Being an accounting of the recent and continuing pandemic and its various circumstances, from the perspective of an inhabitant of the regions lately called the Lost Quarter. Dates unknown.

Day Two Hundred Seventy

The first inoculations against the grippe reborn in these parts will take place this week. It is almost beyond belief that this is happening. In my most optimistic moments I did not believe it would be so soon. Earlier in the year I felt we wouldn’t begin inoculations until next spring or summer and that most of us would not have a chance at a dose until the fall at the earliest. Now it seems likely that those most at risk will receive their doses in the early part of the new year and a more general program of inoculation will begin by spring. By fall most of us may have received our doses.

I’m sure there will be challenges in meeting this timeline. We are not the only ones who need this inoculation and there are limited facilities to produce it. The logistics of getting it where it needs to be will be immense, as will determining how to distribute it. No doubt there will be delays and unforeseen problems along the way.

All of these are challenges that are easily met, problems that can be solved. And this is not the only inoculation. Another is going through approvals and may be available shortly. And others will no doubt follow in the coming months. We shall not have one weapon against the dread lord but many.

I am almost giddy at the thought that this might soon be over. At times this that felt almost impossible. It seemed as though we might be trapped forever in our desperate battle with the dread lord. His power was so great and his sway over so many seemed so absolute. But now we need only endure these next few months and our lives will be ours to live again.