The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was its usual enormous event - from last August 7th through the 16th - there were an estimated 500,000 people doing what they do best, partying and checking out all the entertainment - from restaurants to bars and packing themselves in to be a part of a concert featuring such bands like Quiet Riot, Drowning Pool, Trapt. Many reports of blatant disrespect for social distancing, wearing masks have made it obvious that COVID-19 was treated lightly by most Sturgis visitors. Results are pouring in and the news is staggering - over 250,000 cases of COVID-19 have been connected to the rally and concert, according to a new study by the IZA Institute of Labor Economics. MSN News goes on to say The study tracked anonymized cellphone data from the rally that showed "smartphone pings from non-residents" and "foot traffic at restaurants and bars, retail establishments, entertainment venues, hotels, and campgrounds each rose substantially." Stay-at-home hours for local residents fell at the same time.

IZA also claims that the rally was a coronavirus hotbed event that cost public health agencies $12.2 billion. South Dakota Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon disagreed with the studies, pointing out the cellphone data and cases linked aren't proven. The 10-day rally featured so many events of people jam-packed in bars and indoor facilities while some people were quite vocal in their disdain and frustrations. One such performer, singer Steve Harwell from Smash Mouth shouted out while onstage “Now we’re all here together tonight. And we’re being human once again. F@## that Covid S##t"

The coronavirus once again should not be something to take lightly, the facts of lives lost are real, not fabricated, or intended to merely cause fear - it's killing people - period. For more on this story click here.


 

 

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