Couple Reunite After 11 Months Apart Due To Coronavirus Pandemic

WHITE PLAINS, NY — A couple married for 58 years got an early Valentine’s Day present on Wednesday when they were finally able to reunite in the same room after spending nearly a year apart because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report from WABC.

Harriet Shenkman has spent the last 11 months visiting her husband, Jerry Shenkman, from outside his room window at The Bristal in White Plains, an assisted living facility where he’s a resident of its Alzheimer’s care program.

The facility was forced to end in-person visitations last spring as the pandemic began to worsen across New York, WABC reported. But that didn’t deter Harriet, who continued to visit her husband every day.

WABC reported that, with vaccinations being prioritized for older adults in care facilities, restrictions at Bristal have loosened enough to allow for the couple to reunite.

Harriet told the news station she was happy to finally be able to see her husband without having a piece of glass between them.

"It's been quite an experience, and not something I'd ever imagine in my lifetime,” she said.