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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums'Huge, foolish mistake': Sturgis residents split over giant bike rally as coronavirus cases rise
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. Sturgis is on. The message has been broadcast across social media as South Dakota, which has seen an uptick in coronavirus infections in recent weeks, braces to host hundreds of thousands of bikers for the 80th edition of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
More than 250,000 people are expected to rumble through western South Dakota, seeking the freedom of cruising the boundless landscapes in a state that has skipped lockdowns. The Aug. 7 to 16 event, which could be the biggest anywhere so far during the pandemic, will offer businesses that depend on the rally a chance to make up for losses caused by the coronavirus. But for many in Sturgis, a city of about 7,000, the brimming bars and bacchanalia will not be welcome during a pandemic.
Though only about half the usual number of people are expected at this year's event, residents were split as the city weighed its options. Many worried that the rally would cause an unmanageable outbreak of COVID-19.
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. The government of Sturgis needs to care most for its citizens.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/huge-foolish-mistake-sturgis-residents-split-over-giant-bike-rally-as-coronavirus-cases-rise/ar-BB17wwqh?li=BBnb7Kz
catbyte
(34,423 posts)Good luck to the folks in Sturgis. It's a spectacular piece of the country.
lkinwi
(1,477 posts)msongs
(67,433 posts)Timewas
(2,195 posts)Thin the herd some more
hatrack
(59,592 posts)MontanaMama
(23,334 posts)we cant have nice things.
TeamPooka
(24,242 posts)TheCowsCameHome
(40,168 posts)then we died.
Life's a killer sometimes.
Srkdqltr
(6,313 posts)The town was packed with people. Most quite drunk or high. Stores loaded. Bikes parked very close together the length of the main street and several other streets. No. Not good.
MyOwnPeace
(16,937 posts)next year they'll have a special flag on the back of their bikes honoring those brothers lost in the "War on COVID."