It was Mitch on the stretcher, say neighbors who watched EMT folks wheel him from the house to the ambulance.

Some saw his face. Others said he wasn’t moving, and he had no oxygen mask.

When the ambulance left for the hospital, it drove away slowly and didn’t turn on its flashing lights/siren.

Now, after almost a month, we don’t have a clue where the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee is.

Or what his condition is.

But it’s looking more and more like others are speaking for him to tell us “he’s fine”, “he’s recovering” and “he thanks all of those who have offered prayers and support”.

My guess? It will be reported that he took a turn for the worse, fought valiantly, but died one day after it was possible for Kentucky to choose a temporary replacement.

Of course his wife/widow has remained in China, and will continue to remain there- basically incommunicado from nosey reporters