NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A woman born during the 1918 pandemic has survived COVID-19 at the age of 101.
Rose Leigh Manuel, who was born Dec. 31, 1918, became infected with coronavirus while living at Good Samaritan Nursing and Rehabilitation Care Center in Sayville.
When her son, Gary, learned about the illness, he was worried, but knew his mother was strong and still seemed young despite her age.
“She worked in a fish market up until she was 95, so that would have been six years ago. And the only reason she stopped working is the fish market closed,” he said.
Though, he knew how deadly the virus could be, especially for the older population.
“I thought it was a death sentence, I didn’t think she had a chance, to be honest with you,” he said.
She was never on a ventilator, instead she was given medication and has now recovered.
“She had such an upbeat attitude about everything. One of her favorite sayings when things go bad: ‘This too shall pass,’” Gary said,
The 101-year-old is a great-great grandmother to eight and says her favorite snack is Oreo cookies.