Free Influenza: Viral Virulence by Steven Ohliger

acting like a rebellious brat.

    Finally reaching the smaller cities and towns, the virus was overjoyed at the opportunity to continue to spread and multiply. The infected human hosts were not producing viral material as much as before. The cells were wearing out and some had stopped manufacturing the virus. Newer victims were needed to continue the reproductive cycle of the virus. However, since the population here was not as congested as in the major cities, the virus had to rely on more opportune places to spread. Any place where people gathered, the stores, the schools, the churches, were all favorite breeding grounds. Other than that, the influenza virus would have to wait patiently for an infected person to contact another person. Even slower, the virus would have to be deposited on some surface, like a doorknob, and wait for another unsuspecting victim to touch it.

    Not only had the California governor declared a strict curfew, but the US government had now intervened and taken charge. Martial law had been imposed in the western states in an attempt to curtail the spread of the virus. In high-ranking government circles, they were now beginning to discuss the possibility of instituting nationwide martial law. Secondary measures were being put in place to quell the rising panic, violence, and looting. Cell-phone towers had been turned off, and internet-access providers had been told to shut down their entry points. The National Guard had been rushed in to put up roadblocks leading into and out of the state. However, it was too late. With airlines and an efficient interstate highway system, the influenza virus had a large head start on any protocol for disaster control by the government. The powers-that-be had never planned for such an infectious and rapidly spreading virus—especially a pathogen that mimicked the deadliness of Ebola.

Chapter 7
    Michael awoke Monday morning feeling a little better and more clearheaded than he had the night before. It’s a wonder what a full night’s sleep does to rejuvenate the mind. Getting out of bed, he resolved that he would divide and conquer this new day. He would take one step at a time, concentrate on what he had to do next, and do it well. If California was falling apart, it could wait until Michael was finished with his duties.
    He showered, dressed, and spent an hour reviewing his Applied Therapeutics notes. He was glad the test was scheduled in the morning. He hated waiting nervously to take tests in the afternoon. He much preferred getting them out of the way early.
    He left the apartment and walked to the pharmacy building on campus. There were not very many students walking to and from classes. Approaching the door to the pharmacy building, he couldn’t help but notice a new sign posted on the door. It read:
     
    Notice
    If any student is feeling ill, including but not limited to
    Sneezing, chills, coughing, fever, congestion, and runny nose,
    Do NOT attend class.
    You will be immediately dismissed if showing any of the above symptoms.
    Please respect the health of your fellow classmates.
    Makeup classes will be scheduled at a future date.
     
    Interesting , Michael thought. Actually, he didn’t want to think about it at all. All he wanted to do was concentrate on this test and leave. Then, he could think about it all he wanted.
    He entered the building. It seemed rather dark and quiet inside for a Monday morning. He walked down the hallway and could hear his own footsteps echoing. The building felt abandoned, and for a minute, he was entertaining the thought that it actually might be. Attached to every door was the same notice that had been on the entrance door.
    Entering the exam room, Michael was relieved to see that most of the students were there already. As he took his usual seat, he wondered if he was just imagining the absence of students on campus. Glancing around the room, he took note of a few empty desks.
    The professor sat up front watching the students