It Comes and Goes, You Know?

The Start of Something Severe

I didn't really think that it was a big deal. I guess I was just mistaken. This virus was something I thought I can contain, something that could be restrained. How foolish of me.

January 2020

I sat in the meeting room, anxiously trying to sit still and listen to United Nations talk about the usual. Impatiently tapping my foot, I looked at my wristwatch for the time. Five more minutes- come on...A few minutes later, United Nations finally announced: "Alright, this is all we have for today. Please return to your offices, and have a nice day". I continued to sit in my seat while the others filed out of the meeting room. After every country and other organization left, I turned towards the last remaining person in the room, who proceeded to sit across from me. "I heard that you wanted to talk about COVID-19?" W.H.O. said, flipping through his folder. "Yes. I assume that you've been up to date about the information that I sent you over email a few weeks back?". "About the symptoms and all the information enclosed in that email, correct?" he said, looking up from his folder. "Yes. W-well, uhm...this virus may be more widespread than we thought it would be. I've already gotten reports of cases in Japan, Thailand, and America". W.H.O. looked slighting startled. "Well, that's quite concerning...it's only been a few weeks". I quietly nodded and continued. "Some scientists in my country have started research on this virus, and one of them has confirmed that it can be transmitted from person-to-person.". I pulled a document out of my folder and slipped it across the table. He took a few minutes reading it, then put it back down and sighed. "It was a good idea to put Wuhan on lockdown, China, but this won't stop the virus. I'm going to have to call a Global Health Emergency in a few days." "But won't that cause panic among the others?" I questioned, and W.H.O. sighed again. "How else are we going to break it to them?". I looked down and slowly nodded. "I understand." He gave a slight smile and said, "You are dismissed". I stood up with my folder and gave a small bow to W.H.O. before walking over to the door and leaving the room. 

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February 2020

It wasn't getting better. I felt nauseous all the time, and I wasn't able to do my best at work. U.N. and W.H.O. suggested that I go to the hospital wing and rest, but I insisted that it wasn't necessary. 

North Korea and Russia wanted to chat while we were free, so we walked and talked while we were on our way over to the copy room. I was talking less than I usually did that day, so both of them sensed that something was off. "Chi? Is there something wrong?" Russia asked, turning his head towards my direction. "I'm feeling really nauseous. You don't have to worry though, I'm sure it's nothing" I briskly said, brushing the subject off. "Are you sure? This isn't very normal," he answered as North nodded. I continued to try and brush the subject away. "No, no. It's not a big deal, I-" I stopped talking when I felt a sharp pain for through my head. It startled me, making me lose my balance and almost falling over. I held my head with my hand while North reached out his arm to grab my other. "China, are you okay?" he exclaimed. I tried to answer him, before another, much stronger sharp pain went through my head and made me fade out of consciousness. 

I returned to consciousness a few minutes (or at, least I think a few minutes) later. I could tell that it wasn't much of a big deal, but it still seemed to concern a few people. Russia was still there, but so was Japan, Ukraine, and Pakistan. I was laying on the cold floor with my head propped up by Russia's arm. "What happened?" Pakistan asked, directing the question towards Russia. "She said that she was nauseous a few minutes ago, then it started getting worse and she fainted. At least, that's what I saw" he responded. "It was like an intense sharp pain that went through my head..." I commented. "North Korea went to inform W.H.O. about this, he'll be back in a minute," Ukraine said. "Are you feeling okay?" Japan said, anxiety decorating her words. "I'm perfectly fine now, though still slightly nauseous.".  She nodded, saying that she needed to head back to her office and to keep her updated.                            

A few hours later, I sank into my chair after getting back from visiting W.H.O. again. He did a thorough check-up on me and concluded that it was most likely exhaustion from the COVID-19 cases. He said that I needed to take a break and relax so that my country can focus on getting the virus under control. I was still expected to do the work that U.N. assigns me, but I'm was excused from additional work. It really wasn't that long since I passed out, but cases were already going up in other countries and they weren't exactly getting better for me either. I heard a few soft knocks at my door that slightly startled. Sitting straighter in my chair, I said a brief "come in". Japan turned the handle of the door and peeked inside. "China, you doing better?". I gave a small nod. "Yeah." "What did W.H.O. tell you about your situation?". I sighed and stood up, walking over to the wall-long window and looking down at the city. "It'll get better, my people are outstanding.". I heard her shuffle and mumble a "sure". I turned my head and glared at her, before looking back at the window, crossing my arms. "I'm still not sure if I can handle, but I'll try my hardest." "You know who I'm worried about though?" Japan asked.

 "Let me guess, America?".

"How did you know-"

"Just an educated guess."

I turned to face Japan as she said: "Well uhm...you know the reasons why I'm worried for him, I assume?". I slowly nodded, and added, "What about Italy? They're not very happy with me at the moment about all of this...". "It'll get better, China-san. They'll understand soon enough.". But she even said that with a bit of uncertainty. She said that she had to go, and excused herself from my office. I sat back down in my chair and stared at the clouds outside, drifting by like lazy animals unaware of the real world.