The Deadliest Disease on Earth

    "It is the deadliest disease to man -- much worse than COVID," the president's health director proclaimed.

    The president nodded his head and looked around the room. All the cabinet officers and all the chief staffers were in attendance. "Dr. Dertell, could you give us an assessment?" he asked.

    Dr. Duane Dertell sat forward in his seat. "Well, Mr. President, we know its origins, but they are not here on earth. It seems the disease originated in the darkest spot in the universe. It is spread not through breathing and coughing, but through the hearts of men and women. That's how its transmitted."

   "And, how infectious is it?" the President asked.

   "Very, sir. It is believed to have infected every single person on earth -- to some degree. Some are able to fight it off once they contact it, but everyone seems to have been affected, to at least some degree."

    "And, the mortality rate?" the President asked.

     Dr. Dertell squinted, adjusted his glasses, and cleared his throat. He looked down at the report, then back up. "President. It is very deceptive. Virtually everyone who gets the disease denies they have it. And, although they don't, the appearance is that they all survive. In fact, those infected often boast of being healthier and stronger than ever."

    "But, do they die?" the president pressed.

    "Yes and no," the doctor responded. "As I said, they will all deny they are even weakened. They will all deny they are dying. The virus is infecting an organ -- if I can call it that -- that has not been infected, not been reached, by any of these viral infections we've dealt with in the past. SARS, COVID, the Spanish Flu -- none have stricken . . . the soul. President, everyone is dying of this. Their souls are dying. And, everyone of them thinks they are fine."

   "Asymptomatic, then."

   "If you want to call it that."

   "And, what is the name of this disease?" the President asked. "Have you given it a name?"

   "HATE -- in all capital letters."

   "And, how long will it take to develop a vaccine?"

   "Oh, it's already out. The vaccine has been out as long as the disease, in fact."

    The President pursed his lips, then ventured a guess. "Love?' he asked.

    "Yes, Love. The problem is getting everyone to take the vaccine. And, the vaccination needs to be continually repeated."

    "And, where is it available -- hospitals, I presume?"

    "Yes, we make it available in the hospitals. They certainly are places of love. But, we are making it available in as many places as we possibly can -- churches, schools, public parks . . . wherever we can. Homes and families seem to be the most effective place to distribute it."

     "If you have it most everywhere, then I presume you might have some of the vaccine right here with us," the President said.

    "We do," Dr. Dertell replied. "And, I suggest we each take it right now."

    With that, everyone in the room hugged, some leaving faint kisses on each other's cheeks. And, the meeting was dismissed.