"Elder Jin, what do you think?"
"What do you mean, 'what do you think'? Of course, we must remind everyone to take precautions as soon as possible! Otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
"Alas, but if we say that, it will definitely cause panic, and then Sandong City will be in chaos."
"In this situation, the sooner the truth is told and the public is prepared, the sooner we can prevent it. If it is concealed, it will be more than just dereliction of duty; it will be a sin!"
An old man with white hair said forcefully.
His surname was Jin, and his given name was Zhong. He was a famous doctor in Sandong City and a professor at a medical university, with countless students.
The one questioning him was Dean Li.
"But... but..."
Dean Li still hesitated.
"But what? It's already like this. Haven't you seen doctors and nurses falling ill? If people can be infected, it's certain! Without exaggeration, this is a plague, and the truth must be announced as soon as possible!"
Elder Jin said resolutely.
"I... I should report to Minister Gao first!"
"Alas, that's right! What time is it now? To still say it's not contagious is to lie with your eyes open!"
Dean Li did not respond to Elder Jin's words but directly took out his phone and dialed Minister Gao.
"Oh, Old Li! I was just about to call you. The higher authorities have issued a notice, arranging for you to hold a press conference to explain the situation!"
"I'll arrange it? Under what capacity? This might not be appropriate, right?"
Dean Li inquired.
This kind of matter, he was just a hospital dean, not some high-ranking official. Holding a press conference was no trivial matter.
Clearly, this was not a good thing. If any of his answers were seized upon by reporters, his future would be ruined.
However, Minister Gao's orders could not be taken lightly.
As he was probing, Minister Gao said, "There's nothing inappropriate. I have already reported the current situation to my superiors. Uh, let's hold it under the name of the expert working group. By the way, call Professor Jin Zhong. He can make the decisions on any matters!"
"Good, good, good!"
Dean Li quickly agreed.
He felt much relieved to have found a suitable candidate.
At this time, speaking the truth was crucial, but so was understanding political sensitivities. If he didn't want to make a mistake, he absolutely couldn't be the one to stick his neck out.
With instructions from above, Dean Li solemnly said to Jin Zhong:
"Elder Jin, Minister Gao just said that you have been appointed as the head of the expert group, and the appointment order will follow. I will serve as the deputy head and preside over this press conference. Shall we discuss the specific details of this matter?"
"Yes, that would be good. However, this matter must be resolved as quickly as possible, and the news of the lockdown must be released officially, so that the spread of the plague can be controlled!"
Jin Zhong began to discuss with Dean Li how to hold the press conference and what questions to prepare for.
"What? You mean to lock down the city? There's no need, right? We haven't reached that point yet, have we?"
Dean Li exclaimed in surprise, his eyebrows furrowed.
Minister Gao had only asked them to hold a press conference, not to implement a city lockdown.
This was no small matter; one wrong step could lead to complete ruin.
A city lockdown had rarely occurred in China since its founding. Even during the virus outbreak a few years ago, no city lockdown measures were taken.
"If we don't lock down, it won't work!"
Elder Jin still stated resolutely.
"Is there really no other way?"
Dean Li pondered as he spoke.
He had to think carefully.
Minister Gao's absence from the press conference indicated that it would be quite challenging.
"Could a limited lockdown work? A smaller scope?"
Dean Li asked tentatively.
Jin Zhong shook his head and said, "I'm afraid not. The problem now is not just in the hospital; it has spread to other places as well. Sandong City is located in the heartland of China. If it's not controlled in time, it won't just be Sandong City's problem!"
These words, if not spoken, were fine, but once uttered, the responsibility became even more immense.
Dean Li fell silent again.
The atmosphere was heavy, making it difficult to breathe.
"Lockdown" versus "no lockdown" warred in Dean Li's mind.
He really couldn't find a better solution.
Time was pressing, and the virus was spreading rapidly.
While they were discussing matters, more cases were reported from the hospital.
The symptoms were identical to those of the previous patients.
And the number was two to three times that of before. If a decision wasn't made soon, then perhaps...
Dean Li, being a doctor himself, understood infectious diseases.
"Listen to me, don't hesitate any longer. Don't you remember the virus infection a few years ago?"
Jin Zhong patted Dean Li's shoulder, offering comfort and urging him to make a decision quickly.
It was better to act sooner rather than later in such matters, and the more people infected, the greater the sin would be!
"But..."
Dean Li was clearly hesitant. This matter concerned his future and his fate, and he had to consider it carefully.
He knew that his current position was the result of decades of hard work.
"If I remember correctly, you also participated in that battle a few years ago!"
"Of course!"
Dean Li knew that Jin Zhong was referring to the fight against the virus they had fought side by side a few years ago.
"Come on, let's fight side by side again!"
Jin Zhong said with a resounding voice.
His deep voice seemed to emanate a powerful force to crush the spreading virus.
This force warmed Dean Li's heart, making him feel a surge of excitement.
In this position where he could neither advance nor retreat, there were only two choices:
Either become famous throughout the land or be infamous forever.
"Alas, alright!"
Dean Li said, grasping Elder Jin's thin yet strong hand, and stood up.
The two walked towards the conference room, which was the venue for the press conference.
As Dean Li walked, he made several phone calls, arranging the next steps.
It was 3:20 PM. The usually sparsely populated conference room was packed to the brim.
Many reporters, armed with long lenses, were focused on the words "Press Conference."
A row of seats was arranged on the podium, with the list of people attending the press conference placed in order.
The name "Jin Zhong" was placed in the center.
Dean Li's name was to his left.
Five minutes before the press conference was to begin, the reporters were whispering among themselves as they waited.
"Did you hear? This virus might be very similar to the one from a few years ago!"
"You're being too conservative. It's exactly the same! Otherwise, why would someone say it online!"
"Right, right! And you guys, don't you even wear masks."
"Alas, it's not as serious as you say. Stop guessing. If you have any questions, just ask the people on the podium later!"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Several people seemed to know each other and were chatting back and forth.
"They're here, they're here!"
At someone's shout, several people walked onto the podium.