The Plague

"The Plague" by Teddy Keller is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story explores the emergence of a mysterious epidemic affecting only the citizens within the borders of the United States, creating panic and urgency among military and health authorities to discover its origins and eventual solution. The narrative unfolds in the tense environment of a Pentagon office as a team races against time to understand the nature of the plague while dealing with bureaucratic obstacles. The plot centers around Sergeant Major Andrew McCloud, who finds himself unexpectedly in charge of managing a national health crisis alongside Corporal Bettijean Baker. As reports of the epidemic spread, they discover that the illness is linked to a seemingly innocuous yet critical detail: the licking of stamps. While individuals in smaller offices and various creative professions are adversely affected, those in government and large organizations remain healthy. The tension escalates as they uncover this unexpected cause and work against the clock to alert the public of their findings. Ultimately, they present a solution to mitigate the epidemic's effects, showcasing both the frailties of human panic and the ingenuity required to resolve crises.