Nature, economy, travel, creative ideas... To cheer you up, Maddyness selected some positive news from the UK and around the world which might make your day and help you to enjoy your self-isolation a bit more.
- Self-employed workers can apply for a grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits to help them cope with the financial impact of coronavirus. Up to a maximum of £2,500 a month will be paid in a single lump sum starting in June.
- Global air pollution has plummeted in the past six weeks as countries hit by the COVID-19 outbreak were forced to hit the pause button on the industry.
- Visit thousands of museums and exhibits online for free around the world with Google Arts and Culture.
- From Florida to Alaska, five US National Parks offer virtual tours you can take from the comfort of your sofa.
- The government will support 80% of workers’ salaries and up to 75% of salaries at privately-owned companies for up to three months, as long as they do not let staff go.
- Airbnb will help house 100,000 healthcare professionals, relief workers, and first responders globally for free or by waiving all fees.
- Disney+ has launched in the UK and you can watch or rewatch all your favourites: Star Wars, Disney, Marvel and The Simpsons. Monthly subscription costs £5.99.
- You can livestream the Northern lights right now and it's an incredible experience.
- According to the Tech Nation 2020 Report, the UK is Europe's top scaleup nation and UK tech continues to grow.
- A London-based patient has been declared 'cured' of HIV and he's the second one, as "there was no active viral infection in the patient's blood 30 months after they stopped anti-retroviral therapy".
- Scientists found a cleaner and 25 times more efficient method for hydrogen fuel production, using 'basic' ingredients: light from a mercury-xenon lamp, a solution of water and methanol, and iron oxide called α-FeOOH.
- There are currently 76 solutions that can tackle climate change across energy, food waste, agriculture, land rehabilitation, industry, efficiency, transport.
- Netflix has announced the return of Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) part four on Netflix UK screens, on April 3.
- Good news in the travel industry as there has been a 229% year-over-year increase in international flight bookings made in the past weeks to the UK for January 2021 and a 171% increase for bookings to Spain.
- Meghan and Harry have left Canada to set up a new permanent base in California, according to reports. The couple took a private flight to the US and are living close to Hollywood, according to reports.
- Penguins are given freedom at a zoo in the US. Two of them, Edward and Annie, rockhopper penguins explore their empty aquarium as it temporarily shut down due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Penguins in the Amazon?! 🐧🌴
Some of the penguins went on a field trip to meet other animals at Shedd. Wellington seemed most interested in the fishes in Amazon Rising! The black-barred silver dollars also seemed interested in their unusual visitor. pic.twitter.com/KgYWsp5VQD
— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 15, 2020
- Netflix launch viewing parties. Netflix Party allows you to watch movies and TV shows with friends, wherever you are and adds a group chat so you can react and discuss together.
- "Britain’s loneliest dog”, a border collie has been adopted after spending 10 years at Last Chance Animal Rescue in Edenbridge, Kent.
- This man missed going for a coffee with his wife so she made their very own café in the garden: "It’s only when you’re not able to do the everyday things that you realise how much you take those things for granted."
https://twitter.com/jsphst00/status/1241346794195386369
