In today’s #NotBadNews, New Zealand is re-opening schools and parents are jumping for joy.
Welcome to #NotBadNews, our new (and hopefully short-lived) daily column where we round up the good, surprising, and weird things that have happened around the world during this coronavirus pandemic.
Hug-a-Hippo
How does one get around a nursing home’s no-touch policy? Well, this woman’s daughter decided her best option was a sterilized hippo suit—so she showed up for her visit in…style?
“This is so wonderful!”
Woman wears sterilized hippo costume so she can hug her mother at Virginia retirement home. https://t.co/jKPox4NHg7 pic.twitter.com/rahuvv4dbx
— ABC News (@ABC) May 19, 2020
The Dog With a College Degree
This is a seriously good boy—so good in fact, he’s being honored with a college degree. Just last week, Virginia Tech awarded therapy dog Moose with an honorary degree in veterinary medicine.
Moose has been working at Virginia Tech as a counseling dog for six years, helping thousands of students along the way—that degree was earned!
An 8-year-old therapy dog named Moose is officially a very good boy, after he was awarded an honorary doctorate in veterinary medicine from Virginia Tech on Friday. https://t.co/9Lbe0m5C47
— CNN (@CNN) May 18, 2020
Recommended Fodor’s Video
There’s nothing we love more than a heart-warming story, except maybe a dog in costume. Good thing this #NotBadNews has both!
Our New Form of Meditation
In our typically busy lives, a moment of peace and quiet is welcomed, nay, yearned for! But lately, there’s perhaps been too much peace and quiet, so much so that all we want to do is scream—that’s at least what this neighborhood is thinking.
Encouraging other residents to join in on a cathartic yell, this neighbor is suggesting a weekly scream to get out all of the sadness that quarantine may have you feeling.
I wish I lived in that neighborhood, I’m jealous! pic.twitter.com/u96kyS45MK
— 𝖆𝖑𝖊𝖝𝖎 🦇 (@alexivenegas_) May 14, 2020
Imagine your surprise when on Friday you hear screams from all directions—here’s to hoping this message makes its way around the neighborhood!
The Newest Celebrity Book Club
Oscar-award winner Taika Waititi is gathering all of his best celebrity friends to join him for a reading of James and the Giant Peach, and we’re all invited! While he already got us at “Roald Dahl” and “Meryl Streep”, there is more to be excited about—the event will be raising money for Partners in Health, a non-profit fighting COVID-19.
OY! I’m hosting a reading series of James and the Giant Peach by @roald_dahl to raise money for @partnersinhealth, a global health non-profit fighting COVID-19. I’m also joined by a few mates along the way. Go to https://t.co/4LTfNltYEn for the 1st two episodes. #taikaandfriends pic.twitter.com/VGq7DnCYvM
— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) May 18, 2020
With this star-studded cast, you can guarantee we’ll be tuning in.
For New Zealand, School Is Back in Session
Well that didn’t take long. New Zealanders, who worked quickly and efficiently to lock down and stop the spread of coronavirus, did something incredible this week—reopened schools! Because of their quick response, life is going back to normal (or at least semi-normal). For parents, there really could not be better news.
today in New Zealand our kids can go back to school because we have a compassionate government and we listen to science. pic.twitter.com/T4iYWbTvEc
— Sporran Peace (@CardsToast) May 17, 2020
This mom of five appears to be seriously thankful for her country’s response!
The Zoo’s Been Brought to You
This neighborhood zoologist (or, we can assume aspiring zoologist with a serious stuffed animal collection) has brought the fun to their neighborhood. Setting up exhibits along their front yard, they’ve created a zoo for those going on a neighborhood walk!
Adorable set up I saw in front of this house on my walk pic.twitter.com/wguJ9KxBCC
— Molly (@mollyw_123) May 17, 2020
We love this animal lover’s dedication not just to show casing their cute collection, but to educating their neighbors on these favorite creatures!
Check-in every day for an update on the wonderful and weird things happening in our current coronavirus world.