Hug Time – Woman creates a COVID-safe environment for hugging her grandmother

The SARS-CoV2 pandemic hit the majority of countries very hard. In response to high infection and mortality rates, restrictive measures were imposed to the general population. One of the most effective, yet, heart-breaking measures, was social distancing.

Rose Gagnon, an 85-year-old grandmother from Rockford, Illinois, was, due to the restrictions, unable to hug her granddaughter and grand-grandchildren for months. This proved to be very hard, as Rose was used to do it on a daily basis.

To overcome this barrier whilst keeping everyone save, Carly Marinaro (the granddaughter) created the Hug Time. It consists of a plastic wall made of window insulator, supported by PVC pipes and two long gloves attached, to fit the arms.

After this cheap and easy-to-make invention was complete, the kids called her grand-grandmother for a surprise. After seeing the Hug Time, Rose was joyful. She was then able to hug Carly and her grand-grandchildren again, and, at the same time, prevent SARS-CoV2 spread and infection.

Although this is a great invention, hopefully it won’t be needed after restrictions are lifted.

Adapted from: ‘Hug Time’: Woman’s clever invention allows family to give grandma safe hugs - ABC News (go.com); Great-grandmother gets to hug family thanks to granddaughter's "hug time" invention - CBS News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-JVBkfMBKw&ab_channel=CBSChicago