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Judi Lynn

(160,219 posts)
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:24 PM Aug 2020

Annual Sturgis rally expecting 250K, stirring virus concerns

Source: Associated Press


Stephen Groves, Associated Press
Updated 10:47 am CDT, Sunday, August 2, 2020

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — 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.”

In a survey of residents conducted by the city, more than 60% said the rally should be postponed. But businesses pressured the City Council to proceed.



Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/article/Annual-Sturgis-rally-expecting-250K-stirring-15452439.php

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Annual Sturgis rally expecting 250K, stirring virus concerns (Original Post) Judi Lynn Aug 2020 OP
Stay safe everyone Hello1 Aug 2020 #1
PLEASE WEAR MASKS! WASH YOUR HANDS! AND STAND APART A LITTLE! raging moderate Aug 2020 #2
Because bikers are known for common sense and restraint. marble falls Aug 2020 #20
my thought too. TeamPooka Aug 2020 #38
Allegedly, these are the turd's people. These are his "muscle", beer bellies notwithstanding... not_the_one Aug 2020 #70
Wear masks? xxqqqzme Aug 2020 #47
Money Trumps life Traildogbob Aug 2020 #9
if you mean anti-abortion, barbtries Aug 2020 #44
They call themselves Traildogbob Aug 2020 #53
i just object to barbtries Aug 2020 #55
I understand. Traildogbob Aug 2020 #57
Biker rallies all over the country have cancelled. Some states should restrict travel to stop groups brewens Aug 2020 #3
You are right Traildogbob Aug 2020 #12
Your last sentence nails it. I'm sorry for the puss oozing out of the band aid 45 has ripped off. Evolve Dammit Aug 2020 #64
You as well Traildogbob Aug 2020 #65
"businesses pressured the City Council to proceed" Well, fuck the businesses. We could easily... TreasonousBastard Aug 2020 #4
"but we choose to expose a quarter million people to a deadly disease." EX500rider Aug 2020 #16
People under their own free will can choose to do a lot of stupid things-- that's why we have... TreasonousBastard Aug 2020 #32
Exactly right. Democracy means the majority rules. jaxexpat Aug 2020 #34
With idiocy like this Olafjoy Aug 2020 #5
U.S.A. Duppers Aug 2020 #50
"Will offer businesses a chance to make up for loses from coronavirus" Docreed2003 Aug 2020 #6
Cleansing the gene pool. jalan48 Aug 2020 #7
Cull the herd. LastLiberal in PalmSprings Aug 2020 #29
Tough, rugged individualists... SergeStorms Aug 2020 #35
I would get the hell out of Dodge (so to speak)... dhill926 Aug 2020 #8
Human Sacrifice to the Business Gods bucolic_frolic Aug 2020 #10
But businesses needed some cash so 2naSalit Aug 2020 #11
Tom Davis's funny story about he and Dan Aykroyd at Sturgis underpants Aug 2020 #13
2003 Jimbo S Aug 2020 #68
Okay maybe that was the event underpants Aug 2020 #69
Made the run in '94 JustGene Aug 2020 #14
What could possibly go wrong? denem Aug 2020 #15
They can wear bandanas over their faces if they want to look badass IronLionZion Aug 2020 #17
Nevermind 'badass'. Aristus Aug 2020 #19
Black leather can be very hot in August IronLionZion Aug 2020 #21
That's not the kind of hot I meant. Aristus Aug 2020 #22
That's why they wear leather IronLionZion Aug 2020 #25
and from smearing their flesh on the pavement. Marcuse Aug 2020 #63
How could you tell? SergeStorms Aug 2020 #42
Hahahaha!!!! Talitha Aug 2020 #54
Bandanas have been shown... SergeStorms Aug 2020 #36
They can wear it over their mask, no one would have to know IronLionZion Aug 2020 #60
If I lived in Stugis, I'd be packing for a two week stay up in the wilderness. marble falls Aug 2020 #18
The people of Sturgis want them... SergeStorms Aug 2020 #39
Cut out a lot of personal contact with hoardes of outsiders. marble falls Aug 2020 #43
60% Don't Want Them ProfessorGAC Aug 2020 #58
It's "Amity Island" all over again B Stieg Aug 2020 #23
The ads write themselves... Roy Rolling Aug 2020 #24
Quarantine! Hulk Aug 2020 #26
Thinning the herd of less MF45 supporters to not vote for him in November kimbutgar Aug 2020 #27
Just like Vincent Price movie Masque of Red Death bronxiteforever Aug 2020 #28
Every damn day I feel like the guy yelling "Wait! Stop! STAAHHHHHP!" Grokenstein Aug 2020 #30
quarter million people gathered llashram Aug 2020 #31
I agree! Rebl2 Aug 2020 #40
But think of the great deals on used bikes. marble falls Aug 2020 #45
HA!! llashram Aug 2020 #52
Contageous travelers will infect citizens across America..... KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2020 #33
The Demise. Freedums on one side and Authoritarian Abuse on the other. n/t MarcA Aug 2020 #51
Let only I_UndergroundPanther Aug 2020 #37
i immediately tried to reach my biker friend barbtries Aug 2020 #41
BOOORN TO BE (COUGH COUGH) WII (COUGH COUGH)... CCExile Aug 2020 #46
I get the feeling it may not be a bust, but I bet it hits around "only" 100,000. marble falls Aug 2020 #48
No worries. Most of them are doctors and lawyers and dentists dalton99a Aug 2020 #49
Well, 3 of Them, Anyway! ProfessorGAC Aug 2020 #59
Just try 'n stop 'em if you dare... JohnnyRingo Aug 2020 #56
"Business pressure" once again will be the reason for another spike in cases. BigmanPigman Aug 2020 #61
Let those business owners try and enforce ANY kind of safety measures........ Bengus81 Aug 2020 #62
There's gonna be a lotta used Harleys for sale in the coming months Blue Owl Aug 2020 #66
FREEDUMB !!!111 nt Progressive Jones Aug 2020 #67
Thankfully almost all bikers are in their 20's, prime of their life healthy NickB79 Aug 2020 #71
Sarcasm? Jimbo S Aug 2020 #76
I think it is a safe bet that the poster was being sarcastic. (eom) StevieM Aug 2020 #77
Loads of it. NickB79 Aug 2020 #78
I wish Trump would show up to mingle with his biker friends. riversedge Aug 2020 #72
selfish fucking assholes Skittles Aug 2020 #73
Be my guests. oasis Aug 2020 #74
Is Toilet Ted going to play there this year? Wolf Frankula Aug 2020 #75

