Oldest man in the world celebrates 112th birthday without visit or party due to coronavirus

Bob Weighton, the oldest (still living) man in the world, cannot celebrate his 112th birthday on Sunday because of the corona crisis. “Everything has been canceled. There are no visitors, and there is no party,” said Brit Bob Weighton, according to British media.

Bob Weighton may blow out 112 candles tomorrow. Usually, the oldest man in the world celebrates his birthday with a big party with friends and family, but this is not the case this year. The over-110s from Alton, UK, had to cancel all plans due to the coronavirus. The British government has issued strict rules to prevent the spread of the virus.

Weighton, who has to keep to the lockdown, is worried about the virus because “the world is a bit of a mess” now that the virus is taking hold. “No one knows what’s going to happen,” he sighs. The father of 3 children and 25 grandchildren is doing relatively well, although he now needs to be more independent and provide for his food and care. Still, the man remains positive and praises himself happily for his excellent health.

Spanish flu

It is not the first time that the former teacher has experienced a pandemic. When he was ten years old, tens of millions died worldwide from the Spanish flu. Weighton says that he did not experience the virus outbreak at the time. “A child lives in a different world than adults,” he explains. “A child doesn’t read newspapers, and we didn’t have a radio at the time.”

The Brit also later experienced World War II. He says that it was a lot clearer than how the battle should be won. According to him, the virus is an entirely different kind of enemy. “In World War II, you knew exactly what to do. You could fail, of course, but the goals were clear when Churchill called on the land. There was a goal we could achieve. But nobody knows exactly how we’re going to beat the virus.”

Reading and tinkering

According to the Brit, there is no secret to longevity. “I never intended to grow that old. When you’re young, you don’t think about what’s going to happen when you’re old. You are confident, the only thing you think about is the here and now.” He says he reads a lot, and he is busy building model mills to keep himself young.