Thousands of supporters of President Donald Trump poured into Tulsa on Saturday, filled with energy for his first campaign rally in three months but short on masks in a city reeling from a spike in Covid-19 cases.
Outside the 19,000-seat BOK Center, a Confederate flag flew overhead as a man with a megaphone and American-flag cowboy hat led chants of “We want Trump!”
Masks were rare among those crowded outside the arena. Stephen Nelson, 35, said he doesn’t believe government data showing a surge in Tulsa cases. A contractor for Walmart who lives in Rogers, Arkansas, Nelson said wouldn’t use a mask or take any other precautions during the rally.
Others were less confident. “I am concerned,” said Gabrielle Gilliam, 62, a retired office administrator for Edward Jones who lives in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She wore a cloth mask around her neck that she said she would don if she’s permitted inside the arena. She said she might try to stay outside. “Out here in the open air, I’m OK.”
The Tulsa Health Department announced on Saturday that the total number of confirmed cases had risen by 6.6% to 2,206 out 10,037 statewide.
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