raging moderate

(4,281 posts)
2. PLEASE WEAR MASKS! WASH YOUR HANDS! AND STAND APART A LITTLE!
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:28 PM
Aug 2020

Last edited Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:54 PM - Edit history (1)

We don't need any more mass tragedies!

 

not_the_one

(2,227 posts)
70. Allegedly, these are the turd's people. These are his "muscle", beer bellies notwithstanding...
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 12:39 PM
Aug 2020


Assholes with obnoxiously loud "compensaters".

They will be eager and willing to do ANYTHING to show support for their fuehrer.

Bikers, cops and the military. Allegedly. The turd has already lost the military, and a LOT of the cops. All that's left are a few nazis in training on loud bikes. That says a lot.

It will be really funny when he doesn't accept the election results, shouts RIGGED, RIGGED, and no one shows up to surround him with protection...

That is assuming that he will even still be in the country. More than likely, he will not.

Traildogbob

(8,584 posts)
9. Money Trumps life
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:39 PM
Aug 2020

Always has. Always will. And usually the ones getting the money take no risk. Not here though. Those businesses and their tip dependent workers will be at max risk, as will their families. But, what choice do they have with Mitch the bitch et al. Pro life republicans as always. Those attending should be denied access to hospitals and putting even more at risk. On the bright, trumps motorcycle cult will get the Herman Cain exit strategy. We gonna run out of burial real estate. May thin out his miles and miles of motorcycles with Trump flags he loved so much.
Any bets on Trump attending Cains funeral on a golf weekend?
Sorry, but no fucks left here. Lick a door Knob on an assisted living home assholes.

barbtries

(28,703 posts)
44. if you mean anti-abortion,
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:41 PM
Aug 2020

please use that term or at least put "pro life" in quotes. we need to take that nomenclature away from people who are no such thing. thank you.

Traildogbob

(8,584 posts)
53. They call themselves
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 04:20 PM
Aug 2020

Pro-Life. I used that term to express the ridiculous hypocrisy of the GOP and their concern for “life“ post womb. After the package is opened that life is completely expendable. Like a rare comic book. Post womb people mean zero to the self proclaimed Pro Lifers. If they hate abortion, don’t have one. That is the decision of that family alone. FreeDumb. Trump Family alone show why abortion is sometimes the correct choice.

barbtries

(28,703 posts)
55. i just object to
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 04:37 PM
Aug 2020

giving them that ground. I'm pro life in reality and pro choice. it's just a pet peeve.

