Topline The Sturgis motorcycle rally is drawing some of the largest crowds it’s seen in years as it kicks off in Sturgis, South Dakota, this weekend, local law enforcement said Saturday—fueling fears the massive motorcyclist gathering will once again become a superspreader event amid the delta variant’s rapid spread. Motorcycle enthusiasts, mostly unmasked, attend the 81st annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August … [+] 8, in Sturgis, South Dakota. Getty Images Key Facts Meade County, South Dakota, Sheriff Ron Merwin said Saturday, “There are more people [at the rally] than in the 31 years I’ve been doing this,” the Rapid City Journal reports, and Merwin and Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater said calls for law enforcement are “up dramatically” versus prior years. The Meade County Sheriff’s Office reported calls to law enforcement are up by 30%, and the Sturgis police say they’ve responded to twice as many calls for service as last year, including violations of open container laws, traffic incidents and drug-related calls. Masks are not mandated at the rally, though local officials said they’re making Covid-19 tests, masks and hand sanitizer available and temporarily allowing alcohol to be consumed outdoors—only using a special souvenir cup—to keep people from gathering as much indoors. The rally, which is expected to draw an estimated 700,000 attendees, has become a source of anxiety for public health officials after last year’s event caused a major Covid-19 outbreak, with Dr. Anthony Fauci saying Sunday he’s “very concerned” the event could spur a new surg… Click below to read the full story from Forbes
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