Conspiracy theory is hot these days. No matter the subject or circumstance, there is a prevailing wind of covert and nefarious intents. Let us recall the premise of the shell game. Usually played on a street corner or carnival midway, the object is to separate the rube from his money by attempting to determine where the penny resides beneath one of three shells which the scam artist shuffles.

We seem to be in a shell game of the Alice in Wonderland sort. Trump as the mad hatter. While that is a fanciful tale, our current circumstance is deadly serious. Now the conspiracy.

Avert the eye, focus attention away from the scam. Stay ahead of the news cycle. And when confronted, deny, deny, deny. There is evidence that the Wuhan virus was created in a Chinese laboratory. There is evidence that the Trump administration was warned of an impending pandemic in late December 2019. There is evidence that Washington insiders were aware of the threat in early January 2020. It is a fact that Trump was in contact with Xi Xing Ping in early January and determined that the virus was controlled based on Xi’s assertions. It is a fact that Trump downplayed the severity of the viral outbreak through January and February. This allowed the virus to take a firm hold on the American people. It is a fact that Trump declared the virus would disappear like a miracle in March. It is a fact that Trump is incapable of human compassion. It is a fact that Trump is in full campaign mode. I don’t know it’s a fact, I just know it’s true that Trump will do anything to retain his power and that he will stop at nothing to enrich himself. I just know it’s true. And so do you.

Now if we care to connect some evasive dots, it appears that Trump’s re-election agenda takes precedent to saving American lives. Taken a step further, one might conclude given Trump’s misogynistic bent, that he not only knew about the viral threat, but that he thought it could play well into his political strategy. And if you can be persuaded to consider that possibility and then conclude it is in America’s best interest to allow thousands of Americans to die, we are screwed in ways never brought to film.

Like he conspired with Russia to buy the election, he is conspiring with China to bring us to our knees. Why? Power. Absolute power. How do we know? He told us. Remember, he telegraphs every move on national television and then confirms it via tweet. He is slippery and conniving and has had a lifetime of practice.

I prefer him to prove me wrong. I prefer him to somehow attain the capacity for empathy. I prefer him to associate with and connect with our allies rather than dictators. What I prefer is irrelevant.

What is relevant is that we determine to stop being rubes. What is relevant is that we determine to preserve our democracy. What is relevant is to stop the shell game by refusing to play.

Stop.

#VegasStrong

Usually a term referring to canine/ feline lineage. Purebred for purposes of this narrative indicates a group of people genetically closely linked.

We have seen how devastating the virus is in Italy where I would argue the virus may have discovered a genetic buffet. Now we are seeing statistics showing African Americans are being affected in greater numbers than the population as a whole. Again, this appears to be a genetic link causing a particular susceptibility to the virus.

Now clearly in the United States we are genetically homogenous. However, certain groups within the population maintain a genetic purity causing a deleterious effect. Perhaps the virus enjoys inflicting harm on those with a genetic similarity much as certain canine or feline pure breeds are inflicted with ailments causing premature deaths.

I am not suggesting that humans of any ilk are animals. Rather I am suggesting that animals and humans may be more genetically similar than they are different. A bat is always a bat…they do not procreate with anything other than another bat. Similarly certain segments of the human population have endeavored to remain genetically pure which is not intrinsically a bad thing, but in this instance has perhaps made them more vulnerable.

But what do I know…I’m not a doctor. And neither is Trump who claims to have some mystical knowledge of medical things that make it possible for him to make a myriad of predictions and recommendations.

It may also be possible that genetics has no function in vulnerability. Perhaps it is the abundance of exposure that renders a person more likely to succumb. The first onslaught may be defended, but subsequent viral onslaughts may be too much to overcome.

Research into antibody therapies are proceeding. And that may be our greatest hope in defeating the scourge. I like to think so. In the meantime, stay home.

#VegasStrong