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This week, Beyoncé and Rihanna sensed the world needed a little something and bestowed us with gifts. First, Bey hopped on a surprise remix of Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage.” (Her Tina Knowles name-check added several years to my life.) Then, RiRi’s new Amazon documentary made headlines. (While you’re in the giving mood, maybe drop R9…?) Both were pop culture reminders to keep your head up and forge on during uncertain times. Below, eight other positive moments from the week.
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1
Anderson Cooper Becomes a Father
At the end of his AC360 show on CNN Thursday, Cooper announced the birth of his son Wyatt Morgan Cooper. In the emotional segment, he shared pictures of his newborn, expressed gratitude for his surrogate, and paid tribute to his late family members. “I do wish my mom and dad and my brother, Carter were alive to meet Wyatt,” Cooper said, “but I like to believe they can see him. I imagine them all together, arms around each other, smiling and laughing and watching, looking down on us. Happy to know that their love is alive in me and in Wyatt…and that our family continues. New life and new love.”
2
A Moving Service Provides Free Moves For Domestic Abuse Survivors
College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving is providing free moves for victims of domestic abuse during the pandemic. The company has partnered with national domestic violence shelters and local police departments to ensure safe removal from dangerous home situations. “As a company, we knew we had to give back and a few weeks ago I was reading an article about the rise of domestic violence,” Nick Friedman, the company’s co-founder and CEO said. “I instantly knew how we could give back with our services.”
You can find more information about the process on the brand’s website, as well as other ways they are using their trucks to move COVID-19 testing supplies. Two meals for children will be provided via Feeding Children Everywhere for every job performed.
3
A Mother and Father Who Both Had Coronavirus Reunite With Their Newborn Twins
This week, Good Morning America reported on Jennifer and Andre Laubach, a Michigan couple who were both diagnosed with COVID-19. The double diagnosis was especially dire because Jennifer was pregnant with the couple’s twin sons and learned her positive status minutes after her water broke. Three weeks later, after the new parents tested negative for the virus, they were able to meet their newborn sons Mitchell and Maksim for the first time.
4
RuPaul’s First Digital DragCon Is This Weekend
Sashay away from your blues and over to RuPaul’s inaugural digital DragCon. Presented on World of Wonder’s YouTube channel,WOWPresents, the party will take place on May 2 and May 3 at 2 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. ET. There will be Q&As, virtual performances, and appearances from your favorite drag stars. And you can enjoy it all from the comfort of your couch.
5
A London Bus Stop Transforms Into a Children’s Art Gallery
A tiny corner of London just got a lot more colorful. Reuters reported on a city bus stop that was transformed by Sarah Lamarr, a part-time teacher and mother who wanted to “brighten it up.” She began by posting artwork from her 4-year-old daughter Rosie and encouraged others to submit their own kids’ creations via a sign with an Instagram handle.
6
Pets Invent Meteorology
Forecasts this week were cloudy with a chance of animal cameos. Two pets decided to head to work with their weathermen owners, and the wholesome intrusions were captured on video. The Washington Post published the story of Betty the Weathercat, the pet of Indiana weatherman Jeff Lyons who likes to make appearances during his forecast. (Please, give her Insta a follow.)
Coincidentally, the Today show spoke to Tampa Bay chief meteorologist Paul Dellegatto about his work from home situation. While doing a forecast last month, his golden retriever Brody decided to assist with the broadcast.
7
A Super Bowl Champion Enters the Frontline
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who won the Super Bowl in February as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, has joined the frontlines of the COVID crisis response. The NFL player, who holds a doctorate in medicine, decided to offer his services to a long-term care facility near his hometown in Canada. As reported in Sports Illustrated, Duvernay-Tardif is one of several pro-athletes with medical expertise volunteering to help; a Denver Broncos cheerleader is working as an ICU nurse in Colorado, and an ex-NFL player traded his uniform for scrubs at a hospital in Massachusetts.
8
Dogs Are Delivering Beer Now
File this under reason No. 7,489 that we don’t deserve dogs. CBS This Morning highlighted the efforts of Buddy and Barley, a pair now referred to as “brew dogs.” Their owners have a brewery business in Long Island but were forced to get creative after the pandemic slowed business. “We had to redefine our business. We never had curbside, we never had delivery,” co-owner Mark Heuwetter told CBS. Enter their trusty canines, who deliver beer to residents of Huntington, New York while maintaining social distancing practices. “When they go out and make people smile, I think people really like that. In fact, people need that these days, so when they put a smile on people’s faces they’re doing their job — which, by nature, is easy for them,” co-owner Karen Heuwetter explained.
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