The Virus - Chapter 16

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

Chapter 16         Home Sweet home

Dr. Jolly and Jenna were able to leave the quarantine hotel in Mumbai on the way to the airport to get on a private jet to get back to New York. Having been in isolation for ten days, it was hard to imagine how the pandemic had impacted every aspect of life. The trip to the airport through the empty streets and multiple checkpoints of police and medical stands were surreal. The airport terminals were empty and there were few cars entering or leaving. This was a scene radically different from what Jenna had experienced when she had arrived here just a couple of months earlier.

Finally, they went through the formalities and made their way to the small Lear jet waiting for them on the airport tarmac. They were welcomed by the captain and the hostess whose faces were fully covered with mask and face shield.   

As the flight took off from Mumbai Jenna made a comment. “Wow, dad look at the blue sky over the city. No sign of smog that was so visible when I landed here.”

“That’s an interesting observation. I guess this would be considered a side benefit of the pandemic. I have heard similar stories about the air quality and how it has improved worldwide since the beginning of the pandemic and lockdowns.” Dr. Jolly shared.

“Well, in a way it’s sad that we ourselves are unable to improve our living conditions and have to rely on a virus to that for us.” Jenna Said.

The flight landed in Paris for refueling. There was a furl truck waiting as the plane pulled up. After about an hour waiting inside the plane, they were able to take off to their final destination – New York.

About an hour away from landing in New York, the captain informed Dr. Jolly that their request for landing had been denied. They had been advised to try Washington D.C. or Baltimore.

“So, what do you think we should do?” Dr. Jolly asked the captain.

“I think we should try Washington Dulles airport and if that doesn't work, we could then try Baltimore.” The captain responded.

“Sure, I guess we don’t many choices. Let’s hope that we can land in Washington. I think we should be able to find a way to get to New York by car or train.” Dr. Jolly told the captain as Jenna looked puzzled about the whole situation. This looked like a scenario out of Hollywood with lots of surprises and the unexpected. But at the same time, she was thinking that a little inconvenience was probably the easier outcome of what could happen in a pandemic. 

The plane was able to land in Washington Dulles airport which also looked deserted. The airport staff and health officials were scattered throughout wearing hazmat suits, masks and face shields.

Dr. Jolly and Jenna were able to get a rent-a-car and got on the road to New York.

The highways and streets were for the most part empty with a few and an occasional ambulance or paramedics flashing their siren as they made their way to the hospitals or responding to calls. This was a very different picture of traffic jams and crowded streets in and around major cities.

On the highway to New York, only the resting areas were open with a few vending machines. All restaurants on the 95 freeway had been shut down.

Dr. Jolly and Jenna arrived in New York city after passing through a couple of checkpoints which reminded them of the scene in Mumbai.  The world had changed in a homogenous and dramatic way.

“Dad, I can’t believe what is happening. Look how empty the city is. It’s like a ghost town after the gold rush.”

“Well, sweetheart, this could be the calm before the storm. The situation could get desperate as people get tired of the lockdown.”  

Dr. Jolly drove to the rent-a-car outlet in New York city near to his home to return the car. He and Jenna got a ride to their apartment. Missing from the building was the doorman who had been there for many years. There were lots of signs posted on the wall about the pandemic and the need for following the CDC protocol.

After a little bit of rest on the balcony of the apartment and doing the laundry, Dr. Jolly texted Maria.

“Jenna and I just got back. It’s been an amazing journey to say the least. How are you doing?”

After a few minutes a call came in. “Hi Tony, it’s great to hear that you’re back in the city. I tell you. It’s been a rollercoaster these last few weeks. I’ve recovered for the most part but there are surprises and occasional pains and coughs.”

“Wow, Maria, sorry to hear that. Hope you can fully recover. I am not sure if I shared with you earlier but we are planning to do a couple of study groups based on our own experience. I have been talking to Vahid and Dr. Morrison about setting up something here and possibly in India where there is great interest in the study group idea.”

