As of April 1, 2020 the state of South Dakota has 129 reported positive cases of COVID-19 and 2 confirmed deaths. This continues to climb every day and shows no signs of slowing for some time. 

South Dakota is currently one of only 5 states without a shelter-in-place or safer at home order. 

Also on April 1, 2020 South Dakota governor Kristi Noem held a press conference in which she stated several alarming things. She said, “South Dakota is not New York City.  The calls to apply for a one-size-fits-all approach to this problem is herd mentality,  It's not leadership."  Noem also stated, “The people themselves are primarily responsible for their safety” and expressed doubt that South Dakotans would be able to continue to practice social distancing through the expected peak in this state, most recently estimated to be July or August. 

In this very uncertain and scary time, our state needs strong leadership. South Dakota needs a governor who is willing help her state to do everything it can to flatten the curve.

As an RN and with a husband who is a CNP, I am frightened at the prospect of needless deaths because of a lack of leadership at the state level. While we may not be New York, the same theory applies. Less social distancing leads to health system overload which leads to more deaths.

Governor Noem needs to understand that while people are indeed responsible for their own health we must also do our part to protect the medically complex, immunocompromised, and elderly. I firmly believe the majority of this state understands the vital importance of a shelter-in-place order and we need leadership who supports the health and wellness of all South Dakotans.

Please join me in urging governor Kristi Noem to place a shelter-in-place order and doing what’s best for our state!