Black's Paralysis: New Developments

[alt_selwyn]

St Mungo's received two new patients, yesterday and today, who appear to be victims of Black's Poison. Much to everyone's dismay, it appears that Black has finally found a way to infect pureblood wizards with his disease. While it remains possible that there are other explanations, we at the Ministry felt it incumbent upon us to immediately share what we knew. Given that there are only two ill purebloods at present, the risk to pureblood wizards does appear low, but we can no longer assure anyone in England of their safety.

Fortunately, the cure is in the final stages of development.

In the meantime, we wish to prevent further spread of the disease to the greatest extent possible. To that end:

1. All Ministry employees who can work from home are hereby directed to do so, using owls and firechats as needed to communicate with their superiors.

2. Anyone showing signs of illness must remain quarantined at home until either they recover fully, or become so sick that it is obviously Black's Paralysis, in which case they are to be taken to St Mungo's.

3. Owls may no longer be sent to Hogwarts students; if absolutely essential, they may be sent to staff. Hogwarts has remained blessedly free of Black's Paralysis and we hope this will remain the case. At this time, no decision has been made regarding the students' spring holiday, but we ask staff to make plans for accommodating its possible cancellation.

4. St Mungo's suggests that everyone use the bubblehead charm when outside their home and routine scourgification when returning home. In addition, they are sending out booklets with instructions for several additional cleaning spells which can be used on yourself, on family members, and on items being brought into your homes that might otherwise be a vector for infection.

We will get through this; we will get through this together. Black may insult us, he may sicken us, but he cannot stop us. We expect to have a cure in hand within weeks, and someday Black will answer for his crimes.

Comments

Order Only

[alt_sirius]

Well, that's reassuring.

Re: Order Only

[alt_arthur]

I bet you never thought that you'd have a disease named after you.

I've been sent home, of course. And no owls to the children. Bloody hell.

Well, it may slow down their investigation of Archer. That's something.

Re: Order Only

[alt_molly]

Oh, Arthur.

Re: Order Only

[alt_arthur]

I know, Molly, I know. It's hard to have to depend upon the Ministry to come up with the cure, seeing as how they started the whole bloody thing. But the children are all right, and we will be, too.

Guess I'll have more time to paint the upstairs bedrooms now.

Re: Order Only

[alt_molly]

Where are you now, dear?

Re: Order Only

[alt_arthur]

Stopped to pick up some supplies before the stores are picked clean I imagine hoarding is going to be a spot of trouble now. But I'll be home within the hour.

Re: Order Only

[alt_sirius]

Yeah, I'm not sure about the owls in and out of Hogwats, Arthur. Is that really connected? What possible precaution would it represent?

I wonder if it's just an excuse to prevent private correspondence with parents. Perhaps they just want to be able to monitor all communication with the outside.

Question is why now?

I have a bad feeling about this.