“What do we need to do?”
“We need to get the word out to everyone to start wearing masks. Stay as much as possible away from public areas. Limit travel as much as humanly possible. Sir, if we don’t do these things now, millions will die. Maybe more.”
“My God. How did this happen?”
“There is another problem,” Doctor Riser said.
“Bigger than this?”
“Potentially.”
“What in God’s name could be worse than this?”
“It is mutating. There are five known strains of the Ebola virus. This has mutated into a sixth strain and according to Doctor Conroy, our onsite team leader, it appears to be mutating again.”
The President was speechless. Millions could be dead? Maybe more?
“What do you need right this moment?”
“We must get the word out about the mask and travel. That is imperative. We need to stop people from leaving and entering Breckenfield, Kentucky where the outbreak has originated. Unfortunately we have a report of a possible case in Morgantown, ten miles away. We must isolate that entire area.”
“You need military.”
“Sir not just any military, but ones that understand biological protocol. They need to be suited up and know what to do.”
“I would like you to stay here, I’m going to get some people in here and let you explain the situation so we can brainstorm.”
“Can we at least let the public know right now?”
“I need to think about that. People are funny. You yell ‘fire’ and everyone stampedes. Yell ‘smoke’ and they hardly pay attention. I don’t want a stampede.”
“Sir the longer we wait the larger the area of containment.”
“I understand your concern but I am not going off halfcocked doctor.”
President Jimmy Thornburg was about as effective at the last President named Jimmy. He could hardly go to the bathroom without a committee decision. Maybe that was a little harsh but few on his staff had much respect for the man. In fact most wondered how he ever got elected but, nevertheless, there he was, the most powerful man in America. At least on paper.
After the CDC director finished the briefing he turned it back over to the President. What he wanted to do most was get on an airplane and get to Kentucky.
“The floor is open. Suggestions Gentlemen,” President Thornburg said.
“Sir, we need to close down the entire state. We have to stop all flights in and out. Stop travel dead in its tracks. If it reaches other states who knows where it will stop,” offered Secretary of Transportation, Calvin Murphy.
“Sir do you know what that would do to interstate transportation? That would mean no planes, trains or automobiles,” Betty Jarvis, Secretary of Interior said.
“That sounds like the title of a movie I saw once,” the President quipped but no one laughed.
“To answer your question Betty, I am aware of the problems but we simply cannot let this spread. The real question is how do we stop it dead in its tracks.”
“Mr. President, if we do that, we are basically telling everyone in the state of Kentucky that they are as good as dead. It will spread throughout the entire state. That doesn’t sound like a very viable solution,” said Andria Toll, the first African-American woman Vice-President.
“So we just let them go wherever they want and spread it across the entire country,” Bob Dawson, Secretary of Defense said.
“Well Mr. Secretary of Defense, do you have any family in Kentucky?” Andria asked.
“No.”
“That certainly makes an easier decision for you. I have quite a bit of family in Kentucky and I can hardly support condemning them to death for happening to live in the wrong state,” she said, looking him directly in the eye.
“Then what do we do?” the President asked.
“Sir, if I may,” Doctor Riser said.
“Go on doctor.”
“CDC, with the help of the biological containment military people could set up a twenty-five mile radius around the two cities. No one would be allowed in or out without a complete checkup. No one would be allowed in for any reason. Those that are tested positive would be contained and placed in quarantine,” Riser said.
“That is still a big risk. Some people would still get out,” the President replied.
“No disrespect Mr. President but two things. Trying to keep people contained in the state would be a thousand times harder. We would not have the man power to enforce it and secondly, the longer we sit here talking the more people are being exposed,” Riser said.
It was quiet in the room. Everyone else in the room knew how to gently push the President into a decision. Poor Doctor Riser did not have that same knowledge.
“So if I understand what you’re saying. We need to talk less and do something. Even if we don’t have all the facts?”
It was a classic trap that the President used on the unsuspecting.
“What I am saying sir, is do you want to be the President who was ultimately responsible for the death of millions of Americans because we needed more facts?”
The President sat up in his chair and looked at the CDC Director. He was more or less trapped. He had been outmaneuvered and he didn’t like it very much. Still, he could hardly stall any longer or it would look bad. He had already seen several bumper stickers that said: AND YOU THOUGHT OBAMA WAS BAD.
“Alright Director, we will do it your way. I will have the military coordinate directly with you so you can inform them of exactly what you need. They will be placed under your jurisdiction for now.”
“Thank you Mr. President. Then if you will excuse me, I want to get going on this immediately.”
“Fine. Good luck Director Miller.”
“Thank you sir.”
After he left the President said, “How did he ever get to be the Director of the CDC?”
“Well Mr. President, he is the most respected and knowledgeable person on both commutable diseases and how they spread in the country. He is actually quite brilliant,” Andria said and smiled quickly.
“I suppose,” Thornburg said.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
By the time Riser had driven to Breckenfield, Kentucky conditions had deteriorated even further. He stayed in touch constantly by cell phone as he drove along. His only stops were for gas and to grab a quick hand full of snacks.
The death toll was at one hundred and seventy-nine by the time he arrived at the CDC command center. Over three hundred suspected cases were catalogued.
“Damn, I’m glad you’re here,” Conroy said when Riser entered.
“We have reinforcements on the way. Anything at all on the cause of all of this?” he asked while putting on his full biological suit.
“We are pretty sure it came from the Bedford Delta Mine. Something was released into the air when that machine bore through the side of the wall. It opened the shaft and released the toxin.”
“So how did it get there?”
“Unknown. It's five miles down. We have no way of investigating it at this point. For now we have sealed the entrance to the mine and don’t say it. I’m aware the horse is already out of the barn.”
“The military will be here tomorrow to set up a containment area. Nothing will be allowed in or out of a twenty-five mile radius.”
“That is too little, too late. Maybe two days ago that would have helped but we have cases showing up as far away as Louisville and Columbus, Indiana. Mark, I think it’s too late for containment,” Conroy told him.
“Now what? This has the potential to spread clear across the country.”
“Further. Louisville has an international airport.”
“Okay. We call in DVCT. Not tomorrow, right now.”
“I was hoping you would say that. I contacted them an hour ago when I found out about Louisville. Sorry I didn’t wait for your approval Mark.”