Denmark gets hit
Queen Carolyn of Denmark was woken early the next morning by her maid. After informing her that her Mother had urgently requested Her Majesty's presence in the dining room, at Her Majesty's earliest convenience, the maid departed the room quickly.
Smirking as Carolyn knew the maid could have said: 'Your mother wants you urgently in the dining room, as like in, right now!', like they did before she became Queen.
Sighing, she got up and after a quick shower, she dressed in a pair of comfy pants and shirt, her hair pulled back into a simple ponytail. She leaves her bedroom and grabs her waiting coffee from the maid, standing waiting.
As this was the Monarchy Suite, the one her grandmother used to stay in, Carolyn suddenly realised with a shock she was walking the way her grandmother did too.
Smiling her thanks to the maid, she walked fast to get a bit of exercise in her, while taking a long way around to the family informal dining room, only to be redirected to the formal dining room by the guard.
Upon arrival, her mother greets her outside the dining room with a kiss and knowing smile that Carolyn chose to take a long way instead of the shortcut.
Amelia quickly apologised for waking her up at 6 am and warned her the Prime Minister and several other ministers and staff were in the dining room waiting for her.
Shocked by this news, she suddenly saw Delia, her mothers trusted PA, and now Countess, had a makeup kit on hand. Caroly gratefully allowed her to play beautician.
Carolyn shrugs at the fact she was not dressed properly and enters the room with her mother and Delia following.
Everyone in the room quickly stood and greeted their Queen, and Dowager Queen Amelia. Then everyone sat back down to their breakfast, after being invited too.
Carolyn was escorted to the head of the table by the head server, where her grandmother sat for years. She sat, with her mother sitting on her left side. With the chair on her right dutifully left empty, as this was her husband's seat, regardless he was in the hospital or elsewhere and not in attendance, no one would sit there, unless invited to.
After another quick greeting, she granted the PM to take the lead of the meeting, while she listened and ate, with thanks to her staff for providing her with breakfast.
"Your Majesty," he said, bowing his head. "Your Royal Highness," and again, he bows his head to her. "Your Graces, Countesses, my lords," he says, with another lighter bow of his head, to no one specific.
Countess Selene, - who had to materialise second later behind Carolyn, moved to stand by the wall while Lord Philip, after bowing silently to his queen upon entry, was now standing guard just behind Selene, by the wall.
The high ranking members of the protection team and Royal Guard were spread out throughout the room while lower ranking members and Royal Guard were positioned throughout the palace. All gloved, masked over their faces, on guard.
"Firstly, may I must congratulate, Countess Selene and Lord Philip, on their knighthoods and engagement to each other, yesterday."
Everyone not privy to this, after getting over the initial surprising news, briefly applauded the couple.
"Now, for the bad side of things. Your Majesty, I am sorry to call this meeting so soon, but we have received official news from the WHO and the virus has been confirmed as the Covid-19 Virus. There are no vaccines or medicine to cure this, as of yet. And various countries are hastily working on testing medicines to fight this virus. I, with the Minister of Health, have been monitoring this situation the whole night and the numbers are climbing fast. In fact, Ma'am, too fast for our liking."
He paused to take a sip from his tea, while allowing those who didn't know about the situation, to absorb the news.
"As of 5-am, our time, the numbers last reported, showed China was now at about 5500 confirmed cases, with 20 deaths. Italy with just over 1200 cases, no deaths as of yet." He continues to report various countries and their confirmed number of cases, and unconfirmed deaths.
"Your Majesty. I regret to inform you that Denmark has apparently over 200 suspected cases, yet while unconfirmed they are Covid-19, they were diagnosed as severe pneumonia or severe bronchitis cases. But I was assured by the Health Minister, they, with the assistance of the WHO team, who have been dispatched to us, have started to retest for the Covid-19 strain, and we will keep you posted on the results."
He paused again to let this sink in.
"I have asked the Ministers of Transport, Defence, Education, State, and Transport to be here this morning. I felt they needed to be here, as this will greatly impact them. And we will then schedule an emergency parliament meeting later this afternoon, where all the ministers of parliament will be present."
