Governor Noem Announces ‘Back to Normal’ Plan
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced her plan to help South Dakotans get “Back to Normal” following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly changed the path so many South Dakotans were on. Some of us lost friends and loved-ones,” Noem said. “This disease also stole our most precious commodity—time. In addition to the health costs, the social costs of this virus are historic in the worst way. I have let science, facts, and data drive our decision-making, and we will continue to do so.
“South Dakotans have taken personal responsibility for their health and safety seriously. They have done a tremendous job practicing good public hygiene and social distancing. Together, we’ve cut our projected peak infection rate by more than 75 percent. South Dakotans have lived up to our state’s motto: ‘Under God, the people rule.’
“The plan I am unveiling today continues to put the power of decision-making into the hands of the people – where it belongs. Today’s plan relies on South Dakotan’s continuing to exercise common sense, reasonableness, innovation, and a commitment to themselves, their families, and – in turn – their communities.”
The “Back to Normal” plan outlines guidance for individuals, employers, schools, health care providers and local governments. Specific information is available here.
Today, Governor Noem signed Executive Order 2020-20 to put the plan into effect.
The plan is based on increased testing capacity and continued improvement in South Dakota’s projected peak hospitalization. To learn more about the “Back to Normal” plan and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit COVID.sd.gov.
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COVID_SDPlan_BackToNormal by Pat Powers on Scribd
In other words no change since nothing was implemented.
What is your point? Are you suggesting she should have done more? If so, why?
My comment Is one word: Excellent
This is a confusing plan and she is sending mixed messages.
Let’s start this transaction over.
Troy: “I don’t understand what you mean. Would you please clarify?”
Then I would respond: “Hi Troy. What I mean is, since the governor didn’t implement any changes, there really is no change to the current situation.”
Instead you had to come off with a bratty, snarky tone.
at this rate i thought she would announce it on fox
Everyday the Governor has been at a daily televised press availability. I wonder why you’d assert something so blatantly and intentionally misleading?
In light of how often she’s on Fox News, and we all know who watches that religiously and how often he hate tweets whatever they say, what’s misleading about what what was said at 6:42? https://www.thedailybeast.com/south-dakota-governor-kristi-noems-covid-19-inaction-has-made-her-a-right-wing-hero
Well, the dopes on the other networks were apoplectic she didn’t shut down the state. Now they are doubling down because their egos don’t allow them to admit how they’ve destroyed any remaining credibility they might have had. Noem was right-Protect and accommodate the elderly and vulnerable is all of our responsibility. Get to work. Don’t be afraid.
There comes a point when you are wrong on everything people quit watching the train wreck. Like Elon Musk said, “I don’t even understand how they (CNN) is still on the air.”
Hmm, and YouTube took down that video because it was counter to CDC and the rest of the scientific community. Also, is that the same Elon Musk who claimed to have sent 1,000 “ventilators” to Cali hospitals, but when contacted hospitals said they received CPAPs, not ventilators?
I guess I wouldn’t be quoting that guy on this crisis.
Why did she suddenly send a mixed message? This was not good.
Under God, the People Rule.
The appreciation parade SDakotans held was well-deserved.
I’m grateful for how Gov. Noem, along with local officials, have handled CV19 restrictions. Still, a ton of businesses will close for good, and I can’t imagine how farmers and ranchers will make it with their markets ruined. Time to pray.
Actually, this is a case of ineffective communication and inconsistent leadership. From the standpoint of inconsistent leadership you have the classic ‘do as I say and not as I do’ standard insofar as Governor Noem is continuing to keep non-essential state employees home until the end of May. Furthermore, Governor Noem just stripped counties of their ability to enact local resolutions and ordinances controlling gatherings, social distancing, etc. Every County that enacted a resolution or ordinance referring to EO 2020-12, EO 2020-08, etc., has just been neutered. For ineffective communication you have essentially communicated to everyone that everything is back to normal, which is not the case. You are undermining social distancing, you are undermining masking. Simply awful communication. Awful leadership. I am a member of the GOP, but I don’t drink the Kool-aid, and putting the public I serve in jeopardy is not something I can abide.
Even if everyone ignores all prudent behaviors to keep the virus at bay — which is not going to happen — the hospitalization rate will likely continue at around 8% of all cases, and the death rate will continue to be 8% of those hospitalized. So with a 99.4% survival rate, that tells me the public is not in jeopardy. And I can abide that.
Cliff,
It is even simpler than that: 99.2% of all NYC deaths had underlying health conditions (even among elderly, they are just more likely to have them).
If you have an underlying health condition, be careful and be sure to inform all people you have such a condition.
If you don’t have an underlying health condition, be very careful around those who do and get back to work.
“Underlying” like obesity and diabetes. Those are not obscure things and they’re pretty damn near the surface.
I know I can identify by sight one is obese or in their 70’s. I don’t know how to identify one who has Type 1 Diabetes or high blood pressure or have a compromised immune system. So, if one has a condition placing in the risk category, if you let me know, I’ll do all I can to take extra-ordinary precautions to protect you.
nonymouse,
From the beginning, the strategy was to manage infections (manage the curve) so as not to overwhelm the hospitals. It was not to extend the spread until there was a vaccine. We’d have to be on lockdown for 18 months.
Viruses are only beaten by a combination of herd immunity and vaccines. No other way. Sometimes they are managed by treatment but that is never a first choice.
Five weeks ago, the consensus was South Dakota could have 270,000 infected and 3,000 deaths by the end of summer. Since then, we have learned the virus is less contagious, deadly in the aggregate, and primarily deadly in a specific groups with specific health conditions with risk increasing greatly above 65 and beyond.
Thus, with this new information, smart leaders adapt. While continuing to monitor demand on the hospitals and calling for continued protection of the elderly and vulnerable, it is critical to proceed with getting sufficient herd immunity (over 500,000 South Dakotans must be infected and recover) or the elderly and vulnerable can safely enter society to hug a grandchild or have any human touch.
There continue to be reports we might have a vaccine by end of the year. However, having a vaccine (or two) doesn’t mean it can be used to inoculate the population (even the elderly and vulnerable) this virus season because extensive trials are necessary to verify it is really effective. Otherwise, believing they are inoculated after taking a vaccine, a person could come into contact with the virus and die.
Considering our relatively low spread, hospitalizations, and ability to protect the elderly and vulnerable (proven by our near lowest in the nation of case hospitalization rate and case fatality rate), failure to do as Noem did will only insure more deaths next virus season.
One more thing: Lockdowns/shutdowns only work with substantial compliance (which is why they have a short shelf life and I’m very confident one of the major criticisms in the post mortem was triggers were pulled too quick and stayed on too long). The people (young and old) are losing their capacity to continue this and failure to admit it is foolishness. When people can’t stay on a diet to save their life for two weeks, do you really think they will sit in their house for months?
Finally, people are going to be cautious and slow getting back to normal no matter whether onerous and draconian ordinances are terminated in total. The 27,000 unemployed South Dakotans paying the biggest price of fighting the virus are going to be fighting it longer.