South Dakota reported 3% unemployment rate in the latest figure, which is even lower than prepandemic numbers.
South Dakota never lock down, never shut down businesses, no mask mandates. However, they also boast a terrible infection rate of 12,000 cases per 100k people. Currently, 107,000+ accumulated cases in a state with a population of 882k (12% infection rate).
But on the other hand, we have Vermont.
Vermont had a population of 626k, and they have only 11k cases Thats 1.75% infection rate. Vermont also have very low unemployment rate at 3.1%. Falling from the height of 15.6% in April and 12.7 in May.
South Dakotas unemployment’, was at 3.4% in Jan 2020, peaked at 10.9% in April and 9.4% in May.
Looking at the pandemic history in Vermont, it echoes alot like what was done in Singapore – perhaps which is why the case number and death are relatively low – Vermont had a 1-2 month lockdown before gradually reopening. They also have contact tracing program in place. Otherwise, Vermont did not went into any additional lockdown or restrictions.
While I am not denying that Rhode Island is a much smaller state, with high population at just over 1 million, Rhode Island’s pandemic story is very different.
Rhode Island had a full 2 months+ lockdown, before lifting stay-at-home order. Reopening in phases as per recommendation by Trump administration/CDC.
But as number shot up across the USA, including for them, a restrictions returned in early November, and accumulated to almost a 75% lockdown by end November – which is maintained till this day.
Currently 108k accumulated cases in Rhode Island and 2000++ deaths, comparable with South Dakota’s 1700++ deaths. In stark contrast, Vermont have only 170 deaths.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Rhode_Island
But what is the “controversial” or “stunning” thing?
Rhode Island’s unemployment is at 8.1% (Dec2020). The limited lockdown, which Vermont and South Dakota did not enact, resulted in a 0.8% increase in unemployment. National unemployment in the US was 6.7% in December 2020.
This is a really weird scenario of balancing economics and the pandemic.
South Dakota’s cases spiked later but steeper than the more gradual increase (albeit still steep) case increases. However, probably because of the limited herd immunity (since 12% of the people already caught it at the moment), the increase in cases is in a slowing trend in South Dakota, while Rhode Island’s numbers continue to spike unabated, despite the limited lockdowns.
I dont have a clear conclusion as to what’s what, other than the obvious that a sparser population and strong containment measure made a difference – the economic vs pandemic balance is the one which is harder to justify and quantify…
