Upcoming massive events in the US alarm experts amid rising coronavirus infections

Health experts are concerned about the upcoming massive events in United States. Cases of coronavirus are on the rise, but the Iowa State Fair will attract more than 1 million people to Des Moines from across the state, including counties with low levels of vaccination and an increasing prevalence of the disease.

Other massive summer events will take place across the country, including in states that are experiencing more virus infections due to poor vaccination and Delta variant. They go from the Sturgis Motorcycle Race in South Dakota to the Minnesota State Fair, which typically attracts more than 2 million people.

In Iowa, the authorities have encouraged people to get vaccinated, but the Republican majority in the state legislature and the governor have prevented local governments from imposing vaccination requirements or the use of face masks, so there will be no restrictions for those who go to the 11 fair days beginning August 12.

“Unfortunately our current leadership has turned our backs on science and turned our backs on what is available for us to fight this pandemic, leaving Iowans fighting against what could be prevented,” said Dr. Megan Srinivas, an infectious disease specialist based in Iowa and nationally recognized for her research, including that on COVID-19.

Srinivas said people have the misconception that being outdoors is safe, when in reality the virus can spread in large condensed crowds like state fairs and large concerts.

“Every time we see a large congregation of people, especially with the mixed vaccination status, we will see a high risk of transmission and increases in transmission,” she held.

Besides, the Delta variant is two to three times more contagious than previous strains of the virus, creating an additional risk among fair-goers that they could catch it while queuing to buy food, sharing condiment dispensers and riding rides, Srinivas said. .

The Iowa State Fair will be held in Polk County, where health department spokeswoman Nola Aigner Davis raised concerns about virus trends in the state and reluctance to get vaccinated or wear masks.

“We know what the numbers say, we know that our cases are on the rise. We know that trends are on the rise. What can we do to take care of ourselves when people cannot get vaccinated? They need to wear a mask.” Davis said.

Asked last week if she was concerned about infections at the Iowa State Fair, Gov. Kim Reynolds did not respond directly, but advised attendees to get vaccinated, noting that most people hospitalized with COVID-19 are not vaccinated.

“So it is a decision they have made”, she said. “They have calculated whether to do it or not, so I don’t think we should punish everyone because some have made the decision not to do it. “

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported last week that 49% of the population of Iowa was fully vaccinated, ranking the state 21st nationally.

In at least 18 of Iowa’s 99 counties, less than 40% of the population is vaccinated, and CDC data shows that 35 counties have a high spread and 13 have a substantial spread of the virus.

Iowa also has the sixth lowest level of testing in the country among states reporting this data, which could make it difficult to detect an outbreak if it occurs.

Srinivas also raised concerns about RAGBRAI, an annual Iowa bike race that wraps up over the weekend and that typically draws about 15,000 cyclists from across the country to small towns and counties with some of the lowest vaccination rates in the state.

She called it “the perfect environment for outbreaks to occur”.

In South Dakota, the Sturgis Motorcycle Race is expected to draw about 700,000 people. The event was not canceled last year due to the pandemic, leaving 463 infections tracked among attendees. Many health experts called it a “superspreader” event. Cellular data shows that, for two weeks in August, the race transforms the sleepy town of Sturgis into a resort comparable to a large city. The race is scheduled for August 6-15.

“It’s kind of the perfect storm for pandemic spread,” said Dr. Doug Lehmann, who runs a clinic in Rapid City.

Although Dakota has had significantly fewer cases this summer compared to last year, local doctors fear the crowds will lead to a new peak.

“This year there are many forces joining to make it potentially worse (than the past),” said Dr. Jim Buchanan, a retired physician.

Only about 37% of the population in Meade County, where the race takes place, is fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

In Chicago, authorities said they felt confident about the Lollapalooza music festival this past weekend. Organizers required attendees to show proof of complete vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test no more than three days old. Dr. Allison Arwady said that people who would attend the four days of the festival would need to have two tests.

The festival, the largest music event in the city, typically draws about 100,000 attendees a day to Chicago’s Grant Park. Those who were not fully vaccinated were required to wear a mask.

The Minnesota State Fair will be back on August 26 after being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. It usually attracts more than 2 million visitors during its 12 days. Labor Day ends (celebrated on the first Monday of September in the United States).

In Minnesota, almost all restrictions due to the pandemic have been lifted, so fair officials do not anticipate there will be capacity limits. According to what has been announced so far, no mask will be required, but it is “strongly recommended” for those who are not fully vaccinated.

Proof of vaccination will not be required, but hand sanitizer will be provided at various locations throughout the 130-hectare (322-acre) fair held in the Falcon Heights suburb of St. Paul.

Garth Brooks fans will have the opportunity to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when the country music star performs on August 7 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Chiefs president Mark Donovan said last week that the team plans to take every opportunity to offer vaccines in Arrowhead, The Kansas City Star reported.