"Everyone! Come to the TV. There's a report about the health crisis!"
Simon ran down the stairs to join his parents in the living room. The health crisis had put his life, just like everyone else's, on hold. He was 20. He should have been at University during the day, and partying every night. But since the quarantine, he'd spent every day at home with just his parents and his younger sister, Emma. His older sister Jasmine had been staying with her boyfriend when the quarantine was announced, so he hadn't seen her in person for over two weeks.
The crisis was first noticed over a year ago. First they called it "London heartbreak sickness". This was because almost all the first wave of victims were women going through a breakup or divorce. Though soon, others started being identified with the same problems. First symptoms included mood swings and dizziness. Then nosebleeds, and occasionally bleeding gums. About a week after the nosebleeds, the victim would fall suddenly into a coma. After the beginning of the coma, death would come within hours.
The victims of the virus were usually between 18 and 60, though some cases were older or younger. However, they all had one thing in common - they were all women. It was first reported in the UK (London in particular), but soon worldwide reports started coming out.
As the death-toll began rising, the government ordered an immediate quarantine. Everything stopped, and 99% of the population were ordered to stay within their houses. Food drops were provided at each house by men in hazmat suits. The government provided the basics for everyone. However, they hadn't provided anything to beat the boredom.
There was still internet and TV, as well as radio. Some of Simon's professors had begun streaming lectures online to keep the class from falling behind too much. Simon's parents and sister watched an online church service three times a week, and though Simon himself was agnostic, he'd began watching with them just to fight his boredom.
Simon sat down in the living room on one of the armchairs, excited for the news announcement. His dad, Peter, was in the kitchen, making a cup of tea for himself and Simon's mum, Yulia. Peter was exactly as you'd expect a 45 year old Hedge-fund data-analyst to look like. Slightly balding, with a body that played squash twice a week, but otherwise spent most of it's time sitting in an above-average quality office chair.
Yulia was from Russia originally, though she'd lived in the UK for 25 years, since meeting Peter on his gap year. She still had the Russian accent, and some of the Russian face and makeup. She'd been a semi-professional tennis player in the past, and still kept in good shape.
Emma rushed into the living room, excited to hear any news about the quarantine. She tripped over as she tried to land on the other armchair in the living room, and had to try and regain her dignity before sitting back down. She was the most keen out of all of us to hear some good news and escape the quarantine. It had been called about a week after her 18th birthday. Her birthday trip to Greece had been cancelled and in the two weeks since the quarantine started, she'd learned that her boyfriend had been cheating on her. None of us said anything, but we knew that by being heartbroken, she was in the 'danger zone'.
Dad Peter came back in the room with 4 cups of tea (one for everyone) and sat on the sofa next to Yulia. They all watched in silence, waiting to know any news on the virus or the quarantine.
The government minister for health came on. She looked composed and confident.
"Good afternoon citizens of the UK, as well as any citizens from other nations who might be watching today. Thank you for your calmness and patience in this ongoing health crisis. You have shown the world the British spirit for handling adversity."
She paused, before continuing.
"I have both good news and bad news. The good news is we have now fully identified the virus, as well as it's method of infection. We have also identified a temporary cure, along with the reason for its unusual pattern of victims. However, we have yet to find a vaccine or antivirus to permanently defeat the viral menace."
"A cure?!" Said Emma loudly.
"No," replied Simon. "Just a stopgap."
"Shhhhh!" hushed her father.
"Animal lovers" the health minister continued "will be pleased to hear that the virus is not connected to animals, and therefore no cull of any animal species will be needed. However..."
The ministerial woman paused, looking a little unsure as to how to present the next piece of information.
"However, I must ask all minors be removed from watching the remaining broadcast. I repeat, parents please remove your children for the remainder of the broadcast."
Eyes shot to Emma.
"I'm 18 now! I'm not going anywhere"
"Thank you for your co-operation" the TV woman continued, after a 30 second pause to allow parents to remove their children.
"The virus affects men and women differently, including method of infection. The virus is primarily harmless for men. They contract the virus from airborne particles released by an infected woman."
Diagrams flicked up on the screen, showing a woman breathing, and little viral specs falling onto men.
"Due to this highly contagious method of delivery, we believe up to 92% of the UK's male population are already infected with the virus."
Simon and Peter made long eye-contact, before continuing to watch the TV.
"The virus reproduces in the testicles of the male, infecting women during sexual intercourse as per a standard STI. Once infected, the virus multiplies in the woman's nose and mouth, ready to infect men via airborne transmission. We currently believe 67% of the UK's female population to be currently infected."
Yulia's face went white. Emma was desperately trying not to panic, but Simon could see her hands shaking.
"I repeat, this infection is only spread to women by unprotected sex. Anyone who has not had vaginal intercourse within the past two months has nothing to fear. However, for those of you who have had sexual intercourse recently..." The voice continued "...I'd urge you all not to panic. There is a solution until a long-term cure can be found. Men's bodies naturally also produce an antivirus to the infection within their sexual fluids. This is why, though many women are infected, they are not showing more severe symptoms. Anyone having regular sexual relations without the use of a condom should not be concerned.
Our scientists currently believe one dose of infected semen injected vaginally is enough for three weeks of protection, though we would encourage weekly doses as a standard guideline. Anyone showing moderate to severe symptoms should receive sperm twice a day for at least a week, until the symptoms subside."
Emma sneezed loudly, blowing her nose before quickly sticking the tissue into her pocket.
"I repeat, regular sexual ejaculation into the vagina is the only currently known treatment. Oral or anal intake is not effective. We will continue to inform you of any changes. We fully believe our scientists will have a full cure within a month. All this information will be available online, and printed information will be distributed as soon as possible."
Simon could see his mother was looking a little more relaxed now, and his father was positively beaming.
"The quarantine" the voice continued "will now be lifted for personal travel, though car use will still be for emergency use only for another week. The government recommends that businesses also stay closed for another week, though this is no longer mandatory after today. Public transport will begin again tomorrow. Thank you all for listening."
