![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/long-covid-forces-harpenden-businessman-into-early-retirement/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/130314786_microsoftteams-image-1.png&description=Image source, Sue Archer Image caption, Marcus was unable to keep warm while ill with long Covid - this was a rare moment out of bed in summer 2020 Three years ago, the first patients to develop long Covid began reporting debilitating symptoms. A recent survey suggested 14% of people with the illness have since lost their jobs. Before the pandemic, Marcus Whitehead had a demanding and fulfilling career in financial services in London. But after catching coronavirus in 2020, he became far too ill to work. Three years on, although he is physically much better, brain fog has prevented the 55-year-old from returning to his job. Marcus, who lives in Harpenden, feels a "sense of loss" at retiring early and losing his mental agility. "I was no longer who I was," he says. It was in April 2020 that Marcus first developed symptoms of Covid-19. "It was typical corona - a temperature, a cough - a bit like flu. It wasn't too bad and I was able to work a bit," he says. But a few days later it hit him "like a tonne of bricks" and he experienced "crushing, paralysing fatigue, like you'd been injected with horse tranquiliser". Marcus also suffered "fierce organ pain" and intense headaches, spending the following three months in bed. Image source, Marcus Whitehead Image caption, Marcus managed to attend his daughter's wedding, needing a walking stick, but suffered a relapse afterwards "I spent another 12 months on the couch. For 18 months I didn't drive and had to use a walking stick. And I haven't been able to work since." Marcus was managing partner of actuary firm Barnett Waddingham, overseeing 1,000 members of staff. He likens the role of co-ordinating client strategy and supporting employees to "spinning plates". "I was juggling dozens of plates a day, and then after Covid I was turned into this person who could hardly hold a single plate, let alone spin dozens." Image caption, Marcus likened his high-powered job to "spinning plates" In 2022, he attempted to reintegrate at work){kind=link}
Three years ago, the first patients to develop long Covid began reporting debilitating symptoms. A recent survey suggested 14% of people with the illness have since lost their jobs.
Before the pandemic, Marcus Whitehead had a demanding and fulfilling career in financial services in London. But after catching coronavirus in 2020, he became far too ill to work.
Three years on, although he is physically much better, brain fog has prevented the 55-year-old from returning to his job.
Marcus, who lives in Harpenden, feels a “sense of loss” at retiring early and losing his mental agility. “I was no longer who I was,” he says.
It was in April 2020 that Marcus first developed symptoms of Covid-19.