Support a Sioux Falls, SD
Mask Ordinance
These organizations and leaders support a mask mandate:
Kooper Caraway, President of South Dakota AFL-CIO
Taneeza Islam, Executive Director, South Dakota Voices for Justice
The Very Rev. Ward H. Simpson, Dean of Episcopal Church in SD
Adam Weiland, Dakotans for Health
Dr. Krista Hoyme
Lie Dinah Ligasaputri, MD with Avera
Shari Eich, MD with Avera
Kari Hultgren, MD with Avera
Kim Hanssen DO with Avera
Connie Taylor, MD with Avera Health
Chetan Wasekar Physician with Avera McKennan Hospital
Nicole Christenson, MD with Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center
Christiane Maroun, MD with Avera Medical group
Reynold Nesiba, State Senator District 15
Daniel Heckmann, MD with emergency medicine
Ryan Otto, Rev First Congregational Church
Teresa Marts, MD at Horizon Healthcare
Jo Schallenkamp, President Josephines INC.
Randall Gehring, The Rev. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church
Dr. Amy Kelley
Indra Chandrasekar, Assistant Scientist Sanford Research
Tami & Vernon Brown, Owners of The Spice & Tea Exchange of Sioux Falls
This is our BEST option right now
This is a letter on behalf of our organizations’ members, employees and customers of our businesses, attendees of our faith institutions, and all of the citizens of Greater Sioux Falls to express our support for AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, SD, TO REQUIRE FACE COVERING IN AN INDOOR PUBLIC PLACE WHERE 6-FOOT
SOCIAL DISTANCING CANNOT BE ACHIEVED
1) There's an emergency
This and last week, we have seen a surge in COVID cases across our state and in our city (See latest numbers). We need immediate action to slow the spread of the disease, which is already overwhelming our health facilities. We do not believe that we need to make a choice between the health of our loved ones and the health of our local economy. It is a false dichotomy to think that effective public safety, like requiring mask-wearing in public, is in conflict with keeping our businesses, schools, and faith institutions open. Rather, this Mask Mandate will ensure that we are able to do just that.
2) We take care of each other
Sioux Falls prides itself on taking care of its citizens. Following the tornado in 2019, community members rallied together to ensure the safety of all of those living in our city. It is time for us to once again protect the health, safety, and well-being of our friends, family, and neighbors.
3) Keeps the city open
We believe this Mask Mandate is the best tool we have to address a growing health crisis and to stave off an economic one. The Mask Mandate is about taking proven effective, low-cost, and relatively easy protective measures to keep all sectors of our city open and all of our citizens safe.