Brazilian cancer patient dresses up as Mrs Claus to give hugs and toys safely despite Covid-19

A needy child touches volunteer Sanson, dressed up as Mrs Claus, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil recently. Photo: AFP

Despite the coronavirus pandemic and her recent battle with cancer, Fatima Sanson was determined to keep her Christmas tradition of dressing up as Mrs Claus and giving out toys and hugs to impoverished kids.

So the 61-year-old made herself a plastic "hug curtain", found an assistant to disinfect it between embraces, dressed up in her bright red suit, and set up her annual toy and food giveaway in a poor neighbourhood in Belo Horizonte, located in southeastern Brazil.