(SDBA – Pierre, SD) The cost of COVID-19 damage in the U.S. is estimated at $100 billion by Aberdeen Republican Brandei Schaefbauer.
Her House Concurrent Resolution 6009 calls for Attorney General Marty Jackley to file a lawsuit against China and related parties for the pandemic’s impact. If successful, it would create a South Dakota COVID-19 Victims Relief Fund, offering up to $250k per person.
Schaefbauer pointed to a CIA report suggesting the virus originated from a Wuhan lab, blaming “irresponsible and dangerous” research.
Skeptics raised concerns about the likelihood of success for such a legal challenge, though the measure managed to pass the State House by a 40-28 vote. Proponents admitted the effort was likely a longshot, but not worth dismissing out of hand.
A spokesman for the attorney general’s office said Jackley would honor the request of the Legislature should the Senate also agree to the idea.
