With all the bad news in 2020, we wanted to shine a light on the good events that happened this year. Everyone has seen the memes that 2020 is “inconceivable.”

We have decided to highlight eight of the best in 2020.

Some Good News:

John Krasinki created Some Good News because he wanted to show people that there is good in the world, even though everything seems bad. He created his episodes like a news show because the news was only telling people about the bad events going on and he wanted to change that.

The first episode premiered March 29, 2020 on YouTube and lasted 8 episodes until the series was purchased by ViacomCBS. In the first episode Steve Carell and Coco, who had just finished her last round of chemotherapy treatment, talked with Krasinski. Episodes were filled with good news and guest performances from the cast of The Office and Hamilton. Some Good News is available on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. 

Down syndrome man finished Iron Man:

Twenty-one-year-old Chris Nikic is the first man with down syndrome to finish the Ironman triathlon. Over the past couple years, he has trained 4 to 8 hours every day and told himself he would become 1% better than the past day. The triathlon has a 2.4 mile swim in open water,  112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile fun, and all of this must be done in under 17 hours. Nikic was able to train with Dan Grieb who completed 16 Ironman races. Nikic has even created his own website to help others with special needs reach their full potential. This challenge is to be 1% better than the day before for 30 days and then help someone else do that same.

Drive in Movies made a comeback:

Drive-in movies were famous in the 1950s, but with Covid and the need for safe entertainment, they made their debut again. Mount Airy held a Drive in Movie as a fundraiser for the Mt. Airy Volunteer Fire Company on September 6, and they show Disney’s movie Onward. The Frederick Fairground held drive in movies on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, in September and October. 

Bengies is a drive-in movie theater with the biggest movie screen in the USA, 52 feet tall and 120 feet wide. They have been around since 1956. It’s located in Middle River, MD.

Vaccines for Covid-19 are here:

On December 14, the United States FDA approved the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.  Moderna’s vaccine followed shortly after on December 18. The vaccine could not come quick enough as the disease has killed over 333,000 by the end of December 2020. In the U.S. health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living, are recommended to be the first to receive COVID-19 vaccines, because of their high risk of contracting or dying from the disease. 

Operation Warp Speed’s goal is to produce and deliver 300 million doses of a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 by January 2021. This was accomplished by scientists around the world working together. Many other vaccines like polio and measles took many years before a safe and effective vaccine came into use. 

Bringing families closer together:

With the stay at home orders and the constant fear of getting Covid when you go out, most people have decided to stay home with their families. This causes families to spend much more time with each other than ever before. While this has been difficult for some, many families are growing closer by playing games, taking hikes and walks, doing puzzles, and watching television together. 

Lower pollution:

Due to the lockdown in most parts of the United States, we have seen a decrease in global economic and transport activity. The skies began to clear and it just showed how fast we can make a difference and cut down on pollution when we reduce our burning of fossil fuels. Preserving our environment is so important because we want to make sure that future generations are able to see the same beauty that we do. 

Nitrogen Dioxide declined 25.5% during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to historical years.

More pet adoptions: 

With people being home much more often, taking care of a pet is much easier. Pet adoptions have increased, and people are spending more time with their furry friends. Being home more often is a great way to allow a new pet to become comfortable with their new home and owners. In addition, many pets have been acting as therapy dogs and cats, offering emotional support in a fear-filled time. 

Comfy outfits:

Being able to wear comfortable clothes every day is amazing. There has been a run on sweatshirts, sweatpants, and pajama sets.  

This year has been hard on so many people, and some have lost sight on some of the good to come out of 2020. Regardless, take a moment to think of all the good events and actions and be ready for a better year in 2021.