📅 The year is 2026.
🏝️ The place is Kingstonia, a small (and fictional!) island nation in the Pacific.
🦠 H2D2 Dolphin Flu is spreading rapidly across the Pacific.
⚕️ The International Health Organisation (IHO) has recommended pre-emptive compulsory vaccination for all Kingstonians.
🏛️ But last year’s razor-thin presidential election left the country deeply divided — and the new government without a clear mandate for such a controversial policy.
🗳️ The government has therefore called a national referendum.
📱 Social media helped shape the last election. Now, two opposing citizen groups hope to do it again.
🎯 You and your team have been hired by one side to achieve total control of Kingstonia’s social media landscape — and its narrative.
In other words, you will be trying to find out:
CAN YOU RULE THE REFERENDUM?
The Referendum:
Kingstonians will vote on a simple question:
Should proof of H2D2 Dolphin Flu vaccination be required to enter public spaces such as shops, schools, workplaces, public transport, and parks?
☑️ YES — Require Vaccination for Public Access
Supporters argue that Kingstonia should act before Dolphin Flu reaches its shores.
Their case:
- 🛡️ Prevention is better than waiting for an outbreak
- 🏥 Kingstonia’s health system could struggle with a major epidemic
- 🌏 The IHO recommends pre-emptive vaccination
- 🤝 Protecting public health is a shared responsibility
- 🏠 Those who choose not to vaccinate can avoid public spaces
Their message: Mandate now. Protect Kingstonia.
❌ NO — Keep Public Access Open
Opponents argue that excluding the unvaccinated from everyday life goes too far.
Their case:
- 🗽 Medical decisions should remain a personal choice
- 🚪 Access to everyday life should not depend on vaccination status
- 🏛️ Governments should not impose such sweeping restrictions without an immediate emergency
- ⚖️ Public health must be balanced against individual rights
- 🧬 The H2D2 vaccine is new, and its long-term effects are still being studied
Their message: Protect choice. Keep Kingstonia open.
🏛️ The Political Backdrop
President Victor Hawthorne narrowly won last year’s election after a bitter campaign that divided Kingstonia almost evenly.
With no clear public mandate for compulsory vaccination, his government has put the decision directly to the people.
The result could define his presidency — and reopen many of the political divisions of the last election.
Will Kingstonia choose collective protection or individual choice?
Which argument will dominate the national conversation?
And what can you do about it? 🚀
YOUR MISSION:
Your team is operating as a social media consultancy hired by a citizen group campaigning for either YES or NO.
Your job is simple: help your side win the referendum by shaping public opinion on Legit Social, Kingstonia’s indigenous Twitter-style platform.
You’re not the only team that has been hired.
Both sides have recruited multiple teams to compete for attention, engagement and influence. Your team must therefore outperform not only the opposition, but also the other teams fighting for your own side.
You will need to be strategic, creative and ruthless.
Can you dominate the conversation, swing public opinion, and rule the referendum?
*Some additional facts about Kingstonia, Dolphin Flu and the referendum are provided below.*
ABOUT H2D2 DOLPHIN FLU
H2D2 Dolphin Flu is a newly emerged influenza-like respiratory virus spreading through the Pacific region.
Despite its name, scientists do not know whether the virus originated in dolphins. It earned the nickname “Dolphin Flu” after it was first identified following an unusual cluster of dolphin deaths in the South Pacific.
Within months, closely related infections were detected in several species of migratory seabird. Human infections followed soon afterwards, initially among people working with infected wildlife. Sustained human-to-human transmission has now been reported in several Pacific countries.
In humans, H2D2 typically causes fever, coughing, fatigue, muscle aches and other flu-like symptoms. Most known cases have been mild or moderate, but some patients have developed severe pneumonia requiring hospitalisation, and deaths have been reported.
Scientists are still trying to establish how infectious and dangerous H2D2 really is. Mild infections are probably being missed, making the true infection and fatality rates difficult to calculate.
Kingstonia has not yet recorded sustained community transmission, although cases have now been detected in several nearby Pacific nations. Health authorities believe its arrival in Kingstonia is increasingly likely.
💉 The H2D2 Vaccine
The genetic sequence of H2D2 was published shortly after the virus was identified.
Using technology developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers were able to rapidly adapt an existing mRNA vaccine platform to target H2D2.
Accelerated international trials suggest that the vaccine produces a strong immune response and reduces the risk of serious disease. No major safety concerns have emerged from trials so far.
However, the vaccine is new. There is still limited real-world evidence about:
- how long protection lasts;
- how effectively vaccination prevents transmission;
- whether booster doses will eventually be required; and
- extremely rare side effects that may only become apparent after millions of doses.
The International Health Organisation (IHO) nevertheless considers the threat sufficiently serious to recommend pre-emptive vaccination before widespread community transmission begins.
THE COVID LEGACY
The H2D2 debate has reopened some painful memories for Kingstonia.
COVID-19 hit the island hard. Tens of thousands of Kingstonians became seriously ill, the country’s already stretched hospitals struggled to cope, and more than 1,000 people died during the pandemic.
