South Dakota To Hold Potential Superspreader Event Co-Sponsored By Health Care Firm
In the wake of an August superspreader event that may have led to more than 250,000 cases of COVID-19, South Dakota is holding yet another potential superspreader event next month ― and this one is co-sponsored by a nonprofit health care company.
Sanford Health, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is presenting the inaugural Governor Noem’s Sportsmen’s Showcase and Concert, which a state government press release describes as an indoor “family-friendly trade show specializing in all things outdoors, including hunting, fishing, recreation and more.”
The trade show, to be held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center & Arena at the end of October, could bring together nearly 100 exhibitors. There will also be a concert by country singer Chris Young, which is specifically sponsored by Sanford Health.
“This event is all about showcasing everything our great state has to offer to help drive continued economic growth,” said Paul Hanson, president and CEO of Sanford Health, Sioux Falls region, in the press release. “We’re honored to play a role in supporting this longstanding South Dakota tradition.”
Nowhere on the site for the Sportsmen’s Showcase and concert does it indicate that there is a pandemic going on or that provisions have been put in place for attendees to protect themselves. The concert is expected to draw about 5,000 people, per The Daily Beast.
The move is particularly odd for Young, who previously canceled a string of tour dates this summer because of the pandemic. It’s unclear why he chose to go forward with this particular concert.
Representatives for Young, the Sportsmen’s Showcase media team, and Sanford Health did not respond to HuffPost’s requests for comment on what, if anything, the event will be doing in response to the pandemic.
The trade show and concert are happening on the heels of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, an annual 10-day event held last month that brought an estimated 460,000 people to South Dakota. The rally...
