Good News: Survivor Mom Meeting Baby Says All — But Here's More

Beth Dalbey
Updated ·14 min read

There are signs the economy could come back to life in the coming weeks, though the new coronavirus persists as a serious public health threat across America. People are still getting sick from the virus and, sadly, still dying. They’re also recovering.

And the circle of life continues, as shown in video of a stirring first meeting between a Massachusetts mother and her baby born while she fought for her own life on a ventilator.

But first, this: What is it with sidelined workers not wearing pants outside? When did this become a thing?

“Please remember to put pants on before leaving the house to check your mailbox,” police scolded residents of Taneytown, Maryland, on social media. “You know who you are. This is your final warning.” Read Kristin Danley-Greiner’s story on Westminster Patch.

And then there’s this: A Florida judge has had it with lawyers for a whole new reason. For the love of jurisprudence, at least get out of bed and put on a shirt for Zoom hearings, the judge admonished them. Read Paul Scicchitano’s story on Miami Patch.

We all needed a chance to laugh at ourselves, didn’t we? We may need the following stories of renewal, recovery and resilience even more.

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Watch: Survivor Mom Meets Her Baby

Yanira Soriano was in her 34th week of pregnancy when she became gravely ill with COVID-19 and had to be placed on her ventilator. The 36-year-old was put into a medically induced coma and an emergency Caesarean section was performed. She spent two weeks in the intensive care unit and finally met her baby Wednesday when she was released from the hospital. Watch the video and read Jacqueline Sweet’s story on Bay Shore Patch.

'Mommy … I Really Want To Kiss You’

It’s almost as if Kerri Burghardt defines her life “before” she got sick with the coronavirus illness and “after.” Everything was fine before she had to pack her kids off to stay in a virus-free home, before her 4-year-old asked, “Mommy, when is this going to be over? I really want to kiss you.” Read Payton Potter’s story on Wayne Patch.

(Photo courtesy of Kerri Burghardt)
(Photo courtesy of Kerri Burghardt)

‘Never Forget’ — 9/11 Or The Virus

She saw and heard things she'll never forget. But after recovering from a harrowing brush with the new coronavirus, a West Orange resident and 9/11 survivor is sharing her "good news" recovery story in an effort to bring hope during a dark time. Read Eric Kiefer’s story on West Orange Patch.

‘Then My Defiance Rose Up’

Georgette Keller’s recovery story centers around Easter and what went through her head as she fought the virus: "I thought, 'This is it? I'm here alone, and checking out? Without the love of my life, or my children? Then my defiance rose up. I prayed." Read Lisa Finn’s story on Riverhead Patch.

Pastor Makes It Home For Easter

An Aurora, Illinois, youth pastor nearly died but recovered in time to spend Easter with his family. He spent 13 days in the hospital, breathing part of the time with a ventilator. Read Jason Addy’s story on Aurora Patch.

‘Hail Mary’ Therapy Saves Man’s Life

Enes Dedic's lungs were shot. On March 15, the 53-year-old Phoenix man was admitted to HonorHealth's Deer Valley Medical Center after weeks of fever, chills, body aches and nausea. His recent travel abroad had apparently infected him with the new coronavirus, and in a matter of weeks the disease damaged his lungs so badly that, for the first time ever in Arizona, doctors successfully turned to a risky treatment that essentially replaced his lungs and made use an artificial heart. Read Danny Wicentowski’s story on Phoenix Patch.

Recovered Patients Plasma Aids Others

Doctors at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center are giving patients transfusions of plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19. The “compassionate use” therapy shows promise to lessen the severity and shorten the duration of the coronavirus illness. Read Chris Mosby’s story on Cleveland Patch.

She’s Determined To Stop Coronavirus

The New York nursing home where Kelly Moteiro is the director doesn’t have any confirmed COVID-19 cases and she’s determined to keep it that way. She threw some scrubs in a bag and told her family goodbye, then took charge of a plan to keep residents in the 120-bed facility symptom-free, going as far to go room-to-room to check residents' temperatures every day. Read Lisa Finn’s story on North Fork Patch.

(Photo courtesy Patricia Ezzard)
(Photo courtesy Patricia Ezzard)

‘Let’s Hear It For New York’

Amid all the sorrow wrought by the coronavirus are moments of joy. Health-care workers on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus seize those moments in spectacular style.

