‘It is daunting to be told how personally dangerous coronavirus is’

This story is behind a paywall, however if you have access or sign up for a free trial you’ll be able to read the full article by Sam O’Neill, a UK reporter with CLL. Access the full article here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-it-is-daunting-to-be-told-how-personally-dangerous-this-virus-is-7qbfqxl9k 

I have never before considered myself to be a vulnerable person. As a reporter, much of my work has been about highlighting the plight of the vulnerable.

Today, however, I expect a letter from the NHS telling me that I am “extremely vulnerable” if I contract Covid-19. It will tell me to stay at home for at least 12 weeks and will be followed periodically with text messages giving advice and information. I am part of the group with what are so often blandly referred to as “underlying health conditions”. My problem is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), which means my body makes too many white blood cells. Left unchecked these will crowd out the red cells and threaten vital organs.