South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem criticizes mask mandate for students

Governor of South Dakota Kristy Noam As parents and school boards carefully weigh the risks and benefits of reopening schools, the Republican governor has stressed the educational and social benefits of resuming in-person learning and cited studies showing that COVID-19 poses less of a threat to children.

But Noem appeared selective in her decision, pointing to some studies showing the virus poses a low health risk while downplaying scientific findings that masks can slow the spread of the disease.

“We cannot sacrifice the educational, physical, emotional and social well-being of our children,” Noem said at a news conference at John Harris Elementary School in Sioux Falls. “The risk of COVID-19 is too small to ensure they all stay home.”

Noem said forcing children to wear masks is impractical and could spread infection if they frequently touch their faces. Her stance on masks goes against the South Dakota Medical Association’s requirement that masks be worn in schools.

The governor expressed doubt about the broad consensus in the medical community, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that wearing masks can prevent the spread of the coronavirus, saying “the research results are mixed and the science has not yet proven what works and what doesn’t work.”

Meanwhile, the CDC’s guidance on reopening schools appears to support Noem’s claim that the benefits of in-person instruction outweigh the health risks. So far, fewer school-age children have died from COVID-19 than from the flu over the past five flu seasons, and the agency said “research suggests that transmission of COVID-19 among children in schools is likely low.”

The governor has repeatedly said she is committed to making decisions based on science. When asked by reporters how she prioritizes the vast amount of research to inform her decisions, Noem said: “I’m reading all the research. That’s why we have challenges, because it’s all over the place.”

The governor said it was obvious that children should be in school. She said some school administrators reported that as many as 30% of students were not participating in online learning, and that the lack of connection with classmates was particularly affecting disadvantaged and low-income children.

Noem said the case for keeping children in school is so strong that she would not even consider suggestions to close schools if the virus resurfaces.

“I believe that we have learned enough about this virus and how to deal with it that we will not be in a situation like we are in today,” the governor said.

The South Dakota Education Association, which lobbies for teachers, said in a statement that it agreed with Noem that in-person learning was the better option. The association urged Noem to allocate funds to hire more school counselors to help students cope with trauma related to the pandemic.

South Dakota schools have received $47 million in federal funding to help fight the pandemic, and Noem said she expects more money to come from the state and federal governments.

The decision on whether to wear masks will remain with local school boards, which could leave a patchwork of local regulations similar to the business restrictions enacted by cities during the outbreak in March.

South Dakota Democratic Party Chairman Randy Saylor issued a statement following Noem’s news conference, citing a “complete lack of guidance from the governor” for schools.

“Requiring masks and social distancing should be a minimum requirement from the governor’s office and the state health department,” he said.

Some school districts are requiring students to wear masks, while others are expecting students and parents to follow recommendations. Sioux Falls, the state’s largest school district, said it plans to “expect” students to wear masks but will not enforce a politically charged mandate.

Meanwhile, Jessica Peterson, a fifth-grade teacher who led Noem’s news conference from her classroom, had her husband build plastic barriers around the desks where students would sit in a few weeks. She said she was just trying to keep the outbreak out of her classroom.