Probably one of the biggest things to define the human experience, though not always given its due, is physical touch. Be it a hug, a kiss or a gentle touch on the arm, physical contact is how we humans seek reassurance and share our love. Sadly, this was one of the first things to be put on hold once the coronavirus outbreak happened. Given their age and how vulnerable they must feel, senior citizens were probably the most affected by this.
It was perhaps with this thought in mind that a retirement home in
Brazil designed the ‘hugging curtain,’ which as the name suggests, offered safe contact with senior citizens amid the pandemic. Curious? Take a look at the photos below:
Elisabete Nagata and Luiza Nagata hug each other through a transparent plastic curtain.
Elisabete Nagata came to a retirement home to meet her 76-year-old sister-in-law Luiza Nagata during the outbreak. “It’s an excellent system — it’s great to be able to take her in my arms,” said Nagata, a retired civil servant.
Ana and Suzane Lisboa wave to their 89-year-old father Raul Lisboa from the other side of the curtain.
The large plastic curtain, installed in a retirement home in the city of Sao Paulo, allows residents on one side and visitors on the other to hugs each other.
Suzane Valverde and her 85-year-old mother Carmelita Valverde hug each other at a senior nursing home.
The curtain has pockets in which residents and visitors can insert their arms, and they are outfitted with shoulder-length black gloves for added protection.
93-year-old Dirce Villas Boas get emotional and hugs her daughter Dircyree Villas Boas through the transparent sheet.
This creative solution allows friends and families to enjoy personal contact with aging residents particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus.
Ana Lisboa speaks with her 89-year-old father Raul Lisboa through the sheet.
This “hugging curtain” allows family and friends of the elderly to enjoy the sort of comforting hugs that COVID-19 has made impossible for months.
Nurses carefully disinfect the plastic curtain after each use.
“It really feels good; I missed her so much!” 68-year-old Silvio Nagata told AFP after enjoying a long, emotional hug with his sister, Luiza Yassuko, who is 76.
Silvio Nagata hugs his 76-year-old sister, Luiza Nagata, through a transparent plastic curtain at a senior nursing home.
“Because of the pandemic, I wasn’t able to visit her, especially because at my age I’m also part of a high-risk group,” Nagata said to AFP.
Ossimar Silva touches his 85-year-old mother Carmelita Valverde’s face through the transparent plastic curtain.
Reuters reported that the coronavirus pandemic has yet to reach its peak in Sao Paulo, the site of the worst outbreak in Brazil, where nearly 30,000 people have lost their lives to the virus.
85-year-old Carmelita Valverde receives a box of sweets through the curtain. After the United States, Brazil became the second-largest number of coronavirus deaths in the world,… Read More
After the United States, Brazil became the second-largest number of coronavirus deaths in the world, more than 42,000, and around 8,00,000 people infected.
Read LessFor visitors, the feeling of being able to take a loved one in their arms is a deeply moving experience.
So many families have been able to enjoy such moments thanks to the ingenuity of local businessman Bruno Zani.