This governor is playing politics while Covid-19 burns through her state

South Dakota is, by any measure, one of the hardest-hit states by the coronavirus surge in the United States right now. Yet, amid a rapidly worsening situation Governor Kristi Noem is making sure people know that if President-elect Joe Biden moves to institute a national mask mandate, she won't comply. In his latest episode of The Point, CNN’s Chris Cillizza explains how Noem is choosing politics over safety to propel her national standing within the Republican Party.

SOURCES AND FURTHER READING:

Covid-19 Alert: The 10 Riskiest States To Visit Right Now, Ranked

If Joe Biden enacts mask mandates, lockdowns, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem won't enforce them

Most states now require face masks to reduce the spread of Covid-19. These are the ones that don't

This Republican governor thinks she's nailed her state's Covid-19 response. She hasn't.

CDC now says masks protect both the wearers and those around them from Covid-19


About me:
I was named "best dressed" in 7th grade. That, along with being CNN's editor at large and author of the daily "Point" newsletter are my proudest achievements. Look for me here every Tuesday and Thursday to find out what’s really going down in politics.

CREDITS
Writer: Chris Cillizza
Producer: Allison Gordon
The Point Editor: Leigh Munsil
Video Editor: Steven Sevilla

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#CNN #Cillizza #Coronavirus

[CNN]

Hey, Chris here. Is there a mask mandate where you live?

[akahina]

The surrounding states need to block travel from South Dakota. Isolate, quarantine the state. It is a pariah.

[lealmelisa]

Remember Trump when he said about the people dying because of the pandemic "it is what it is" that's the logic we are operating with.

[CCJJChannels]

(shrug) Sounds like a Red State problem to me. Oh well, no bailouts!

[richarddelconnor]

When politics is not about helping people it’s about greed.

[imisseveryone]

BUT HER PEOPLE ARE "HAPPY AND FREE" God help them.

[Dave-johf]

Cop out. It’s easier to let people die and blame it on them, then it is to be a grownup and and show some tough love and require folks do the right thing.

[johncnorris]

If more politicians like Noem have their way, it will be the end of this country.

[SourDoughBill]

When Native Americans tried to protect themselves from her incompetence, she tried to force them to stop, even took them to court.

[Wishesfeb]

I'm so sick of leaders saying, "I trust the people to decide for themselves what's best, " when they are fully aware that "the people" are overwhelmed and confused by the conflicting, often contradictory guidance they've been receiving from the start of this mess. The "people's" ability to discern the truth, regarding what is best for their personal situation, has been so grossly compromised by political agendas that it is unconscionable for government not to mandate safety measures.

[wilywascal]

"The secret of freedom is educating the people, whereas the secret of tyranny is keeping them ignorant." ~Robespierre
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities” ~ Voltaire
"Want of care does us more damage than want of knowledge." ~ Ben Franklin, from Poor Richard's Almanack
Those who confuse a grievous public health issue with "essential" liberty to kill and harm their fellow citizens--as well as their nation--sorely lack both care and knowledge. They are also sorely lacking in common sense, something else about which Mr. Franklin was quite keen. Mr. Franklin was also one our nation's first scientists--yet these modern-day knuckleheads who ought know better refute science! Were he alive today, he would be rather dismayed, disgruntled, and disgusted with the current President and his followers, that much is crystal clear.

[MrDeadhead]

I wonder how anti-maskers like Noem would react if they where about to have a surgical procedure and the surgeon and surgical nurses told them they weren't wearing masks for personal freedom reasons.

[TW-bqve]

SD people elected her, and in light of the GREAT federal-state structure we have in this country, I guess there is nothing we can do. Enjoy your choice, people of SD.

[mattf.]

The same pinhead politician who welcomed a huge biker event. So intelligent - come spend your money here and take the virus home.

[offtodamoon]

As an Australian, it never ceases to amaze me how the response to a public health emergency is so political in the USA. We have an equal number of conservative and liberal states and all of them issued strictly-enforced stay at home orders and consistently follow the advice of their state's chief health officer. We're at the point where there is almost no community spread of the virus at all in Australia. Last Wednesday, we had the highest attended sporting event since the pandemic began, anywhere in the world. Put people over politics and listen to your scientists America. It works.

[meanderingbird]

When making and scoring political points matters more than owning the problem.

[Junksaint]

I was on a ship, in my own cabin, but the crew stopped me when I put a hole in the hull of my room cause they hate freedom

[samuelallen]

2020 - when Science no longer matters. Yet people still continue to use technology...I FEEL LIKE IM TAKING CRAZY PILLS!!!???!!!

[sudukemsn]

It’s ironic that she says “make your own decision” when nothing about her thoughts are her own in this matter #CultFollower

[Jayden-pqfy]

Being from SD myself, I fail everyday to understand why others elected her in the first place. She claims we are happy and free, but I feel the complete opposite of both of those