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Since the discovery of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Wuhan, China in late December 2019, the pandemic had notoriously affected humankind. As of February 12, a staggering 2,377,196 deaths and 108,278,312 cases worldwide have been reported. Wherever we tune in, what see or hear are scary coronavirus headlines and we can hardly hear any positive COVID update.
With all the scare going around, people tend to get so worried about what will happen in the coming days. We all are scared of being infected and sadly, this health crisis has put us down to our knees. Some of us have battled neurosis because of the pandemic, others are still hoping that things will get better very soon.
In ancient philosophy, they always say that the good and the bad are twins and I guess that’s right! Because despite the pandemic, there are still amazing stories happening around, and we can’t just let these stories remain untold. Good news deserves to be recognized. So, we thought of regathering 9 positive COVID updates worldwide we’ve come across the internet that will surely bring us to light and hope this new year.
If these noteworthy headlines paint a smile on your face — read and share this, and be the reason for making someone feel happy and hopeful again.
Finally, the United States made it! The 26th of January became the best day for Americans since the pandemic started. This day marked two weeks of a substantial decline in COVID-19 cases in the USA.
As a result, hospitalization also dropped significantly by 1/3 since January 12, 2021, according to The Atlantic. For instance, California reported a 20% decrease in hospitalizations and in other 36 states.
“It’s a stable indicator pointing in the right direction,” as you can see from the chart below from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).
Among this year’s 9 Positive COVID Updates Worldwide has something to do with our health front-liners: doctors. Did you know that the number of students applying to medical school is up by 18% in 2021?
The said “huge spike” resulted when the pandemic became an inspiration for would-be-doctors to serve their country. In America alone, the Association of American Medical Colleges has seen an increase of about 1 to 3 percent annually. The surge is being compared to the flood of military enlistments after the 9/11 attacks when Americans became inspired to serve their homeland.
Call this Positive COVID Update unbelievable, but Drug companies promised to not make a profit on their vaccines. Instead, they just want to make the cure for the people to normalize things again.
Both Oxford-AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson have decided that, until the pandemic ends, they’ll sell their COVID-19 vaccines using a not-for-profit model.
According to the Financial Times, Oxford-AstraZeneca is currently worth about $3-$4 per dose—which just covers costs.
On the other hand, Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine, which is still to be authorized, will be only worth $10. Yes, it’s twice more expensive, but you only need one dose of it in order to be effective.
If this news doesn’t make it on our list, then we believe we should be canceled. But here you go, just another Positive COVID Update everyone must know.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s inspiring to see developed countries lending a helping hand to the developing ones. This is proof that regardless of our skin color and culture – we’re still one and connected. Humanity is not dead no matter how tough things can become.
As part of its ‘vaccine diplomacy’ campaign, India plans to offer 20 million vaccines to its neighboring countries. These countries include Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, the Maldives, and Mauritius, with many of these aid shipments being completely free.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand government has earmarked $53 Million. The said budget will be used to augment the cost of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to its Pacific-Island neighbors, which might not otherwise be able to afford the vaccines.
The Moderna-made COVID-19 vaccine can kill the two new, rapidly spreading strains of COVID-19. This means that the chance of this pandemic ending is relatively higher already! Finally!
According to Nature, the vaccine works as effectively against the UK variant as it does against the original form. While the vaccine appears less effective at neutralizing the South African 501Y.V2 variant, it still provides protection.
In the meantime, Moderna is now planning to test a booster jab that will enhance immunity against emerging forms of the coronavirus.
In the United States, you get to have a bag of marijuana for FREE. Dubbed “Joints for Jabs,” a community effort has been planned for Washington, D.C. for whenever public vaccination sites open.
DC Marijuana Justice will celebrate the “momentous occasion” by thanking people for getting vaccinated, with dozens of DC homegrowers lawfully distributing free bags of cannabis outside vaccination centers as soon as the general public is able to get vaccinated.
“We are looking for ways to safely celebrate the end of the pandemic and we know nothing brings people together like cannabis,” says DCMJ co-founder Nikolas Schiller.
If you’re wondering what girl power is, this is it! Another interesting news that made headlines and truly deserves a spot in our list of positive COVID Updates.
As seen in the picture, this all-female team conquered the harshest rural Alaskan weather just to deliver the COVID-19 vaccines as early as possible. This act of care and compassion inspired the adventurous medical team so that the community members can continue to get visits from family members.
The team of four is using planes, snowmobiles, and sleds—whatever it takes—to deliver the vaccine across the remotest part of northern Alaska. This team “Wonder Women” comprises a pharmacist, a doctor, and two nurses. They all have delivered 65 vaccinations, so far, traveling hundreds of miles to villages to get the job done.
Good news for those who have already contracted COVID-19: The immune system appears to remember how to make antibodies that can fight off the virus for at least six months following the initial infection—and likely for much longer.
Moreover, a study led by scientists at Rockefeller University and published in Nature, found that—perhaps because of the “exposure to remnants of the virus hidden in the gut”—participants continued to improve their antibodies months after contracting the coronavirus.
Old is gold.
With modern technology and the internet, people seem to have already forgotten books on their shelves. However, the pandemic seems to have brought back one old hobby that we all have already bid bye-bye to – Reading Books.
In 2020, for the first time since 2012 in the UK alone, over 200 million books were sold.
On another note, borrowing books also grew significantly in the US amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. It may sound a little odd, but would you believe that National Geographic reported that weekly e-book lending increased by nearly 50% since March 2020? Well, the numbers don’t lie and the pandemic made us fall in love with books even more. And for this reason, this news made it to our list of our top 9 Positive COVID Updates Worldwide.
Interestingly, a survey in Canada also showed similarly positive reading trends. The poll comprising 58% respondents from the non-profit BookNet said they planned on reading more because of lockdowns.
Before, they say dogs are man’s best friend. But now, shall we say books are man’s other best friend? What do you think?
Interested in other COVID Headlines? Read more about the recent news about the development of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine HERE.
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