Maybe an explanation of why the stock market keeps rising, inexpicably, during a pandemic?

[empedocles]

9. On a more basic level, a majority of voters are optimistic about next year.

A remarkable 95% of republicons think trump has done well on the economy.

'How Americans Feel About the Country Right Now: Anxious. Hopeful.
Exhausted and angry as they face a series of crises, many voters nevertheless remain optimistic about the future, a poll shows, viewing this moment as a chance for progress'. - NYT

A number of investors may feel buy and hold has worked all right [as of now]. And, the markets have been juiced upwards by Large Speculators who see small investors continue to contribute to their stock funds, etc., and fed market interventions [buying Walmart etc. bonds to support private lenders]. So the market has a robust bounce up from 30% losses, encouraging more market buying.

Not necessarily a time for complacency. From a sophisticated market watcher, deeper than 'the public' is likely to see.
'Market worrying about a phenomenon much worse than stagflation?
'Treasury Market Smells a Rat: Steepest Yield Curve Since 2017 Despite QE'
by Wolf Richter • Jun 4, 2020 • 141 Comments ventures.'