Unity

44. Negative

CHAPTER 44: NEGATIVE

Everyone tested negative by the third day. We unanimously decided to give it four days. And again, everyone was negative.

On the fifth day after Brian's positive result, we had our final meeting as a core travel group. Unity's field reward team would disband and part ways.

Brian and I would move to another island. Stewart and Carole wanted to join us. So did Jack, but two pilots were needed to get the rest of the team back to the U.S.

"I don't like this idea of leaving, Brian." Jack bounced his ball. "We can all just stay right here, wait until he tests negative, and then we'll all go. It's only gonna be another week."

Jack talked like Brian wasn't there. But he sat on a plastic chair a good 100 feet from us. A fan blew at him, away from us.

"And in that week," his microphone was turned all the way up, "the world will continue to fall apart," Brian said. "As it is, you already have to quarantine when you return, and test negative with the new blood tests."

The blood testing was only offered at quarantine facilities and urgent viral care centers. Results came back in two hours, and could identify an infection's variant.

"Besides," said Stewart, "The Philippine government is only letting four of us stay. They know about Brian's positive result, and they'll let us go with a substantial cash donation and air boxes for everyone we come into contact with during the move."

"This sucks!" Jack said. "We don't have the new tests. If you came back with us, you could be tested for the variant! We can find out which version you have so you can get the best treatment possible!" He threw the ball against the ground with force in frustration, and didn't try to catch it. It bounced a few times on its own, and rolled across the lawn.

"No offense to Stewart," Jack said, "but he has no way to help you on a remote Philippine island if you go south."

"Jack, I've made my decision. And I'll remind you, it's my decision."

Jack stood up and left. It was clear to me he loved Brian. Really loved him. Brian continued.

"You all will get tested at the Dumaguete air field. It's not a major airport, but they do have the swab tests, which is the minimum needed for Singapore. You'll be tested again there, and as long as you don't leave the airport. From there you'll go on to Istanbul, same drill there. As of now, and the final leg will be to the U.S., New York first, where you quarantine for three weeks, and then you can get flights to your home cities."

"This is crazy, Brian," Mike said. "You might need serious medical treatment at some point. And what if Stewart or Carole or Crystal get the virus – and they need care? You won't be in any position to help them."

"We plan to continue with all of the safety measures we've taken, and we have enough strip tests to last us a few months with just the four of us," Stewart said. "There is no trace of E5 on Carabao Island yet. Even though we don't know what variant Brian has, it is encouraging that he's still got a fever. E5 cases often don't. And B9 cases are not as deadly. As a medical doctor, I feel comfortable enough with this plan, Mike."

Carabao Island was a short boat ride from the former tourism mecca of Boracay Island. It was a place Unity had planned to visit. The economy of the entire region relied on tourism, now long gone. Hunger and desperation were the norm, like everywhere else.

We were to stay in an empty villa complex on a private beach. The owner had built a luxury resort to cater to Boracay's spillover. It was completed as the pandemic started, and had never been lived in. Brian bought the complex.