Kristi Noem’s campaign is sending out a fundraising email that focuses on her back to school push.
The email states the governor is encouraging all families to send their children back to school – without masks.
The email states online learning got children through the initial phase of COVID-19, but that it’s been harmful to children’s education.
Noem says children are less likely to experience severe illness from COVID-19, and they are less likely to transmit the virus to others—citing Canadian pediatric center SickKids.
Just over twelve percent of COVID cases in the state are in the zero to 19 year age range. The governor closed schools in April.
While each school district is setting their return to school policy, the fundraising email says the governor believes wearing a mask should be “optional only.”
