Noem asks state to pause and reflect

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PIERRE — S.D. Governor Kristi Noem struck a more congenial tone at her daily COVID-19 briefing Wednesday morning, asking residents to “pause, take a step back and reflect” about what is taking place in the state.
“I want everyone in the state to realize that everyone involved in this is doing their absolute best,” Noem said in her short briefing, which didn’t include any updated numbers or take questions. “We live in modern times and we have the resources to fight this.”
Noem related a story of one of her staff members, who had casually asked a cashier at a grocery store how she was doing, only to get an “I’m really scared,” answer. “I understand that people are worried,” Noem said. “They are worried about getting food to eat and having a roof over their heads. But what I am urging everyone to do, if only for a short time, is to put down your smart phone, and turn off the TV. Maybe go for a walk. Just press pause and focus on the positives in your life.”
Updates on the state’s COVID-19 website - covid.sd.gov - showed that 41 people have tested positive in the state for the virus, 819 tests have come back negative with another 268 tests still pending. Beadle and Minnehaha Counties each show 13 positive cases.
“We have a rallying point,” Noem said. “We have a common enemy; it is this virus. It’s okay to be scared and uncertain, but again, I urge you to just pause.”