Light Among the Gloom

In this article, Matt Webb explains that, despite the despair felt on a worldwide scale, these depressing times won't last forever. While many of us are unable to divert our attention away from the looming prospect of suffering and loss, Matt describes four uplifting stories from recent weeks, highlighting human willingness to support one another, both emotionally, and financially.

If you're anything like me, all this news about COVID-19 is exhausting: the constant reminders to stay in your homes at the slightest hint of a symptom, alongside the around-the-clock news coverage. It's enough to completely scramble your brain. This article has been written to remind people that there are wonderful things happening in the world, in spite of these hardships that we’re having to face. Perhaps these little rays of sunshine will bring a smile to that vitamin D-deprived, quarantined face of yours.

If you're in need of a dose of wholesome news, look no further than 5 year old Easton Blocker from Arkansas. Easton's school hosted a 'dress as your favourite person day', and, naturally, he decided to celebrate the kindergarten security officer: Jeffery Cross. Due to a level of instability in American schools, Officer Jeffrey had been employed as an armed guard in case of emergency, and, ever since he joined their school, Easton ‘had a fascination’ with the new member of their school community.

Easton and Jeffery | Credit: Melissa Zygowicz

Easton came to school in his own ‘Junior Security' Tee, which mum Lauren claimed "is probably going to stick with him forever", as "it means a lot to him". Officer Jeffery was touched by the gesture, as he explained, "It makes me appreciate my job more.”

It just goes to show that you don’t have to be a superhero or an olympian to influence someone; all you need is a warm, friendly smile, and perhaps a yellow shirt.

The lighthearted news doesn't stop there. Let's talk about a craze that's emerged in Yate, South Gloucestershire. Despite the unusual name, ‘Flocking’ isn’t the next "dab" or "orange justice" dance move. Rather, students are invading citizens' front gardens and covering them in plastic lawn flamingos. In an effort to fundraise for schools, local groups are planting the ornaments the gardens of those who have been nominated by friends and family. Inhabitants are made to pay a small fee, in order for the rogue birds to be removed. One partaker described how the crew "just turn up in the dead of night, out of [their] flamingo wagons, like ninjas".

While we're on the subject of fundraising, it's time we talk about Sport Relief. By the end of the live show, the evening had raised a total of £40,540,355 for charitable causes. Simply through people calling or texting, and pledging their money, over £40,000,000 pounds is going to some phenomenal movements across the UK, and even further afield. Humans really are doing their best to make the world a better place.

As global charities are doing their part to change the world, individuals, namely Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, are doing their bit to lighten the mood. The musician posted on his Instagram: ‘Hello everyone... feeling locked up at home because of all the social distance? Cover a Green Day song and post it!’ Armstrong has since reposted over 12 fan covers from across the band's discography, giving aspiring artists both a platform to show off their musical prowess, and an activity for those left trapped by school closures and quarantine. You can follow the campaign on the star's Instagram page: @billiejoearmstrong

Credit: @Pashaabramov1 on Instagram

On the subject of the arts, one 9 year old Russian boy is using his artistic talents to raise money for a local animal shelter. Pavel Abramov first began accepting commissions for animal portraits after painting a picture of his late pet dog. However, instead of asking for money for his art, Pavel instead asked his customers to donate food and supplies to his local pet shelter in Nizhny Novgorod. Over the past two years, this young artist has taken orders from all over the world, including from countries such as Germany and Spain.

That brings this article to a close. Hopefully, these stories are a good reminder that, despite the seemingly inescapable threat of COVID-19, humans are able to thrive in the face of adversity. We aren't in the midst of an apocalypse, and, while the Coronavirus will eventually pass, the steps we're all taking to make this world a better place will have a lasting impact. Remember to stay safe, wash those hands and keep your chin up.

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