As Governor Noem and the Legislature decide how to allocate the emergency funds our state received from Congress, one of their top priorities should be to provide hazard pay to public safety, public health, health care, human services and other workers that have been and will continue to be on the front lines of battling COVID-19. These people deserve not only our thanks and gratitude, but also compensation to recognize the dangers they have and will continue to face – as well as the emotional toll their work on the public’s behalf has taken on them and their families.
During this crisis, leaders from both political parties, on all levels of government have praised these workers that have tirelessly responded to this pandemic – and rightly so. It is time we back words with action and give these workers the pay they deserve.
-Dan Ahlers, Dell Rapids
