South Dakota medical, business groups promote masks

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota’s largest medical organizations as well as other groups joined Tuesday to launch a joint effort to promote mask-wearing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as the state suffers through one of the nation’s worst outbreaks.

The move counters Gov. Kristi Noem, who has repeatedly cast doubt on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to wear face coverings in public.

Avera, Sanford And Monument Health as well as groups representing doctors, nurses, hospitals, school administrators and business promoted mask-wearing, warning that the state’s hospitals could face a tipping point in their ability to handle virus cases.

October 28, 2020