I only recently learned about the concept of the “October surprise.” 

It’s a term in U.S. politics referring to a news event that occurs close to an election, typically one that would influence the presidential race. It’s a conspiracy theory in part, because it’s uncertain whether these events that end up flooding mainstream media are random or manufactured. 

Since I learned of the term just days before October, I thought, “what else could possibly happen this month, let alone this year?” 

Sept. 18, liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg dies. Sept. 26, President Donald Trump named conservative Judge Amy Coney Barrett his nominee to fill RBG’s seat. Sept. 28, The New York Times breaks a story about Trump’s taxes. Sept. 29, Trump and Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden face off in a debate already going down in history as the worst to ever occur and an insult to the American public. 

Maybe, just maybe, one of these events was our October surprise come early. 

Cue the laugh track. 

Early morning hours of Oct. 2, the American people receive word their sitting president has been diagnosed with COVID-19, the potentially deadly virus that has killed more than 200,000 Americans. 

National media has widely declared Trump’s, First Lady Melania Trump’s and a number of Republican members’ simultaneous diagnosis of coronavirus as our October surprise. Thus far, thankfully, their symptoms are said to be mild. Still, the virus keeps Trump from campaigning and likely the final two presidential debates scheduled for Oct. 15 and Oct. 22. 

Frankly, the loss of the last two rounds in the ring of performative masculine politics is not much of a loss, no matter which party you align yourself with. 

If this is indeed the October surprise, it’s unclear how this event might influence the election. The majority of Americans know how they’re going to vote on Nov. 3 and many have already voted early or by mail. 

Still, on one hand, Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis could induce empathy among undecided voters. If he comes out from his quarantine period unscathed and asymptomatic, it could also be interpreted as the coronavirus’ minimal effects on most of those diagnosed with it, despite the number of deaths and hospitalizations around the globe.

On the flip side, undecided voters might view Trump’s diagnosis as ironic; given his dismissal and proven downplay of the virus in public and more explicitly in private conversation with Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward. It could reduce his credibility in that way.

The crazy part about politics is that it’s very hard to determine what, if any, effect this and other events will have. As much as political strategists think they can and as accurate as they sometimes are, it’s impossible to read people’s minds. 

The craziest part of all of this is the fact that we still have almost a month until the election. As 2020 has proven, we cannot yet breathe a sigh of relief thinking this is as bad as it’s going to get. I’m a skeptic and my personal motto is to expect the worst while hoping for the best. Therefore, I expect a few more bombshells to drop between now and November.

We don’t have control over what happens throughout the rest of this year. The only actions we can take are to take care of ourselves and try to take breaks from news intake. Yes, as you read this newspaper I am suggesting you take a break from the news. Primarily, I’m referring to national news which has been a seemingly never-ending dumpster fire this entire year.

So, let’s take comfort in two things: one, we might not have to endure another weird presidential debate. Two, there are just 12 weeks left in 2020, until midnight on Jan. 1, 2021, at which time we hopefully feel a debilitating weight lifted from our shoulders.