It was a Thursday evening, but it was not just any normal evening. It was one on which gloves were being worn in the heat of West Africa, one on which sanitizers could be found any and everywhere, it was day 3 of the Ebola virus outbreak in Nigeria. When it broke out in Liberia, the average Nigerian couldn't care less, but when the terminal virus hit Nigeria, there grew a strange combination of unity and hostility between the people. People would be seen trying to
avoid inevitable body contact in the bustle of the Lagos markets, but uncountable phone, text messages, tracts, billboards were employed to spread the message of symptoms and prevention of this life ending disease that could be contracted through mere body contact.
Amidst all this drama, Francis remained very calm, the only thing he had on his mind was how well his day had gone. Not only had he trashed his best friend, Israel at every video game they played, he had received a generous cash gift from Israel's Father when they met on his way out. Francis got home and had a cold bath to relieve the stress and slight throb from a relatively uneventful day. In a few hours, he was seated with his brother, mother and father having dinner as was thier family tradition.
"So Francis, I've bought sanitizers for everyone in the house. I left yours in your room " His mom said, as she chewed on the soft beef in the soup.
"But mummy, I told you I don't..."
"Keep quiet! It's for your safety" His father quickly interrupted before he could stage a protest. So his mother continued.
"Make sure you use it at least once every hour, I saw it on the news that..." This time, she was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. So she left the dining room to receive the phone call. She came back about ten minutes later but she didn't return to her meal, she just summoned her husband to join her. Francis knew something wasn't right, and he wanted to talk to his brother, Steven, about it, but he seemed too occupied with the plate before him. So he washed up, and returned to his room hoping he would eventually find out what was going on. Alas, right before the clock struck ten, Steven came to tell him that their parents wanted to see him in thier room. Now Francis was totally sure something was happening. The last time Francis had gotten such a formal invitation to meet both of them in that room was when his mother had found some pornography disks while cleaning his room. But, nonetheless, he went in trying to put up a confident front. He got in and met them both sitting.
His mother spoke first, "Francis, Francis, Francis. How many times did I call your name? "
"Three times "
"Some very terrible news got to me this evening. And I don't want you telling anybody about it."
Now his father spoke "Your friend's father, Daddy Israel has been admitted into the hospital"
Francis immediately remembered meeting him and the money he gave him "Why? "
"Francis, Daddy Israel was showing symptoms of Ebola. He is presently being quarantined at LUTH"
Sam.
avoid inevitable body contact in the bustle of the Lagos markets, but uncountable phone, text messages, tracts, billboards were employed to spread the message of symptoms and prevention of this life ending disease that could be contracted through mere body contact.
Amidst all this drama, Francis remained very calm, the only thing he had on his mind was how well his day had gone. Not only had he trashed his best friend, Israel at every video game they played, he had received a generous cash gift from Israel's Father when they met on his way out. Francis got home and had a cold bath to relieve the stress and slight throb from a relatively uneventful day. In a few hours, he was seated with his brother, mother and father having dinner as was thier family tradition.
"So Francis, I've bought sanitizers for everyone in the house. I left yours in your room " His mom said, as she chewed on the soft beef in the soup.
"But mummy, I told you I don't..."
"Keep quiet! It's for your safety" His father quickly interrupted before he could stage a protest. So his mother continued.
"Make sure you use it at least once every hour, I saw it on the news that..." This time, she was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. So she left the dining room to receive the phone call. She came back about ten minutes later but she didn't return to her meal, she just summoned her husband to join her. Francis knew something wasn't right, and he wanted to talk to his brother, Steven, about it, but he seemed too occupied with the plate before him. So he washed up, and returned to his room hoping he would eventually find out what was going on. Alas, right before the clock struck ten, Steven came to tell him that their parents wanted to see him in thier room. Now Francis was totally sure something was happening. The last time Francis had gotten such a formal invitation to meet both of them in that room was when his mother had found some pornography disks while cleaning his room. But, nonetheless, he went in trying to put up a confident front. He got in and met them both sitting.
His mother spoke first, "Francis, Francis, Francis. How many times did I call your name? "
"Three times "
"Some very terrible news got to me this evening. And I don't want you telling anybody about it."
Now his father spoke "Your friend's father, Daddy Israel has been admitted into the hospital"
Francis immediately remembered meeting him and the money he gave him "Why? "
"Francis, Daddy Israel was showing symptoms of Ebola. He is presently being quarantined at LUTH"
Sam.
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