In the Bronx, Alica Keys loves what they’re doing with her anthem “Let’s Hear It For New York” at the Montefiore Medical Center. Every time a patient recovers from the coronavirus illness or is dismissed for home, the public address blares Keys’ song in victory. Read Kathleen Culliton’s story on New York City Patch.

‘CODE HAPPY’

In Massachusetts, the staff at MelroseWakefield Hospital calls a “CODE HAPPY” when a patient is taken off a ventilator and Pharrell Williams’ upbeat hit “Happy” gives everyone a much-needed boost. Watch the video and read Mike Carraggi’s story on Melrose Patch.

‘Quietly Save The Day’

In a new single, “Everyday Heroes,” Connecticut-raised singer Cassandra Kubinski raised her Billboard-charting voice to health care workers, front-line workers, essential services folks and communities helping to flatten the curve as the virus progresses. The song gives a shout-out to the ones who "quietly save the day...let's celebrate the Everyday Heroes." Watch and listen to the video and read Tim Jensen’s story Enfield Patch.

‘I Miss Talking To People’

Joliet, Illinois, located in the middle of America, is as good place as any to check the pulse of what’s happening to favorite local eateries as the coronavirus crisis keeps people in their homes. Part of the joy of eating at Thayer Bros. Deli is the camaraderie. People laugh. They smile. They share stories of growing up in Will County and memories of their high school days. “I miss talking to people,” says manager Kymn Donnelly. “It’s been very scary,” she goes on, “but we have a lot of people who know our food is homemade and comfort food. A lot of customers are still coming in and carrying out and supporting us, so we're doing pretty good." Read John Ferak’s story on Joliet Patch. Here are a couple more stories from Ferak story on business in Joliet: Great American Bagel Owner: 'I Have To Keep Going' | Mickey's: House Calls For Seniors During Coronavirus

(John Ferak/Patch)
(John Ferak/Patch)

Eatery 'Hood Drops' Deliver Food To Suburbs

The coronavirus pandemic has hit the thriving restaurant scene hard in the nation’s capitol hard. Stay-at-home and social distancing orders have “completely transformed us, says Ran Nussbacher, who owns Shouk, two D.C. restaurants specializing in modern Israeli street food. "It decimated our in-store business.” Shouk has pivoted with what Nussbacher calls “hood drops.” Read Michael O’Connell’s story on Washington, D.C., Patch.

(Photo courtesy of Shouk)
(Photo courtesy of Shouk)

Hackers, 3D Printers On The Front Lines

Whip smart techies in Connecticut pay up to $50 a month for access to 3D printers, a drill press, chop saw, table saw, router tables and other gear your father warned would take a finger if you weren't careful. Although they call themselves a "collective," they're all normally very focused upon, literally, minding their own business. That changed, as did everything else, when the new coronavirus hit their town. Read Rich Kirby’s story on Danbury Patch.

(Photo courtesy of Jennifer Franke)
(Photo courtesy of Jennifer Franke)

We Need A Little Christmas: Watch

Brett and Heather Foy and their children resurrected the dazzling lights that entertain residents around Batavia, Illinois, every Christmas. They’re putting on shows for their neighbors, 10 cars at a time, to lighten the mood as the coronavirus keeps people on lockdown. See video of the display and read Jason Addy’s story on Batavia Patch.

A Stitch In (Coronavirus) Time

Two weeks ago, 89-year-old Dan Willkens didn't know how to sew. Now, he sits hunched over his daughter's Bernina sewing machine, crafting fabric face coverings to help shield hospital staff from the coronavirus. Read Alessia Grunburger’s story on Bethesda-Chevy Chase Patch.

(Photo courtesy of Diane Willkens)
(Photo courtesy of Diane Willkens)

Your Lingerie Is Showing You Care

Larisa Olson’s going through tough times herself as a small business owner. Chantilly Lace, her suburban Chicago lingerie shop, isn’t an essential business. While she’s closed, she’s focusing her energy on the needs of others with a “comfort project” to pamper the women on the front lines of the coronavirus fight. Her customers jumped on board pretty quickly when they heard of it. Read Jonah Meadows’ story on Imette-Kenilworth Patch.

