PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem says she has provided a blueprint of how to navigate through the coronavirus pandemic without heavy-handed government mandates that were typical in other states.
Noem’s assertion to legislators during a special session Monday that her hands-off approach is best came despite South Dakota having the second-highest coronavirus positivity rate of any state over the past two weeks.
Noem says that although her resistance to statewide stay-at-home orders has drawn criticism, she has provided a different and science-driven approach to managing the pandemic.
Noem has long said it’s up to each individual to stop the spread of COVID-19.
However, South Dakota’s cases have been in the triple digits on a daily basis for weeks and September became the deadliest month since the pandemic began.
