A beloved New York City meteorologist shared a tender message with viewers on Friday as he announced his decision to temporarily step away from his on-air position.
Lonnie Quinn, 61, CBS News New York’s chief weatherman said he’d be stepping away from his anchoring duties for several weeks following some surprising side effects due to a concussion from earlier this year.
During the Friday night broadcast, anchor Kristine Johnson, 52, revealed that the longtime weathercaster ‘suffered a concussion’ and initially thought he was ‘doing OK,’ however, Quinn chimed in, adding that wasn’t the case.
The 61-year-old broadcaster explained that he recently ‘took a wallop to the head,’ for which he was sent to the hospital.
Quinn added that he incurred other symptoms as time went on, making his condition worse.
‘The big concern in the medical community, they want to see if there’s a brain bleed because you can be dead in the morning if you don’t treat that,’ Quinn said, before confirming that he had a ‘negative’ cat scan.
‘So I was free to go home. And I got on with my life, as we all do when we bang our heads, right?’ he added.
Quinn – who is the chief meteorologist for the 5 pm, 6 pm and 11 pm broadcasts on weekdays – then recounted a terrifying incident which occurred during a recent late-night broadcast.
Lonnie Quinn, 61, CBS News New York ‘s chief weatherman said he’d be stepping away from his anchoring duties for several weeks following a concussion from earlier this year
During the Friday night broadcast, anchor Kristine Johnson (left), 52, revealed that the longtime weathercaster ‘suffered a concussion’ and initially thought he was ‘doing OK,’ however, Quinn (right) chimed in, adding that wasn’t the case
In the course of the troubling 11 pm program, the weatherman said he walked out to the set and ‘all of a sudden’ couldn’t see out of his left eye.
‘There was no way I could go on. And then just as quickly as it began, it went away. It lasted maybe 15 minutes,’ Quinn said.
‘I did the newscast. But that’s when our news director – who really looks out for her people – said, ‘OK, you’re not driving home. We’re gonna get you a car. You’re going to the hospital.’
While at the hospital, Quinn said he was encouraged to follow up with a neurologist, who would eventually inform him of the severity of his head injury via an MRI.
‘He said, “Look, it’s going to be just fine, but you cannot just think it’s going to go away on its own. It’s got to be treated,”‘ Quinn recalled.
The CBS star also asked viewers to ‘take consideration’ when it comes to their own health and well-being.
‘When you bang your head, your brain recovers nicely, but it only recovers while the body is sleeping,’ he said.
Toward the end of Quinn’s time-off announcement, Johnson called her coworker a ‘consummate professional’ as she reassured him that things will be the same when he returns.
Quinn – who is the chief meteorologist for the 5 pm, 6 pm and 11 pm broadcasts on weekdays – then recounted a terrifying incident which occurred during a recent late-night broadcast
In the course of the troubling 11 pm broadcast, the weatherman said he walked out to the set and ‘all of a sudden’ couldn’t see out of his left eye
The good news, Quinn added, is that his doctor has guaranteed a ‘100 percent full recovery’ for the evening weather anchor
The good news, Quinn added, is that his doctor has guaranteed a ‘100 percent full recovery’ for the evening weather anchor.
Johnson then promised viewers that her friend and colleague would be ‘back to business’ in just a short period of time.
Quinn also announced his ‘short-but-extended’ break on CBS Evening News this week, noting that he’d be taking ‘a good four weeks’ for physical rehab and cognitive therapy.
‘We’re wishing Meteorologist Lonnie Quinn a speedy recovery as he takes time away from CBS Evening News to focus on healing after a serious head injury,’ the program shared in a statement on Facebook. ‘We can’t wait to have you back, Lonnie!’
According to the Johns Hopkins Medicine website, an important factor in treating concussions is rest, as those injured are recommended to get ‘plenty’ of it – from their sleep at night to naps and ‘rest breaks during the day if needed.’
‘If your symptoms don’t go away in a few days or if they get worse, you should call a healthcare provider who specializes in concussions,’ the site notes.
‘You may need medicines, physical therapy, or other treatments for residual symptoms, such as headache, dizziness or balance problems.’
