Posted on 08/03/2020 7:03:32 AM PDT by mylife
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has been an annual tradition in South Dakota for 80 years, and despite the fears of many residents, it appears that the 2020 edition of the rally will go forward as planned in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sturgis expects more than 250,000 people to pass through the city during the Aug. 7 to 16 event, and though that number is only about half of the rally’s typical attendance, it would likely still be the largest gathering in America since the pandemic began. South Dakota has been relatively spared by the coronavirus, recording just 135 deaths from COVID-19, but many are worried that Sturgis could be the cause of an uncontrollable outbreak.
“This is a huge, foolish mistake to make to host the rally this year,” Sturgis resident Lynelle Chapman told city counselors at a June meeting, according to AP. “The government of Sturgis needs to care most for its citizens.”
The debate over the rally has exposed a divide between citizens worried about public health and business-owners who depend on the rally to make ends meet. In a survey conducted by Sturgis, more than 60% of its residents said that the rally should be postponed. But the pressures of the tourism business — plus the realization that plenty of riders will come to Sturgis even if the event is officially not happening — has prompted the city to attempt a scaled-back version of the original rally.
Sturgis has cut advertising for the rally, cancelled its city-hosted events, planned to conduct large-scale testing, and hoped that restrictions on travel from Canada will limit the size of crowds. But at least some believe that the circumstances surrounding the 2020 rally could draw even more visitors to the area.
“It’s the biggest single event that’s going on in the United States that didn’t get canceled,” said Rod Woodruff, who operates the campground and concert venue Buffalo Chip, to AP. “A lot of people think it’s going to be bigger than ever.”
All they have to do is protest for a leftist cause and the virus will leave them alone.
Why the hell isn’t Trump holding a real convention in South Dakota?
Finally! We’ll get, hopefully, 175,000 attendees dying of COVID-19 and Kristi Noem will be shown to be the bloodthirsty fascist that she is! (/Democrat)
Exactly! Apparently, we are supposed to be consumed with guilt for exercising FREEDOM.
thank God for these freedom-lovers!
Excellent.
I’m running a weeklong summer camp next week for just over 150 people. We’ve been stressing out the virus vs necessity to do what we’re doing.
Taking reasonable but not insane steps but...Let’s Roll
Is antifa still planning on showing up?
I’m gonna guess there will be no BLM protest during this.
Very few bikers are liberals.
Amen!
When asked for comment, Anthony Fauci gasped, rolled his eyes and fainted.
“Very few bikers are liberals.”
I’m aware. :)
We can only hope! The blow-back would be spectacular
Keep your eye out for some good buys on used Harley’s.
This is not a rally - it is a scientific study to determine if motorcycle fumes can prevent or cure coronavirus.
If they do, I doubt they'll be leaving, at least with a pulse...
hang in there, and don’t live in fear!
post-camp, obviously a bunch of people will get the bug, and like most people, will be done with it in less than a day. just “having covid” is not that big of a deal. i know a dozen or so people who had it, blew their nose once or twice, and quickly moved on.
i also know a few people who felt pretty darn bad, but like the flu, the symptoms passed with time. this is how the body deals with viruses.
what you are doing is important! hang tough! don’t live in FEAR!
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