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- Early Reopening: Noem’s decision to reopen the state earlier than many others, coupled with her reluctance to impose mandatory mask-wearing or social distancing, has been criticized. While she argued that this choice bolstered the economy and respected individual choices, critics contend that it contributed to higher infection rates and strained healthcare resources.
- Public Messaging: Her communication style during the pandemic was also scrutinized. Critics believed that her messaging sometimes downplayed the seriousness of the virus, which could have led to increased complacency among the public.
