What notes of hope are there in the United States and the rest of the world?

 One day a low-lying plane drops a leaflet; it informs them that the Air Force has begun flying over contaminated zones. A few weeks later, a helicopter comes, and men in protective suits come to take radiation readings of the area.

At last, one pronounces the area clear and takes off his helmet. Randy realizes that it's Paul Hart, who has joined Decontamination Command and chosen his home, Florida, as the Contaminated Zone that he would survey. He confirms that Denver is the capital of the U.S. now, as Washington, D.C. no longer exists.