For cynics clinging to the notion that overall lethality of the COVID-19 virus will fall as the pandemic spreads, the latest statistics in a new clinical study in The Lancet are a dose of strong medicine, showing novel coronavirus lethality rising, not falling, registering at 5.7% and rising to 20% in the absence of idealized critical care.

The clinical study published this week finds the global death rate from the coronavirus is settling in at around 5.7%, which is 57 times higher than the seasonal flu. The study warns that, “mortality rate of COVID-19 could be as high as 20% in Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak.”

This is consistent with what we already know about what happens when local hospital beds get overrun and patients no longer have access to critical care. The death rate skyrockets to 10-20%.

In late January, the Lancet published the very first clinical outlay of the Wuhan outbreak which found lethality at 15% and rising above 20% in the absence of clinical care.

The death rate of the virus has become a political hand grenade of sorts in the United States, sparked by cynical commentary by patriot media sources who continue to portray the Coronavirus pandemic as nothing more than a hoax and a media-spun sensationalized outbreak meant to politically damage President Donald Trump.

Investigative journalist and investor, Shad Olson has harsh words to cynics about the obvious dangers of being “half right” about a virus that shows every evidence of being the most virulent atypical pathogen of the modern era: Fewer patriots, Trump voters and populists at the polls in November.

“Democrats are twice as likely as Trump supporters to call the Coronavirus outbreak an imminent threat. So, how about a cui bono logic test to evaluate means, motive and opportunity for response to this crisis?” Olson said.

“And what are the unintended consequences of these differing narratives? Who exactly benefits if Trump supporters live act and respond to this pandemic as if it’s a media fabricated hoax concocted to stumble Trump politically? Who benefits most if similarly stupid Trump supporters are infected and killed in percentages greater than Democrats who don’t discount the threat as simply a “psy-op” against Trump? Who benefits most if dead Trump supporters in older demographics aren’t at the polling places on election day (assuming there would even be an election) and mysteriously vote Democrat in 2020 via mail-in ballots from beyond the grave?”

“You want to actually play six dimensional chess, now’s your chance to prove you’re even capable of checkers.”