Dr Anthony Fauci was blasted for saying he was worried about the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as a potential superspreader event but not mentioning Barack Obama's controversial 60th birthday party.
As day three was winding down Sunday, President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser said during an interview on NBC's Meet the Press that he understood why people want to attend, but said he remains 'concerned' about the potential to be a super-spreader event.
Fauci said: 'Well I'm very concerned that we're going to see another surge related to that rally
'I mean, to me it's understandable that people want to do the kinds of things they want to do. They want their freedom to do that,' Fauci said.
'But there comes a time when you're dealing with a public health crisis that could involve you, your family and everyone else, that something supersedes that need to do exactly what you want to do.'
This riled up Fauci critics and rally participants who tore into the polarizing health expert on Twitter for not saying the same thing about former Obama's Great Gatsby-like soiree at his $12million Martha's Vineyard mansion, where guests celebrated the former president's 60th birthday.
Obama had planned to host more than 500 people for his birthday last week, but claimed to have dramatically scaled back the gathering amid condemnation and claims he was setting a bad example.
Dr. Anthony Fauci expressed concerned that the Sturgi bike rally would be a potential 'super-spreader' event, but didn't say anything about the hundreds gathered at Obama's Martha's Vineyard mansion for his 60th birthday party
The 10-day rally is expected to draw 700,000 from Friday, August 6 to Sunday, August 15
Motorcycle enthusiasts gather for a group photo during the 81st annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 8, 2021 in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 8, 2021 - the third day of the rally
Pictured: People walk down the streets of Sturgis, South Dakota during the rally, which is expected to draw more than 500,000 people during its 10-day run
The 81st annual rally has already been linked to three motorcycle deaths and 207 open container violations
A sign outside a temporary shop advertising piercings and tattoos near the rally reads, ' F*** COVID Tour'
'Yeah, no,' Twitter user 'RedState's Becca Lower' said. 'We should not have unelected bureaucrats telling us what our rights are, period!'
'I have come to loathe Fauci. I cannot believe I fell for this fraud for even a minute. Lollapalooza: Nothing. Obama birthday party: Nothing. Riding a motorcycle in the free air: SATAN'S DEVIL VIRUS WILL GET YA!' Melissa McKenzie tweeted.
'Kenny F.' tweeted, 'Lollapalooza, Obama's birthday, Bowser's wedding, etc etc etc Those telling us to worry aren't themselves worried, so why should we be?'
'No comment from St. Fauci on Obama’s soirée last night with a few hundred of his closest friends - or how about Lollapalooza last week in Chicago. Or, I guess it’s SELECTIVE festivities, because the virus knows, and only attacks those who fit the Dems’ narrative,' Sarah Johnson tweeted.
Pictured: Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and what appears to be close friends and family have brunch at Beach Road in Vineyard Haven, MA, which is on Martha's Vineyard
A boat is moored outside the Beach Road restaurant, where on Sunday a marquee housed guests enjoying brunch on the third day of Barack Obama's celebrations
The vast main tent stands out over surrounding mansions on Martha's Vineyard
These were just a few of the Twitter users who ripped Fauci for not saying Obama's birthday party could be a potential super-spreader event
Mask-less rallygoers filled the streets and packed nearby establishments as local health care workers worry about COVID
At least three people died in motorcycle accidents in the area Friday, including one man who was struck by a pickup truck that switched lanes trying to avoid other motorcycles
A team of researchers from the CDC concluded that last year's rally ended up looking like a 'superspreader event'
Pictured: Motorcycle enthusiasts attend the 81st annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 08, 2021 in Sturgis, South Dakota
Mike Geyer stands on the porch of his home where he rents spaces in his front and back yard to campers attending the 81st annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 08, 2021 in Sturgis, South Dakota
Motorcycle enthusiasts attend the 81st annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 8, 2021 in Sturgis, South Dakota
A stunt rider with the Unknown Industries Stunt Show performs at the Harley-Davidson exhibit at the 81st annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 8, 2021 in Sturgis, South Dakota
People look over new motorcycles at the Harley-Davidson exhibit at the 81st annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 8, 2021 in Sturgis, South Dakota
The rally - which is the largest motorcycle gathering in the world - is expected to attract at least 700,000 people during the 10-day rendezvous for bike lovers at a time when the highly contagious COVID-19 'Delta' variant is decimating parts of the US.
Last year - with significantly less people - researchers linked about 266,000 COVID-19 cases and at least one death to the event, which for some is a once-in-a-lifetime goal to make it to Sturgis while others faithfully make the pilgrimage year after year.
'It's just a great big family atmosphere, everybody's out here for the same purpose - we all love motorcycles,' said Aaron Harper. 'If you're a motorcyclist, you have to see it at least once in your life.'
At least three people died in motorcycle accidents in the area Friday, when the rally began.
When a pickup truck moved into the northbound lane of Vanocker Canyon Road to pass a group of motorcycles, it struck and killed a 60-year-old man driving a 2018 Harley-Davidson FLHX, according to the Rapid City Journal.
A 58-year-old man died in the hospital after he was thrown from his 2007 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU when it hit a ditch southeast of Hill City, about an hour south of Sturgis.
In Kadoka, about 120 miles east of Sturgis, a 58-year-old woman died after her 2012 Harley Davidson FLSTC entered a median and struck a road sign.
Additionally, officers have issued 207 open container violations since the rally began Friday, Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater told the Rapid City Journal.
The City of Sturgis is allowing open containers of beer and wine, but rally-goers must buy a souvenir cup in order to drink legally.
As noted by the Rapid City Journal, rallygoers are often seen walking with minimal clothing and body paint.
One woman was seen walking downtown with a goat on a leash while a man sat on a bench with a rifle, the outlet reported.
Public health experts - and some locals - worried that the rally would again play host to coronavirus infections, after hundreds of rallygoers were infected last year.
As of Thursday, one day before the rally, there were 10 COVID patients at the largest nearby hospital
Researchers at the IZA Institute of Labor Economics linked one death and 266,000 COVID-19 cases to last year's rally
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