This Simple Trick Nurses Used During COVID Left Patients in Tears — And It Wasn’t Medicine

The image of a patient’s hand gently held between two water-filled surgical gloves became a moving symbol of kindness and creativity shown by healthcare workers during the extreme isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The photo first came from a hospital in Brazil, where nurses looked for simple ways to comfort patients who were alone, frightened, and often unable to speak due to intubation.

This idea was locally called “maozinha do amor,” meaning “little hands of love.” Nurses filled two disposable latex gloves with warm water, tied them securely, and placed one glove on each side of a patient’s hand.

The goal was to recreate the feeling of human touch—something patients deeply missed when visits from family were not allowed. Even though it was not a real hand, the warmth and gentle pressure helped patients feel less alone and more cared for.

The nurses, including Semei Araújo Cunha, also discovered that this method offered physical benefits. The warm water helped improve blood circulation in cold hands, which was important for accurate readings from oxygen monitors. Cold fingers can sometimes give false low oxygen levels, so this small act also supported better medical care.

As the image spread online, hospitals around the world adopted the technique. It became a powerful example of how simple, thoughtful ideas can bring comfort, dignity, and human connection during times of crisis, even when physical contact is restricted.