Posted on 08/06/2021 7:36:25 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
STURGIS, S.D. — The Black Hills of South Dakota roared with motorcycles and crowds Friday as the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally kicked off, with mostly mask-less rallygoers packed shoulder-to-shoulder at bars and rock shows, despite a rise in COVID-19 cases in the state.
Organizers expect at least 700,000 people during the 10-day event that is a rendezvous for bikers, who connect over their love for motorcycles. For some, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime goal to make it to Sturgis; others faithfully make the pilgrimage year after year.
“It’s just a great big family atmosphere, everybody’s out here for the same purpose — we all love motorcycles,” said Aaron Harper. “If you’re a motorcyclist, you have to see it at least once in your life.”
Public health experts — and some locals — worry the rally will again play host to coronavirus infections, after hundreds of rallygoers were infected last year. Only about 46% of adults who live in the county that hosts Sturgis are fully vaccinated, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared with 60.6% nationwide. Virus infections are on the rise in South Dakota after a steady decline through the spring and early summer. The Department of Health reported a 68% jump in virus infections last week, with the highly contagious delta variant spurring a larger share of those infections.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
However, public health experts — and some locals — were not worried the US-Mexico border will play host to coronavirus infections, after hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens arrived at the border and tested positive this year.
Hooligan Ping.
700000 is like a half month of illegal immigration.
Yeah, there was no ‘Sturgis spike’ last year.
But they sure wanted one. And they desperately want one this year.
Where is the test for the delta. How do you know if you have the variant or the other. Regular or extra crispy.
Yes! Imagine that. People who just want to get on with their lives and are willing to tell our overlords to stuff it.
Unless it somehow morphs mysteriously into a gay orgy (and it won’t) , there isn’t boing to be another Providence Town type event.
Wow, can’t believe it has been a year since we were there...super great time, great people.
Left turns sucked...that was my only complaint.
I left from Mt Rushmore for home on Tuesday. The bikers were a massive presence in the area.
My brother is up there having a blast!
My cousin was there LAST YEAR. One of the Hill brothers of ZZ Top (who recently passed away), played live on one of the stages.
There were LOTS of Trump-MAGA stores at almost every corner. And 95% (his observation) were MASKLESS, plus he witnessed ONE of the biker gangs beat up 3 Antifa guys by himself. It was unreal and awesome.
see post 32, my cuz was there last year. Man, you are a lucky. Vs 2019, told us there were more women, including the bikini bike washers LOL.
They did the “super spreader” crap last year. It wont end and WONT STOP right wingers from going there. MY cousin was there last year. I’m scheduled for next year.
IIRC, either google or apple, maybe both, used cellphone location data to track the travel routes of those who attended Sturgis last year.
They then produced maps and “coordinated” the destinations with an “increase” of COVID blaming the rally attenders for it.
Keep the vaccinated away and things should be fine
I rode my Sportster to trailer week
Thank you to the rally attendees for helping us reach herd immunity!
Yup. Seems they’re allowing Easterners into Deadwood again. What a shame.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.