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Sturgis Motorcycle Rally In South Dakota Caused Covid-19 Coronavirus Outbreak In Minnesota

By Jaime E. Love 1 month ago

Minnesota did not have a huge motorcycle rally from August 7 to 16. No, that was Sturgis, South Dakota. But what happens in South Dakota doesn’t necessarily stay in South Dakota.

In fact, a study published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) clearly showed that it didn’t and how one state can eventually affect other states when it comes to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. That’s because States aren’t completely separate like Kanye West fans and Taylor Swift fans. Instead, states are quite interconnected in many different ways. People cross state boundaries to do things like go to work, attend school, visit friends, and eat cheese. The study found

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South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is using COVID-19 relief funds to pay for a $5 million tourism ad campaign, despite a surge in coronavirus cases following the Sturgis motorcycle rally

By Jaime E. Love 4 months ago

  • South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is going to use $5 million in coronavirus relief funds on a tourism ad campaign. 

  • South Dakota experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases following last month’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally which researchers believe might be responsible for more than 19% of all new US cases.

  • The state now ranks second in the country for new cases per capita over the last two weeks, with 439 new cases per 100,000 people, but Noem is actively still encouraging people to visit. 

  • Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Related: 25K for world-famous motorcycle rally amid pandemic

In the weeks following the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, South Dakota has emerged as a COVID-19 hotspot. 

Despite the spike in infections, the Gov. Kristi Noem decided to spend $5 million in federal coronavirus relief funds on a tourism ad campaign to actively bring outsiders to the state, according to the Associated Press. 

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250,000 Bikers To Attend South Dakota’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Despite COVID-19

By Jaime E. Love 6 months ago

Despite COVID-19 concerns, the biggest biker event in South Dakota is still set to proceed with slight modifications, likely attracting hundreds of thousands of motorcycle riders to Sturgis and the surrounding Black Hills mountain region starting Friday this week.

The 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which will run until Aug. 16, is “an icon of American Freedom and Independence,” according to a press release put out on the Sturgis website in June that announced a “modified” version of the event.  

“After considering many options, the City Council voted in favor of moving forward with preparations for the large influx of tourists and participants coming to enjoy the Black Hills, with a focus on preserving the safety of our residents,” the release reads. “Attendees will be asked to be respectful of the community concerns by practicing social distancing and taking personal responsibility for their health by following CDC guidelines.”

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