Thought of the Day - September 4 - Centenarian Sisters Survive COVID

Anna Del Priore contracted the Spanish flu in 1918, at about 6 years old. She survived, grew up, got married and raised two children. Del Priore tested positive for the COVID-19 in May. But while she had a fever and a cough and needed supplemental oxygen at one point, she never went to the hospital in six weeks of having the virus. A couple of months earlier, her younger sister, 104-year-old Helen Guzzone, had fought the same battle. She contracted the coronavirus in March but was out of the woods within two weeks.

The sisters’ grew up in Brooklyn with deaf and mute parents. Guzzone did leg raises into her 90s, even in the nursing home. She avoided alcohol, smoking and even dairy. Even at 107, Del Priore says her favourite pastime is tango dancing, which she continued doing until the pandemic shuttered residents into their rooms in March.

They still speak with angst about months of being isolated from their relatives, worried that they would die without family by their side, but both look forward to reuniting soon. Tomorrow, September 5th, they will finally get together to celebrate their birthdays. Happy Birthday Anna and Helen!

Cheers

Cliff