So, it turns out that there's a conspiracy theory being heavily promoted among the fascist right that purports that Moderna patented SARS-CoV-2 three years prior to the start of the pandemic. The supporting evidence that gets offered is that some variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have a 19-nucleotide sequence in common with a patented (by Moderna) modified gene that is active in various DNA repair pathways. (These kinds of genes are common on oncology research).
An overlap of 19 whole nucleotides, a sequence that is common in birds, mammals, bacteria, and eukaryotes in general is the evidence that Moderna "invented" SARS-CoV-2.
I am reminded that in popular imagination, historical fascists are imagined as evil geniuses... when in reality, they are (with a few exceptions) more typically evil bumbling morons.
Some years ago, I spent about 6 months engaging with Flat Earther's in order to understand why they believe the things they believe. (n.b.: it's not a failure of education). The far right conspiracy looms feel the same.
Reading the twitter feeds of people like Candace Owens, Wendy Rogers, Marge Greene, Paul Gosar, Josh Mandel, J.D. Vance (etc) is an absolute fiesta of fever-dreams of victim-hood.