Across the globe, a large chunk of the populace is grappling with the growing threat of the coronavirus pandemic. The death toll has been steadily rising, and the number of affected people has also increased. Now, AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is leading donations towards combatting the pandemic.
For their part, hospitals are trying their level best to manage high demands and lack of supplies. Some United States health officials are even advising Americans practice ?social distancing? and take extra precautions. Most major live events, TV productions, and movie releases have been canceled or rescheduled.
Thankfully, fear hasn?t stopped people from trying to give back to their communities and inspiring many in these trying times. From acts of kindness to major donations that will help those who are sick and/or out of work, here are just a few of the ways celebrities and regular people, alike, are doing good in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak:
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NBA
The likes of Zion Williamson and Kevin Love helped out in their own way. Williamson announced that he will cover the salaries of the people working in the local Smoothie King Centre. Meanwhile, Love pledged $100,000 to benefit workers at Cleveland?s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
NFL
Houston Texans player J.J. Watt and his wife, Kealia Ohai, donated $350,000 to the Houston Food Bank to aid in relief efforts during the pandemic. Meanwhile, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara announced that they are donating 1 million meals via Food Lifeline.
Football
Torino striker Simone Zaza recently launched an initiative towards helping the victims. Till date, the initiative has generated more than 30,000 euros and all of it is going towards relief. Meanwhile Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne donated around 100,000 euros to the Italian health system to help combat the crisis. Additionally, AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic set up an online fundraiser, with funds going to the Humanitas Hospitals in northern Italy.
In the Bundesliga, the German national team donated 2.5 million euros as a gesture of solidarity. The donors included Borussia Monchengladbach player Matthias Ginter and Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka. In addition to that, Liverpool forward Sadio Mane pledged 41,000 euros to the people in his native Senegal in their fight against the virus.
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From a team’s perspective, Juventus?president?Andrea Agnelli and his family made a donation of 10 million euros, as well as medical devices, to the Italian Civil Protection. The Agnelli family own the likes of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ferrari and CNH Industrial.
La Liga side Espanyol helped donate 6,000 masks to various medical centres and hospitals to help address the spread of the coronavirus. Premier League giants, Chelsea FC handed over the Millennium Hotel to the British Public Health Service.
Finally, Parma have donated ?25,000 to the local hospital and setting up a fundraising page for their fans.
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MotoGP
MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi joined the initiative Together for Marche Nord. Its purpose is to raise funds to fight against the virus. With?Rossi’s contribution, 20 machines for ICU patients have been purchased.