Nodding to the PM, Carolyn sat back and sipped her hot cup of her favourite coffee - super creamy cappuccino, and she mentally smiled to herself guiltily at the delicious taste of this coffee.
"Your Majesty, by the looks of the situation, and thank the Lord for your orders to implement the 'Practicing of Sterilisation Protocol' throughout Denmark and its countries. We are already making a step forward to stop or stall the possibility of further infections. But Ma'am, with respect, we need to implement full lockdown on the borders, and all flights in and out. From what I have seen and read so far, if we don't lock our country down, including limiting all transport except if you are going to work, it will get worse. I suggest that effective immediately, all transport in and out of cities, towns and the country is to cease as soon as possible."
"But we can't do that, what about the trucks that deliver food, etc. What about imports and exports?" shouts the Minister of Transport in protest, then looks to his queen in apology.
She nods back, accepting it.
"The economy and people will suffer greatly!" continues the minister of transport.
"Minister, I hear you and fully agree. But look at the numbers. Look at China and Italy. Do you want that in your country?" asks the PM and the Minister of Transport sat back down, disgusted.
"What about the children? Should we close the schools? If so, how are the parents, who work, going to see to their kids, who need at home, when over 60% send their kids to aftercare or daycare, during the school terms, and camps or daycare programs, during the holidays? They will not be able to if that is closed too," ask the Minister of Education.
"Ministers, let us settle down for a bit," appeals Carolyn as she sits up and places her cup down.
They silence and all look at her.
"While I agree we need to implement these measures as soon as possible, we don't have a full plan of action in place. So, I am suggesting the following. Number one - All ports of entry are to come to a close by noon tomorrow. Two - regarding the airports," she speaks, tapping her fingers off. "After midday tomorrow, all airports are closed except for essential services – for which we need to draft a list of what is essential, and who is essential. All flights inbound towards us have until tomorrow eight am to arrive, and those that can still turn around are to do so, returning to their departure location. While flights that cannot continue, may land with their passengers to be logged, tested thoroughly with blood taken for testing. Then sterilized, including their baggage. All outbound flights may leave before 10 pm tonight, and a list of the passengers are to be recorded and logged, including with who they stayed with, where they stayed at, why they were in Denmark and this includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands too. Three - all imports directly inbound to us, with no layover from other countries, have until 5 pm tomorrow to arrive, and will be temporarily quarantined, while tests are done with the sterilisation process. Four - all exports are to cease as of 5 pm tomorrow morning. Five - as of now, all ships inbound are to anchor in the bay and once a team has conducted an inspection with blood tests, etc, then they may enter and offload, but the goods are to be quarantined for a while longer."
Carolyn pauses and drinks a bit.
"Where was I? Oh yes. Number Six - All schools are to remain open for the time being but are fully implementing the Sterilization Protocol without fail. Any child showing any signs is to be removed and taken to the hospital for testing. We will need to have some community halls and centres cleared and set up as holding areas. Parents that 'can' take their kids home and keep them there, are to do so from Saturday onwards, while the schools are to act as day-care for the time being, for those that can not have their children at home. We need to let the parents work. But if they can work from home the better. Schoolwork, tests and exams will be on hold until further notice but teaching the kids may continue. Maybe online facilities can be set up for kids to learn from their teachers online."
Carolyn looks around at everyone.
"Number seven - As of tomorrow 8-am, all hospital surgeries that are not essential, are to be put on hold until later, and if possible the patients are to be discharged. All clinics are to stop normal non-essential treatments as of tomorrow at 8-am, and only concentrate on essential medical needs, and testing and diagnosing patients for the virus. Urgent patients, like Heart, diabetes, etc – essential care patients – may still come and seek their treatments. All public events, including pubs, restaurants and gatherings, and regrettably, Churches too, are to cease as of 8-am tomorrow."
She pauses with a sigh and leans back.
"Gentlemen and Ladies. These are just some of the things I feel we need to attend to. I would like to see the full draft after your meeting, when I have to either amend or give my approval and announce to our country that their lives are about to change. Please, have it ready for me by 4-pm so I can review it and go live at 6-pm tonight. Mr Prime Minister, I would like you with me then. In fact, you can allow some Ministers to join too. While I review the draft, if changes are needed, we can discuss it prior to the broadcast. I truly hope and pray the Lord will guide us and keep us safe while spreading his healing over everyone in the World," she concludes.
