Geneva. The World Health Organization's "Super Brainwave: Special Antamin Conference."
A total of 921 scientists and public health experts from 138 countries attended the meeting. The significance of the conference was such that all invitees were present; none were absent.
The meeting focused on three issues: Are the current prevention and treatment measures for Super Brainwave effective? Are the existing early warning and response systems sufficiently robust? Can Antamin be exceptionally used for treating Super Brainwave?
Ms. Edith, Director-General of the World Health Organization, presided over the meeting personally, marking it as the highest-profile gathering ever. Although she recently suffered the loss of her child, she looked very frail. Just ten days ago, her 19-year-old son died from Super Brainwave.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, humanity is facing its most severe test ever! The Super Brainwave epidemic has exploded on a global scale, taking 23 million lives in just three months. Super Brainwave seems to be outperforming global health agencies," her brief opening remarks made everyone in the room gravely serious. At that moment, over 5 billion people were watching the live broadcast of this conference concerning human destiny. Super Brainwave hung like the Sword of Damocles over humanity, plunging everyone's lives into endless fear.
Edith is a very competent person who gets things done. During her tenure, she has successfully controlled many different infectious diseases, no simple task, even offending many interest groups. However, when facing Super Brainwave, her confidence and decisiveness had almost completely vanished.
"Two months ago, after discussions among experts, the WHO identified Super Brainwave as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and took immediate international action. However, we still cannot identify the source of Super Brainwave transmission or its transmission routes, and we even lack clear diagnostic methods. This leaves humanity helpless in fighting against Super Brainwave, and Super Brainwave 's attack on humanity is intensifying."
"In the past week, the number of people infected with Super Brainwave globally increased by 930%, and the number of deaths increased by 367%. Three days ago, China declared full wartime status. Two days ago, the United States declared a state of emergency. One day ago, Russia announced indefinite full wartime status until a vaccine for Super Brainwave is developed."
"But from the current situation, lack of trust between nations, political instability, and the spread of lies and misinformation are major obstacles in dealing with Super Brainwave ."
Edith summarized the Super Brainwave epidemic and the global and regional responses coordinated by the WHO in Geneva and its Western Pacific office (Manila).
Next, health ministers from the United States, China, Russia, South Africa, Australia, and 7 other countries briefly described their countries' prevention and treatment measures and early warning systems for Super Brainwave. They also proposed plans for how the world could join hands to fight the epidemic, such as enhancing surveillance, tracking cases, increasing financial and human resources, and cross-border consultations on information exchange.
"The United States has a lot of experience in dealing with infectious diseases and very strict measures for prevention and isolation. However, the control of Super Brainwave is more severe than any other previous epidemics. We have activated emergency operation centers..."
"Useless!" Chen Chen chuckled coldly. He and Angela sat in front of the TV. Initially, he was supposed to represent China at this conference.
"Totally wrong direction!" Angela, listening to the endless talks by the health ministers, became increasingly restless. "Professor Chen, we should report our latest findings to the WHO."
Chen Chen leaned back against the sofa, saying nothing. He is currently suspected by the media as the instigator of the Super Brainwave. What he says would have very little credibility in the eyes of others, and may even backfire, labeling him as defending himself.
"Unfortunately, we still don't have solid evidence," Angela said dejectedly, guessing that Chen Chen was troubled by the lack of evidence. Without proof, nobody would believe them.
Chen Chen stared intently at the TV. Andrea, a leading neuroscientist and a professor at the California Institute of Technology's Brain Science Institute, was speaking. Due to the unique neurological symptoms shown by Super Brainwave patients, neuroscientists were on the front lines, fighting alongside epidemiologists and virologists.
"Professor Andrea! Perhaps we could contact Professor Andrea, she would believe me..."
"Angela, now is not the time," Chen Chen knew that Angela had a very good relationship with Andrea, but the complexity of Super Brainwave goes far beyond the scope of science. He signaled Angela to keep watching the TV.
The first two agendas of the meeting went very quickly. The next agenda was discussing whether Antamin could be exceptionally used for Super Brainwave treatment. Antamin was still in its Phase I clinical trial. Direct clinical application would not only break through the drug marketing process, but WHO was also more concerned about the drug's safety.
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"Plagues and infectious diseases are the second greatest enemy of humanity. However, in the past few decades, epidemics have seen a significant decrease in both prevalence and impact. In 1967, smallpox infected 15 million people and took 2 million lives; by 1979, smallpox was eradicated.
"The reason for such achievements is that 20th-century medicine reached unprecedented heights, providing humanity with vaccines, antibiotics, and improved medical conditions and infrastructure," Ulysses, dressed in a black suit, began his speech. As the head of the pharmaceutical company that developed Antamin, he had ten minutes to speak.
"Even so, humanity still needs to face epidemics that break out every few decades, and millions of people die from epidemics every year. Scientists had once predicted that a major epidemic would break out globally.
