Virus

    Standing outside a gated building in Georgia, notable reporter Chrissy Lisa was getting the go-ahead from her studio, signalling the start of her broadcast time. She did a quick check to make sure her wardrobe looked good, and ran a hand through her hair to smooth out the few strands that the evening breeze had flown out of place. She nodded a few times as her cameraman gave her ques, took a deep breath, and turned to face the camera. Eyes were on her, now.

    “Thanks, Mike. Hi, I'm Chrissy Lisa, and I'm reporting from the CDC, or center of disease control, where scientists say they have found a possible cure for the E-virus that has swept over North America. I'm here to speak to lead scientist and director of the CDC, Tom Frieden. Tom, you've just released a press statement that you may have fixed the “Equestrian flu”. Would you care to give an explanation?”

    “Of course, Chrissy, and thanks for the interview. I'm sure that all the affected are looking for some form of hope to end this nightmare.”

    “It's my pleasure.”

    “Well, where should I start? Hmm, how much do you know about reverse engineering a vaccine?”

    “Not all that much, I'm afraid. I just get the shot once it's done,” she chuckled.

    “Well, what we do, is we take the original virus, in this case the E-virus, and modify it. By genetically engineering a strain of the virus to disrupt or eat the previous virus strains, we can target the areas where the E-virus makes it's home in the body. It turns the virus against itself, and assists the body in fighting off the effects. That's what we've done here. It has been done for hundreds of viruses before this outbreak, and we are very optimistic about the success.” Tom smiled as he spoke, and his voice was filled with the confidence of a Nobel Prize candidate.

    “You say you are optimistic, but what does that mean? Aren't you sure?”

    “As much as it pains me to admit, the E-virus is something completely new to modern medicine. We've all had to throw out some long held concepts and basically start from scratch where it is concerned. One example is how the virus doesn't affect any other species, regardless of genetic closeness to humans. Without that, our ability to test has been greatly reduced. We would start testing on guinea pigs and chimps, but since it doesn't do anything to them, our only test subjects are volunteers. We've had some near terminal patients apply, but they are all outside the US, and with the lockdown of the country, we haven't been able to bring any of them here. What we need is a volunteer who is in good health otherwise, and has recently been infected for this testing to work. Since the infection is so quickly acting, we would need to inject the virus, and the vaccine within an hour of each other.”

    “And what about those who have already succumbed to the disease? Will this work on them?”

    “We are actually going to start testing that as well. We did get volunteers from the Quarantine; so many, that we actually had to turn most away. We do hope that we can reverse the radical effects of the virus, but our chances of success are much slimmer than simply preventing them altogether.”

    “Thank you Tom, you've answered questions that America, and most of the world are asking. Now, before I sign off, I'd like to know if you wouldn't mind a camera crew videotaping the process?”

    “Chrissy, it would be a great boon to have the event televised. With the way that things are now, hope is all that keeps some people going. I'm sure that the first to get the treatment will become as famous, if not more so, than Patient Zero.”

    “I've had the chance to interview “Miss Sweetie Drops” myself. Criminal how she unleashed this menace to the whole planet, and received such a light punishment. Well, if it can remove that glory-hog from America's celebrity, then I'll just have to take the job, myself!”

    The scientist looked at her in shock. “Are you serious, or just joking?”

    “We are still live, sir, and I wouldn't joke about something like this. You said it yourself. America needs hope. Who better to inspire that hope than me?” She gestured emphatically at both the scientist, and the camera. Smiling dramatically, she could almost smell the high priced wine she would get from her boss for pulling this stunt. First her exclusive, and now this? She was going to be immortalized.

    “Well, if you are that sure of it, then I have some waivers for you to sign.” He lead her into the building, her camera crew trailing behind, making sure to sweep the interior for better shots.

    “We will have to place you here for observation and testing,” Tom was explaining,” for at least a few weeks after the vaccine is administered. You are going to have to undergo a full physical check-up, and the shot will be given a full day after that. This is going to be a tough haul, so this may be your last chance to back out.”

    “Don't worry doc, I've never been scared of a needle in my life. I practically have holes all over the place from allergy medications I've been exposed to in the past, all of which are noted in my medical history.” She handed him the clipboard.

    “Thank you. Really, thank you. I swear that you will have the love of the entire country for this.”

    “Doctor, if we succeed, I’ll have the love of the entire world.”