It has been 28 weeks since the pandemic hit U.S. shores and still, no national coordinated plan has been developed or implemented. COVID-19 cases have exceeded seven million in this country. Over 200,000 people have lost their battle with the invisible foe. Most experts agree that the majority of both cases and deaths were preventable. Most Black folk have now lost a loved one in their extended family to the virus because of our predisposition to the virus.

I know some of you prayed, stuck pins in voodoo dolls, chanted up Karma and any other methods at your disposal to throw some “Rona” germs on Trump. Despite a few members of his cabinet being diagnosed with COVID-19 and even some supporters like Herman Cain dying, Trump has been able to dodge the virus. So far.

The racist governor of Missouri was not as fortunate. Missouri Governor Mike Parsons and First Lady were both recently diagnosed with the virus.

The reason that you are feeling this way is not because you’re a mean-spirited, revengeful human being. It is mainly because you believe that if these ingrates fell victim to COVID-19, it would be a reality check. By them suffering through it and making back to health, it would make them better apostles of the needed precautions. They have shown us their sociopathic tendencies.

We have seen republican governors and mayors take on the unscientific, insensitive and inhumane posture of Trump towards addressing the deadly virus. Refusing to mandate stay-home orders. Politicizing the wearing of masks. Lying about the pandemic’s potential impact. And on and on.

These are the same right-wing cronies who have worked together to suppress wages, derail affordable health care, cut social services, etc. - all policies which have compounded the brunt of a pandemic.

Our plan to drive Trump out of the White House seems insufficient in the wake of a lingering pandemic. Criminal charges are necessary. The most appropriate charge for this situation under the penal code is negligent homicide. This is a charge brought against a person who allowed someone to die due to criminal negligence. In Trump’s case, it is many someones and there is no end in sight for the growing death toll. He wakes up everyday unfazed by the tragic situation fueled by his inaction.

There have been numerous immoral, unethical and illegal acts committed by Trump since he ascended to power. For me, they all pale in comparison to the pandemic deaths. His paying of only $750 in taxes for years doesn’t move my anger needle. COVID deaths and the manner in which they have happened is a new kind of deep-marrow rage.

While most lay people were oblivious to an imminent virus, the threat was known to the world of epidemiology. President Obama left the idiot who inherited the office an entire manual so that the country would not be left defenseless against a biological attack. The 69-page playbook contained vital information on all you need to know about infectious diseases and made particular note that novel coronaviruses could pose potential threat to humanity. The playbook also outlined how to coordinate the relevant departments and identify the experts to tackle the problem.

Whether it was it was too long to read or because it came from the Obama administration, Trump quickly trashed the security manual. Since he deemed it a hoax at the beginning, precious time was lost in sounding the alarm and quickly implementing a national plan to save lives and minimize pain to the economy. What we saw were corporations getting their big bailouts and working people getting concession crumbs.

When the electorate finally has its say in November (or December!), I think it will be so happy to see the West Wing door hit Trump’s backside that he’ll get a pass on all of the despicable and lawless acts we had to endure during his so-called presidency. This would be a crime.