SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken said people should resist blaming Smithfield and its employees for the coronavirus outbreak in a Facebook update Thursday.
“Smithfield is not an enemy in this, and the employees of Smithfield are not enemies in this,” the mayor said. “There is an underlying sense of almost treating Smithfield employees like lepers in our community right now, and that’s not appropriate.”
Over 600 cases have stemmed from the plant, making it the largest hotspot in the country. TenHaken said the real enemy is the virus, not any group of people.
The mayor covered a range of topics during the update, including the response to his proposed stay at home order up for a city council vote on Tuesday night. He said he’d received supportive letters from constituents, even if they disagreed.
“Some of the cards say ‘Hey, we appreciate you; you’re wrong on this, but you’re in a tough spot,’” TenHaken said. “We’re going to agree to disagree on issues and positions.”
The mayor compared the proposed ordinance to a speed limit sign posted on a highway. An official directive, he said, is more effective than simply advising people to be safe.
“Does it mean we’ll be writing out tickets all over the city? No. It would be more just to educate people,” TenHaken said. The city council will discuss the ordinance at an informational meeting on Friday afternoon; it is up for final adoption Tuesday night.
