began to arrive in different countries, the use of cars, planes and other public transport were brought down to the bare minimum as governments around the world advised against travelling. Even though this action was needed to keep us safe, it has also allowed the Earth to take a breather from human pollution from other factors like industrial pollution, leading to a 17% fall in carbon emissions. 

2. Ozone layer repairing

Due to the fall in carbon emissions, low pollution levels has allowed the ozone layer to begin to repair itself, demonstrating how the Earth is beginning to recover from human activity and how climate change can be brought to a halt. 

3. A second case of HIV has been cured in the UK

4. Australian forests are beginning to repair themselves

In the beginning of the Australian Summer, the world watched as Australian forest fires tore through the country, causing huge losses to plant and animal wildlife nationwide. However, this month as of May 28th, it has been 85 days with no new reports of fires, allowing the forests and bushes to repair themselves. This has been seen where koalas, which are a known natural species to Australia, have begun to populate the forests yet again, along with plants and other species of animals too. 

5. Virginia becomes the first U.S State to publish a clean energy future plan 

As climate change starts to be seen as a much more worrying and serious issue in modern life, Virginia has become the first American state to plan their clean energy future in an effort to combat climate change. Labelled ‘Virginia Clean Economy Act of 2020’, the plan sets out that all coal plants will have to close by 2024 and that all electricity used in the state will come from clean, renewable sources by 2045. This sets an example to other U.S states as climate change becomes a more pressing issue and raises more awareness about the issue in an aid to stop it.

6. Scientists have discovered a way to reverse blindness in mice

In a recent study from the University of California, researchers came up with a treatment in an effort to cure blind mice. A month later, the mice were navigating around as easily as mice with no vision problems. They were able to see motion, brightness change, and fine detail allowing them to see alphabetical letters. This could possibly pave the way to curing blindness in humans, sparking a similar scientific breakthrough to the curing of HIV and could possibly have the potential to change the world. 

7. Lockdown lifting 

On an even bigger positive note, governments across the world are starting to see the number of coronavirus cases and deaths start to decrease, allowing some easing of lockdown restrictions to go ahead. For example in Spain and Italy, both countries are beginning to open back up to the point where bars and restaurants are beginning to reopen with strict restrictions to prevent a second wave, and countries like France are beginning to reopen schools. This paves the path to the end of the coronavirus panic and distress, finally allowing families and friends to see each other after over 2 months. 

• Fin

---

Fin