Deviator

A new government

2021

Politician

"Don't worry. It's been taken care of. Trust me, the only thing we need to focus on right now is getting this country's economics back in shape." Our new Prime Minister says as he smiles and leads me out into the hallway.

We have just had our first meeting as a newly formed government, and I voiced my concerns about the side-effects from the vaccines. Unfortunately, no one else seemed to share my concerns.

"How has it been taking care of?" I ask hoping to get some kind of relief to this gnawing gut feeling of mine.

"Don't burden yourself with that. We have the best medical minds on the case. Trust me." I don't know why, but when people tell me to trust them, I usually get suspicious. I think he can read it on my face when he looks at me, because he rapidly adds. "But if you need to make sure for yourself, I will arrange for you to get a tour on our brand-new research facilities which sole purpose is to find out the reason behind the side effects and how to minimalize it."

"Thank you. I appreciate that." The feeling that something is way off, hasn't disappeared but at least I get to follow up on it.

I had never really thought that I would be a big part of the government, when I had gone into politics. At first it had actually just been for fun. To see if I could. But then I realized that I liked being a part of the change and the future. And furthermore, I was actually good at it. Then, when Covid hit and the citizens lost their trust in the government at the time, a new election was pushed through.

It was the perfect time for our party, because our politics was built on everything that the former government had neglected. The people were more than done with the Virus and just wanted everything to go back to normal. Without restrictions. And that was what we promised them. To return Denmark to its former glory and prosperity.

"Not a problem at all, my dear old friend." The Prime Minister says as he guides me towards his secretary. "Just make an appointment at miss Jones, and she will make sure to prepare everything for your tour. And then go home to your kids." He smiles at me "I'm sure, they miss their father."

"Unfortunately, I doubt they have even noticed I have been gone all day. They are almost teenagers now; can you believe it?" I chuckle lightly. "All they do is play computer in their rooms or fight over something random."

"Kids..." He answers. "it's the most important thing in your life, but also the most exhausting."

"Isn't that the truth." I respond. Then we laugh together for a second before saying our goodbyes.

***

"Welcome," the leader of the facility greets me at the entrance, "I'm sorry for the mess, we are not quite finished with the reconstructions yet."

I glance around the old hospital. Construction workers are currently rebuilding the old cafeteria. But it's not the only place there is construction going on. I can hear something on the second floor too.

"Thank you." I answer. "What is the plan here?" I ask as I gesture towards the construction at the cafeteria.

"We figured, that since this is going to be a research facility, there won't be visitors, so we are going to transform the cafeteria into an isolation area instead."

"hmm..." I frown slightly. "So, the people who get admitted here with side effects won't be able to receive visitor?"

"Unfortunately, no. We have deemed it to be unsafe - at least in the beginning till we get a better understanding of the situation. We will, however, make sure the patients will be able to contact their relatives virtually instead."

"I guess that makes sense." I mumble and he seems to be satisfied with my reaction, and then we continue the tour. He leads me up the stairs where they are reconstruction the patients' rooms. Every room is made into a solo room with a kind of glass wall.

"Since we are going to be studying the patients at all times, we have decided that plexiglass walls, will be the best option. Of course, it will be possible to darken the windows, to create privacy for the patients."

The more he shows and explains to me, the more at ease I become. It seems that the Prime Minister was right when he said it was taken care off. There has been put a lot of thought and money into this project.

But I still can't shake the feeling. A little voice inside my mind keeps nagging me with the same question again and again.

Why do they spend so much money on a facility like this, when the country is in an economic downfall? Are the side effects worse than what we have been told?