Positivity Is Contagious... Even in a Pandemic

One statistic we never hear is what percentage of the virus news is negative. I'm guessing it's about 99 percent.

There are very few positive things you can say about an illness that has infected over 36 million people globally. And killed more than 1 million of them.

But that doesn't mean we have to fill our minds with negativity. Fortunately, there are some positive stories connected to COVID-19. And like the virus, positivity is contagious. Today I'd like to share some of those stories with you.

Elderly people are at high risk for the virus. Understanding this, a group of high school students decided to do their part to help.

Students at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, California set up an online site. It's called ZoomersToBoomers.com. That's where local seniors can sign up to have their groceries delivered the next day.

Participating students take the orders, shop and deliver the groceries. The service is 100 percent no charge.

This movement proved so popular that Zoomers to Boomers now has more than 1,000 volunteers nationwide. They've helped over 5,000 seniors in 36 cities.

Not all the "victims" of the virus have tested positive. Many of them are healthy but live in nursing homes where loneliness has set in.

They were used to regular visits from family members and friends. But social distancing policies in those homes have put visits on hold.

Helping residents deal with this crushing blow is the staff at Brightview Senior Living. It's based in Warren, New Jersey.

They put on a rock 'n roll-themed sock hop party featuring milkshakes. They also set up FaceTime calls and went door to door, handing out ice cream.

One of the frustrations people experience while dealing with the pandemic is slow test results.

The longer it takes to receive a result, the greater the chance of spreading the virus if one is infected.

The Vermont owners of a plane donated the use of their aircraft to Green Mountain Messenger and the State of Vermont. In order to help speed up the process.

They transported coronavirus test specimens to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. This allowed for much faster results.

Some workplaces have had to shut down temporarily due to the virus. Including hotels and resorts.

One of those hotels was the Four Seasons on 57th Street in New York City. But instead of staying empty, hotel officials offered complimentary rooms for medical professionals.

Ty Warner is the hotel's corporate owner. He said, "Many of those working in New York City have to travel long distances to and from their homes after putting in 18-hour days.

"They need a place close to work where they can rest and regenerate."

Many people were anxiously awaiting their stimulus funds a couple of months ago. They used these dollars for a variety of purposes, including their expenses and entertainment.

Two residents of Duluth, Minnesota used their stimulus funds for pizzas. But not for themselves.

They donated the pizzas to the Duluth Salvation Army for their weekday to-go lunch program. The pizzas ended up feeding about 100 people.

Captain Teri Ellison of the Salvation Army thanked the donors in an official statement.

Job losses have caused some people to struggle to feed themselves and their families. One Severna, Maryland resident came up with an idea to put a small dent in that problem.

She set up a table on the edge of a busy roundabout in town and placed brown bag lunches on it every day at 11 a.m.

One of the hand-written signs attached to the table read: "Free Lunch." Another read: "For Anyone Who Needs It."

In smaller writing, a sign read: "I will be leaving some healthy sack lunches on this table for you if you are hungry and need to eat. Made with love by a neighborhood mom. In a clean and sanitary kitchen."

Medical masks and other personal protective equipment have been in short supply. Including in some healthcare facilities.

It got so bad a while back in New York and New Jersey that nurses were told to wear bandanas over their mouths and noses.

Folks who are handy with a sewing machine heeded the call. They began making masks for those on the frontlines.

They then delivered those masks to medical facilities most in need.

Healthcare workers have been at the forefront of this pandemic since day one. Risking their lives every day to take care of infected people.

They often get overlooked, but they are doing more than just showing up for work each day. They're doing everything possible to help stop the spread.

Morristown Memorial Hospital is located in Morristown, New Jersey. Medical professionals there received a "thank-you" they won't soon forget.

Written in chalk on the walkway to a hospital entrance was this. "If you are just arriving, thank you for what you are about to do."

It's easy to dwell on negativity associated with the pandemic. Especially when we watch the news. But if you look for them, you can find positive stories as well.