Noem Savagely Scrutinizes Use Of Double Masks In Epic Rant — ‘That’s Not What America’s About’

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South Dakota GOP governor Kristi Noem criticized the idea of forcing people to wear, not one, but two masks, stating, “That’s not what America’s about; that’s not what South Dakota is about,” according to The Daily Wire.

Federal health officials suggest people wear a second mask.

Noem brought up the fact that the CDC has changed recommendations, “I choose to rely on science and data and facts. And masks can work in certain situations if you’re wearing the right kind and if you’re doing it appropriately, but I’m not going to mandate it.”

A reporter asked, “You’ve been resistant to implement mask mandates; you’re skeptical of their efficacy —”

“I never said that, Joe. Don’t put words in my mouth. What I’ve said is the appropriate mask at the appropriate time, utilized correctly and kept sanitary can make a difference, but I also don’t believe it’s my role to mandate that people wear a mask. I’ve left, for the entire year, it up to personal responsibility to make the best decision for them and their families, and I’ll continue to do that.”

“So now that the CDC is recommending two masks —”

Noem cut the reporter off, “Well, the CDC has changed their recommendations many, many, many times. In fact, we’ve seen the CDC change their recommendations based on political pressure in the past. I choose to rely on science and data and facts. And masks can work in certain situations if you’re wearing the right kind and if you’re doing it appropriately, but I’m not going to mandate it. It’s not an argument over whether masks work or if they don’t work; I’ve never argued that.”

“What I argue is the mandate,” Noem stated. “I think the mandate is inappropriate, for someone to come in and mandate that somebody wear a mask. And I think it’s inappropriate for us to shame people who choose not to wear a mask. That’s not what America’s about; that’s not what South Dakota is about.”

“So no double mask mandate in South Dakota?”

“Not coming in South Dakota. So I will not be doing that. That’s for sure.”

The Rapid City Journal reported, “Black Hills area realtors and builders say there’s an influx of people who are relocating permanently or buying land in the region — and the trend isn’t expected to slow anytime soon,.”

“Newcomers from California, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Texas, Michigan, Colorado and Virginia along with Minnesota, North Dakota and Wyoming are leading the trend of relocating to South Dakota, local realtors say.”

More from The Daily Wire:

Noem’s rejection of instituting strict “lockdowns” because of the coronavirus seems to have borne fruit for her state. In a survey conducted by United Van Lines in January that tracked customers’ 2020 state-to-state migration patterns, South Dakota ranked fourth in the nation, virtually tied for second behind the state of Idaho.

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