Traildogbob

(8,584 posts)
57. I understand.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 05:20 PM
Aug 2020

I will be more aware of my words. We all have pet peeves and personal opinions. I think we both are of the same opinion on pro life and right to chose. I am an only parent with 30 year old daughter. I stand for her decision for her body and health. If she were brutally attacked by a meth head trump humper when she is leaving ICU after a 12 hour shift in the early hours, NOBODY but her can make the choice. Or if a librul pot head, atheist, Hillary supporting, bisexual Muslim supporter attacked a Karen Jesus freak Trump bumper, would I have any right to dictate Karen’s choice to keep it or not.
Stay safe, life is precious. Even theirs. The Trumps......I have an opinion.

brewens

(13,400 posts)
3. Biker rallies all over the country have cancelled. Some states should restrict travel to stop groups
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:30 PM
Aug 2020

of bikers heading there from coming through. There are biker bars everywhere that depend on the big rallies packing the place, even if they are nowhere near them. Great idea to have bars packed with people that are blowing off all common sense safety measures. That's begging to have outbreaks.

Traildogbob

(8,584 posts)
12. You are right
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:47 PM
Aug 2020

I live in Western North Carolina. Bike rallies every weekend. With them are a constant flow of Floridiots and Georgia tourists. Usually the ones at grocery stores with no mask and trump shit on their Florida tagged vehicles, they don’t give a fuck. I agree. Stay the fuck in you own republican rules state. I volunteer to be state border militia. We don’t have a border threat with Mexico or Canada. We have it with Florida, Georgia, Texas et al. Many species go extinct with stupid, we are on that highway to hell.

Evolve Dammit

(16,632 posts)
64. Your last sentence nails it. I'm sorry for the puss oozing out of the band aid 45 has ripped off.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 09:33 PM
Aug 2020

Don't know if it is salvageable. We will see in the next 6 months. Stay safe.

Traildogbob

(8,584 posts)
65. You as well
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 10:12 PM
Aug 2020

Avoid bike rallies. Unless they are mandated to wear full face helmets 24/7. And head to toe leather with full fingers gloves. Then 6 feet may work.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
4. "businesses pressured the City Council to proceed" Well, fuck the businesses. We could easily...
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:32 PM
Aug 2020

reimburse businesses for at least some of the lost revenue, but we choose to expose a quarter million people to a deadly disease.

Some goddam MAGA that is.

EX500rider

(10,532 posts)
16. "but we choose to expose a quarter million people to a deadly disease."
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 02:30 PM
Aug 2020

No, people who decide to go on their own free will choose that. And I doubt the City Hall has enough surplus cash to hand out in a town that small. Canceling it would have made sense though.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
32. People under their own free will can choose to do a lot of stupid things-- that's why we have...
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:14 PM
Aug 2020

things like speed limits.

And it's not City Hall that bails out businesses, it's a national effort.

jaxexpat

(6,703 posts)
34. Exactly right. Democracy means the majority rules.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:15 PM
Aug 2020

The interests of non-sentients don't count. Tell them NO.

Lots of people are finding that they can survive quite nicely with less help from the "job creators".

Docreed2003

(16,818 posts)
6. "Will offer businesses a chance to make up for loses from coronavirus"
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:35 PM
Aug 2020

That is why they are doing this. I understand the appeal of Sturgis and what that must mean to the local economy but it is a sad statement on our national response, or lack thereof, that communities are willing to put themselves and others around the country at risk, just to host their event. This will be a disaster long term. Prime example of why we can't get this crap under control in our country

underpants

(182,285 posts)
13. Tom Davis's funny story about he and Dan Aykroyd at Sturgis
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:50 PM
Aug 2020

Of Franken and Davis

Aykroyd is asked to MC the main Harley stage. He takes Davis along for laughs and to write jokes. They have an area under the stage. Danny goes up a staircase to introduce the next act, tell a joke, make announcements. It’s all building towards that night and the “Special Musical Guest” which at the time for an event like this probably meant The Stones. All day in the sun baked Bikers. As a helicopter comes flying in Danny is handed a piece of paper by the President of Harley-Davidson (I think) this is his choice. Aykroyd wisely goes over to Davis and tells him, “I don’t know what’s inside this paper so get the limo started up and have the door open for me”. Davis is in the limo backseat waiting as Aykroyd mounts the stage...opens the paper... and says Ladies and Gentlemen......ELTON JOHN!

