>>The Democrats are desperately hoping for a virulent variant to arrive. If this variant actually caused serious disease, they would get it here as soon as possible.
>>
You have not thought this through.
A variant that kills, say, 40% of infected, of all ages, would absolutely be a variant Democrats would NOT want to be in the US.
The reason is cities. Their votes come from cities. Cities have people packed together, amplifying infection rates.
In general the only defense against this thing is Get Away From People. Prior infection doesn’t work long. Vax doesn’t work long. Get Away From People. That works.
:: Prior infection doesn’t work long. ::
I contest this point.