Invasion of America

Chapter 109 Contradictions
When you're an official, you definitely have to manage personnel and finances.

Zhou Qingfeng took office as the vice chairman of the Medical Efficiency Committee. With no one to restrain him, he quickly and decisively adjusted the personnel arrangements of the 'Ministry of Health' before he even had a chance to settle in.

Internal adjustments are easy to make; all current staff will be promoted to ensure that key positions are held by obedient "insiders".

But the external situation is hard to say.

He originally planned to transfer Professor Hart to the "Ministry of Health" to help him out—to share the good times and the bad.

Now that I've become the vice-chairman, I should also get Professor Hart a chairmanship—as long as the professor is willing to come, with his qualifications and abilities, he can definitely take the position.

But the professor refused, saying directly, "Harden, have you ever thought about why someone like you, who works for the IRS and is in charge of 'tax audits,' can be appointed to the 'Medical Efficiency Committee'?"
"Isn't it just that that position is extremely troublesome, fraught with difficulties, and anyone who takes it is doomed? Nobody wants to do it!"

Professor Hart wanted to avoid the "Ministry of Health" like the plague, and only wanted to get away from that dark and gloomy underground hospital as soon as possible.

Zhou Qingfeng had no choice but to grant the professor's wish, using his position as "acting chairman and vice chairman" to transfer the professor to a different post.

Professor Hart then turned to the affiliated hospital of George Washington University School of Medicine.

This medical school enjoys a prestigious reputation in Washington, D.C., providing high-quality comprehensive medical services to countless civil servants and their families.

Its nursing specialty, in particular, is very popular among the elderly.

However, with the outbreak of the X virus, this once peaceful and tranquil medical school was instantly thrown into chaos.

Professor Hart thought he was already suffering enough in the temporary underground hospital, but when he arrived at 'GW' Medical School, he realized what hell on earth was like.

American doctors never see hundreds of patients in a single day, and the sudden increase in workload made all medical staff extremely uncomfortable.

Countless patients flooded in like a tide, turning the once spacious and bright wards into an overcrowded mess. The corridors, the lobby, and even the stairwells were packed with patients groaning in pain.

After days of intense work, the staff of the university's medical school were simply overwhelmed. Instead of deciding to work overtime, they decided to...
Ruined.

Let the patients die if they want to, let the virus spread if it wants to, anyway, the 'academic' medical staff are only concerned with their own safety.

When the professor arrived at the medical school, he was summoned and berated by Dean Elliott: "Hart, why did you recommend an outsider to be the vice chairman of the Medical Efficiency Committee?"
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In an instant, Professor Hart knew that his little scheme had been seen through—medical students are very smart, and their years of dealing with patients and bureaucrats have given them a keen understanding of current events.

When Dean Elliott glared angrily, Professor Hart knew he had to take the initiative—he couldn't admit his mistake, he couldn't back down, and he couldn't show the slightest weakness.

Otherwise, you'll have to take the blame yourself.

He composed himself and said in a deep voice, "Your Excellency, I recommend Oliver Harden in order to save this country."

"Bullshit!" Dean Elliott, who was quite old, slammed his hand on the table and pointed at Hart's nose, yelling:
"If you really want to save this country, you should take that position yourself, instead of pushing some idiot who doesn't understand the rules into it."

Unfortunately, that idiot is doing exactly what you wanted, issuing orders from the 'Ministry of Health'.

It's one thing for him to consolidate the staff of the 'Ministry of Health', but to directly order all medical institutions in the entire Washington, D.C. area to prioritize the treatment of patients with a higher chance of survival is simply foolish.

What constitutes "more valuable"? Who defines "value"? Is this a decision he can make, given the implications for medical ethics?

The dean's spittle flew everywhere, but Professor Hart remained outwardly calm, though inwardly he was secretly pleased—you all only think I pushed an idiot up there, but actually I pushed a fake one up there.

In the end, I was smarter.

But the professor remained composed, saying, "Your Excellency, you underestimate me. I am not being cowardly or avoiding anything."

I am acutely aware of my limitations and inability to shoulder the responsibility. However, in order to save more lives, I had to make some compromises.

Harden isn't a fool, he's a warrior. He won't avoid problems like you or I do; all we need to do is support him.

Dean Elliott glanced at the professor with disdain, thinking to himself, "What's the point of you saying all these high-sounding words to me? Do you think I can believe you?"
"What hero or not, that guy who just took over was clearly being used as a pawn by you, and now all the firepower is focused on him."

“Hart, do you know that the guy you pushed for this position is under immense pressure right now?” The dean sighed. “The White House is making trouble and wants to remove him from his post.”

The professor's expression changed, and he said sternly, "This is absolutely unacceptable."

How can you just drop such a good scapegoat? If you remove him, who will take the blame and bear the criticism?

The dean, his face grim, leaned on his desk and nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's absolutely unacceptable."

