Sturgis Motorcycle Rally linked to new COVID-19 cases

Posted by on August 21, 2020

via Metal Injection

The way we remember concerts has been put on hold until the COVID-19 pandemic gets under control. While events have been announced for next year, we’re not entirely sure what 2021 will look like considering the United States alone is nearing 6 million coronavirus cases. However, events somehow manage to find its way; for instance, bands like Smash Mouth and Trapt held a concert during the annual Sturgis Buffalo Chip Rally in Sturgis, SD. As expected, it appears there are multiple new coronavirus cases linked to the 10-day Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which ended on Sunday (16th).

NBC News reports that a number of coronavirus cases tied to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally have appeared across state lines as Nebraska has at least seven new cases connected to the rally. The annual event suggested attendees to wear masks but mainly ignored COVID-19 concerns as more than 460,000 vehicles were accounted for according to South Dakota’s Department of Transportation. Other sources such as Star Tribune reported at least fifteen COVID-19 cases in Minnesota have been linked to the rally, including at least one hospitalization. ABC affiliate KOTA TV says an employee of Asylum Tattoo in Sturgis who worked at the shop from 10am-2 am on August 13 through 18th has tested positive for COVID-19. According to CNN, a Sturgis attendee who spent hours at a bar during the rally has tested positive for COVID-19. As cases continue to grow, we are sure there will be another batch of cases linked to the rally soon enough.

Unfortunately, events such as this and the Hamptons turning a drive-in concert into a non-socially distant rave can push the entire music and entertainment industry back even further. This behavior can also add confusion to what’s allowed or not as states continue to re-open and possibly close back up again until this virus gets under control.

 

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