Heartwarming moment pensioner hugs grandson for the first time in months using coronavirus ‘cuddle curtain’ invention
A DEVOTED grandson transformed a shower curtain into a device he could use to cuddle his grandma.
Antony Cauvin, 29, constructed the £70 device from a shower curtain and four sleeves used to protect plaster casts from getting wet.
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The plasterer, from Stratford-Upon-Avon, surprised his nan on Friday after gave her a cuddle for the first time in two and a half months due to coronavirus lockdown.
His wife Miriam, 27, filmed the touching moment and posted the footage online – where it has been viewed a staggering 13m times.
In the video, Antony can be heard telling his nan: “You’ve got to put your arms through the bottom one, okay. My arms go through the top one” and then the pair embrace.
As they do so, Antony says “How amazing is this? I’m not touching you but it feels like I am touching you.”
‘BRILLIANT IDEA’
Antony told The Sun: “My family is very close and my nan is the matriarch of our family. She has three children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
“We have been taking her food and waving at her through the window, but this was the first time I’ve been able to hug her since lockdown started.
“We’ve said to her ‘why not have a hug with granddad but she said ‘It’s not the same.”
Before Antony took his invention to his grandparents’ house, he and his wife tried it out.
His gran was thrilled to be able to hug her grandson again in a completely safe way.
When other members of Antony’s family want to use the cuddle curtain all they need is a pair of disposable gloves for extra safety.
The curtain is also washed down with disinfectant after each use.
How amazing is this? I’m not touching you but it feels like I am touching you.
Antony Cauvin
Viewers praised Anthony’s ingenuity.
Natalia Di Pietro said: “This is brilliant! Will you make one for me so I can hug my mum? will pay you if course!”
Another – Heather Christian – said: “Guys I have no idea how you do it but you need to trademark this quick and see if someone will make them!
“Brilliant idea and I’d defo buy one!”
Antony said that while it’s a lovely creation and he has received thousands of messages of amazement – he hopes it won’t need to be used for too long as the country fights to find a vaccine.
He told Sky News: “Not being able to see them has been tough, tougher for them than it is for us because Grannan is a very affectionate person.
“You feel you haven’t seen them because you haven’t had that cuddle.”
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This comes after it was announced that Brits may not be allowed to hug family and friends again until a vaccine is found.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said he would “not recommend” people embracing until a treatment or cure or treatment for the killer bug is found.
But government scientists are working on plans to allow over 70s to see members of other households.