With Covid-19 affecting everyone's lives, the best-case scenario is that we're currently working from home, staying in with our partner or roommates that we live with, and trying to focus on Netflix and other distractions during this tough time. In the worst-case scenario, we're in quarantine, in self-isolation for 14 days after traveling abroad, or know a loved one or friend who has the virus who we're very worried about.

These aren't easy days and since there are so many unknowns with how long the situation will continue, it can be tough to read the news. But there are a lot of positive things happening that we should know about.

In the midst of the coronavirus, these pieces of good news from abroad will brighten our days.

China Says There Is A Flu Drug That Works On Covid-19

two men with masks
via Al Jazeera

According to The Guardian, China says that there is a flu drug that seems to work on Covid-19. This is a medication that was "to treat new strains of influenza" in Japan. It has been used in clinical trials in Shenzhen and Wuhan and "produced encouraging outcomes." 340 people were involved, and people in Shenzhen who took the drug were showing negative levels of the coronavirus within an average of four days.

buildings in china
via Flickr

An expert named Zhang Xinmin who works at China's technology and science ministry was quoted saying, "It has a high degree of safety and is clearly effective in treatment." People who didn't take the drug were showing negative levels of Covid-19 after eleven days, for comparison. This is definitely good news to hear since we're not sure when there will be a vaccine available.

People At An IKEA In Sweden Handed Over 50,000 Masks To A Hospital In Need

ikea store and people wearing masks in airport
via Flikr and Business Insider

Here's another piece of good news: according to Reuters.com, people at an IKEA located in Sweden came across 50,000 masks in a warehouse. They handed them over to a hospital in need (Sahlgrenska University Hospital). The head of logistics at the store named Johan Andersson said, "We’re just happy to have been able to contribute something.”

This is a huge deal as there is a shortage of masks. According to Bloomberg, people working at hospitals in Washington state have been actually creating their own masks. They used elastic, foam, industrial tape, and marine-grade vinyl. NPR explains that China is producing 200 million of these necessary masks each day. These are "heavy-duty N95 masks used by health-care workers."

Ireland Grocery Stores Are Giving Seniors The Chance To Shop In A Safe Environment

Woman Standing In Supermarket and Buildings In Cork Ireland
both images are via Flickr

We might have seen local pharmacies and grocery stores in our areas allowing seniors to shop at specific times. These are often early in the morning, and the idea is that other people will wait until other times of day to shop.

Another feel-good story in the midst of the coronavirus is that Ireland grocery stores are giving seniors the chance to shop in a safe environment. According to Echolive.ie, stores in Cork Supervalu Glanmire wants "elderly and vulnerable customers" to come into the store on Wednesday mornings from 7:30 until 10 in the morning. Lidl is doing the same thing but every morning starting at nine a.m. and ending at 11.

cork ireland
via Flickr

It's so lovely to hear this, and we hope that it makes people feel safer and more comfortable during this period.

Chef Massimo Bottura, Who We Know From Chef's Table, Is Teaching Us How To Cook On His Social Media

Fans of the TV show Chef's Table on Netflix are familiar with Massimo Bottura, a chef with a sense of humor and charming, child-like personality. It turns out that he's doing something truly wonderful in the midst of the coronavirus.

Massimo has decided to teach people how to cook on his social media, and it's all completely free. Secret Miami says that the chef said on Sunday that he would live-stream the meals that he's cooking for his family members. It's called Kitchen Quarantine and he said of the videos, "I want to share this joyful, family experience with everyone connected around the world." We can't wait to tune in because we know that we'll learn a lot from this talented and creative chef.

With the spread of Covid-19 and people spending time at home to practice social distancing, a lot of online creators are turning to social media (Instagram in particular) and offering live videos. We can find free workouts, cooking demos, and other feel-good activities.

These stories definitely lifted our spirits, and it's nice to see what people are doing abroad in the midst of this difficult time. We're going to get through the Covid-19 outbreak together (while staying apart for public safety).