Recently updated on March 31st, 2022 at 03:20 pm
The news is getting a little overwhelming for many of us at the moment, so if you’re in need of a boost and a break from the anxiety inducing world of the news, take a read of our favourite positive stories from this week!
Aquarium field trips
The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is currently closed in the wake of COVID-19 – but that hasn’t stopped its cute inhabitants bringing joy around the world.
Wellington meets the sea otters! 🦦🐧 Wellington the rockhopper continued his field trip around the aquarium by visiting the Shedd otter habitat. #WheresWellingtonWednesday (1/2) pic.twitter.com/VlEeDzSoIV
— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 18, 2020
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Rockhopper penguin Wellington got taken on an adventure throughout the rest of the aquarium to visit his fellow residents and the videos are just too cute to handle! He met sea otters and Amazonian wildlife in these delightful clips.
The penguins aren’t the only animals taking field trips around the aquarium! Tyson the prehensile-tailed porcupine visited the penguin habitat while munching on a hard biscuit, which helps file down his constantly-growing teeth. pic.twitter.com/X2PpEHt1L3
— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 19, 2020
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Tyson the porcupine – also a Shedd Aquarium resident – got to visit the penguins while having a snack. More of these adorable videos please guys!
Italian Neighbours entertaining each other
The lockdown in Italy in response to the COVID-19 outbreak is one of the world’s strictest. However, in classic Italian style, neighbours across the country have found the perfect way to come together while still staying safe – serenading each other from their balconies! Opera singers have belted out classics and musicians have brought their instruments to their windows to share beautiful melodies. Meanwhile, everyday citizens are getting in on this beautiful way to raise morale
Remote Choir Practise
Social distancing recommendations put into place by most governments around the world have meant people getting creative with their hobbies. Whilst a lot of people have taken this as the chance to learn something new, plenty of us are heading online to take on group activities! Choir Leader James Sills this week launched “Sofa Singers” – a remote choir that practises over video calls. They’ve only had one rehearsal, but so far it’s sounding pretty good to us!
@jsillsmusic you absolute joy maker. Thank you for the most wonderful 90 minutes singing with almost 500 humans in #SelfIsolation from across the globe #TheSofaSingers #StayConnected #SingingForTheSoul pic.twitter.com/TIBw3HgEHg
— Uná Meehan (@Una_Meehan) March 17, 2020
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Dolphins in Venice
There has been an almost complete stop in the water traffic on the Venetian canals. As a result, there has been a swift recovery in the water’s ecosystem! The canals are clearer than they have been in decades, you can spot fish swimming in the shallows usually inhabited by the city’s famous gondolas, and some Venetian residents have even seen dolphins making an appearance!
✅ Acqua pulita a #Venezia con i pesci 🐠 che si tornano a vedere
— Roberto Dupplicato (@duppli) March 16, 2020
✅ Un cigno 🦢 sul Naviglio a #Milano
✅ un delfino 🐬 nel porto di #Cagliari
Tornare a inquinare sarebbe un delitto: sfruttiamo questa scia per ripensare a come sviluppare la società in armonia con la natura pic.twitter.com/dH0PLqm4Q1
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Applause for medical staff
Cities across Europe have been coming together for a few moments every night, from their balconies and windows, to applaud and cheer the medical staff on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.
#Geneva – #switzerland 🇨🇭9pm, 15/03/20 – the whole town is clapping for its INCREDIBLE medical staff. You are our heroes! #thankyou#COVIDー19 #coronavirus #CoronaInfoCH pic.twitter.com/HFClrmzDeF
— Safa Zouaoui (@SafaZouaoui_) March 15, 2020
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