A mammoth motorcycle rally conducted in South Dakota in August this year may have been the culprit for the fresh 260,000 coronavirus infections that have been added to the country's tally, based on scientific findings released on Tuesday.
The number of infections added by the 10-day Sturgis Motorcycle Rally that showcased motor shows, races, and numerous concerts comprised nearly 20 percent of the 1.4 million new COVID-19 cases health officials witnessed in that timetable, a non-peer evaluated research disclosed.
The findings were released by the Institute of Labor Economics in tandem with experts at the University of San Diego who monitored the motorcycle event, which attracted around 460,000 participants from August 7-16.
Most of the motorcycle enthusiasts present during the affair did not wear any face coverings or observe social distancing, the research showed, citing media reports. A month after the celebrations, scientists have discovered that thousands have fallen ill across the U.S., prompting them to label the Sturgis rally as a "Superspreader Event."
Through the application of pertinent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the researchers disclosed that a month after the motoring event, the number of infections in the county where Sturgis – which has a population of around 7,000 – is situated ballooned to six to seven per 1,000.
Clearly unfazed by the dangers of getting infected by the virus, rock group Smash Mouth vocalist Steve Harwell belted out during his performance at the event: "Now that we are all here tonight... we're being human once again. F--k that COVID s--t!"
The latest studies underscore how huge social gatherings that ignore social distancing and mask-wearing are a major detriment in the country's fight to contain the deadly disease as the world awaits a safe and effective treatment.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump used a Smash Mouth song during his election campaign in 2016. Smash Mouth played at the Lincoln Memorial ahead of Trump's presidential inauguration the following year.
