Day 6 of the Battle
Monday arrives and Carolyn spends most of the weekend in bed with Max and Ashley, enjoying themselves.
Carolyn was feeling much better and resumed her office duties with the approval of the Palace Doctor.
Max was due to go in for his scans, and later that day, Mrs Peters was due to be discharged into the care of the Palace medical team.
Later that afternoon, in a meeting over the phone, in her private office in the suite, with the PM, Carolyn asked the dreaded question.
"What were the final numbers as of the end of Monday?" she asked.
The PM reports. "Denmark is on 500 confirmed. Greenland is approaching 150. While the islands were still showing zero. I have ordered that no one is to go to the islands, whatsoever unless authorised by myself or the Crown."
Carolyn immediately agreed to this while shocked at the numbers. But thank the Lord, so far no deaths.
Italy was now close to topping China. While Italy was already tripling the number of deaths versus the figures from China. Several other countries are now locking down their ports, and are implementing their own security measures. The PM also relented that it was now time to upgrade their status and implement further restrictions.
Carolyn agrees. "I agree. Please draft a new proposal from the cabinet. If possible, by tomorrow morning first thing. Maybe you would like to join us for breakfast, to discuss this?"
The PM accepts and promises to have a final draft which they have been setting up today ready for her tomorrow morning and would. And to see her then at 9am to discuss it.
Resting her head on her hands, she prayers for a bit before leaving her office and heads to the bedroom.
Along the way, she asks if Selene could get her mother to come in for a small update meeting.
Arriving in the bedroom she saw Max was finishing up with his bed bath, and with no more nerve block, he was handling the minor pain very well. Dr van José had earlier commented he was very happy with the progress and while Max had some feeling in his feet and part of his legs. The doctor expressed he was positive that over time it will get better.
A few minutes later, Carolyn's mother arrives and Carolyn orders supper for them all, which Max was now able to have too, but warned if he needs to do a number two, it will have to be done in a nappy as he was still NOT allowed to move much nor sit upright. While he has progressed to a max 30-degree sitting angle, keeping his back perfectly straight, and his legs could drop only a bit. He was still bed-bound and couldn't even use the medical pottie - or as some know it as, the Bed Pan.
With Selene and Amelia eating their supper at small tables, provided. Carolyn shares Max's mobile table, while assisting him where needed as he still could only use his right hand while his left was still in a fixtator.
Ashley was eating next to Carolyn, on the bed, after Max requested the Chef make her the classic Mac and Cheese. After Ashley was finished, or rather was full, the nanny was summoned and came to fetch her, for bathtime and ready her for bed with a promise of a book. Ashley gave everyone a hug and a kiss and went off willing.
After a long moment and trying to stall the moment, Carolyn eventually updates the group with the latest from the PM. The silence afterwards was so heavy, they all were not only shocked, but grieve for the people and the pending weight on Carolyn's shoulders, for it will be her, that has to order a complete lockdown, and this would cause issues throughout the kingdom.
"Love, if the people know and see what is best for them, they will agree to it for the safety of their health and neighbours. While many will suffer from no income, especially the self-employed workers and the unemployed, there is nothing you can do but to restrict all access to everyone, except to buy essential food, petrol and medicine. I wouldn't even allow people to draw cash as this can carry the germs. I am sure your government has an unemployment fund or similar. You can use this to assist the public. Those who can work from home must do so. The schools must close. Parents must be able to stay home to look after them. Essential services like Police, Medical, Legal, etc, need to work. I would suggest at least one parent stays home. Those who work for themselves, causal workers, unemployed etc must register and get some means of income to cover their food…"
The trio just stared at him, and then Amelia comments. "Seems like you know more about this than we do, maybe you should manage this."
And Selene nods.
"Honey, I know you were self-employed until the death of your wife. And you had to give it up and work in that terrible job," speaks out Carolyn, to Max.
"Shitty job" injected Max.
"I believe you would know more of what the people may think and feel, than we do," Carolyn continues with Amelia nodding. "And no offence, but as you were a commoner, a low-class worker. You would know what it is like and what is needed and what is not. Would you be willing to help us?"
"Babes, with pleasure."
"Great! Give me a second, I want the PM on the phone. I think we need to see the draft now, so when he comes tomorrow morning, he will have a better revised version. I know many of the ministers are doing to kick up a storm, but we need to stop this now. Selene…" and Selene nods and calls the PM.
But the PM opts to Zoom chat rather.
Once the PM was live on the Zoom, on the TV, Carolyn updated the PM on the discussion, and immediately the PM agreed.
He promises to send the document to them immediately, and thanks Max for sharing his experience and options. "None of us upper class has ever experienced what you have, and this is what we need for the country."
Shortly after hanging up, Selene got the email and went to print a few copies. Returning, they started to read through it and while Selene had a version on the computer for editing of the changes.
It was well into the early morning when the document was done.
Selen yawning, with Carolyn's permission, she emailed the PM the revised draft, and pushed the meeting to 11 am, giving the Cabinet time to review it. But stressed the Queen has agreed to THIS draft, and wishes to implement it ASAP.
While doing this, Carolyn and Max went to sleep, while Amelia had left 2 hours earlier.