Before we go in today’s #FourForApril, I want to clear up why I am doing this.
I don’t do this to deflect from the harrowing reality of the coronavirus pandemic. Numbers are still rising and it’s so important to be aware of this.
I do this to show that there is kindness and hope spurring out of this as they would out of anything else. To highlight everyday heroes and that these people, as well as our remarkable nurses and doctors, will beat this.
That’s why it’s more important than ever that you stay at home and save lives. Take care ๐
Google and Apple work together to track coronavirus spread
Yesterday, Apple and Google announced a groundbreaking collaboration to use smartphones to help trace and contain the spread of coronavirus.
The joint effort will open up systems to allow the creation of advanced โcontact-tracingโ apps, which will run on iPhone and Android phones.
Bluetooth technology in mobile phones will help to keep track of every other phone a person comes into close contact with over the course of a day.
If that person later finds out they have Covid-19, they can use the same system to alert all those people, dating back to before they would have become infectious.
The technology would also help those who have been exposed to a person with Covid-19 self-isolate before they themselves become infectious.
Despite the privacy concerns, Apple and Google said in a joint announcement that user privacy and security are built into the design of their plan.
You can read more about this great collaboration here.
The books written to help children cope with coronavirus
At this unusual time, it’s important to understand the affect this whole crisis is having on children.
Many authors and illustrators have been collaborating to help children understand this whole situation and put their minds at ease.
One story created by a team effort from the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), which is part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, is helping to do this.
The story, “My Hero is You, How Kids can fight Covid-19”, features a creature named Ario, who helps explain how children can protect themselves against the virus and cope with the complicated emotions around the world.
Aimed at children ages 6 to 11 years old, the book has already been translated into six languages to reach as many children as possible. You can read more about that here.
Meanwhile, a book for primary school children about coronavirus illustrated by best-selling Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler, has been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times.
The book, “Coronavirus: A book for children”, was accessed more than 100,000 times directly from the Nosy Crow website in the first 24 hours after its release.
The book was written by staff within Nosy Crow and has expert input from Professor Graham Medley of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine who acted as a consultant, and advice from two head teachers and a child psychologist.
You can read more of that lovely story here.
Police in Manchester have been leaving Easter Eggs on doorsteps for children
Manchester Police have been leaving Easter eggs on doorsteps for children.
The Greater Manchester Police Trafford North team have been keeping an eye out for homes displaying colourful rainbows in their front windows and giving Easter eggs to those with colourful pictures.
The team launched a competition on Facebook to encourage youngsters to get involved in creating the rainbows to thank NHS staff and to cheer people up during the coronavirus lockdown.
Using their own cash to buy the eggs, in a sign of unity through kindness, the officers have also received donations from a local Asda, Tesco and WHSmith.
You can read more about the officers spreading joy here.
Hero teacher walks over five miles every day to deliver free school meals to children
An award-winning Grimsby teacher has been delivering food to children in need who are off school due to coronavirus.
Zane Powles, assistant headteacher at Western Primary School in Grimsby walks over five miles every day to deliver meals to children.
Many of the 100 children receiving the food are vulnerable and those who may not be fed otherwise. Zane said he his delighted to be able to check on their welfare.
In a method he calls ‘knock, drop and leave’ other staff members have also joined him by delivering to homes in the area by car.
Some of the children he has been checking on have even been asking for extra homework while they are off school due to lockdown forcing families to stay indoors.
Zane, a former serviceman, last year cycled 1,200 miles in two weeks in aid of the Cat Zero charity supporting young people trying to find work.
You can read more about the amazing deeds by Zane Powles here.
Bonus positive
This amazing piece of “vandalism” from the kids in this neighbourhood.
Every day in April, we will be sharing four positive news stories in one post under the hashtag #FourForApril. Got any kindness stories? Send them in! Weโd love the world to hear about these good deeds by good people ๐
Thanks for reading one of our positive stories!
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