Noticed rather thin coverage of the affect the Coronavirus is having out here, so I’m going to put together updates with info and tips as we work our way past this pandemic. So far the cases in the rural midwest seem to be centering on the urban areas, though South Dakota has a couple cases in very rural counties. Given that the early Coronavirus cases tended to develop along the major air travel routes, it makes sense that the virus will take it’s time getting out here. But inevitably it will, and given the denial of the republican majority out here and their refusal to take precautions it will hit hard.
So here’s some data from Minnesota- 54 cases and Minnesota in our typically “superior” way has tested nearly 2000. The map shows some cases starting to appear away from the metro areas as the virus spreads, no doubt their are more cases in probably every county in the state. And while the metro areas have been shutting down, rural areas have been dragging their feet and will pay for that mistake later.
Here's the data for North Dakota- Perhaps due to the collapse of the oil boom North Dakota has but one case to report after 124 tests, and that case of course is in the oilfield area around Minot. And while Fargo might seem like a safe destination for a final Costco run- I went there thursday- there are no doubt more yet untested virus victims there.
And finally there’s South Dakota- Always a republican leaning outlier, this “cold Mississippi” reports 10 cases after nearly 500 tests. Unusually those cases are clear across the southern half of the state from Rapid City to Sioux Falls with some very rural counties represented too. Meanwhile, the counties hosting USD and SDSU report not a single case…
In future updates I’ll include more data and news from more rural states… Mississippi and Vermont, I didn’t forget you. Kossacks, you got anything to add?