Chapter 8: In Recovery

After 3 more lives and one dead body was found the next day, nothing followed. The mayor and her family lit a candle in the cathedral one week later, in honor of the 100 lives the fire claimed and the hundreds more that the epidemic claimed.

But now, it was easier for Doc to go to work, as the hospital was just across the mayor’s house. And one day, Doc received news that a patient managed to stop sneezing and didn’t go to sleep.

“Finally, some great news after the terrible fire,” Doc replied. “How did you do it,” Doc asked over the phone. “We just continued to administer antihistamine, and we are now hoping that he is on his way to recovery,” was the response.

Days later, Doc resumed his job at the hospital. And one week after, the patient above was dismissed after showing no signs of the virus, while another one had managed to stop sneezing too.

They were the first ones to defeat the virus, and the mortality rate lowered down after that. Recoveries were already recorded, and the numbers were gradually increasing!

Right before the 2nd recovery was recorded, the first shipment of aid was already received by Wellsworth City. It was immediately distributed to the citizens after it has been disinfected, and it was a big blessing for the citizens.

However, when the mayor’s family and her staff started to distribute the relief goods, the citizens heard a sneeze. And he was receiving relief goods in front of the mayor’s mother! Everyone was in shock, and it sent the event into disarray.

Everyone forced that person to leave the mayor’s house, while his children were crying as they were separated from their father.

Fortunately, the citizens distanced themselves from one another, following health protocols. If it weren’t for this, the event would be the cause of another outbreak.

Police officers were able to respond to the disarray fast, and the man was escorted to the hospital, while his wife and children were sent to be tested for the virus.

Unfortunately, the man broke his ribs because of sneezing too much, and he went into a coma few hours later.

His wife was saddened at what happened, but she and her children all tested negative. But days after the distribution of relief goods, the mayor’s mother tested positive for the virus, and the mayor’s family were forced to isolate themselves from the people.

It was a sad day when the 70-year old mother of the mayor, whom was fondly called First Mother, was sent to the hospital. She was the driving force of the mayor, and the citizens can see how much the mayor loves her mother.

Days later, the day the mayor feared most came. The First Mother, already a senior citizen, succumbed to the virus, and it made headlines not only in Wellsworth, but also in neighboring cities.