4 reasons to stay optimistic: Declining Covid-19 cases, Harry Potter storytime with Daniel Radcliffe and more

From star-studded Harry Potter readings to seemingly endless charitable donations, this good news round-up reminds us why it’s so important to stay optimistic

Nowadays, news feeds are flooded with startling statistics, business closures and an ever-present global-wide uncertainty.

But it is so important to remain positive. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve seen an influx in charitable donations, communities coming together and a more healthy work-life balance for most.

Here are some great things going on in the world right now.

Cases of Covid-19 are the lowest ever in over six weeks

In a medical briefing yesterday evening, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said there’s been a continued pattern of improvement in fighting Covid-19 in Ireland.

“It is giving us reason for encouragement,” he said. “We have made great progress as a country.

“If we can keep this level of behaviour up as a country, I think we are increasingly hopeful we will get to where we want to be on the 18th of May. If we keep it up we have good reason to be hopeful.”

Daily hospital and ICU admissions have dropped and the number of reported daily cases has decreased consistently since they peaked two weeks ago.

Complimentary services for frontline workers

On Wednesday, The Westbury’s bistro Balfes offered free meals to essential workers. From 8am – 1:30pm, frontline workers were able to take advantage of their drive thru service and have a free breakfast or lunch.

Dog’s Trust is also offering a free dog-minding service for essential employees and encouraging others to become doggie foster parents. Frontline staff simply have to sign up for the service online, then Dog’s Trust starts the foster process, choosing the best match for pups.

Our favourite stars are leading Harry Potter storytimes for children

Last month, we were delighted when J.K. Rowling launched a Harry Potter Hub — a scholastic and entertaining resource with child-friendly activities, puzzles, illustration tutorials, quizzes, games and more.

And now, it gets even better. “Amazing friends of the Wizarding World are going to take turns reading Harry Potter book one,” the hub announced on Twitter.

Surprise! We've got a treat for you…From today, amazing friends of the Wizarding World are going to take turns reading Harry Potter book one.

And to start us off with Chapter 1, we think you’ll agree we have the perfect narrator…?? #HarryPotterAtHome
https://t.co/w9K77akbou pic.twitter.com/Q03PmjeD5d

— Wizarding World (@wizardingworld) May 5, 2020

First up is Daniel Radcliffe reading chapter one of The Philosopher’s Stone, followed by promised readings from Eddie Redmayne, Dakota Fanning, Stephen Fry and David Beckham.

Charitable donations are restoring our faith in humanity

Poverty-stricken Native Americans have been hit harder than ever, and they were eternally grateful when Irish donations started pouring in. The Hopi and Navajo nations set up a GoFundMe to purchase life-saving supplies for their people. Now, over $3 million has been raised, much of which came from Ireland. 

Native Americans donated what little money they had to the Irish during the Great Famine, and now Ireland is reciprocating the love. Many captioned their donations: ‘Ireland remembers’. 

L’Oréal Ireland is doing their part as well, donating over 50,000 hygiene products and hand sanitisers to frontline healthcare workers in Ireland and over 27,000 hand sanitisers to frontline pharmacy and grocery staff.

“The frontline healthcare workers and retail staff are doing an incredible job looking after the sick and providing essential products and services to communities,” said Vismay Sharma, L’Oréal UK and Ireland Country Managing Director. 

“We believe in the beauty of community and are proud to contribute to the needs of our heroic NHS and HSE staff, and those on the retail frontlines across the UK and Ireland.”

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