The Ministers all stand and bow their heads before they depart, leaving Carolyn with her mother and their staff behind.
The Prime Minister stays back for a moment.
"Ma'am, with all respect, to my Queen whom I serve, I need to say this. You will be facing a very hard time. Most of the country will rebel against you. And most of the Ministers too. But Ma'am, while I have been in Parliament for years and the Prime Minister for the last 6 years. I see your Grandmother and Father in you. Therefore, I will always stand by you. Frankly, no disrespect intended, but I am proud of you. I kind of see you as a daughter or niece. I know your Father and Grandmother are up there smiling their approval and are proud of you. I will help you as best as possible. But Ma'am, there will be things I know more than you, due to my experience, and ask you to allow me to share them, and be open to my suggestions and experience."
He bows deeply to her, holding it for a tad longer than needed, then rose and started to leave, when Carolyn stopped him as she stood up.
"Mr Prime Minister, thank you so much. While this is going to be a test of trials for us all. I value your loyalty, knowledge, wisdom, and experience, as well as the rest of the cabinet. But if I feel someone is not working with me, correction, with us," she includes her mother. "... then we will have an issue as we need to work as a team. I don't want to pull rank and step on toes, but rather work with you all. My grandmother told me you were the best she had ever appointed as PM. And I know when my father was alive, he too trusted you. So I trust you, because of them. Please do me two favours. One, in private here, even with my mother and husband present, meaning with no other ministers or people around, except my trusted team, call me Carolyn. Two, in your meeting, express what I have said, and let's gain a team. If you feel you need to, then I grant you special permission to suspend any minister who is not playing ball on the team and have their deputy put in place, until I later release them from service."
"Ma'am, Carolyn" he corrects himself and he bows slightly, again. "I am honoured and will do so," then he nods and departs.
"Carolyn, not a wise move to have the PM call you by your first name. It is absolutely against protocol, but I see what you are trying to do and support you fully," comments her mother after the PM had closed the door.
"I know the policy and protocol forbid this. But mother, we are in a new age and new rules need to apply. I need him on MY TEAM. So I chose to express my trust, and hope I can trust him, by inviting him to call me by my name. Crap, if he steps so much out of line, I will personally kick him down the stairs to the dungeon," she smiles, while they hear a few failed disguised snorts or chuckles.
Smiling, her mother agrees.
"Lord Philip! Lady Selene! Please sit your bodies down here!" Carolyn orders while still smiling, retaking her seat. They quickly abide by her order.
"Philip, as of today, you are my Chief of Security for the kingdom and need to get some of your guys upgraded in ranks. You only answer me. Oh, my mother and Max too, but firstly solely to me. Okay?" and he nods quickly.
"Good, now that is out of the way," continues Carolyn. "We need to ensure proper security is in place. Get the PPGs, Royal Guards and Troops on high alert. Use the Royal Guards and Troops to protect the palaces in full lockdown, except for essential staff coming in and out. We will have to lock out most of the staff that do not stay in the palaces. All essential staff is to be drafted by you, approved by me. No, let my mother handle this. So, she will approve or disapprove of who is allowed to enter or exit the palace unless I override it. Get the Armed Forces on alert, into health safety gear and dispatched immediately to all ports of entry/exit including airports pending further orders. The Airforce is to ready itself for patrolling the air space but to remain on alert until ordered to fly."
She nods to him and sees that he took his leave, after giving Selene a quick kiss on her cheek.
The two royals smiled at them and Selene caught them, causing her to blush, she tried to change the subject. "Ma'am, what are your orders for me?"
Carolyn replies with a twinkle in her eye.
"Simple my lady. Love your lord, and that Lord too." Carolyn said, causing a chock of laughter from Amelia.
