Though it can be hard to see past devastating headlines, there is plenty of good news in the world right now to relieve stress and uplift your spirits. Instagram accounts dedicated to good news, such as @sunny_side_news, @GoodNews_Movement, and @thehappynewspaper, have seen follower engagement skyrocket over the past weeks. Two weeks ago, John Krasinski created a “news network for good news” on YouTube, which has gained 1.9 million subscribers. Google searches for “good news” spiked a month ago and has only continued to rise. Here is some good news for these trying times.
- Michael Che Will Be Paying One Month’s Rent for 160 Tenants
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On April 15, Michael Che, a comedian who co-hosts “Weekend Update” on “Saturday Night Live,” announced on Instagram that he would be paying one month’s rent for 160 apartments in New York City Housing building to honor his late grandmother who died of the Coronavirus. Che acknowledged that his contribution would be “a drop in the bucket” and urged New York Mayor Deblasio and New York Governor Cuomo to create a plan for debt forgiveness to residents who might owe rent during the pandemic. This isn’t the first time Che has given back to the residents of New York City’s public housing system; just last year he organized a comedy show to raise money for tenants.
- 88-year-old Grandma Receives Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch
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Last year, a youtube video of an 87-year-old grandma showing off her 3,500+ hour save file on Animal Crossing went viral, with over 11 million views. Grandma Audrey Buchanan may be Animal Crossing’s biggest and oldest fan, curating her town every day for the past 4 years. Buchanan’s love for building towns and islands resonated with millions, so much so, that a GoFundMe was created to gift grandma Audrey the new Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch. Audrey’s unboxing video includes her first impressions, brief gameplay, and insightful final thoughts
- Animal Shelters are Completely Empty
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Quarantining with an animal is guaranteed to relieve stress and bring comfort during these troubling times. As a result, animal shelters across the U.S are clearing for the first time in a long time. One of three kennels at Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control’s shelter in West Palm Beach is completely empty, and every animal was adopted from Chicago Animal Care and Control for the first time. Many shelters are seeing similar spiking increase in adoption and fostering. This is great news for pets looking for their forever homes and allows staff members to safely quarantine.
- Little Free Libraries are Stocking Essential Goods for Those in Need
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Little free libraries work as a “take a book, return a book” free neighborhood book exchange that is most commonly structured as a small wooden box that houses books. Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share. Little free libraries can be located all over the U.S. The little free libraries project have sparked the innovation of little free pantries, that stock essential goods that people may need during the pandemic. Essentials like face masks, toilet paper, and nonperishable foods can be found in these little pantries, free of charge and accessible to all. Pantry caretakers are reminding visitors to wash their hands and sanitize the pantry door handles before handling its contents. Acts of community kindness is what everyone needs to be reminded that things are going to be okay.