Plague / Epidemic
A new strain of the black plague hit the State of Vermont. Before long, government took action and quarantined the state. But the epidemic was fast and vicious. The population lost was so severe that the majority of the survivors migrated to other states, desiring to leave behind the nightmare.
President Lucian visited the Vermont State hospitals personally even though experts warned him against it. The media praised the young president, emphasizing his saint like approach even though Vermont is a democratic powerhouse and its population does not support him at all. He also started an aid campaign to support the victim's families. Lucian's campaign and his self donation of a 100 million USD was breaking news in all the world.