"Ok, fun aside. While I wish we could indulge more, we have lots to plan and organise. But first, I want Max out of that hospital here in this palace as soon as possible. I have rethought about it, and want Ashley and Mrs Peters to come here too, immediately. Oh, and I want you and Philip to move in too. Calm a room on the royal floor with to us. We will need to lock the whole of Amalienborg down. Let's use Christiansborg Palace for the Offices and Meetings, with the Ministers. Amalienborg Palace will be used as a residence for us all, including you and Philip. While the other two palaces will be decided later. If they are willing to, get the Royal Doctor and his staff from Sorgenfri to move in here too, to assist the medical team assigned to Amalienborg. If needed, then we need to hire a specialist team to manage Max's care as I am sure Dr van José will be very busy."
And she pauses for a bit, while Selene makes notes on her tablet, now next to her on the table.
"Also arrange for the news crew to set up in the front courtyard for a live broadcast at 6-pm. I don't want them inside these two Palaces. Change that, put them in the Moltke's Palace in the Large Assembly Hall where we can use the screen to do a slideshow of the figures, prevention, etc. Get one of your staff to set up a slideshow and have it ready for me to see at 3-pm. The final figures can be updated at 4h30pm before the meeting."
Pausing again, Carolyn thought for a bit.
Her mother interjects. "Let's also move as much of Ashley's stuff as possible into the suite today. Make it as child friendly as possible. And yours and Max's."
Carloyn nodded and Selene noted it. "I suggest the staff move most of the valuable stuff out of the royal wing, keeping the suite simple. I am sure Max would appreciate this. Also, we will need to get another nanny so they can work shifts. While I am sure Max will be indisposed, and with you being so busy, there will not be enough time for her. Also, I want Clementine to come home immediately. She can study from here."
And Carolyn nods her agreement.
"Selene, as my 'left hand' and Special Advisor and Assistant to me. I need you to also work with Delia, as my mother will be assisting me on this matter as much as possible. And due to this pandemic, I am granting my mother full permission to issue any orders she feels needed, without my preapproval, as I will be too busy with many things. I want her to manage the Palace, family, security, etc, while I have to deal with the country. Mother, please understand that if I find an order I don't like, I will counter it. But I trust you and need your help."
Amelia leans over and grabs Carolyn's hand. Then she tugs her and hugs her. The 'hug', said it all, no words were needed. After a bit, they sat back and Carolyn left one last order.
"Selene, first and foremost, let's try to get Max back here this morning. I don't know how but let's make it happen. If we have to bring in specialised equipment, then do it. If needed, have Dr van José ready to speak to me. But I want Max back by 12noon. We'll convert the Master Bedroom into a mini ward, with two beds next to each other. But I want him here."
Selene nods, stands and then walks to her office, which is next to the Queen's, to start her countless calls, messaging and planning. Stopping as she reaches the door of the dining room, she turns and asks.
"Ma'am, would you prefer to have another office set up in the suite, closer to the family, and use the main office for important major matters?"
"Excellent idea, do it."
And Selene departs.
Later that morning, after changing into something more presentable. She found one of the rooms in the suite was already set up for her usage, and she saw Selene sitting in the corner of the room at a desk talking on the phone.
She sat down in her chair before her new desk, and saw her laptop was set up and waiting.
Logging in, she quickly checked the emails, then left them for later to attend to. Knowing Selene would alert to important emails, she opened Google Chrome, and browsed the internet to see what was happening.
"Ma'am" and Carolyn glared at her. "Sorry, there is a link in the bookmark bar that you can use to quickly update yourself on the virus. I loaded them for you under 'VIRUS'," and Carolyn opened her bookmarks and saw the folder. There she saw several links, but one grabbed her attention. 'WHO Statistics'. And she clicked to open it.
"Carolyn, Dr van José has relented and agreed to release Max only after he has inspected where Max will be cared for, and who the attending staff are. He emphatically said: 'Unless I can see the Prince will have the best care, it will impact his healing, and I can not have that on my conscience. He will also need daily physiotherapy, and will need to come back every 7-days for a Xrays and CT Scan, so I can check on the progress. If I am not happy, I will forbid him to return.'"
"Make it so. Do what needs to be done. But out of my private expenses, please."
Selene nods and sends off a couple of orders.
"Carolyn sorry," interrupts Selene after a while. "But we need to discuss a few things." Carolyn and Selene then discuss the important issues that needed her approval or disapproval, including the family issues.