That idiot's mistake was that he shouldn't have given the order publicly; he should have contacted the medical institutions privately instead.

But he was too stupid; he thought the 'Ministry of Health' was the State Taxation Administration, and he copied the tax audit methods directly.

Dean Elliott's tone softened, clearly not because he was truly blaming Harden for giving the order, but rather for speaking out publicly.

Professor Hart chuckled inwardly, thinking, "If 'Harden' hadn't publicly given the order within the 'Ministry of Health,' who would dare to carry it out privately? Aren't they afraid of being held accountable?"
American law emphasizes procedural justice. Only when orders are publicly given do people feel safe and confident to act, without worrying about being held responsible later.

The dean glared at the professor and said in a deep voice, "That idiot can't fall, at least not now, otherwise we'll be under a lot of pressure."
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Sitting in the 'vice chairman' position, Zhou Qingfeng knew perfectly well that he was clearly a target to draw attention.

After the reorganization of the 'Ministry of Health', he was overwhelmed by a flood of information and realized more clearly that the epidemic in the United States was far more severe than previously thought.

The White House had previously attempted a nationwide lockdown, but it only lasted five days before collapsing due to the power struggle among various factions.

Texas, California, and New York, these economically developed and troublesome states, have refused to comply with federal orders issued by the White House under various pretexts.

Don't these politicians know the dangers and severity of the virus? No, they were among the first to receive the vaccine, so they know it very well.

However, strict control measures could trigger social panic, leading to economic collapse, stock market crashes, and consequently widespread discontent among the political and business communities and ordinary citizens.

For politicians whose lifeline is votes and approval ratings, they must not become the target of public criticism or have negative public opinion.

In order to maintain their positions, they had no choice but to "go with the flow" and let the virus spread—but the virus doesn't care about "public opinion".

So people who were full of energy the day before thought that being sick was at most a cold, or at most some respiratory inflammation;
However, the next day, the patient may have to rely on life support equipment such as an "artificial lung" due to organ failure.

As more and more patients flood into hospitals, those who previously scoffed at the lockdown measures will immediately turn around and shout, "Why isn't it under lockdown yet?"
Everything is based on public opinion, so policies will keep changing.

“It’s absurd.” Zhou Qingfeng sat in front of his computer in his office, looking at the number of patients and deaths reported by various states. The curves were growing exponentially, which was shocking.

For example, New York State, with a population of eight million, saw its epidemic rapidly worsen just days after lifting lockdown measures, forcing it to request assistance from Washington, D.C., hoping to receive expert guidance.

Not long ago, those bureaucrats were confident that the death toll from the economic collapse would exceed the losses caused by the virus, but now they have collectively changed their tune and are begging for aid.

"New York's lockdown measures are a joke. They are just telling infected people to stay at home and not go out, or to wear masks when they go out."

They also urged those with mild symptoms not to go to the hospital and to recover at home on their own. They explained that without care and treatment, mild cases can easily develop into severe cases. At that point, they might not even have a chance to cry for help.

Zhou Qingfeng scoffed at New York State's lockdown measures, thinking they were just political posturing. He, however, did notice the pandemic response measures implemented by 'Dongda' (Northeastern University).

"China has begun building makeshift hospitals to centralize the treatment of patients with mild symptoms, while those who are not infected are strictly quarantined at home."

Recalling his past 'apocalyptic' experience, he suddenly realized that he had indeed changed some things.

Originally, the 'X' virus suddenly broke out globally. By the time governments tried to control it, the infected had already overwhelmed medical and governmental systems, and everything was beyond saving.

Now, at least 'Tokyo University' has seized the precious window of opportunity, receiving the news and preparing at least three months in advance.

If the lockdown measures are strict enough, it might really become a haven in the apocalypse.

Honestly, Zhou Qingfeng really wanted to play a role in the 'Medical Efficiency Committee,' at least for a few days, to promote some policies that would benefit the general public.

Unexpectedly, only 24 hours after he took office, the White House was already in a hurry to remove him.

"Let whoever wants to do this job do it. I've already fused with the 'X' virus, and my body will complete its evolution in a few months. I'd like to see how these scum die."

Zhou Qingfeng put his legs on the desk, lazily and openly slacking off.
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At this moment, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and the chief medical advisor of the "White House," is also racking his brains to find a way to shift the blame.

Zhou Qingfeng openly ordered medical institutions in Washington, D.C., to prioritize the treatment of patients with a higher chance of survival, which directly angered a large number of elderly bureaucrats who were still alive.

What does "more valuable for survival" mean? Doesn't this clearly imply that elderly people will die once they go to the hospital?
It's one thing for the poor and destitute to die, but the bureaucrats who wield power are unwilling to give up the special privileges they enjoy.

The calls accusing Oliver Harden instantly overwhelmed the Ministry of Health's switchboard, and Shani simply didn't transfer them because there were just too many.