“That’s great Tony. We are also getting close to coming up with a vaccine at Pfizer, but I would love to participate and help with your study group. I saw the paper by Dr. Morrison about the impact of stress on the immune system.”

“Perfect. That’s great to hear Maria. Having been away for the past few weeks there is a long to-do list.”

“I hear you, Tony. I’m in the same situation. My energy level is still very low. I am trying to follow your example. How is Jenna doing?”

“Great. She is fine and happy to be home. We have spent a lot of time together which is wonderful. Please rest as much as possible and drink lots of water. Let me know if you need anything. I will try to come see you in the next few days even though it’s difficult getting around in the city. By the way, how is your son?”

“Thanks Tony, He is doing great working on his research from home. We are talking more than ever before. Anyway, it’s good to hear from you.”

“That’s great. Take care Maria. Talk to you soon.”

All along during this time, Dr. Jolly’s secretary Malaika at the WHO office in New York was giving him regular reports of the calls coming in and communications that were sent to the office. He had been also talking to Dr. Weber in Geneva and it seemed that the leadership at the WHO was for the idea of the study group. Now Dr. Zhang in that office had also joined the team to assist with the project.

In the afternoon, Vahid called.

“Hi Tony, I got your message that you had returned home. How are you feeling?”

“Hey Vahid, so good to hear from you. Both Jenna and I are feeling good. The experience in Mumbai was really fascinating and it confirmed our belief that we need to get to the root cause of the pandemic. I can’t wait to get the study project started.”

“That’s great Tony, I feel the same way. In a way. My own experience with the virus was very convincing about the need for a change our lifestyle and how we go about life.”

“I’m glad to hear that Vahid. By the way, I don’t know if I told you, but Dr. Singh in India is also interested to do a couple of study groups in Mumbai and New Delhi.”

“Wow, that would be wonderful. I have already made the initial arrangements to run the study groups at the detox retreat in California that you had mentioned and an addiction treatment center in Florida.”

Dr. was delighted to hear that. “Perfect…... That’s great to hear. I talked to Maria earlier and she also wants to support our project as well. As you know Dr. Weber at the WHO headquarters in Geneva is also supportive of the effort and he has asked Dr. Zhang to join the team. I am still waiting to hear from Dr. Mulungu.”

“That’s wonderful news Tony. The CDC is also supportive, but they want to make sure that we can come up with conclusive scientific results before going public and that this would not be seen as in contradiction to the research for vaccine and other medical industry initiatives.”

“Absolutely, we must be careful not to send the wrong message to the media. Essentially, we have to make sure that this study is in line with scientific preventive measures and research in addressing the cause of disease while continuing with the existing scientific medical research in dealing with symptoms.”    

“Exactly, the fact that so far most of our team members are doctors is a testimony to the principle that we are committed to science while exploring other dimensions of health.”

“Good point Vahid, I’ve been writing about some of my observations and conversations. It might be a good idea to come up with an article or white paper about what we are trying to address in wake of the pandemic.”

“That’s a great idea. I have also been taking notes and would be happy to send it to you.”

“Perfect, we will create a collective statement that could be the foundation of our project and eventual communications with the media.” Dr. Jolly responded.

“Oh, Tony, Before I forget, I was invited for an interview about the pandemic by a program on CNN while I was in quarantine. I know that going forward there is going to be more invitations from the media.”

“Well, this paper we are working on together could help us all get on the same page. It could also be helpful to educate the media about the need for boosting the immune system in response to this and potential future pandemics by reducing stress, focusing on good nutrition, and mitigating pollution.”

“That sounds like music to my ears Tony, I will follow up on the arrangements and should have an update by the end of the week.”

With a big smile Dr. Jolly responded. “Great, looking forward to hearing from you.”

There was a long list of emails and messages. Dr. Jolly was happy to get a confirmation email from Dr. Mulungu who had sent his research paper on the impact of plant-based food on boosting the immune system.

© 2022 Ramses Rashidi