16 things that don't suck in 2020

All right folks. I guess we're all a little bit overwhelmed with the current situation. We all hoped that the new decade would be kind of a fresh start, a marker on a timeline that was supposed to bring new, exciting stuff. Well...it's not going so good so far, right Mr. 2020?

But what if it actually is not so bad?

It's been a while, since we all try to #stay_home as much as possible, we keep the #social_distance...but we definitely don't #social_media_distance.

We are constantly boomed with bad news and bad information.

I'm here to save you from the dark thoughts and maybe put a little smile on your face. I made a list of good news and good things that happened this year!

Below, you'll find 3 categories: nature, medicine & science and social.

Are you ready for some cheering up? Let's get it started!

1. Better air quality

It's easy. A common lockdown has led to a decrease in economic activities. We don't go out so much = we don't use road transportation as much as usual, which causes an increase in air quality in many areas. Breathe in!

"Data from EEA member countries show how concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) — a pollutant mainly emitted by road transport — have decreased in many European cities where lockdown measures have been implemented." - EEA

2. Australia is no longer on fire

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the whole world was concerned about Australia being on fire. Well, lucky enough, it's over. No more areas remain burning since early March. While for sure it's not the end of the battle and Australia still needs our help, the pause of this horror certainly is great news. Volunteers and celebrities around the world have also extended help to Australia. Go kangaroos!

3. Efforts are being made to protect coral reefs

The Pacific nation of Palau is the first country to ban sunscreens that are harmful to corals and sea life. From now on, we can hope that other counties will follow that path. Let' keep the Finding Nemo characters alive!

"Toxic sunscreen chemicals have been found throughout Palau's critical habitats, and in the tissues of our most famous creatures." - BBC

4. Wins for the animal kingdom

African black rhino populations have increased! The number of critically endangered black rhinoceroses is slowly ticking up. Also, the giant blue whales show promising signs of a comeback. Meanwhile, two cheetah cubs were born for the first time by IVF (in vitro fertilisation). The breakthrough offers hope for the threatened species in the future! Can I get a "rawrrrr"? Many species grow in population, but I don't want this list to be too long...so just trust me, the animals are on it!

5. People in India can see the Himalayas for the first time in decades

As I wrote, the lockdown causes the ease of air pollution in many areas! People living in the northern Indian state of Punjab share pictures of the mountain view. Some of them say that they haven't seen Himalayas in 30 years! Just incredible.

6. 'Wonderchicken' has been discovered

Researchers found the fossil of the oldest modern bird who lived among dinosaurs and survived their extinction. Meet the grand grand grand grand {...} ancestor of the present, well-known chicken! It was found in rocks dating to about 66.8 to 66.7 million years ago, which is before the dinosaurs were wiped out.

"This is one of the best-preserved fossil bird skulls of any age, from anywhere in the world. We almost had to pinch ourselves when we saw it {...}" - Daniel Field

7. The second person in the world cured of HIV

Doctors performed a special bone-marrow transplant on the "London patient". Researchers reported that Adam Castillejo had experienced long-term remission and now it is more sure, that his case might represent the cure. The first patient to be cured of HIV — Timothy Brown (the "Berlin patient") — received a similar bone-marrow transplant in 2007 and has been HIV-free for more than 10 years. Good for them!

8. Last Ebola patient tested negative

The last Ebola patient was discharged from a treatment center in the Democratic Republic of Congo on March 3rd. It's been more than 42 days since the last reported case of infection tested negative, so it's safe to say that we came to the end of the world’s second-deadliest Ebola epidemic. Cheers to that lady!

9. New technologies are available to help paralyzed patients

Researchers developed a system that uses a brain implant and brain-computer interface. It translates signals between the limbs and the brain. This breakthrough may reverse paralysis! It is still tested, but it seems to be very promising. Some patients develop such a dramatic change in their sense of touch, that they can play Guitar Hero!

10. Vaccines and cures against COVID-19 are underway

Scientists all over the world are working on potential treatments and vaccines for COVID-19. Some companies work on vaccines that could be used as a preventive measure against the disease. Some of the earliest cures will probably be drugs that are already approved for other conditions or have been tested on other viruses. It still can be a year before any treatments will be in common use, but that's good! It means that those medications are tested and scientists are making sure they will be safe for us.

11. You woke up today

Hey! That's always good news. Let's be grateful for our health & safety, if we have it. Let's pray for those who don't.

12. Social distancing = unity in humanity

Paradoxically, the further away we stay from each other (#stayhome), the more united we are. Yes! We stay connected, even though we don't see eye-to-eye. It may feel wired, but people around the world are "closer" than ever. Our actions matter...or I should rather say "no actions". We can all relate. "Doing nothing" is now the best thing we can do for the world. All of us, together.

13. An amputee veteran went skydiving on his 90th birthday

An Air Force Veteran, who is a double-amputee, celebrated his birthday in the sky! A 90-year-old Stanley jumped out a plane with his daughter. He said this experience is the craziest thing he’s done in his life.

“He often says he can do anything that he did before. It just takes him longer.” - Stanley Rohrer’s wife.

14. New Yorkers can now get married over Zoom

Yep! You can tie the knot online! New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed an order allowing online marriages because many weddings were canceled under lockdown restrictions. Say: I do!

15. A dog lost in a crash was reunited with his owner

In January, chihuahua Max went missing after a car crash. The detectives were checking up on the spot where the accident occurred. They left behind food in the hopes it might attract the dog, and keep him fed until his rescue. Luckily the story came to an end after 4 days of searching! The dog was found and came back to his loving owner. Woof!

16. Single-mom got a $1000 tip and gave it to charity

A struggling single-mom waitress was tipped by a generous couple in Nashville. They gave her a $1,000 tip after learning that she works through three jobs to support her children. She decided to contribute the donation to build a skate park in the town for kids in the neighborhood. This way, she can support not only her children! You go, girl!

Well, it's going to take a while until we came back to where we were before this all madness. But we have to look for positives! As you can see, many good things happened this year despite all.

Stay safe guys and to the next time!

Don't forget to check my Instagram @gosiakkk

GK