A semi-standard meeting with the Minister of Health

[Sophie]

During a meeting with the higher-ups within the Ministry of Health and Services, a more pressing issue than usual was brought to the attention of Mayeda Kiyoko, the Minister. "As you can see here, we're seeing a much higher than normal hospital cases in Kamogawa." The woman assigned to the Kaigakana prefecture spoke. "This is quite a bit unusual especially considering this is usually the end of our flu season. For the past three years, we've seen at most 25% capacity. Right now we're seeing capacity reaching 50% and steadily rising."

"I can see how that's concerning." The minister nodded. "Are the cases related? Are we looking at a potential endemic situation?"

"I can't say for certain. I'd like to request additional funding for the hospitals in Kaigakana to ensure we can treat everyone who shows up. I'd also like to instate a media campaign. If these many people are showing up to the hospitals there are that many more staying at home, likely spreading more sickness, and making our future situation even worse."

"Consider it done. We'll start airing commercials over television, radio, and the newspaper to ensure that people who aren't feeling well show up at the hospitals to get themselves checked out. If it ever starts to seem like a pattern is appearing inform me immediately so we can handle it." The minister ordered. "If that's all then you are all dismissed. Thank you for your time."

[Sophie]

Kiyoko's underlings once again reported to her on rising hospital cases. "As you can see on these charts here sickness has spread throughout Kaigakana and has begun to infect both the Samuigansen and Kita prefectures. Expanding the 1923 Healthcare Act has done well to get people into the hospitals for treatment. I can confidently say almost no one is staying home sick. The issue now is treating them. All of the hospitals in affected areas are extraordinarily close to capacity. I have drawn up a plan to increase funding to these hospitals by almost double as well as an authorization for triple overtime for nurses and doctors. I'd also recommend moving doctors from areas that are furthest from the affected area into understaffed hospitals. I've also drawn up plans for treatment tents for hospitals that literally have no beds left. They could bring patients into the tents and treat them there. At least then they'd have somewhere to lay. With the evaluation of the symptoms as well as the consistent spread I think it would be wise to declare an endemic. With the flu-like symptoms, I would recommend instating face mask mandates in all of the affected prefectures. That should help curb the spread."

The minster nodded listening intently. "That sounds like a fairly good plan. I'm hesitant to move doctors from anywhere in case the disease spreads further. If you think that is the best plan though I will trust you. I will declare an endemic immediately and inform the international community of the disease so they can be on the lookout for it as well. I'm going to instantiate a mask mandate nationwide. In case the disease has spread further than we've noticed. Thank you all for your hard work."