Back in May, FTVLive told you that WIVB (Buffalo) Anchor Christy Kern had been off the air at the Nexstar station since mid-March and the station is saying why that is?

Turns out Kern had contracted COVID and it was a very bad case. Now that she’s recovered, Kern has decided to move on.

The station wanted her to stay, but like many that have had time to think during this pandemic, she has decided to leave the station and head onto something else.

She posted a long message to viewers about what happened and her decision to leave the market.

Hi everyone!

I know many of you have been asking and expressing concern over where I’ve been the last few months. Please let me start by saying I appreciate your concern, and the messages I’ve received have truly touched my heart.

I understand many of you are used to inviting me into your livings rooms every afternoon and evening, and that my absence the last few months has caused a lot of concern and confusion.

As we all know, Covid is a very real thing and has impacted so many of us. I am no exception to that.

I tested positive for Covid earlier this year and was very sick while I had it. Unfortunately in my case, the symptoms lingered for a while. A lot of you may be familiar with COVID long-haulers, or post-COVID syndrome, which is what I experienced.

I tried to return to work, but it was very difficult for me to anchor the newscasts while experiencing the lingering shortness of breath. I decided to take a leave when it was apparent to me my body was not keeping up.

I’m very happy to say I am feeling MUCH better after taking the last few months to recover. I also feel beyond fortunate to have had the time and opportunity to do so.

As I’m sure you can imagine, I also had a lot of time to think during that time, and I’ve come to the bittersweet decision to end my time at Channel 4.

Buffalo is my hometown. I was born and raised in Orchard Park. I’m a die hard Bills fan, a very passionate member of Bills Mafia, a St. Bonaventure alum, and a proud member of the Polish community in Western New York. I love this city and all the people in it.

It has been an absolute honor to anchor the news in my hometown. I moved back home to Buffalo to launch the first 4pm newscast in the market in 2016. I poured my heart and soul into News 4 at 4 and it has been a privilege to watch it grow into what it is today. I’m also grateful to have launched the 6:30 newscast in 2018 and be a part of your evening news as well.

This has been a very difficult decision for me, and it’s because of YOU, the viewers. You have been so kind and sincere in welcoming me into your homes for the last five years.

Thank you for trusting me to deliver you the news that matters most. Thank you for inviting me to your events in our community. Thank you allowing me to be a part of your afternoons and evenings.

As much as I have been a part of your days each day at 4 and 6:30pm, you have been a part of mine, and I will miss that sincerely.

So while this is my first “hello” to you in a few months, it’s also unfortunately “goodbye.”

I’m grateful for my employer, Channel 4, for allowing me the time to recover the last few months, and their support in my decision to leave the station. It’s meant so much to me to that my managers have supported what’s in the best interest of my health.

I’m also grateful for my coworkers, who have been incredible over the last five years. It’s been a pleasure to work among the best in Buffalo.

I’m of course grateful for my family and friends, who have supported me entirely through this decision. I will miss my grandmothers’ texts many days at 4pm with comments on my outfits, hair, or news of the day. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had those experiences.

Please know this is not goodbye for good. Buffalo will always be my home, and I will always be around in our community.

I will keep you all updated on my next chapter.

Thank you, Buffalo