‘Not A Ton Of Money’ Is Everything

A business owner in Connecticut teamed with his customers to raise thousands of dollars to help other business owners stay afloat during the coronavirus business disruptions. "It's not a ton of money,” says Parag Patel, “but it's more than nothing.” No, sir, it’s everything. Read Anna Bybee-Schier’s story on Fairfield Patch.

Courage Over Fear Feeds More

Staff and volunteers at a New Jersey food pantry are showing that courage can be stronger than fear as they continue to serve clients amid the coronavirus crisis. Reopening to walk-in clients was a huge milestone in the nonprofit’s battle to continue serving a wide range of financially struggling clients, including elderly, disabled, homebound, unemployed and underemployed people. Read Eric Kiefer’s story on Montclair Patch.

So Close, Yet So Far Away

Elaine Cox and her large family are accustomed to gathering for holidays, birthdays and other celebrations, and they’ve seen their share of disruptions as the coronavirus grips Michigan and other U.S. states. They haven’t batted an eye. Instead, they’ve come up with some unique ways to stay close at a safe distance. Read Joey Oliver’s story on Rochester-Rochester Hills Patch.

(Photo courtesy of Elaine Cox)
(Photo courtesy of Elaine Cox)

'Dear Class Of 2020': Watch

Their graduation year is anticlimactic, but a California high school senior tried to make it less so for her classmates with her “Dear Class of 2020” video message. “Yes, senior year didn't go our way. Not everything in life will. ... You have to believe there are brighter days ahead. So pick yourself up. Charge the mountain."A senior from the class of 2020." Watch the video and read Toni McAllister’s story on Temecula Patch.

‘Promchella’ Could Make It OK In Arizona

Arizona high schoolers watched prom season drift away this year, with school closures and a statewide order to stay at home effectively ending the party before it began. But now an Arizona-based clothier that supplies suits for proms is attempting to save prom season by producing "Promchella." Read Danny Wicentowski’s story on Phoenix Patch.

Stop What You’re Doing And Sing Along

Stop everything you are doing and sing along with these New Jersey teachers who sang the TV Show "Friends" theme song to let their students know "I'll Be There For You" amid the coronavirus outbreak. Watch the video an read Alexis Tarrazi’s story on Princeton Patch.

‘Tyson, I Miss You’

Alexis Priest has been missing the third-graders she teaches at a Georgia elementary school. She and her daughter have been leaving inspiring messages in chalk on sidewalks of their own neighborhood, and “it just kind of hit me,” she said. “It would be nice to let (my students) know,’hey, I’m still here.’ ” Read Jim Massara’s story on Loganville-Grayson Patch.

(Photo courtesy of Alexis Priest)
(Photo courtesy of Alexis Priest)

‘Signs Of Hope’

A mayor in Georgia brought back Burma Shave-style signs (younger readers, it’s something to talk to your great-grandparents about, but they’re circa 1920s signs placed about 100 feet apart to spread wit and cheer to weary drivers) to spread messages of hope. Read Kathleen Sturgeon’s story on Canton-Sixes Patch.

(Courtesy photo: Matt DeFrain/Grant Design Collaborative)
(Courtesy photo: Matt DeFrain/Grant Design Collaborative)

Centenarian Vet Soldiers On Through Virus

Let’s be clear: This soon-to-be 105-year-old World War II veteran, a bonafide American treasure, is thriving and as spunky as ever. He wasn’t defeated by the enemy when he landed on Normandy Beach, and he’s not letting the new coronavirus defeat him as he prepares to celebrate his birthday and reflect on a life well lived — and you can join the fun. Read Paige Austin’s story on Los Angeles Patch.

More Patch Good News About Coronavirus

Businesses and nonprofit groups are responding to the crisis and pivoting to meet new needs:

Americans — women and men and adults and children — are working behind the scenes to make sure the first-line workers have what they need. Others are giving in other ways, tangible and intangible. Here are some of those stories:

Finally, while we hope the no-pants thing will go away with the coronavirus, sweet gestures like these seem worth keeping:

Want more good news? Join Patch’s Good News In America Facebook group to share and discover uplifting, inspiring stories with your neighbors.

This article originally appeared on the Across America Patch