By that same calculus, votes from sparsely populated, mostly rural states count more.

Seroconversions among Black women are rising the fastest in the South and rural states.

Solar providers in rural states have also gotten a boost from a pair of other federal programs.

But they were hammered in Senate races in rural states, losing seats in Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota.

Meanwhile, businesses in a number of small, rural states that have avoided the brunt of the outbreak took home a disproportionate share of the pie.

And Trump, who campaigned heavily in rural states, can point to those Senate wins as evidence he can still drive his voters to the polls.

The rural States of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina did not adopt the new frame without a struggle.