Page 96 of Pandemic
“They did a lot, and I give them full credit for taking total command,” Laurie said. As she spoke she got the pasta out of the microwave and put it in front of Jack. “They are incredibly organized and efficient. A full team arrived here this morning from Atlanta, headed by several Epidemic Intelligence Service Officers, and went to work immediately. They are all really incredible. Already they have made significant headway identifying all the possible contacts here in New York City. And two additional teams went out to the West Coast to do the same thing. Andwith their sister organization in Solna, Sweden, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the same thing was accomplished in London and Rome.”
“Has the CDC identified the virus yet?” Jack asked. “Or has the Public Health Laboratory here in the city?”
“I don’t believe so,” Laurie said, “but I understand they think that they are on the brink.”
“I already know what the virus is,” Jack said. “So we can give them an important leg up. It’s a type of gammaretrovirus B that has the ability to infect human cells.”
Laurie’s jaw went slack and slowly dropped open as she stared at Jack in disbelief. “How on earth do you know what kind of virus it is?” she questioned.
“My Jersey Boys told me,” Jack said. “Kidding aside, researchers out at GeneRx in Dover, New Jersey, were able to identify the virus rather quickly because they had an idea what it was. And what’s more, thanks to CRISPR/CAS9 and an entire team of molecular biologists working around the clock, they already have devised a rapid test to diagnosis it, as well as a cure to get rid of it. So we’ll be able to give that to the CDC as well, which should go a long way to improving your standing vis-à-vis the mayor and the Commissioner of Health.”
“Good Lord! It very well might,” Laurie said. “A diagnostic test and a therapy! And so quickly. That’s terrific! That will totally solve the outbreak problem. I’ve heard people extol the promise of CRISPR/CAS9, but this sounds extraordinary.”
“As a gene-editing tool, there is no doubt that CRISPR/CAS9 is loaded with promise,” Jack said. “Yet peril exists as well. In this instance it’s rather fitting that CRISPR/CAS9 will be solving this outbreak, because it also caused it.”
“You’re talking in circles,” Laurie said. “How on earth did CRISPR/CAS9 cause a fatal mini-pandemic of a heretofore innocuous retrovirus?”
“To answer your question, I need to tell you exactly what happenedto me today, and, at the same time, I’ll be able to explain why you, as the chief medical examiner, are going to be calling the Office of Criminal Investigations at the FDA in the morning. But first I have a confession I need to make.”
“What kind of confession?”
“I’m afraid I have been selfish of late. Emma’s tentative diagnosis really threw me into an egocentric tailspin. I understand that now. While trying to cope, I haven’t been supportive of you and the stresses that you’ve been under, between being the new chief and your own struggles with Emma’s situation. I’m truly sorry, and I’ll try to be more understanding and helpful. I’m amazed you have the patience to deal with the politics while running the whole OCME. I’m really proud that you have been able to do it. I know I couldn’t. No way.”
Laurie blinked away a few threatening tears and took a deep breath. In her mind, Jack knew, she’d been an overly emotional type since her preteen years. “Thank you,” she managed to say as she struggled to get herself under control in response to Jack’s mini-confession. She had always considered her emotional lability as a handicap, especially as a professional. “It has been stressful for me for sure on all fronts, but I’m committed to do the best I can. Your support is enormously important to me.”
“Well, I promise you will have it a hundred percent.”
“I’ve been thinking, too,” Laurie said. “And despite everything that happened today and maybe because of it, I found the nerve to tell my parents when I got home tonight that I thought it would be best if they returned to their apartment tomorrow. To my absolute surprise they took it in stride.”
With some effort, Jack refrained from cheering aloud. Instead he said, “Thank you. I know that took guts, but it will be best for everyone. And thank you for putting up with me. I’m lucky to have found you. We might have our disagreements, but when push comes to shove, we really are soul mates.” And while in his head he was doing cartwheels of joy, Laurie was none the wiser as he pulled her into his arms.