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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Chris Kitching

Coronavirus good news! Free parking for NHS workers as Arsenal keeps paying staff

Coronavirus headlines are dominating the news cycle and filling everyone's Facebook timeline and it can feel very overwhelming at times.

Most of the coverage has focused on death tolls, grim warnings and social distancing, but it's not all doom and gloom.

Amid the worst health crisis for a generation, plenty of good news stories are emerging about everything from uplifting acts of kindness to more support for frontline NHS workers.

In these unprecedented times, Britons are using humour and memes to stay positive while working from home, and technology to stay connected and stave off boredom with things like 'virtual pubs'.

Do you have a good news story? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk.

Tesco has been giving free flowers to NHS workers during a dedicated shopping hour (REUTERS)

It comes as the Government urges Britons to do their part in preventing the spread of Covid-19 by staying at home as much as possible and staying at least two metres apart when they leave their homes.

Here is a round-up of some of the good news stories that are making headlines today.

First MP with coronavirus recovers

Tory MP Nadine Dorries' is returning to work after being struck down by Covid-19 (REUTERS)

Health minister Nadine Dorries, the first MP to be diagnosed with coronavirus, has recovered after more than two weeks in isolation.

She tweeted: "On my way back to @DHSCgovuk and Parliament for the passing of the #coronavirus bill.

"Good to be back in the saddle and able to play my part to help our PM, cabinet and the scientists who are working around the clock to keep us safe and #SaveLives."

She said the virus had left her unable to taste or smell. Her 84-year-old mum also became infected.

Would-be bride and groom donate food

Food for a couple's cancelled wedding ceremony was donated to NHS staff (Hull Live)

A couple forced to postpone their wedding at the last minute managed to turn their disappointment into a good deed.

They donated all their food to a charity, which then fed staff at an NHS hospital.

Employees at the Hull Royal Infirmary were treated to 250 hog roast sandwiches.

It's one of the latest acts of kindness for the people leading the fight against Covid-19.

Germany's curve is 'flattening'

There are signs that the exponential upwards curve in new coronavirus infections in Germany is flattening off for the first time thanks to social distancing measures in force, the head of the country's public health institute said.

Lothar Wieler, head of the Robert Koch Institute, said: "We are seeing signs that the exponential growth curve is flattening off slightly.

"But I will only be able to confirm this trend definitively on Wednesday."

He said he was optimistic that measures taken so far in Germany, including school closures, instructions on hand-washing and strict warnings against public gatherings, were already having an effect.

More protective gear for NHS staff

Frontline NHS staff have sounded the alarm over a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks and gowns, at hospitals and issued pleas for supplies.

Hospital trusts have been told they will be receiving shipments around the clock with the army being brought in to deliver the supplies.

NHS England said "millions more items" of PPE had been delivered over the last few days to hospitals, ambulance trusts and care homes among others.

Waitrose reserves food for NHS workers

Waitrose is setting aside hard-to-find food and other supplies for NHS workers to make sure they aren't disappointed when they do their shopping after gruelling shifts.

Supermarkets have already set aside times where only NHS and emergency services staff or the elderly or vulnerable were allowed in.

On Sunday morning, Tesco was giving free flowers to shoppers during its 'NHS hour'.

Footballer to buy tablets for nursing homes

Tottenham star Toby Alderweireld said he will buy "dozens of tablets" to help vulnerable and isolated Britons stay connected with loved ones during the pandemic.

In a video on his Twitter account, the footballer said: "The virus creates many needs, especially the lack of personal contact. If people are sick they can't see their friends, they can't see their family.

"So my plan is to buy dozens of tablets to give to the hospitals and nursing homes so people can video chat with their loved ones and their friends to get through this tough period."

Joe Wicks keeps kids active

Ben and Isaac Rickett follow Joe Wicks' first workout on YouTube (PA)

Joe Wicks is keeping British children moving while schools are shut and parents try to fill the day with activities.

The Body Coach began his daily 30-minute workout sessions on YouTube.

The fitness fanatic has vowed to become "the nation's PE teacher" by leading families through workouts that can be done in the home without any equipment.

Fuller's cancels rent costs

Fuller's said it will cancel rent costs for hundreds of its tenants after pubs were ordered to close - and the money will not have to be paid back.

Charges will be wiped for about 200 pub tenants, many of whom are independently run.

In a letter, Fuller's announced all charges will be written off until further notice to protect businesses from collapse.

Dog so happy its owners are always at home

Emma Smith's dog Rolo is loving all of the extra attention (@Emmasmith77xx /Twitter)

Rolo the Dachshund has been overcome with excitement while his owners quarantine at home.

But the poor dog sprained his tail from wagging it so much.

After her initial post racked up more than a million likes, Rolo's owner, Emma Smith, assured everyone that he will be OK, writing: "For those asking, he is currently on pain relief and the vet said he should be healed within a week."

NCP offers free parking for NHS staff

NCP has offered free parking to all frontline NHS staff to help them during the crisis.

An NHS staff member has launched a petition calling for car park fees to be waived at hospitals.

Driving to work would be affordable and staff wouldn't have to board packed trains with passengers who may be carrying the virus.

Government to refund train tickets

CORONAVIRUS: HOW TO ISOLATE YOURSELF - CHANNEL 4, 8PM

The Government has said it will refund the cost of train tickets to encourage non-essential workers to stay home.

A refund of all Advance tickets has been offered free of charge.

Ticket holders should contact their operator for details.

Tom Hanks gives positive update

Actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were diagnosed with coronavirus while filming a Hollywood blockbuster in Australia.

The Forrest Gump star was one of the first A-list stars to test positive.

He tweeted: "Hey, folks. Two weeks after our first symptoms and we feel better. Sheltering in place works like this: You don’t give it to anyone - You don’t get it from anyone. Common sense, no?"

Arsenal to continue to pay staff through April

Arsenal will continue to pay all matchday and non-matchday staff until the end of April.

The Premier League has been suspended until April 30.

Gunners chief Vinai Venkatesham said: "We rely on their tireless service to provide a first-class experience for our fans, on matchdays and non-matchdays. This gesture is intended to ease their financial uncertainty.”

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