This weekend, possibly 250,000 bikers — many of them Trump supporters — are converging on Sturgis, ND for an annual event. Tens of thousands have already arrived, mostly not wearing masks.
Quite consistent with the comments that the BLM protests were unlikely to have contributed significantly to infection growth (besides the obvious fact that the virus was growing in places like Maricopa County AZ and Orange County CA — not exactly BLM hotspots), doctors note:
“Health experts say the coronavirus is less likely to spread outdoors, especially when people wear masks and socially distance.”
However, with the Sturgis event, like the ill-fated Tulsa rally:
“But large gatherings like the motorcycle rally also increase the number of visitors inside restaurants and stores. A few businesses in Sturgis put up signs limiting the number of customers who could enter, but most did not post such notices...
“Attendees will be asked to be respectful of the community concerns by practicing social distancing and taking personal responsibility for their health by following C.D.C. guidelines,” the news release said.
But on Friday, throngs of ralliers parked their bikes and walked shoulder to shoulder along the downtown streets, nary a mask in sight...
Amy Svoboda, 27, who was working in a women’s apparel shop for bikers called One Sexy Biker Chick, said Friday’s crowd of shoppers had been steady. She said she didn’t know what to expect, but was happy to see people turning out.
“We are allowed to make our own choices,” she said. “If we get it, we chose to be here.”
Quite consistent with the comments that the BLM protests were unlikely to have contributed significantly to infection growth (besides the obvious fact that the virus was growing in places like Maricopa County AZ and Orange County CA — not exactly BLM hotspots), doctors note:
“Health experts say the coronavirus is less likely to spread outdoors, especially when people wear masks and socially distance.”
However, with the Sturgis event, like the ill-fated Tulsa rally:
“But large gatherings like the motorcycle rally also increase the number of visitors inside restaurants and stores. A few businesses in Sturgis put up signs limiting the number of customers who could enter, but most did not post such notices...
“Attendees will be asked to be respectful of the community concerns by practicing social distancing and taking personal responsibility for their health by following C.D.C. guidelines,” the news release said.
But on Friday, throngs of ralliers parked their bikes and walked shoulder to shoulder along the downtown streets, nary a mask in sight...
Amy Svoboda, 27, who was working in a women’s apparel shop for bikers called One Sexy Biker Chick, said Friday’s crowd of shoppers had been steady. She said she didn’t know what to expect, but was happy to see people turning out.
“We are allowed to make our own choices,” she said. “If we get it, we chose to be here.”