The government of the time responded with border closures, school and business closures, stay-at-home orders and, later, vaccination requirements for some workplaces and public venues.
Some Kingstonians believe those measures saved thousands more lives.
Others remember them very differently.
Tourism collapsed, businesses closed, unemployment increased and families were separated by border restrictions. Lockdowns and vaccine mandates became particularly controversial, and protests against the government’s pandemic policies continued long after restrictions were lifted.
Although most Kingstonians ultimately received a COVID-19 vaccine, the question of whether vaccination should ever be required as a condition of participating in public life remains deeply divisive.
That history has made the Hawthorne government reluctant to impose an H2D2 mandate without explicit public support.
THE REFERENDUM
President Victor Hawthorne has publicly indicated that he will vote YES.
Kingstonia’s Chief Medical Officer has advised the President that waiting for widespread H2D2 transmission before taking preventative action could leave the country’s small health system dangerously exposed.
But Hawthorne’s government is divided.
Several members of his own People’s Alliance oppose restricting access to public spaces on the basis of vaccination status, while the Democratic-Republicans are overwhelmingly opposed. The National Assembly has therefore been unable to agree on the proposed policy.
With memories of the COVID-19 response still fresh — and no parliamentary consensus — the government has called a national referendum to break the deadlock.
The government has committed to respect the result.
☑️ The YES Campaign
Lead organisation: Medical Officers Union of Kingstonia (MOUK)
The Medical Officers Union represents doctors working across Kingstonia’s hospitals, clinics and public health services.
Its president, Dr. Amara Singh, is an emergency physician at Kingstonia Central Hospital and one of the country’s most recognisable doctors. Singh became a popular public figure during the COVID-19 pandemic through calm, plain-language television briefings explaining conditions inside Kingstonia’s overwhelmed hospitals.
MOUK argues that the country made the mistake of reacting too slowly during COVID-19 and should not repeat it.
The organisation says widespread vaccination before H2D2 arrives would:
- 🏥 reduce pressure on Kingstonia’s limited hospital system;
- 🛡️ protect people particularly vulnerable to severe disease;
- 🦠 make sustained outbreaks easier to control; and
- 🔓 reduce the likelihood that another general lockdown would ever become necessary.
MOUK stresses that nobody would be physically forced to receive the vaccine. People who refuse vaccination would instead be required to avoid designated public spaces.
Its opponents argue that this distinction is meaningless if refusing vaccination prevents someone from working, travelling or participating in ordinary life.
MOUK’s message: Mandate now. Protect Kingstonia.
❌ The NO Campaign
Lead organisation: Kingstonia Industry Tourism Board (KITB)
The Kingstonia Industry Tourism Board represents much of the country’s tourism, hospitality and visitor economy — including resorts, restaurants, tour operators and other businesses dependent on international travel.
It is led by Marina Castillo, CEO of the Island Horizons resort group and the Democratic-Republican candidate narrowly defeated by Victor Hawthorne in the 2025 presidential election.
Castillo was one of the most prominent critics of Kingstonia’s COVID-era restrictions, which devastated the tourism industry. She argues that the country is now preparing to repeat the same mistakes before a single major H2D2 outbreak has occurred in Kingstonia.
KITB officially supports voluntary H2D2 vaccination and insists that its campaign is not anti-vaccine.
Instead, it argues that requiring vaccination for access to ordinary public life would:
- 🚪 create a two-tier society of vaccinated and unvaccinated citizens;
- 💼 prevent some Kingstonians from working or operating businesses;
- 🏝️ damage confidence in the country’s recovering tourism industry;
- ⚖️ impose restrictions disproportionate to a disease not yet widespread in Kingstonia; and
- 🏛️ establish dangerous powers that future governments could use during other emergencies.
Castillo has accused Hawthorne of using public fear to obtain powers his government could never pass through Parliament.
Hawthorne, in turn, accuses Castillo of putting commercial interests ahead of public health.
KITB’s message: Protect choice. Keep Kingstonia open.
With both sides well-funded, politically connected and determined not to repeat what they believe were the mistakes of COVID-19, the referendum has rapidly become the defining political battle of 2026.
ABOUT KINGSTONIA
The Republic of Kingstonia is a fictional Pacific island country. Settled by the British in the 1700s on previously uninhabited islands, Kingstonia is renowned for its tropical climate, white-sand beaches, and vibrant maritime culture. It is a presidential republic with a unicameral parliament. The economy centers on tourism, agriculture, and fishing, complemented by a small but growing software sector clustered around the nation’s universities. The population is approximately 600,000, with about half residing in the capital, Kingstonia City.
Etymology
The country takes its name from Kingstonia City, founded as an 18th-century administrative depot and trading port during early British settlement.
History:
- (18th century:) British settlers establish a naval supply point and plantation outposts on previously uninhabited islands.
- (19th century:) Maritime commerce, copra, spices, and tropical fruit exports shape the economy; civic institutions and courts are formalized.
