The Virus - Chapter 11

How a Virus Changed the World …. for the Better….

Chapter 11          Challenges & Blessings

Dr. Jolly couldn’t believe his ears. How could he test positive for the virus? He had been so careful in observing the protocols. Although, he had seen the speed by which the virus had been spreading in various environments. He sat down holding his head in disbelief. The pilots were also in state of shock.

Dr. Jolly turned to the pilots. “Let’s take a couple of minutes to process this whole thing.”

He then called Dr. Singh who was waiting for him in the lobby. “Hi Doctor, you probably know that we tested positive.”

“Yes, I just found out from our health department desk that you and the pilots tested positive.”  Dr. Singh responded.

“Well, this is something I did not expect. Then again, we have seen that it takes a few days before there are any symptoms.” Dr. Jolly explained.

Dr. Singh didn’t know what to say. “Well, Dr. Jolly, we were hoping to consult with you. You are the leading virologist at the WHO.”

Dr. Jolly adjusted his mask and thought about the fact that he represented the World Health Organization as a virologist. He thought about his daughter who was also waiting for him.

He then told Dr. Singh. “Please let me talk to my daughter and I’ll call you back.”

Dr. Jolly called Jenna. “Hi Honey, I am here. But something unexpected has happened. Me and the pilots of the private jet that brought me here, have tested positive. So, we need to consult.”

“Wow, dad, what are you going to do?”

“Well, sweetheart, I want to consult with you about our options. Technically we have not entered the country yet. We have not gone through the passport check and customs. So, I think we could leave. Although I still need to talk to the officials here about that.”

“Dad, I would like to leave with you. I don’t mind if I catch the virus.”

“Sweetheart! We need to think about this on several levels. We are still learning about the virus. It has already proven to be very dangerous and highly lethal. So, we can’t take a chance. Even though we don’t have any symptoms right now. But things could change quickly. I think it’s best that you go back to the meditation center and stay in isolation. I will probably stay here in quarantine.”

“Well, you’re the specialist and you are my dad that I love very much. So, I totally understand what you’re saying. I would follow your suggestion.”

“Thanks honey, that makes it much easier for me. We will go through this together. Let me call you back in a few minutes.”

Dr. Jolly then turned to Captain Pavlov and Kovalenko. “I’m sorry about this. I didn’t see this coming. I have been so busy, and I should have done the right thing and do a test before departure. So now, what are your thoughts?”

Captain Pavlov looked at captain Kovalenko for a few moments. “Well, Dr. Jolly, this is all new to us. We didn’t expect this either. My first thought is that I would like to get back to New York if possible.” Captain Kovalenko also shook his head in agreement.

“OK, let me talk to Dr. Singh and see what our options are.” Dr. Jolly responded as he called Dr. Singh.

“Dr. Singh, thanks for your patience. I have talked with my daughter and the two pilots that have brought me here. I feel that given the situation and the fact that my daughter is not infected with the virus, it’s best that she stays at the meditation center, if possible. The pilots have told me that they would prefer t o leave, if it’s ok. for myself, I would like to stay in quarantine here to recover.”

Dr. Singh listened carefully. “Well, thank you Dr. Jolly, I need to talk to the officials at the ministry and also here at the airport and will get back to you shortly.”

Meanwhile Dr. Jolly and the two pilots were placed in a small room as they waited to hear from Dr. Singh.

After about half an hour, a call came in from Dr. Singh. “Dr. Jolly, I have discussed the situation with the public health authorities and the airport management. The two pilots can leave but they have to sign a release of liability. Also, they won’t be able to return here if they are not able to land in any other airport. We welcome your daughter to continue her stay in isolation at the medication center and of course we welcome you to enter quarantine at our special facility here in Mumbai.”

Dr. Jolly went through immigration on his way to a special car waiting for him outside the terminal. On the way, he was able to see his daughter from behind the window. He put his hand on the glass and she also placed hers on the other side. They were both in tears and totally transfixed for a few moments. This was all so unexpected. But with consultations, everyone was able to decide their path going forward.

