One World, One Emotion

Even when things seem bleak, there will always be light; and as the world fights COVID-19, this light came in the form of health care workers, friendly neighbours, police officials and many other good Samaritans. Meera J Pillai looks at some of the heart-warming human stories from across the globe

- Meera J Pillai

Who knew that in a couple of months, the world will change to this magnitude? There now is a world before COVID-19, or BC19, as we may want to refer to it, and a world after, or AC19. While everything seems new and uniquely strange, the one aspect that will stay common to either side of the pandemic would be stories of humanity, bravery, never-ending sacrifice and, ultimately, the spread of love and hope. Whether it is a health worker in Italy, a police officer in the United States, a doctor in London, a neighbour in China or a grocery salesman in India, the whole world has come together to battle this virus as one.

Heroes in Hazmat suits

Doctors, nurses, hospital employees and health care workers in various government offices have been working tirelessly, day and night to help the patients and their families. From doctors coming out of retirement to health professionals postponing their weddings, there is no dearth of heart-warming stories that have made the news.

Cheering on the patients: When the first COVID-19 patient was healthy enough to be taken off the ventilator and moved to a regular facility, medical staff lined the hallways at a hospital in Alabama, USA, to cheer the patient. This has now become a common way to greet them, to salute their fighting spirit.

A tribute to health care workers: In the United Kingdom, several postboxes were painted blue recently as a mark of gratitude towards the National Heath Service (NHS) staff for working tirelessly. The famous artist Banksy sent a canvas artwork titled 'game changer' to the NHS Foundation Trust as a tribute to the health care workers.