Hug Tents' Give Older America Needed Contact, Safely

Voice of America is reporting that the Juniper Village at Louisville, an assisted living community near Denver, has teamed up with TRU Community Care to create on-site "hug tents" for residents that include plastic arm sleeves for safe contact. The tents are giving families a way to stay connected, see each other in person, and even embrace in a safe way during the COVID-19 crisis. By using the plastic barrier, the tents indeed permit seniors and their loved ones to hug and be in close contact without infecting each other. Juniper Village spokesperson Anna Hostetter remarks, "I think it's just a huge weight off their shoulders, just being able to have that hug that they haven't had in so long." Since the pandemic began, similar "hug tents" have been created throughout the United States, England, and Brazil.