Good News Tuesday for Feb. 9, 2021: Positive COVID Updates, Australia’s Drop in Crime, Immigration Reform, Saving Seabirds, 4 Year Old Stella is Home after 9 Month COVID Fight, Plus Snow Removal

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

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10 Positive Updates About COVID 19

Collecting GNT stories last week, I already had this one from Insider on the drop in COVID cases in US nursing homes. Then, I discovered that the Good News Network has a whole list of positive COVID updates about decreasing numbers, medical school applications, generous countries, vaccine helpers, immune cells, and more. Here’s the list from the Good News Network.

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Australia’s “Astonishing” Drop in Crime

Over the past 20 years, Australia has experienced a significant drop in crime: Break-ins have fallen by 68%, motor vehicle theft by 70%, robbery by 71%, attempted murder by 70%, and murder rates by 50%, while overall homicide decreased by 59%. Improvements in the economy, lower unemployment, less alcohol consumption by young people, and improved access to better safety technology are cited as possible reasons for the decrease in crime. For details, visit this article from the Good News Network.

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Biden Signs Orders for Immigration Reform

US President Joe Biden signed three executive orders last week to reform immigration, including one creating a task force to re-unite families that were separated at the border. Good Morning America has more.

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A Simple Change Decreased Seabird Deaths in Namibia by 98%

A recent fisheries study in Namibia reported a 98% reduction in seabird deaths after laws were passed requiring fishermen to attach colored streamers to the back of their boats. Previously, 22,000 to 30,000 seabirds were accidentally being killed every year in Namibia including the endangered Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross. This article from the Good News Network provides details, illustration, and interesting facts about the amazing albatross.

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Four-Year-Old Goes Home after Nine Months in the Hospital Fighting COVID

Four-year-old Stella Martin from New Mexico was in the hospital for nine months fighting COVID 19. Stella’s asthma contributed to her risk, and she spent five months in the ICU. She was released from the hospital on January 26th. You can read more about Stella and her family, in this article from Good Morning America.

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Bonus Video:

Ten-Year-Old Christian Stone and his mom remove snow from cars in hospital parking lot:

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Good News Tuesday for Aug. 11, 2020: Dolphin Sanctuary, Green University, Free Access to WiFi, New Zealand, and Baby Turtles

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Dolphin Sanctuary

The world’s first permanent dolphin sanctuary and retirement center has opened in Bali with three residents rescued from a hotel where they lived in shallow, concrete pools. They are now receiving rehabilitation at the center and live in large, fifty foot deep pools of ocean water. You can read more about the center in this article, and learn about the three dolphins, Rocky, Rambo, and Johnny, on the website for the Umah Lumba Rehabilitation, Release, and Retirement Center.

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First Major University Goes 100% Green

The University of Queensland in Australia is the first major university to run on 100% green energy! Here’s more from Global Citizen.

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Cities Working to Make Free Internet More Accessible

I first came across the possibility of free internet sufficient for students when I read Dan’s WATWB post at No Facilities. Dan shared that a public-private partnership will be providing free WiFi for the city of Hartford, Connecticut.

Then, I read that the city of Philadelphia is working on a similar arrangement planning to “connect eligible student households with two years of high-speed internet, without any out-of-pocket expenses or installation fees.” Here’s that story from The Good News Network.

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New Zealand Goes 100 Days With No New Cases of COVID 19

After a swift and serious work to stop the coronavirus, New Zealand, a country of five million people, has seen no new cases in 100 days! Here’s more from MSN.

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Baby Sea Turtles Released in Bali

Today, we’re starting and ending with Bali, where volunteers released 10,000 Olive Ridley turtles into the ocean on Friday. The conservation initiative has concentrated way of collecting the eggs and keeping the baby turtles safe until released shown in this video.

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Good News Tuesday for 7/21/20: New Zealand Success, Honoring Civil Rights Hero John Lewis, Sudan Takes a Stand, a New Statue, and Knighthood

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

New Zealand Reports Zero Active Cases of COVID 19

The country of New Zealand has lifted most restrictions reporting zero active cases. This BBC article includes a video of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who told reporters she did “a little dance” when she heard the news. Great job, New Zealand! And Great job, Prime Minister Ardern!

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Honoring the Legacy of a Life Well Lived

“You never become bitter,” Lewis said. “You never become hostile. You never try to demean your opposition.”

In 1965, Congressman John Lewis was almost killed in a peaceful protest crossing a bridge in Alabama. But he lived on, persevering for many years, working for justice. He died on July 17 at the age of 80. In March of this year, he was able to attend the annual re-enactment of the bridge crossing, saying, “I’m not going to give up. I’m not going to give in.”

That bridge is currently named after a confederate general. One way to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis will be to rename it the John Lewis Memorial Bridge. You can read more about the legacy of this man of justice in this article from NPR.

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Sudan Criminalizes Female Genital Mutilation

A law drafted last year by Sudan’s transitional government was ratified last week banning female genital mutilation with up to three years in prison for anyone who performs the procedure.  Another amendment allows Sudanese mothers to travel with their children outside the country without permission from their spouses. Last fall, authorities overturned laws controlling dress and prohibiting women from drinking alcohol. For background and details on these changes, please read this article from PBS

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A New Statue

In Bristol, England, a new monument depicting Black Lives Matter protester Jen Reid has replaced the statue of slave trader Edward Colston. You can read more in this NPR article.

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A Knight to Remember

Congratulations to Captain Sir Tom Moore who was knighted on Friday!

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