QUARANTINE

~ Iain Kelly

They nicknamed it ‘Christmas Island’ after the notorious isle off the coast of Australia that had been used to quarantine people centuries ago.

An area the size of Wyoming, shrouded in winter.

No one knew how long the lockdown would last. Food and medicine parcels were parachuted in, but supplies were dwindling.

Paranoia abounded. A slight sniffle and the perpetrator was marched away by the authorities. Houses were sealed up, families split, loved ones separated.

The death toll was unknown. It would take years to determine the final number.

Around the world headlines screamed the news: ‘INFLUENZA RETURNS’.

dales-ice-rink-1
Copyright Dale Rogerson

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

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To find out more about my novels, buy them, or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited, just follow the links below:
A JUSTIFIED STATE:  U.S.A. – AMAZON.COM      UNITED KINGDOM     AUSTRALIA    CANADA    INDIA
STATE OF DENIAL:  U.S.A. – AMAZON.COM      UNITED KINGDOM     AUSTRALIA      CANADA   INDIA

Published by Iain Kelly

39 year old writer, avid film viewer and book reader, employed in the media industry as a television editor.

71 thoughts on “QUARANTINE”

  2. Hmm the circumstances are either really bad and powers at be are downplaying or there is an overreaction. Either way details and actions don’t add up.

    Great mirror to a current event.

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Deadly Corona Virus & Wuhan, China – depicted in your words.
    Death toll is rising.
    People are severely affected. Food supplies are a major concern.’
    Hope all is well soon.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. Supports the idea of staying at home on the first sign of a sniffle, sod work. On a serious note: How far will the authorities go if it gets out of hand and bodies start to pile up in the streets. Is there a virus around every corner waiting for its day?

    Liked by 1 person

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  21. Topical and scary. Still, the evidence suggests that provided the emergent disease isn’t substantially more deadly than influenza then containment should control it. The biggest threat is the breakdown of civil society.
    Good story, Iain. I liked the way you expanded the ice rink into a whole state.

    Liked by 1 person

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  26. I just read that Australia is quarantining evacuees from Wuhan on that very island! Although measures should be taken against an outbreak, unfortunately these rigid measures have left a trail of victims too. Also read of a teenage boy with cerebral palsy who died because his caregivers were marched off to quarantine, and nobody was there to feed him. Your story hit the mark this week.

    Liked by 1 person

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  28. A chillingly timely story, Ian and I can see where your inspiration came from in the photo. A true reflection of humanity and its reactions to these situations. We may have progressed scientifically, but in many ways our reactions to pandemics are the same as they’ve been for centuries. Well done

    Liked by 1 person

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