- (20th century:) Gradual constitutional reforms yield self-government and, later, a presidential republic with a single-house parliament.
- (21st century:) Tourism expands and environmental protections are introduced; a nascent tech/startup scene emerges around local universities.
Geography and environment:
Kingstonia is a small archipelago of low-lying volcanic and coral islands surrounded by lagoons and barrier reefs. The climate is tropical, with a warmer, wetter season typically from November to April and a drier season the rest of the year. Marine reserves protect coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows, though coastal erosion, cyclone exposure, and reef bleaching remain ongoing challenges.
Government and politics:
Kingstonia operates as a presidential republic. The President serves as head of state and government and appoints a cabinet. The National Assembly is unicameral, with members elected on a proportional basis; it legislates, approves budgets, and oversees the executive. Political life is shaped primarily by two parties, the People’s Alliance and the Democratic-Republicans.
Elections for the presidency and assembly occur every four years, with a two-term limit for presidents; and the elections happen out of sequence, with the presidential election occurring two years after the assembly election. The most recent election was held in 2025. The incumbent president, Gregory Brotherston was term-limited after two terms. The left-leaning Victor Hawthorne (People’s Alliance) won the presidency, defeating Marina Castillo (Democratic-Republican), in a very close election - just 52.28% to 48.72%.
Political polling is mainly done by the Independent Polling Association of Kingstonia, a non-partisan organization made up of local researchers and analysts. They have a long history of accuracy and reliability, having been conducting opinion polls since 1995.
The national flag is depicted as a blue field with a red star formed by three intersecting bars, symbolizing the union of the main islands and their seafaring identity.
Demographics:
The population is concentrated in urban coastal districts, with a few very small settlements on outer islands. English is the national language. Historical migration to Kingstonia has supported a diverse national culture, reflected in music, cuisine, and festivals.
Economy:
Tourism is the leading sector, driven by beach resorts, diving, and cultural events such as Regatta Week in Crown Harbour. Agriculture supplies domestic markets and niche exports (tropical fruit, spices), while fishing—including small-scale tuna and reef fisheries—supports coastal livelihoods. A software sector has emerged in recent years, featuring startups in fintech, logistics, and marine monitoring, often incubated through university partnerships and co-working hubs in Kingstonia City.
Journalism:
The press is free and vibrant in Kingstonia, though the small size of the market means that just two newspapers dominate the media landscape. The first, the “Daily Kingstonia”, is widely considered to be right-leaning, and tends to report through a lens of the importance of traditional values. The second, meanwhile, is the “Kingstonia Herald”, which is in turn considered to be left-leaning - it focuses on reporting stories through the daily lives and needs of the common people, and often covering news, politics, and social issues with a populist tone.
Infrastructure and transport:
The country is served by an international airport near Kingstonia City and roll-on/roll-off ferries providing links to the outer islands. A coastal ring road on the main island connects urban centers. Telecommunications have expanded rapidly to support the tech sector, with fiber backbones in principal cities. A new commuter railroad is being debated and constructed right now to link Kingstonia City with other urban centers on the main Kingstonia Island.
Education and research:
- Kingstonia University (Kingstonia City) — a prestigious institution known for law, business, and the arts; home to policy and cultural studies centers.
- Crown Harbour Institute of Technology (Crown Harbour) — focuses on engineering and computer science; collaborates with industry on applied research, robotics, and sustainable maritime technologies.
Culture and Sport:
Kingstonia’s culture blends maritime heritage with contemporary influences. Cuisine highlights seafood, tropical produce, and spice-driven dishes. Festivals feature sailing, drumming traditions, and street markets, with the most prominent being Regatta Week in Crown Harbour and the Mango & Spice Festival in New Haven.
Sport is central to community life, with club rivalries across multiple codes.
Each year, Regatta Week in Crown Harbour draws international sailing teams and tourists.
Public services, security, and environment:
A national coast guard is the sole military force for Kingstonia. Working closely with the national police force, the coast guard provides border security, maritime safety, and fisheries protection. Health services are centered on regional hospitals in Kingstonia City and Crown Harbour, with clinics on outlying islands. Environmental policy emphasizes marine conservation, waste reduction, and incremental renewable energy adoption (solar and wind) to reduce diesel reliance.
In recent years, the coast guard has been plagued by under-funding and considerable debate has occurred regarding modernization and proposals for a national compulsory service for youths to address low enlistment rates. Its four aging patrol frigates are increasingly unreliable, and there is a growing consensus that the force needs to be restructured and reimagined to meet 21st-century challenges.
The island is broadly safe, and there has never been a major terrorist or domestic incident. There has never been a bombing, shooting, or mass casualty event. The island is broadly healthy, and aside from the COVID-19 pandemic described earlier, has never suffered major health scares, despite a somewhat underfunded national health system which struggles to recruit and retain skilled medical staff.
Social media:
A majority of Kingstonia’s population uses the indigenous platform ‘Legit Social’, a Twitter-style software which is used for news and entertainment alike.