"In human history, one of the most famous epidemics is the Black Death. Rapidly spreading from somewhere in East or Central Asia in the 1330s to Asia, Europe, and North Africa, it is estimated that between 75 million and 200 million people died from the Black Death."
"Right now, we're facing the 'Super Brainwave,' similar to how our ancestors confronted the Black Death in the 14th and 15th centuries. Without knowing about the existence of microbes, they had no solution for curing the Black Death. To this day, we still haven't found the pathogen responsible for Super Brainwave. Perhaps it's beyond the realm of known pathogens, an as-yet-undiscovered substance. Scientists at Nofi estimate that over 100 million people globally are at risk of contracting it.
"We are fearful, even desperate. But science has an element of luck. In clinical trials of Antamin, we found that it has a significant effect on treating Super Brainwave. Based on this, Nofi conducted clinical trials on severe cases and out of 100 patients treated with Antamin, 62 have been cured and discharged, and 38 have transitioned from severe to mild cases.
"Scientists at Nofi believe this is a beacon of hope from God. In the face of a major epidemic, humanity needs the courage to try new solutions. More importantly, out of 150 patients in phase-one clinical trials, no significant side effects were observed. This is not a gamble; it is a genuinely effective treatment. Nofi promises to provide Antamin free of charge to any country willing to try it."
"For the remaining two minutes, we have two patients who have recovered with the treatment of Antamin to share their experience."
Ulysses made an inviting gesture, a move he had not pre-approved with the WHO, an action that broke with their rigid protocol. He saw that Edith was spreading her hands, looking at him with a 'what are you doing?' expression. At this point, in front of five billion viewers worldwide, she couldn't stop him.
Professor Raymond, who had collapsed at a Nofi award ceremony, strode toward the podium, looking rejuvenated and energetic. Within less than a month, not only had he recovered, but he also looked remarkably revitalized.
"I was very fortunate to have received effective treatment and recovered quickly!" Professor Raymond said with a genuine London accent, full of energy.
The professor's appearance created a significant stir in the crowd. People had vivid memories of him convulsing and collapsing just two weeks ago; everyone thought he wouldn't last 24 hours.
"Antamin cured my Super Brainwave without any side effects. The entire process only involved taking Antamin and it was extremely effective. By the second day of medication, my symptoms began to recede. Antamin could save humanity from a massive catastrophe," Raymond said, his glowing endorsement breaking the rational and cautious demeanor typical of scientists. Having survived a near-death experience, he spoke with a feeling of liberation.
As Raymond concluded his remarks, a tall, handsome man took over the mic. Chen Chen recognized him instantly—it was Captain Richard, whom he had once saved.
Chen Chen didn't want to listen anymore; he could predict that the appearances of Professor Raymond and Captain Richard would tip the upcoming vote. At this moment, he looked at the packed audience of scientists on his TV screen, and a question spun in his mind. Out of the 921 attendees, not a single one was absent.
"Angela, did you notice? All these scientists are here," Chen Chen said.
"The meeting is too important!" Angela replied. Then realizing the implication, she said, "Professor Chen, it's strange; none of these scientists have contracted Super Brainwave ."
"Exactly. Statistically, at least a few should have been absent due to the disease."
"Do these people have something in common?" Angela scratched her head, then half-jokingly said, "Could it be that reading more and doing more research provide resistance to 'Piero's Curse'?"
Angela's whimsical thought amused Chen Chen, relieving his anxiety. But generally speaking, epidemics don't discriminate based on education or status. What did these people have in common?
"Professor Chen, could it be IQ?" Angela's eyes sparkled. "High-IQ individuals might also be immune to 'Piero's Curse'!"
Chen Chen pondered Angela's hypothesis. Professor Raymond, who was very intelligent, had still fallen ill, but Chen Chen had a strong intuition that Angela might be onto something. However, he couldn't think of a way to prove it, nor did he understand why Professor Raymond was an exception.
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"I announce the voting results for the use of Antamin in treating Super Brainwave : 901 votes in favor, 12 against, and 8 abstentions. Antamin will be administered directly to patients, bypassing phase-two and phase-three clinical trials,"
Edith read calmly. In a bid for fairness, the WHO had temporarily amended the rules to give every attendee the right to vote. "The WHO Expert Committee will draft a memorandum on the application of Antamin in tomorrow's meeting."
"Fantastic, this is a great victory for humanity!" the TV host said, his voice brimming with excitement. "Thanks to Nofi Pharmaceuticals, thanks to Ulysses, this is a victory for love over the epidemic!"
Chen Chen rubbed his face with his hands, drained. The outcome was as expected, but if what Mo Sijie said was true, would another, even more brutal storm be unleashed upon the world?
He glanced at the clock on the wall; he had only 10 minutes left to submit his research materials to the investigative team.
"There's something I need you to do," Chen Chen walked over to his desk, pulled out a box from the drawer, and handed it to Angela. "Take this and leave Southern University immediately."