Five positive news stories from this week

Originally posted on CoronaUnity.

During the seventh week of lockdown for the UK, there is a lot to celebrate and praise through inspiring people and acts of kindness. Here’s a roundup of five positive news stories from this week.

ITALY EASES LOCKDOWN

More than 4.4 million Italians went back to work last Monday after seven weeks of restrictive measures. Italy was one of the worst-hit countries in terms of deaths according to the national Civil Protection Agency but the return to work shows a slow return to normal. Parks are open for walks and people are allowed to exercise away from home. Social gatherings are still banned but bars, hairdressers and restaurants are set to open on June 1 if the rate of infection continues to fall.

GAME OF THRONES ACTOR BECOMES DELIVERY DRIVER

Michael Condron, who played Bowen Marsh in Game of Thrones, has signed up to work as an ASDA delivery driver during the pandemic. Speaking to Belfast Live, he said: “People now should really appreciate the hard work that everybody does - think people who work in supermarkets have often been taken for granted.” Condron added that he is making up to 18 calls a day due to high demand and some recognised him apparently asking: “Aren’t you that guy off the telly?”

HIKER RAISES MORE THAN 23K FOR NHS

Lily Law from Devon walked 78.8 miles over two weeks through the country lanes surrounding her house and raised over £23,000 for the NHS. Law partnered with the Devon and Cornwall Chinese association to raise the money. It will all be donated to the NHS charity, and some being used towards helping secure more PPE equipment for staff at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. This won’t be her last fundraiser, as Law said “I can do another hiking charity in the future, this would be my most happiest moment to help the NHS."

NEW BANKSY ARTWORK

One of the UK’s most popular artists, Banksy, delivered his new work to Southampton General Hospital and left a note for hospital workers. The piece, called Game Changer, pays tribute to the NHS workers by showing a young boy playing with his new favourite superhero - a nurse, with Spiderman and Batman discarded on the floor. The note left read: “Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if it’s only black and white.”

SEEDS SALES SOAR

Whilst many industries have suffered due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the seed industry has flourished across the world. The immediate response to lockdown had people queing at supermarkets due to the fear of food shortages. For others, their reaction was to start growing their own vegetables. Seed Co-operative, a UK-based community owned seed company, said it has “exceptional demand” and that orders have been as much as six times higher than a year ago.