“Welcome back views to Covid-19 Soundbites on Channel 19 News, with me, Seymour Storees. In part two we were exposed to the working mum grounded by the virus and that Lower Mid-Range Narcissist certainly ensured that we knew all about her views about the current situation whilst doing her best to avoid her actual parental responsibilities. Thereafter, we hooked up by video link with Ernest Endeavour and his apparent unique and never thought of before Shopping Saviours as he worked hard on self-promotion behind his veneer of apparent rampant empathy. So, who do we have for you in part 3? We are live by video link with Cat Astrofy who did not want to tell us where she is, in case other people found out where she is and caused problems with her isolation routine.”
Number Seven : Middle Mid Range Type B
“Hello Cat, you are live on Channel 19 News, how are you dealing with the pandemic?”
“Hello Seymour. Well, as you no doubt can see I am sat in my communications hub and I must say I am pleased to hear from you as it is very lonely here and I am very concerned about my safety.”
“Why is that Cat?”
“Well, I knew that this was going to be a pandemic last March because I had been reading How To Know That You Know : The Cassandra Chronicles and I predicted that this virus would originate from Asia and sweep the globe. I had to go into therapy because of the shock of it all. I found this knowledge really overwhelming and it is just such a worry to know that everything I have ever done will shortly not matter.”
“Why do you think that, surely to think that way is to catastrophise? Yes, it is a serious matter, but it is not a doomsday scenario.”
(Cat begins to cry and reaches to a box of tissues to mop away the flood of tears)
“Sorry, sorry, please do not use the d word, I find it very triggering. I am just so worried, worried for my family. I had to leave them in their homes when I made my exit to this isolation spot. I am worried for my colleagues, I do not know if they will have any jobs when I return, if I return. The economy is in meltdown, everything is closing, there are not enough hospital beds. It is a truly terrible state of affairs.”
(The crying starts again.)
(Seymour tries to ask a question but is drowned out by a wailing noise erupting from Cat´s mouth.)
“Oh why has the universe done this to me? Why now? The world has always hated me and now I am forced into hiding, driven away from those that I love and care for. Exiled from my homeland and forced to take refuge in a far away land where I know nobody and nobody knows me. The imposition is so great , I am not sure I can go on. Perhaps it would be better to escape it all now, before that slow, lingering death from the unseen virus.”
(Another wail escapes from Cat´s mouth and then there is the electronic beep of a text message.)
“Its my friend she is letting me know that she is okay. My phone and my laptop are my lifeline, they are my only links to the outside world. I am updated every minute with regard to world events, I have an app which tells me how many infections there are worldwide, within this country, in the locality and the neighbourhood on a live basis. I have stockpiled and I want to make this clear, I did this way before anybody else started raising the shelves in the supermarkets. I am writing a blog explaining how I am managing in isolation and providing updates to all my followers on social media. I just want to say that I am humbled by the messages of support that people are sending me, you truly are all an inspiration and I just hope I do not let you down by succumbing to this terrible disease. You don’t understand how much of a burden it is, how crushing it is having this impending sense of misery and obliteration. Everything I have tried to achieve will be erased, removed and eradicated. It as if I have not existed, this is why it is important for me to stay in contact with as many people as I can. Anybody can contact me, especially if you are alone out there and you need somebody to talk to, to share tips with, to ease the burden of isolation, let’s see this through together you can find me on my blog Hidden Yet Visible or use one of my social media platforms, Cat´s Covert Covid.”
“You seem very pessimistic Cat, do you see this as the end of the world?”
(Cat starts to speak but then halts as if some overwhelming thought has engulfed her. She sobs and then puts her hands together as if in prayer)
“I think, if we all stick to our plans, we might, just might, make it through but the world will be a very different place for many, many people.”
“Well that sounds a little more encouraging, perhaps you do actually feel, after all that there is some glimmer of hope? How do you see the world after Covid-19?”
“Why are you asking me that, I haven’t read that chapter yet?!”
“Oh, I see, well, for the benefit of our viewers, perhaps you could share with us your thoughts on the future anyway, given that you apparently saw all of this coming, some months ago.”
(Cat gives a dramatic sigh and starts to speak when her “communications hub” suddenly floods with light as a door opens. A man enters and speaks.)
