Mixed within coronavirus news, we wanted to highlight some of the positive new stories of the week.

This week:

• World Health Day was celebrated on Tuesday and we saw global support for our healthcare workers.
• Episode two of Some Good News, hosted by John Krasinski, came out this week. This week he planned an awesome video call including the cast of Hamilton singing one of their most famous songs - Watch here
• San Diego teens from a local robotics team created and donated 400 face shields to health care workers - Read here
• Basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, known for wearing goggles during his career, donated 900 pairs of safety goggles to health care workers at Scripps Health - Read here
• Local companies, artists, and residents are making masks to donate to healthcare workers and others who need the protective cover.

If you’re looking for more of this positive content, check out the Good News Network Upworthy, and Good News from Today.

The precarious intersection of the COVID-19 national health emergency and the concurrent epidemic of drug overdose deaths is outlined in the Annals of Internal Medicine this week by Dr. Nora D. Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Volkow discusses how the serious health risks of COVID-19 pose unique challenges to people who smoke or vape, are already struggling with substance use disorders (SUD), or are in recovery from addiction.

For complete News release click here.

2-1-1 San Diego is a resource and information hub that connects people with community, health, and disaster services. This is a free, 24/7 stigma-free confidential phone service offered in more than 200 languages and dialects for the for the entire population of San Diego County

2-1-1 can connect callers to:

• Food resources, such as meal distribution sites, shopping hours, and meal services
• Utility resources, including payment assistance and discount programs
• Housing, including shelter information, information on eviction, and rent or mortgage payment assistance
• Financial, Income & Employment Resources, regarding the Worker Assistance Initiative, emergency funds, and benefits
• Childcare referrals
• Healthcare connection, enrollment for insurance, and delivery services
• Public Benefits, like CalFresh food benefits
• Material Goods & Supplies, including diaper bank locations and hand washing stations
• Transportation services for essential needs
• Mental Health hotlines, services, and resources
• Criminal Justice/Legal concerns and support
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Donations

By simply dialing 2-1-1, clients are linked to a live highly-trained Client Service Representative (CSR) who will navigate them through their situations by assessing their needs and then matching them to the best and closest resource in their community. They also offer a searchable online database.

This is a great resource for someone who may need assistance in this challenging time. For more information, visit https://211sandiego.org/resources/health-wellness/covid-19-resources/

As many of us are a couple weeks into working from home, it’s normal to start to feel a little burnt out. Here are a couple things to keep in mind when working from home:

1. Maintain your schedule. Treat each workday as if you were heading into the office. Setting your alarm for the same time every day and following your usual morning routine will put you in the headspace that you are going to work.
2. Have a designated workspace. Confining your work to a certain room in your home can help you stay focused throughout the day and maintain a routine. If you don’t have a separate room available, find an area with minimal traffic flow to limit distractions.
3. Use headphones to block out distracting noises. Listening to mediation music or sounds of nature may help you maintain focus without being too distracting.
4. Take breaks. Taking regular breaks can help make sure you do not get overwhelmed. Getting up to take a quick walk around your home, do some stretching or take your dog out can help you re-energize and focus on the rest of the workday.
5. Plan ahead. It is helpful to plan out your workday the night before. Identify what tasks are most vital and assign them to yourself at the start of the day to ensure that they get completed. Save the more mundane tasks for later in the afternoon when your energy begins to decline.
6. Stay connected. It is easy to feel isolated from your team working remotely. It is essential to maintain open communication with your team while working remotely. Scheduling regular check-in meetings with your team will help everyone feel connected and supported during these atypical times.

Our team really enjoyed the comedic relief and positivity of Some Good News with John Krasinski. His Youtube channel discusses a few heartwarming, good stories that people might be looking for right now while spending time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We look forward to watching future episodes!