Entertainment
CNN host John King reveals multiple sclerosis diagnosis live on air as he thanks staff for getting vaccinated
CNN anchor John King opened up about his multiple sclerosis diagnosis during a live broadcast on Tuesday’s edition of Inside Politics.
The 58-year-old journalist, who is famed for his election coverage, shared the news with viewers while discussing the importance of Covid-19 vaccine mandates.
In a candid moment, King stated: ‘I’m going to share a secret I have never spoken before. I am immunocompromised. I have multiple sclerosis.
‘So I am grateful you are all vaccinated. I am grateful my employer says all of these amazing people who work on the floor, who came in here in the last 18 months when we are doing this, are vaccinated now that we have vaccines.’
He continued: ‘I worry about bringing it home to my 10-year-old son who can’t get a vaccine. I don’t like the government telling me what to do. I don’t like my boss telling me what to do. In this case, it’s important.’
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation, or balance. It can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be mild.
CNN correspondent John King revealed he is immunocompromised due to multiple sclerosis (Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
King’s revelation came during a discussion that was partly prompted by the death of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who died following complications stemming from Covid-19.
After his death, some right-wing media outlets had suggested that General Powell’s death indicated that the coronavirus vaccines don’t work as advertised.
However, Powell also had a rare form of blood cancer that weakens the body’s ability to treat infections.
The political anchor is famed for his election coverage (Picture: Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images)
The 84-year-old had been fully vaccinated but his multiple myeloma diagnosis worsened his ability to fight the virus.
Following the broadcast, Inside Politics executive producer Kristin Donnelly tweeted that she was ‘thankful for vaccines. For responsible journalism. And to John King for sharing very personal news that shines a light on why it’s important to follow science.’
New York Times White House correspondent and CNN analyst Zolan Kanno-Youngs also wrote: ‘I wish I said it on-air but this personal appeal to the public to get vaccinated took a lot of bravery from John King.
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‘And I admire how he still took the time to make sure the attention was on the individuals who have lost their lives to Covid.’
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that ‘some people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will still get sick because no vaccine is 100 per cent effective’.
However, the study published by the agency and cited by CNN shows that among adults, the unvaccinated are 11 times more likely to die of the virus.
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