Covid-19 Alert: The 10 Riskiest States To Visit Right Now, Ranked
Traveling in the U.S. is becoming riskier by the day, as the country continues to
break records for new Covid-19 cases.
Yet not every hot spot is generating the same level of heat. Even as the
coronavirus spreads like wildfire, it can be useful to identify which parts of the country present the highest risk so you can stay away until the virus is brought under control.
It’s helpful, too, to keep an eye on how states are handling the crisis — or not handling it. While some governors take steps to rein in the spread of the disease by laying down restrictions in the form of face-mask mandates, curfews, quarantine protocols and even shutdowns, other states — often those with the highest caseloads — are doing comparatively little.
Countless public health experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease expert, have said that widespread face mask-wearing is the most effective way for Americans to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
So why do some states mandate face masks and others do not? A
study published in early September from the University of Washington found that governors’ partisanship was the key determining factor. “The most important predictor is whether a state is led by a Republican governor,” wrote the researchers. “These states were much slower to adopt mandates, if they did so at all.”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/johann...ese-changes-hint-canadas-border-might-reopen/
Two months after that report was published, the pattern continues. Here’s a state-by-state rundown of the riskiest states to visit right now, along with an overview of current Covid-19 protocols.
1) South Dakota
Risk factors: No statewide mask mandate - 154.5 new daily cases per 100,000 people - 58.8% of Covid tests are positive
Few governors have been more defiantly anti-mask than South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a Republican, whose state is the epicenter of Covid-19 spread. The Mount Rushmore state is recording a staggering 154.5 new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people, on a rolling weekly average,
according to the Harvard-Brown risk-assessment tool. Any state with over 25 new daily cases per 100,000 people is colored red on the map, which means it is considered “at a tipping point.” South Dakota’s risk level is more than 500% above that threshold, a breathtaking failure to manage the crisis.
Importantly, South Dakota’s percent positive rate is 58.8%, also the highest in the country,
according to data from Johns Hopkins University. That means nearly six in 10 Covid tests come back positive. The percent positive should ideally be under 5%, according the World Health Organization. Worse yet, positivity has risen in South Dakota for the past two consecutive weeks, which suggests that the state is not close to getting the virus under control.
2) North Dakota
Risk factors: Brand new statewide mask mandate - 141.4 new daily cases per 100,000 people - 15.7% of Covid tests are positive
Just yesterday, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a Republican, acquiesced to pressure from public health experts and announced a month-long statewide mask mandate. Masks must be worn in indoor businesses and public spaces and outside in public spaces when social distancing is impossible.
Burgum hasn’t led on this issue; local officials across the state had previously issued their own mask mandates in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot and the state’s two largest Native American reservations.
North Dakota is racking up an average of 141.4 new daily Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people, which is more than 465% higher than the “tipping point” threshold.
North Dakota’s percent positive rate is 15.7%, more than three times higher than what is deemed safe. Positivity has been rising for the past two consecutive weeks.
3) Iowa
Risk factors: No statewide mask mandate - 135.8 new daily cases per 100,000 people - 52.6% of Covid tests are positive
Throughout the pandemic, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, has staunchly opposed a full statewide mask mandate and has also forbidden cities and counties from imposing their own local mask rules.
Last week Reynolds announced a watered-down new face mask requirement that only applies to certain indoor social, community, recreational or leisure gatherings with more than 25 people. The mandate applies to select activities, such as parties, Thanksgiving get-togethers and wedding receptions. But it does not apply to others, such as wedding ceremonies and religious services.
Most notably, Reynolds’ proclamation also does not apply to everyday businesses like restaurants (which research indicates is
the riskiest activity during a pandemic), retail stores and movie theaters. “You can still eat in a restaurant. You can still go to a movie and work out at the gym — and in many states you can’t do that,” Reynolds told reporters at a news conference. “Iowa is open for business, and we intend to keep it that way.” Bars remain open across the state.
In the past week, Iowa recorded an average of 135.8 new daily Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people, which is 443% higher than the “tipping point” threshold.
Iowa’s percent positive rate is 52.6%, the third highest in the country, and more than 10 times higher than what is deemed safe. Positivity has been rising for the past two consecutive weeks.
4) Wyoming
Risk factors: No statewide mask mandate - 125.8 new daily cases per 100,000 people - 43.4% of Covid tests are positive
During an emotional press conference last Friday, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, a Republican, said he is considering a statewide face mask requirement. At several points during his news briefing, Gordon raised his voice and told residents he was angry and concerned.
Since the start of the pandemic, Gordon has soft-pedaled the crisis by issuing recommendations rather than requirements. For example, patrons at salons and other personal-care businesses are required to wear masks “as much as possible.” Workers at gyms, entertainment venues, and restaurants and bars must wear masks only if they come within six feet of customers or other staff. Face coverings are “recommended” for the general public. Instead of a statewide mandate, Gordon has kicked the can to local authorities.