Unable to criticize "bastard Harden," a large number of bureaucrats called the "country bumpkin" vice president who was in power in the "White House."

The vice president was shrewd enough to pass the buck to Fauci and let him 'evaluate' it—after all, he's the chief medical advisor, so he has to do something, right?

Fauci is already in his eighties. When he received the call from the Vice President, he was inspecting the National Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, accompanied by many media reporters taking pictures.

In front of reporters, Fauci didn't hesitate to show his toughness and decisiveness, immediately calling Oliver Harden, giving him a dressing down, and threatening to fire him.

After making the call, apart from the applause from his assistant and the praise from the reporters, Fauci noticed that the other medical staff and patients around him had changed their expressions drastically and appeared extremely indifferent.

These people were smiling just now.

One of the nurses threw the medicine she was holding onto the trolley in front of everyone and shouted in dissatisfaction, "I think I'm sick. I also need to be taken care of and need to rest."

The accompanying reporter, possessing a degree of political sensitivity, immediately shifted the camera to other medical staff—such scenes of passive resistance could not be broadcast.

But another young nurse shouted directly at the camera: "The resources required to care for a frail elderly person are ten times that of an ordinary person. With so many patients now, we have to make some choices."

The doctor next to her immediately chased the young nurse away, preventing her from making any more politically incorrect remarks in front of the camera.

The young nurse complained loudly before leaving the camera's view.

"A senior official's health insurance account is 165 times that of an ordinary person, and they can use the best medicines, the most advanced equipment, and have executive orders to ensure their continued survival."

What do ordinary people have? Nothing. Only unpayable bills and unreachable emergency numbers.

As a seasoned bureaucrat, Fauci immediately interrupted, saying, "Madam, I do not agree with your point of view."

This involves complex medical ethics, and is by no means a conflict between people, nor has it have anything to do with official positions or medical insurance accounts.

The young nurse roared, "Liar! You could have fired Harden with a single word today, forcing me to save those high-ranking officials!"

So if I get sick tomorrow, who will save this little nurse? Will I lie at home waiting to die, or will I be able to get into the ICU where there are limited beds?

One sentence silenced everyone present, especially the medical staff: "Today I'm in the ICU taking care of those high-ranking elderly people."

But those old men and women are just hogging the toilets without using them. What am I supposed to do if I get sick tomorrow? Wouldn't that mean killing a few of those 'old codgers' to free up a bed?

As for Fauci's nonsense, only a fool would believe it!
As Fauci walked heavily out of the National Rehabilitation Center, an indescribable sense of regret and unease grew in his heart like vines. He realized that he had probably really messed up a huge mess.

The United States has always had a generous healthcare system, with healthcare professionals enjoying enviable high incomes, high social status, and relatively relaxed working environments.

They are used to being respected and treated well, have never truly experienced what hardship is, and have little empathy for the underprivileged.

In the current high-pressure environment, preaching the spirit of selflessness and dedication to others is like casting pearls before swine—completely meaningless.

Harden's order to screen the influx of patients into the hospital undoubtedly touched a nerve in the bureaucratic system, drawing countless overt and covert criticisms and dissatisfaction.

But for those exhausted and overworked medical staff, Harden's actions gave them a glimmer of hope and a chance to catch their breath.

This naturally garnered considerable behind-the-scenes support from the medical community.

"No, we absolutely cannot let this situation escalate any further." Fauci pursed his lips tightly, his brow furrowed. He got into his car, closed his eyes, and quickly considered his options.

First and foremost, he will never give up the medical privileges he has long enjoyed.

Countless older bureaucrats would not tolerate Fauci bowing down and admitting defeat to that arrogant 'Harden'.

"How on earth did that bastard become the vice chairman of the 'Medical Efficiency Committee'?"

Fauci suddenly had an idea. He opened his eyes wide and used the car radio to contact Robert, the Minister of Health, who was recuperating in Reedburg.

After the call was connected, Fauci expressed concern, saying, "Your Excellency, the chair of the 'Medical Efficiency Committee' under the 'Ministry of Health' appears to have been vacant for a long time."

The current chairman of this committee, Harden, is very motivated, but lacks professional competence.

I feel a great sense of responsibility and am willing to volunteer for this position, hoping to contribute to the control of the epidemic.

Upon hearing Fauci's suggestion, the minister on the other end of the phone visibly paused for a few seconds, seemingly incredulous.

Immediately afterward, an uncontrollable cheer came from the receiver, the voice so excited it was almost uncontrollable: "That's wonderful, Mr. Fauci!"
This is absolutely fantastic news! You are the savior of America and the best candidate for the position of chairman of the 'Medical Efficiency Commission'!

I hereby approve your immediate, unconditional appointment as Chairman of the Committee. Please proceed with your duties."

(End of this chapter)