“Cat, your dinner is ready, I was shouting but I don’t think you could hear me since you have put all these egg boxes on the walls, why have you done that?”
“Daaaaaad! I told you not to come in, I am doing a very important interview and you have ruined it, just like you ruin everything and you have ruined my life.”
(Cat slumps onto her desk, shoulders heaving as the sound of manufactured misery escapes from her mouth. Her father comes over and puts a hand on her, peering into the camera, “Who are you talking to? Are you doing that prophesy nonsense again? What did I say about all of that, come on it is time for dinner, stop all of this sobbing it will get you nowhere.”
“Well, looks like Cat´s corona bunker has been invaded, but not by the virus but by Papa Astrofy. Let’s shift our focus and move to somebody who rather than er, hiding from the virus is right on the front-line . Joining me now, by live video link as she is unable to come away from her place of work to be interviewed in the studio, is Dr Tera Nuwan.
Number Eight : The Upper Mid Range Narcissist
“Dr Nuwan joins us from Santa Salvatore Hospital which is at the epicentre of the European outbreak. Dr Nuwan, thank you for giving us your time which is obviously at a premium, indeed we can see you are still dressed in your medical attire. How are things at the front line of combatting Covid-19?”
“Thank you for inviting me onto the programme, Seymour. As you can imagine, we are facing an unprecedented demand on our resources here at the hospital. Since the outbreak intensified here, we have had a steady influx of the most vulnerable patients who require immediate and intensive treatment. We are working around the clock. I have not been home for ten days, preferring to remain here at the hospital, working back to back shifts to ensure that everybody is treated as far as we are able.”
“I am sure that your patients and the residents of the city are most grateful for your dedication, Dr Nuwan. Do you think that more could have been done to contain the virus so you were not having to work to the extent that you are?”
“That is not for me to say. My role and that of my team is to deliver acute care. This is what we trained to do. I am proud of the commitment exhibited by my team and that of colleagues within the hospital. It is, naturally, a testing environment, but one in which those of us who are destined to be effective, are indeed effective. It is rewarding ensuring that the people who need us most are being looked after.”
“How does it feel, Dr Nuwan, knowing that you cannot save everybody?”
“That is not something I contemplate. Everybody who comes to me will be looked after to the highest standards.”
“Yes, but surely, given the level of demand and existing need for the hospitals resources, it is impossible for you to ensure that everybody survives.”
“It is inevitable that some of those who regrettably submit to the virus will not survive but that is not from a want of care or expertise. Many of these people will have, unfortunately, died from pre-existing and underlying conditions.”
“But over 2500 dead in your country, over 700 in your region. It must be disheartening to be faced with such losses when you are working flat out.”
(A just discernible shake of the head from Dr Nuwan at this question)
“Not disheartening, not at all, it only bolsters our resolve to do more. It is also worth pointing out, that within the official statistics, there are those who have died who have tested positive for the virus but they did not die because of the virus. They had an underlying condition which caused their demise and they also caught the virus. It is important to maintain a proper perspective on this and to present the information responsibly.”
“Are you suggesting, Dr Nuwan, that information then, is not being used in a responsible fashion?”
“That is not for me to say. I am a medic, I save lives, I will leave it to the politicians to decide how the information is presented, after all, I do not need votes to remain doing what I do.”
“Absolutely not, although if you did, I am sure you would obtain a landslide victory.”
“Not relevant as I said, Seymour. The only victory we are committed to is the one over Covid-19 and I will continue to lead my team here at this hospital to achieve that. Now, if you will excuse me, I have patients who require my help. Good day.”
(Dr Nuwan nods and walks briskly away from the camera)
“A busy and effective Dr Nuwan of Santa Salvatore Hospital, doing a superb job of treating those infected with Covid-19. That brings us to the conclusion of Part 3 of Covid-19 Soundbites, but whilst you have a few minutes to pick up some world class knowledge in The Knowledge Vault using code toiletpaper19 don’t go anywhere because when we return in Part 4, you will be hearing from the big hitters as we turn the dial to 11 and speak to some very famous and successful people and receive their thoughts and views about the pandemic. Stay with Channel 19 and keep those hands clean!”