Due to the vulnerability of older people from catching the coronavirus, retirement homes are very strict when it comes to visitors. Physical contact and social distancing protocols are strictly implemented.
However, this did not stop a daughter in Stephens City, Virginia, from visiting her mom.
Nick Bolerjack captured the heartwarming meeting of the two in a video. His mother-in-law recently decided to visit his grandmother-in-law, and to be able to do so, the visitor had to wear an inflatable hippo costume.
Mother and daughter allowed to hug
The inflatable hippo costume had to be sanitized before the two were allowed to hug to ensure that the grandma will not contract any virus.
My mother-in-law hugging my grandmother in an inflatable hippo suit wearing a tutu is the content you needed today. Her nursing home is letting family members hug each other in these sterilized suits ️ pic.twitter.com/UokmU6lNtw — Nick Bolerjack (@NickyBoler) May 13, 2020
The mother and daughter shared a tight hug after exchanging a few pleasantries. In the video, Bolerjack's mother-in-law was heard exclaiming, "Mom!" His grandmother-in-law immediately responded to her daughter's call. She was also heard in the video saying, "This is so wonderful!"
The two were separated during the quarantine; that is why the moment was very emotional for both of them.
Netizens react to mother and daughter hug
Bolerjack shared the video in his Twitter account. His caption to the video is, "My mother-in-law hugging my grandmother in an inflatable hippo suit wearing a tutu is the content you needed today. Her nursing home is letting family members hug each other in these sterilized suits (heart emoji)"
Those who saw the video were moved by the mother and daughter meeting. Some even said that it's one of the sweetest things that could happen nowadays. On the other hand, other Twitter users are commending the effort of the retirement home for being creative so that their residents can still have some dose of a hug from their families.
Visiting older family members during the pandemic
Studies have shown that the death rate in people 80 years old and above is 15 percent. If the elderly also have a weak immune system, they are highly at risk of contracting the virus.
According to an article from The Guardian, interacting and being socially engaged is risky at this time. Although the article also suggests that if the person to be visited is weak, and interaction with family members is recommended, then visiting them is a must.
Health experts believe that extreme caution should still be practiced. Costumes like the inflatable hippo and T-Rex suits (which are also creating abuzz online) are not enough. Even though these are very creative ideas, it is still a must that family members understand the importance of using proper personal protective equipment.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wearing a cloth face covering can provide more protection than an inflatable costume alone. CDC also advises that the mask should be fit to the mouth area. Multiple layers to a mask are also crucial when choosing the kind of mask to use. Aside from these, the CDC reminds the public that this and social distancing can help prevent the further spread of the coronavirus.