Wyoming is currently racking up an average of 125.8 new daily Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people, which is 403% higher than the “tipping point” threshold.
Wyoming’s percent positive rate is 43.4%, nearly nine times higher than the 5% target. Positivity has been rising for the past two consecutive weeks.
5) Wisconsin
Risk factors: Stay-at-home order - full statewide mask mandate - 112.9 new daily cases per 100,000 people - 17.7% of Covid tests are positive
Last week, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, delivered a rare primetime speech in which he announced a
new statewide stay-at-home mandate. His executive order urges people to only leave home when necessary, such as for trips to work, or to go to the grocery store, or to refill prescriptions. Wisconsin has had a statewide face covering mandate since Evers’ emergency order took effect on August 1.
Wisconsin is currently recording an average of 112.9 new daily Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people, which is more than 350% above the “tipping point” threshold.
Iowa’s percent positive rate is 17.7%, more than three times higher than what is deemed safe. Positivity has been rising for the past two consecutive weeks.
6) Nebraska
Risk factors: No statewide mask mandate - 107.0 new daily cases per 100,000 people - 14.2% of Covid tests are positive
Yesterday, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, a Republican, said in a press conference that he will not consider a statewide mask mandate, despite the growing Covid-19 crisis in his state. Instead, Ricketts introduced a new Directed Health Measure (DHM) that will postpone non-urgent surgeries. Ricketts has said that individual cities can impose their own mask mandates, following in the footsteps of Omaha and Lincoln, depending on their charter laws.
In the past week, Nebraska recorded an average of 107 new daily Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people, which is 328% above the “tipping point” threshold.
Nebraska’s percent positive rate is 14.2%, nearly three times higher than what is deemed safe. Positivity has been rising for the past two consecutive weeks.
7) Illinois
Risk factors: Statewide mask mandate - 100.4 new daily cases per 100,000 people - 13.2% of Covid tests are positive
Last week, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, warned that his state could be on the verge of having to shut down again. Pritzker extended a host of coronavirus-related executive orders, including face mask requirement, for another 30 days.
Illinois is currently recording an average of 100.4 new daily Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people, which is four times higher than the “tipping point” threshold.
The percent positive rate is 13.2%, more than twice as high as the target. Positivity has been rising for the past two consecutive weeks.
8) Minnesota
Risk factors: Statewide mask mandate - 94.0 new daily cases per 100,000 people - 14.2% of Covid tests are positive
Minnesota has had a statewide mask mandate in place since late July. Last week, Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, announced a new set of limitations. “I have to be absolutely candid in Minnesota. We are in the midst of a significant surge in coronavirus cases,” Walz told reporters.
Now no more than 10 people from a maximum of three households can gather at indoor and outdoor private social gatherings in Minnesota. Bars and restaurants are limited to 50% capacity both indoors and outdoors with a maximum of 150 people. Dine-in service will end at 10 p.m., though delivery can continue after that time.
In the past week, Minnesota recorded an average of 94 new daily Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people, more than 276% above the “tipping point” threshold.
Minnesota’s percent positive rate is 14.2%, nearly three times higher than what is deemed safe. Positivity has been rising for the past two consecutive weeks.
9) Utah
Risk factors: Statewide mask mandate - 87.7 new daily cases per 100,000 people - 17.8% of Covid tests are positive
Utah Governor Gary Herbert, a Republican, issued an executive order that took effect last week, which includes a statewide mask requirement. It replaced a system of county-level mask mandates based on local Covid-19 transmission rates. People must wear a face covering in public and whenever they are within six feet of someone from a separate household.
Utah is currently recording an average of 87.7 new daily Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people, which is 250% above the “tipping point” threshold.
Utah’s percent positive rate is 17.8%, more than twice as high as the target. Positivity has been rising for the past two consecutive weeks.
10) Kansas
Risk factors: Largely unenforced statewide mask mandate - 83.3 new daily cases per 100,000 people - 58.7% of Covid tests are positive
Yesterday, the Sunflower State set another record yesterday for new coronavirus cases. In response, some churches suspended indoor services and even the Topeka Zoo tightened its rules.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, a Democrat, issued an executive order July 2 requiring Kansans over the age of 5 to wear face coverings in public. But, subsequently, the Republican-controlled state legislature stripped her of some emergency powers and allowed counties to opt out of the mandate. As of now, almost 80% of the state’s counties have opted out.
In the past week, Kansas recorded an average of 83.3 new daily Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people, a whopping 233% above the “tipping point” threshold.
While Kansas currently sits at number 10 on the Covid leaderboard, that position could rise in the coming weeks. The state’s percent positive rate is 58.7%, just a hair behind South Dakota, and nearly six times higher than the level deemed safe. Positivity has been rising for the past two consecutive weeks.
I for one won’t be taking this shit for years , I let others BETA test.
