Social distancing is among the biggest tragedies brought about by the coronavirus crisis since it separates us from other humans and the ones we love.
Being prevented from physically embracing people and standing 6 ft. apart means that hugs are a no-no.
And that seriously sucks because hugs are important.
Even science says so.
According to NBC News, hugs can help to reduce your fight or flight response in stressful situations, help boost your immune system when sick, keep children, and your heart healthy.
Hugging is a way to share and show love. That’s why hugs have been so hard to do without during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But a 10-year-old named Paige from Riverside, California could no longer go without hugging her beloved grandparents.
That’s why she created a hug curtain. Paige came up with the idea after she saw a video of people hugging through a blanket. But she came up with an adapted version that allows for a full armed embrace.
“Paige saw a video of someone who made this type of ‘blanket’ to hug their family,” her mom, Lindsay Okray, said on Facebook. “She put together a list and she designed it so she could hug Nana and Papa.”
Paige fashioned together a shower curtain, Ziploc bags, and disposable plates with some hot glue and boom… hug curtain.
The curtain was taped to her grandparents’ door frame.
Upper and lower armholes were cut into it.
Top holes are for the taller adults and the lower holes were for the smaller child.
Paper plates were glued or taped around the holes and bags were attached around the plates. They even wiped it down with disinfectant wipes.
To use this contraption you just put your arms through the plate holes and into the bags and hug it out.
“She came up with the idea, she laid it out in the family room and spent multiple hours working on it,” her mom, Lindsay Okray, told ABC 13.
And it’s quite the masterpiece. Paige showed up to her grandma’s house with her contraptions proclaiming, “You get to hug me!”
And grandma didn’t waste a single minute. She jumped right in there for a hug.
“Oh my God,” she proclaimed, squeezing her granddaughter tight. “I love you! Oh my God, I love you so much. How cool is this?!”
Pretty darn cool!
Then it was grandpa’s turn.
Not only did Paige’s grandparents go wild over it, so did the internet.
Paige’s mom posted some photos and video on Facebook and more than 17,500 people watched the video of Paige embracing her grandparents through her hug curtain.
“This made me cry because I miss my grandsons and daughters hugs so so much. I have asthma and cannot have contact with anyone. I want to find out how to make this so that I can hug my family while being safe,” said one Facebook user.
Lots of people said the video made them emotional, especially thinking about how much they miss hugging the people they love.
“Seriously not going to lie, it made me cry a little. It was the sweetest thing ever!” said another Facebook user.
Some even inquired about how to make their own.
Lots of people applauded Paige for her effort and ingenuity.
“Great idea, Paige. Hugs are the best,” one commented.
“This kid might just save our world… remember her name!!!” said another.
If kids like Paige use both their love and creativity in their work, then they most certainly will!
You can check out the special moment between Paige and her grandparents in the video below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
