FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEBRUARY 4, 2022

Correcting the Record: Kristi Noem and her DC Friends Distort The Truth

Gov. Kristi Noem called in her DC media friends to distort the truth and muddy the waters. While Gov. Noem tries to paint Jamie Smith as a supporter of overreaching mandates, he was clear: “As far as overreaching mandates that tell every South Dakotan they need to get a vaccine: no, I will not support that across the entire state.” Jamie Smith trusts South Dakota businesses and hospitals to set policies to keep their employees safe without government interference.

Kristi Noem has also chosen not to ban hospitals from requiring vaccination for their employees.

Jamie Smith released the following statement on Governor Noem and her Washington, DC friends trying to distort the truth:

“Kristi Noem had her extremist DC media friends call in to our South Dakota press conference to distort the truth. Unlike her, I’m completely focused on South Dakota. I trust South Dakota businesses, and especially industries like healthcare, to set policies on vaccination to keep their employees safe. By taking proper precautions like wearing masks when appropriate and making the choice to get vaccinated, we can beat this pandemic together.”

You can read Jamie’s full quote from the press conference here:

“I will follow the guidance at the time I am Governor. I will follow what health professionals say is the best thing for us to do. As far as overreaching mandates that tell every South Dakotan they need to get a vaccine: no, I will not support that across the entire state. But there are people in certain professions that I believe – the health systems have asked me – to support mandates in the health systems, for example. They’ve reached out to me and said, ‘Please, because of what we do we need to make sure that all of our people are vaccinated.’ The way that we can be safest is to be vaccinated, and boosted, and wear masks where appropriate, and that is what the overwhelming science says, and therefore that is what I will advocate for.

The Full Press Conference Can Be Viewed Here

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