108-year-old woman, who survived World Wars & Spanish flu, shares tips on how to get through COVID-19 pandemic
It may be hard to believe but there are some people in the world who have experienced not one but two pandemics and survived through to share stories for the younger generation.
Winifred Burgoyne, a 108-year-old great-grandmother, is one of them. She has lived through many historic events since her birth in 1911. The three unforgettable ones are World War I, World War II, and the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918.
Burgoyne, who hails from the UK, has spent most of her life working as a weaver in a mill factor in Manchester. But now, the great-grandmother of two is using her life experiences to offer some tips to the current generation on how to get through the coronavirus pandemic.
"You've got to keep back of other people's way and work on your own - you need to look after yourself. Most of all you need to look after babies because the first thing people do is smother them with kisses and that's how a virus can spread,” said Burgoyne.
She added that she is healthy at the moment but doesn’t allow people to touch or hug her.
"I have been alright at the moment but I'm terrified if people come near me so I would tell them not to touch me. We don't know what is going to happen next, so you have to care for yourself - and use disinfectant everywhere you go,” added Burgoyne.
Her daughter, Linda, says Burgoyne has always been a fighter with a witty and sharp personality that can put people in their place. Although she is just 4 feet tall, she can hold her own and stand up for herself whenever necessary.
"Her nickname was '6ft' because even though she wasn't that tall she was as strong as a 6ft man. Mum worked at the factory for most of her life before she became pregnant with me and started working from home until I was 10,” said Linda.
Burgoyne is currently the 42nd oldest person in the UK. She has received as many as eight letters from the Queen on her birthdays.
Currently, she is under lockdown in a care home and keeps in touch with her family over the phone.
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