title: MongoDB -- Setting a conditional statement in .find()
body: <p>for aggregate, <code>$cond</code> can be used to form an if-statement. I'm wonder if there's a similar function for .find()</p>
  
  <p>When I tried using $cond in find(), I get </p>
  
  <pre><code>"unknown top level operator: $cond"
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I'm trying to do the following (in pseudo code):</p>
  
  <pre><code>if condition is True:
      set filter for find to thing_1
  else:
      set filter for find to thing_2
  </code></pre>