Davis and Aykroyd were gone within a minute.

Jimbo S

(2,955 posts)
68. 2003
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 11:54 AM
Aug 2020

Harley's 100th anniversary bash in Milwaukee had Elton as the Musical Guest. People started getting and leaving. When I worked at H-D years later, the office people were still curious "I still can't believe no one got fired over that".

underpants

(182,285 posts)
69. Okay maybe that was the event
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 12:36 PM
Aug 2020

Or maybe it happened twice. The Harley President was supposedly a big Elton fan. I thought it was Sturgis.

Aristus

(66,099 posts)
22. That's not the kind of hot I meant.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 02:53 PM
Aug 2020

But yeah, I'm sure she's that kind of hot, too. I wonder if bikers rely on wind-chill when riding at speed to overcome the heat of all that leather?

SergeStorms

(18,907 posts)
36. Bandanas have been shown...
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:30 PM
Aug 2020

to be next to useless in protection of the wearer, and in transmission to others. I see these "bad asses" all over with their bandanas on, and feel like telling them, but at my age pugilism is off the menu.

SergeStorms

(18,907 posts)
39. The people of Sturgis want them...
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:33 PM
Aug 2020

make them stay in Sturgis on self-quarantine for two weeks. No one attending gets out of Sturgis for at least two weeks. That would cut down a little on attendance. Maybe.

ProfessorGAC

(64,427 posts)
58. 60% Don't Want Them
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 06:15 PM
Aug 2020

The council bowed to businesses. In a town of 7,000, small biz owners likely have undue clout.
Well, they must if 60% of the residents wanted to cancel this year's gathering.

 

Hulk

(6,699 posts)
26. Quarantine!
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:01 PM
Aug 2020

Since it's out of their control to cancel, if I was a resident in or near Sturgis, I'd simply stay off the streets and follow the protocols because your town is about to be hit with a major influx of coronavirus infections.

Got to make that almighty buck.

kimbutgar

(20,882 posts)
27. Thinning the herd of less MF45 supporters to not vote for him in November
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:04 PM
Aug 2020

Please proceed.

They’ll learn two weeks after the event that Corona virus is not a hoax.

bronxiteforever

(9,287 posts)
28. Just like Vincent Price movie Masque of Red Death
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:05 PM
Aug 2020

A wild interpretation of Poe By Roger Corman. Poe’s last line was also in the movie.
“And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all."


llashram

(6,265 posts)
31. quarter million people gathered
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:12 PM
Aug 2020

to worship motorcycles. Three weeks later how many have COVID-19 and how many more have they infected? This is insane

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,483 posts)
33. Contageous travelers will infect citizens across America.....
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:15 PM
Aug 2020

not just each other in Sturgis. Our freedoms are killing us.

Demographics (from Wikipedia):

There were 2,916 households of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.1% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the city was 41.2 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.3% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 18.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

Hope Sturgis has a nice, well-equipped hospital for the hangover.......

KY

barbtries

(28,703 posts)
41. i immediately tried to reach my biker friend
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:38 PM
Aug 2020

to make sure she's not going. She's 65. Pretty sure she's got a biker boyfriend who is younger, possibly by a lot.

ProfessorGAC

(64,427 posts)
59. Well, 3 of Them, Anyway!
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 06:17 PM
Aug 2020

But, that's out of the usual half million.
So, only 1&1/2 doctors and lawyers.
Would that be 3/4ths of a doctor & 3/4ths of a lawyer?

JohnnyRingo

(18,581 posts)
56. Just try 'n stop 'em if you dare...
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 05:13 PM
Aug 2020

I'm not talking about the bikers, but just try to get between the Sturgis merchants and the money they fleece from tourists. Most of them only work one month a year, then Netflix & chill for 10 months

BigmanPigman

(51,432 posts)
61. "Business pressure" once again will be the reason for another spike in cases.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 06:53 PM
Aug 2020

Do these idiots ever learn? Take an economic hit now or it will continue and be a lot worse later, again. DUH!

Bengus81

(6,909 posts)
62. Let those business owners try and enforce ANY kind of safety measures........
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 07:17 PM
Aug 2020

Never happen. They wanted this shit, then they shall get it.

NickB79

(19,117 posts)
71. Thankfully almost all bikers are in their 20's, prime of their life healthy
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 04:09 PM
Aug 2020

It's not like they're mostly older, heavier men with histories of bad diets, smoking and no exercise. If that was the case I'd be pretty worried.

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