More Positive News During The Coronavirus

Op-Ed by Brit Smith

BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about one in five American adults lives with a mental illness. That's close to 47 million people, many of whom are currently living in lockdown as authorities ramp up efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.

At WBZ NewsRadio, we understand how your newsfeed impacts your mental health, especially for the millions of people living with issues like anxiety or depression. To find help now, click here.

We're dedicated to bringing you all the most important news, and that includes the positive stories that are out there. There are lots of great things happening in the world right now, and each weekend we're combing the news from the past week to put together a very important list of acts of kindness, good news, and stories to give you hope.

A Boston Resident Is Serenading His Neighborhood Every Night

If you're in quarantine on Beacon Street, every night at 6 P.M. you can open your windows and hear the dulcet tones of Mike DiCarlo, a resident who has taken to singing "Sweet Caroline" to his neighbors each evening. He says he's been getting "a great turnout."

DiCarlo isn't just singing Boston's favorite song. He's also giving the lyrics a coronavirus-twist, belting out "Hands, not touching hands, not reaching out, not touching me, not touching you!" He's also posted flyers with his version of the lyrics on the doors below so that people walking along Beacon Street can join in.

Free Flowers In Needham To "Spread Good Vibes"

While we work to slow the spread of coronavirus, a home interior and gift shop in the center of Needham is offering passers-by a way to spread happiness. The Hearthstone Home store says it has an array of flowers sitting outside, available for anyone to pick one out and take it home. "We have a sign out front that says 'take one for you, give one to a friend, give one to a neighbor,' we want people to spread good vibes."

A store associate told WBZ NewsRadio that since everyone is stuck at home with nothing else to do, lots of people are going for walks. As they pass Hearthstone Home, locals are picking out a free flower to enjoy. "People have been very receptive, very positive, everyone is out walking."

(Photo: Getty Images)

Everett Police Handed Out Free Food

Police officers in Everett were spotted on a busy street corner this week handing out free food to to the people of their city, and the department apparently "took it upon themselves" to do it.

City officials told WBZ NewsRadio "it was recently brought to our attention that the Police Department took it upon themselves to hand out meals on Broadway during rush hour to erase the stigma that may be attached to going to a food panty or other food source." Officers have also been "taking it upon themselves" to feed the homeless around the city of Everett.

(Photo: City Of Everett)

The Hallmark Channel Is Bringing Back Christmas

It's only been three months since we celebrated, but the Hallmark Channel says during this trying time, we could all use a little more Christmas in our lives. So grab a big blanket and some popcorn, because the channel is bringing out a Christmas movie marathon to get you through this weekend.

The Countdown to Christmas movie marathon runs Friday, March 20 through Sunday, March 22. Movies include Crown for Christmas, A Very Merry Mix-Up, Christmas at Dollywood, Write Before Christmas, and will finish with Christmas in Rome on Sunday at 6 P.M. ET.

A TV Drama Donated Protective Gear To Hospitals

As factories try to ramp up the output of personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical professionals, the crew of a TV medical drama has decided to pitch in.

According to Dr. Karen L. Law, the program director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Emory University in Georgia, Grady Hospital got a huge donation of PPE including gowns, masks, and gloves from the set of The Resident, a medical drama on Fox.

A Top Fashion Designer's Crew Is Now Making Masks

Leading fashion designer Christian Siriano has announced he and his sewing team will be making medical masks to help dwindling PPE supplies in New York.

Siriano first reached out to New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo via instagram, offering his staff's services to increase the supply of masks. Cuomo said his administration has since been in touch with the fashion designer, who is starting work immediately to help the cause.

If you've got a story about good news during COVID-19, email WBZWebStaff@iHeartMedia.com and we'll tag you in next week's article!