Summary

Chapter 16 focuses again on a wider scope, this time describing the nation’s reaction as the sickness makes national news, which are mostly conspiracy theories. The biggest theory is that some combination of the government and “Big Pharma” are behind the disease (90).

Chapter 17 goes back to Mei’s perspective, and her floor is finally being released from quarantine. As they are walking to their new quarters, Matthew makes a break for it and is tackled by police. One of the boys asks if Mei ever leaves her room because he “forgot [Mei] even lived with us” (94). Mei feels outcast. The new quarters are the gym filled with cots, since the dorm ventilation may have the virus within it. Mei’s mother calls, and Mei says she is considering moving back home after the panic has settled. She thinks her mother answers with silence...