Web Extra: South Dakotans On Their State's COVID-19 Response

On Monday, we spoke with South Dakota family doctor Tom Dean. Dr. Dean knows his community well — he's been in practice in Wessington Springs for 42 years. And he's seen a lot in that time. But nothing like COVID.

After Dr. Dean joined On Point to share his message for his community and state, many On Point listeners sent us voicemails with their thoughts on Gov. Kristi Noem's response to the pandemic. Below, we've collected some of their messages.

Ann Stanton from Rapid City says she left South Dakota in order to be with her children and get treatment for a serious illness. As South Dakota’s situation with COVID-19 continues to worsen, Ann says that she won’t be returning home anytime soon.

Susan Scheirbeck is a small business owner from Hill City. She says she regularly sees customers who don't seem to take the virus as seriously as she does.

Connie Smith and her husband are “church-going white farmers from rural South Dakota.” From Montrose, to be exact. Connie says while some might expect her and her husband to be supporters of President Trump and Gov. Kristi Noem, that is far from the truth.

Cherie Smith from the Black Hills is a registered nurse with over 40 years of experience in health care. She says that the image Gov. Noem has projected of the coronavirus is far from what her patients are experiencing.

On Point wants to hear from listeners. Got a pitch for us? Send it to onpoint@wbur.org.