Outbreak

It is hard to imagine a more potent example of impending doom than an entire office getting sick around you.

It has been going on for about eight days now. It started with Tom ("Patient Zero") and spread quickly Andy and Ed. By Friday last week Tim was sick. Sara and Donna are now showing symptoms.

Drawing concentric circles around Patient Zero, I have established that the virus has a sphere of influence that expands at about two and a half feet per day. Cubicle walls cannot contain it. The hallway could not slow it down. Forrest and I sit about 24 feet from Patient Zero. Forrest is approximately 120 years old. He is my canary. When he starts showing symptoms I know my time will be short.

In about 22 hours I start my four-day weekend. I have to survive until then. If I have to get sick, it can wait until next Tuesday. No rhinovirus is going to screw up my long weekend. I soak the walls of my cubicle with Purell. I avoid eye contact lest this virus is transmitted visually. I
breath only when absolutely necessary. I feel dizzy. More Purell.

Forrest just coughed. Was it old man cough or an involuntary spasm of sick? My belly has become a chaotic mixture of foreboding and preemptive Robitussin. Don't die, canary!