GOP Governor Kristi Noem called in by Federal Judge for ‘doing little’ to stop the spread of COVID-19

The Daily Beast reported on Friday that a South Dakota federal judge criticized Republican Gov. Kristi Noem in an order directing a state court to stop delaying the trial of an accused.

The state court had argued that the trial should be suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But Judge Charles Kornmann pointed out that the state’s response to the pandemic has been far too incompetent and disengaged for them to use it as an excuse to deny people their Sixth Amendment right to a speedy and public trial.

“South Dakota has done little, if anything, to curb the spread of the virus,” Kornmann wrote, adding specifically to Noem, “His example greatly encourages South Dakotans not to wear masks … South is now a very dangerous place to live in due to the spread of COVID-19. “

Noem proudly bragged that his state would not infringe on residents’ freedom with public health restrictions, even as his state reports more than 500 new cases per day and a test positivity rate of 42.3% – one of the worst rates in the country. She was frequently preoccupied with other matters, including a trip to Georgia to campaign for Republicans in the second round of the Senate.