Here was Dr. Jolly being driven through streets of Mumbai. He was thinking about life and how unpredictable it could be. He was somewhat emotional as he observed the deserted city. He thought about media headlines. “WHO Pandemic Expert in Quarantine in India.” However, in his heart, he knew that he had made a good decision. At least now he was close to his daughter and once the quarantine was over they would be able to go home together.

The car arrived at the quarantine facility which was a very modern hotel used for the purpose of hosting high-profile guests. All staff were dressed in hazmat suits and there were security personnel in the lobby. Dr. Jolly had no luggage since he had planned to leave a few hours after arrival. So, he asked for T-shirts and pajamas once he got to his room on the 8th floor.

He got a text message from Jenna. “Hi Dad, I just made it back to the meditation center. It was so good to see you. I love you.”

“Hi Honey, I just arrived at the quarantine facility which is like a 5-star hotel. It’s very nice. Good thing I brought my computer. Other than that, all I have is the clothes on my back. But everything will be fine. I’m glad to be here. When I left New York, I promised myself that I would leave Mumbai together with you and I am going to keep that promise.”

“Oh, dad, you’re so wonderful. I will help you keep that promise as well.”

Dr. Singh also sent a message. “Dear Dr. Jolly, welcome to India. We are glad that you have decided to stay here and even though this is not how we had to hope to offer you hospitality, but we will try our best to make your stay as pleasant as possible. We will provide you with daily tests and monitor your conditions. Please let me know if you need anything and we hope to have a zoom meeting with you in the next few days if you feel up to it. Meanwhile, please get some rest.”

“Dear Dr. Singh, thanks for your kind words. So far, I seem to be fine and there are no symptoms at all, but we know that could change at any time. Today, I will try to catch up with my emails and messages and get some rest. We probably could have a zoom meeting tomorrow and I look forward to talking with you and your team.”

Dr. Jolly went on the balcony of his room overlooking the pool and the beautiful tropical gardens. He wished he could go for a swim as he gazed at the pool. He then went back inside and took a shower. His conditions seemed to be fine but then he knew that it could take several days for the symptoms to emerge. For now, this hotel room was his office for the next few days where he could manage his work on the computer and his cell phone.

Dr. Jolly sent messages to his secretary Malaika in New York and the WHO headquarters in Geneva informing everybody of his situation in India and that he will try to manage his work from the quarantine facilities.

In the evening, he wrote a message to Maria. “Good morning, Maria, you’re probably just waking up.”

After about an hour a message came back. “Hi Tony, are you back in New York?”

In response, Dr. Jolly wrote a long message explaining what had happened.

“O my God, Tony! How do you feel? Do you have any symptoms?”

“I feel fine, Maria, no symptoms whatsoever. But I will be staying here for a couple of weeks and then will return together with Jenna.”

“Wow, this is so unexpected, Tony, please keep me posted. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Sure, Maria, thanks so much.”

Dr. Jolly also wrote to his friend Dr. Kaviani at CDC. “Hi Vahid, you’ll never guess what happened.” He told the whole story. Dr. Kaviani however, had a different kind of response.

“Wow, Tony, this is so surreal. But at the same time, I feel that this is blessing in disguise. There is a wisdom in your stay in India and I believe we will find out very soon.”

“That’s an interesting observation Vahid, I could have left and then make other arrangements for Jenna to come home. but my gut feeling was that I should stay.”

“I think you’ve made the right decision. I heard from Maria that you wanted to join our Baha’i study circle. I will send you some prayers and passages while you are in quarantine which could be very useful for meditation. Meanwhile, we have received information on very promising research about meditation and its usefulness in boosting the immune system against viruses done by a Dr. Jasmine Morrison in Chicago.”

“Wow, that’s interesting Vahid, I would love to learn more. Actually, a few years ago, I had also looked at some research about the positive impact of plant-based food on the immune system by a Dr. Habib Mulungu in Tanzania.”

© 2022 Ramses Rashidi