The Friday Link for 8/20/21

Let's go to the Fair...well maybe not in person this year.

After the Minnesota State Fair decided to only encourage face mask wearing, and to not mandate it, and decided not to have a vaccine mandate for all fair goers, many people changed their mind and said "maybe we'll pass on attending this year's Minnesota State Fair," which begins next Thursday in Falcon Heights, just north of St. Paul.  Not only is the Fair a mess of people in a non pandemic year, but you already know plenty of people will take the State Fair's stance as 'validation' there's nothing to worry about, heading to the fairgrounds with zero regard for anyone but themselves.

I guarantee many sick people, both knowingly and unknowingly, will attend the Fair. My guess is you'll see the super spreader event begin before the end of the Fair on Labor Day.

Sigh...

I'm not going.  I might make a weekday morning run on a rainy day to get certain favorite foods and bring them back home, but 30 minutes tops, and only when the place is relatively empty.  And that is a BIG if.

For this weeks link, a few Fair videos for you. Starting off with a KARE 11 bit on the history of the Fair. 

Also from KARE 11 is a history of the Grandstand piece they did in 2009. 

From the Minnesota Historical Society, here are some historical films from the Fair.

And finally the KARE 11 piece where they compared the Minnesota and Iowa State Fair. I spent three years covering the Iowa State Fair, so I can tell you authoritatively, Minnesota is better, far better! That being said, if you want either a better pork chop, a plethora of pandering politicians, or a fair which is FAR more farmer and Ag industry geared, than Iowa beats Minnesota.  For overall fun, it's not even close; Minnesota. Sorry, but it's the truth.

Every time a governor, a city, or an event (like a State Fair) tries the "Personal Responsibility" method of dealing with the Corona Virus, it's becomes a nightmare. We know what we need to do, and yet too many people are intentionally ignoring the right path.  Many people are getting sick.  WAY to many people have died.

Get vaccinated, wear a mask, socially distance.

I don't want you dead,

I don't want you sick,

And I don't want you bankrupted by medical bills.

Be careful.  Have a great weekend.