The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 622 - 474: Establishing the Guilt

This flu pandemic has brought not only death to people worldwide but also incalculable economic losses.

From the confirmed outbreak of the flu in March to now, just over six months, at least tens of millions of people have been infected and millions have died, akin to experiencing another world war.

Moreover, this flu pandemic has been a fatal blow to the world economy. Due to the flu, people are afraid to go out, and many factories have gone bankrupt because they cannot sell their goods.

The collapse of small and medium-sized enterprises has led to a continuous decline in production, resulting in skyrocketing prices of goods, and people can no longer afford living essentials.

This has caused the original balanced economic system to collapse instantaneously, and the economies of various countries have experienced severe depressions worse than war. The number of people who have committed suicide due to bankruptcy is countless, even surpassing the number of people who have died from the flu in a short period.

According to a report by a US media, the highest number of suicides in a single day in the United States has exceeded 2,000, surpassing the 1,900 people who died from the flu on that day.

The US government urgently supplies relief to the people, but the supplies have been quickly snatched away by middle and high-income individuals, leaving low-income individuals with little to nothing and at risk of getting infected by going out to buy goods.

The US government has tried to use the military to distribute supplies to the people, but the problem is that no one is willing to transport supplies at the risk of their lives.

Americans have grown accustomed to freedom and are mostly thinking for themselves during this time. Out of more than a hundred thousand US soldiers, fewer than ten thousand are willing to undertake transportation work for supplies.

Due to a lack of supplies, various states in the United States have experienced zero-cost buying sprees. Led by low-income black individuals, people have engaged in mass looting at shopping malls and department stores, stealing a large amount of goods.

Although the US government has urgently deployed police to disperse these looters, the situation has been too chaotic and progress has not been made.

Furthermore, an unnamed white police officer accidentally discharged his gun in panic, killing a leader of the black looters, leading to an even more severe conflict between white and black people in the United States.

Although the conflict was ultimately suppressed by the US government, about a thousand black people were executed by gunshots, sparking widespread anger among black people.

It can be speculated that the US government will face even more serious conflicts between white and black people even if the flu pandemic is overcome.

Black people have forgotten that just decades ago they were lowly plantation slaves, and now their population is immense. They want to fight for more rights in the United States.

October 1, 1918, the White House, United States.

President Wilson’s face is pale as he listens carefully to the reports from his subordinates.

Up until now, at least 3 million people in the United States have been infected with the flu, and more than 700,000 have died, ten times the number of deaths in World War I.

Currently, there are some protest groups and opposition parties in the United States calling for the impeachment of President Wilson, claiming that the pandemic has spread worldwide due to his negligence.

"Ronnie, is there any good solution now?" President Wilson, looking weary, turned to his friend and confidant and asked.

"At present, it’s too difficult to contain the flu, President sir. The only way to avoid being impeached might be to shift the responsibility for this flu pandemic to other countries." Ronnie shook his head, his face full of regret.

There are at least 3 million people infected with the flu in the United States, and there is no precise list of these 3 million people.

How can the flu be contained? They cannot imitate the example set by Australasia and enforce nationwide quarantines.

Not to mention whether this would be effective or not, if President Wilson were to issue such an order, there would undoubtedly be even larger protests by the public, opposing him for restraining their freedom.

"Damn it!" President Wilson cursed, having lost the confidence he exhibited in the Paris Peace Conference. Rubbing his eyes gently, President Wilson asked, "Who can we pin this on? Everybody knows that the epidemic started in the United States. I’m afraid no one would believe what we say."

"Mr. President, haven’t you forgotten that several months before the second wave of flu, Australasia had already announced the flu to the world? We certainly admire the importance they attach to the flu, but when the flu had just broken out and had no fatal effect, the Australasians knew the true lethality of the flu. This inevitably raises doubts." Ronnie said with an implied meaning.

"Hmm?" President Wilson was initially taken aback, but soon understood Ronnie’s intentions and without hesitation ordered: "This matter is handed over to you, Ronnie. I hope to see relevant reports as soon as possible to alleviate the pressure faced by the government."

Ronnie nodded, showing no hesitation. As a subordinate to President Wilson, his relationship with the President was reciprocal in both honor and disgrace.

If President Wilson were to be impeached and removed from office, the power he currently has would vanish in an instant.

Therefore, maintaining the position of President Wilson was the common goal of all Wilson’s associates.

Ronnie acted swiftly, and starting October 4th, some US media began reporting news about the flu, claiming Australasia was the culprit behind the flu because they were the only country that had prepared for the flu in advance. This was also indicative that Australasia could be the mastermind behind the pandemic.