Thousands of motorcyclists began arriving this Friday in the small town of Sturgis, in South Dakota, where the 80th motorcycle meeting will be held for 10 days. This despite fears that the encounter could provoke a massive outbreak of coronavirus.
“To hell with COVID,” read the design of a T-shirt sold in the city. “I went to Sturgis.”
Organizers expect the city of 7,000 to host some 250,000 people from across the country.
The event could become one of the largest public gatherings since it started the pandemic. Although the number of attendees this year represents half of last year, local residents, and a few motorcyclists, fear that it will generate a wide spread point in this city located about 25 miles northwest of Rapid City.
South Dakota, ruled by Republican Kristi Noem, has no limits for indoor crowds and has not made the use of masks mandatory.
The governor has taken a hands-off approach to the pandemic, preaching personal responsibility. She supported the celebration of this massive gathering and pointed out that no outbreak has been documented during President Donald Trump’s rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, nor during the fireworks at Mount Rushmore last month.
The number of daily cases of coronavirus in the state is low but is on the rise. Additionally, the test positivity rate is between 8 and 9%, above the World Health Organization recommendation of 5% or less.
[Cierran clínica hispana en Texas por hacer pruebas de COVID-19 fraudulentas]
The city plans to carry out massive tests to residents to try to detect and stop the outbreaks, but the area’s largest hospital system is already overloaded with the influx of tourists and motorcyclists who inevitably need hospital care during this time.
The local hospital, Monument Health, has added 172 beds and hopes to offer 1,300 COVID-19 tests to anyone with no symptoms, according to Mark Schulte, president of the hospital.
“They are not going to be able to maintain any kind of social distancing, there is a significant amount of alcohol involved. It’s a great party“Laura Armstrong, president of the Rapid City council, the largest near Sturgis, told CNN.
“They can infect our Native American population, to law enforcement, potentially to staff in bars, tourist attractions, hotels and motels, and even grocery stores, “he added.
More motorcycles than masks
On Friday Harley Davidson motorcycles could be seen everywhere while the masks were hardly visible. According to an account by The Associated Press, less than 10 people, out of a crowd of thousands, they used it in a span of several hours.
Meanwhile, several locals assured that they will not leave home during these days. This is the case of Carol Fellner, who has already stocked up with the necessary supplies. Her husband suffers from bouts of pneumonia and kidney problems.
COVID-19 would be a “death sentence” for him, he assured.
Stephen Sample, 66, rode his Harley from Arizona. For him, the event is a break from the routine of recent months.
“I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to be locked up all my life either“, he assured.
To avoid catching COVID-19, Sample, is trying to avoid the bars and indoor premises, where you know the risk of infection is higher. Although he confessed that on the opening day of the event, he had breakfast inside a restaurant.
But The emotion of riding a motorcycle was stronger than the fear of catching COVID-19.
“I think we are all willing to take risks,” he said.
Marsha Schmid, who owns the Side Hack Saloon in Sturgis, tried to prevent her bar and restaurant from becoming a point of spread for the virus, by spacing the tables inside and placing a lot of hand sanitizer.
Schmid also reduced the number of music groups. Many of his employees depend on this event and the tips that his attendees can give, he said.
“There are people who come from all over the world,” he said. “I just hope they are responsible and that if they don’t feel well, they stay away.”
Sample is aware that his trip to Sturgis may end in the hospital, this worries him.
“Could be a big mistake“, settled.
With information from The Associated Press and CNN.
–
/data/photo/2020/08/08/5f2e9eb9bdcd3.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
