These look like really good articles, I'll have to read them sometime.
https://www.nature.com/articles/srep16550
It's true. Manatees are part of a group called Afrotheria, which includes Elephants and Hyraxes. My username is Xenarthran, referring to Xenarthra, which is another mammal group that includes South American mammals like Sloths and Anteaters. Afrotheria and Xenarthra together form Atlantogenta. (The whole Atlantogenta thing is still debated, but most scientists as of the past decade seem to agree on it) These mammals are all from the Southern Hemisphere, (or at least originated there). And as a fun side fact, because of a defect in their genetic code, they all lack external testicles.
Whales are descended from, and still technically are, hooved mammals, specifically Even toed ungulates, (Artiodactyls). Artiodactyls are part of a very large mammal group called Laurasiatheria, which is named after Laurasia (Basically a combination of North America and Europe). Laurasiatheria is the sister to Euarchontoglires (Rodents and Primates).
So yeah, it may not look it, but that Whale is a lot closer to you, then it is to a Manatee. That also means you're closer to a Whale, then you are to a Sloth.