As the pandemic has strengthened its grip on the world these last couple months, it’s producing one interesting side effect: people are seeking out positive, cheerful news items like never before.

Internal clocks are amazing examples of God’s providential care for his creation. One recent study showed embryonic “clocks” in chickens function like a construction schedule for the formation of their bodies.¹ Another study indicated that plants are able to communicate and synchronize their internal clocks in remarkable ways.²

Although the reports of COVID-19 in Vietnam are relatively low (with 267 cases and zero deaths as of April 15¹), social distancing measures have led to the closures of several small businesses and the loss of thousands of jobs.²

Some are pointing out that the coronavirus shutdown presents an opportunity to test a major climate change assumption.^1-3 Because global industrial activity has been curtailed due to the pandemic, pollution in certain urban areas has decreased dramatically.⁴ This decrease in industrial activity should also theoretically decrease global carbon dioxide emissions.

You probably have noticed over the last several weeks that your visits to the local store have demonstrated a new phenomenon—empty shelves in many parts of the grocery department.