THE GOOD NEWS VOICE OF AN ANGELENO
Every day in this column, The Daily Telegraph will seek out and report snippets of comfort as the world fights coronavirus
♦ In a suburban cul-de-sac in Los Angeles, neighbours are enjoying a weekly socially distant concert dubbed Quaranchella. The lead performer is Adam Chester, who has subbed for Sir Elton John during rehearsals with the singer’s band. Local residents have enjoyed performances of Crocodile Rock and Hey Jude.
♦ In Japan, fireworks will soon light up the sky to celebrate the nation battling Covid-19. About 130 fireworks companies will participate in the event, which is currently being kept a secret. Firework displays have been a tradition in Japan for centuries, beginning as a way to ward off bad luck and epidemics.
♦ London’s bikers are delivering life-saving devices to Covid-19 patients at risk of rapid deterioration. The army of volunteers
– called the Bike Shed Community Response and Covid Crisis Rescue – has set up a courier-like service to deliver oximeter probes. These help patients monitor their oxygen levels which are at risk of falling dangerously low, to avoid the potentially fatal coronavirus side effect of silent hypoxia.
♦ Dixons Carphone is sending 500 tablets with mobile network connectivity for free to vulnerable older people who are isolating. It’s hoped the devices will help them connect with family and friends. There’s a tech support line for recipients to learn how to use the tablets.
♦ Unicef and Airtel Africa have teamed up to provide children access to remote learning and monetary aid for families. Under the scheme,
133 million children of school age, who are currently affected by school closures in 13 countries across Subsaharan Africa, will be supported with access to digital learning.
♦ Moneysaving Expert.com and the Open University are launching a free academic course to teach people “financial self-defence”. People can learn skills to help with spending, budgeting, saving and retirement. Martin Lewis, founder of Moneysaving Expert.com, said: “With such financial turmoil across our society, it’s crucial everyone is properly financially educated.”
♦ African wildlife parks are sharing live broadcasts of their safaris to entertain those in lockdown.