Each day my phone lights up to tell me about more known cases of the coronavirus, more deaths, and more fear. Not to mention people have been outraged for weeks due to a speech from Chinese President Xi that suggested he and other government officials were aware of the potential severity of the virus several weeks before addressing the public. And while all of this is very frightening and disheartening, we seem to be looking past some good things happening in China.

1. The ban on plastic

Of all nations, China is one of the leading users of plastic. But by the end of this year, plastic bags in all major Chinese cities will be banned. And this ban will be in effect across all of China by the end of 2022. This is HUGE because their largest trash dump is already full and should not have been for another two and a half decades.

2. Pet detective? More like superhero

Sun Jingrong, China's first pet detective, has been on the move to reunite missing pets with their families for over seven years now. And as of 2020, he has been quite successful, reuniting over 1,000 pets with their loving families.

3. An improving economy

As 2020 continues, there are some very positive things happening in the Chinese economy. Tariffs are being lowered, inflation is anticipated to dwindle, and the Chinese government is working to improve fiscal policy.

4. No pet left behind

Furry Angels Heaven in Wuhan is working hard to find and save pets left behind by their owners in the wake of the coronavirus. Patients, both sick and quarantined, cannot take their pets with them. Others, perhaps not believing the World Health Organization's statement that pets cannot carry the virus, are simply leaving their pets behind. As heartbreaking as that is to hear, Furry Angels Heaven and Animal Rescue Shanghai are working to find these pets and take care of them, despite the challenges. Over 1,000 of pets abandoned due to the coronavirus have been rescued already.

5. China's ability to handle the coronavirus to act as a role model for other nations

So yes, we're back to the coronavirus. But in very good and very recent news, the numbers are dropping. Hospitals in China now have empty beds. A report commissioned by the World Health Organization states, "China's bold approach to contain the rapid spread of this new respiratory pathogen has changed the course of a rapidly escalating and deadly epidemic." The number of new cases reported daily has dropped significantly over the past few weeks. With such success as this, the rest of the world being impacted can follow suit, and hopefully, we are soon to see the last of the coronavirus.