Norovirus at the CCM

I didn't write about this at the time, but LaDean sent me an email  and it reminded me about the Norovirus that spread through the CCM.  It happened shortly after we arrived so it was probably about July 18th through the 20th of 2015, but I don't remember the exact dates.  A lot of missionaries were very sick and some even went to the hospital for test and lab work because they were so dehydrated. 

Evidently LaDean's daughter in law, Sandra sent LaDean an email containing part of an email that a missionary from Sandra's wards sent home.  She wanted to know my take on the situation he had described at the CCM.  I responded and then LaDean wrote it up in her own personal life history books. 

LaDean said  this was an excerpts from an email she had received from Sandra: This is a letter from an Elder in our ward.  I thought you would find this interesting. He is currently at the Mexico CCM (MTC).  Last P-day at the CCM and "The Plague!" - Well this week has had a lot of excitement. First of all, let me tell you about "The Plague" that has infected the CCM. On Sunday morning one of the Hermanas in our zone was sick with something. Then later that afternoon, one of the Hermanas in our district wasn´t feeling so well so she went back to her room. The CCM presidency announced that there was something going around and everyone should make sure to wash their hands and be very careful. That is where it all started. The next day, Monday, the plague began to spread. It showed no mercy. We watched all day people getting picked up by the clinic golf cart. Everyone who was on it looked like they wanted to die. One kid had his head just pressed up against the seat in front of him. And I am not kidding, we saw that golf cart everywhere... it was at everyone´s house! Then, towards the end of the day, the Hermana in our district finally started feeling better, so she was able to come to class. But the plague would not stop there. Next, it took Elder Reid from our district. And he had to go home towards the end of the day. Then once we finally headed home, the plague had infected our roommate, Elder East. So that night all the missionaries who had not yet been infected by the plague hung out in the living room. Tuesday seemed to be the last major day of the plague. The doctors told us that there were about 100 missionaries that were reported sick. Me and Elder Tice seem to be some of the few survivors of the plague.  … I certainly did find that interesting!  I said a prayer for my dear sister Nola and her good husband, Dr. Harston then forwarded the email on to her. 

31 July, Friday – I got a reply from Nola – Wow!  She was the one driving the golf cart! Hi LaDean, I can't deny it we have had quite the week.  It actually started on Saturday then increased on Sunday and Monday morning the clinic was so full of patients that every exam room or counseling room was full.  There were no available doctors or nurses to help anyone that was not really sick.  Dennis and I were up on house calls Sunday night until 11:00pm and then we had two calls in the night.  When these missionaries are running a fever of literally 103+ they just can’t walk to the clinic so we have to go see them or pick them up in the golf cart. I spent the entire morning on Monday picking up and delivering back missionaries who were too sick to come in on their own. Basically we think it was a norovirus and as painful as it was (and it was painful even to watch these young otherwise healthy missionaries throwing up their guts in front of you) they just had to get through it for 48 hours.  I felt so bad for them that I just cried.  We had some Elders come in and ask if we would go see an Elder who was laying on the floor of his classroom shaking because he was having chills and fever. This was on Sunday when we already had two other requests to make house calls and we just couldn't get to them all fast enough. That Elder on the floor had a temperature of 103.4 and he couldn't make it to the clinic or go home either.  Most of them either had diarrhea, vomiting, high fever, chills and fever or headaches and achy bodies.  I saw "above and beyond" compassionate service offered by missionaries in their districts.  It was very humbling to see such Christ like love in very unpleasant tasks like cleaning up vomit, helping with soiled clothing and one Elder practically carried his companion into the house after I returned them to their house. I can’t imagine that it would be good to let the whole world know that this happened at our otherwise wonderful MTC so I have not said much about it. It probably is best for prospective missionaries not to contemplate going to the MTC and getting sick. We are all doing "elbow bumps" right now instead of any "handshakes or hugs"...the Elders can't hug anyway ...but sisters do. It will only get better from here.  I do hope your mission is less traumatic.  Much love, Hermana Harston --- I could not help but cry as I read her email. I thanked Heavenly Father for this wonderful sister I have. J