How are people spreading cheer while social distancing?

Some people have come up with a pretty bright idea for spreading some happiness and cheer during the novel coronavirus pandemic. They’re putting up their outdoor Christmas lights for themselves and others to look at to help cheer them up. 

There is no single origin for this idea: A few people seem to have thought of it at the same time. Over the weekend, Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Lane Grindle tweeted the idea: “What if we all put our Christmas lights back up? Then we could get in the car and drive around and look at them. That seems like a fair social distancing activity.”  

One 10-year-old boy in Rhode Island also thought of it, asking his parents, Mike and Holly Griffin, if they could put up their Christmas lights because he “[wanted] something to look at.” The Griffins put up their lights and shared the story on social media, and many people started responding saying they were doing the same. Holly Griffin told CNN that, while the gesture was small, she hopes that the lights might put a smile on the faces of those on the front lines of the pandemic who still have to be out and about, like first responders and grocery store workers, when they pass by.