By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
More than 150 complaints have been logged by Wood County workers and residents about businesses not doing enough to keep their employees and customers safe from COVID-19.
It’s the job of the Wood County Health Department to investigate all those complaints. A detailed spreadsheet from the environmental division of the health department shows that 155 businesses have been contacted by public health staff – and in many cases told to change their practices.
“Every complaint we are getting we are working to follow up on,” Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Batey said Thursday evening after a tele-meeting of the health board.
“We had a couple places early on that were dragging their feet,” Batey said. “Most of our businesses across the county are doing the right thing. They want to protect employees. They want to protect customers.”
So far, businesses have complied when health department staff makes recommendations – so the board of health hasn’t been asked to take action on any of the concerns.
Several of the complaints filed are from people questioning if businesses meet the “essential” status required by Ohio to remain open during the state’s stay-at-home orders.
Health department staff have warned non-essential businesses they could face backlash from the public if employee illnesses were to occur.
Many more were from employees and customers who reported that the 6-foot social distancing wasn’t being followed, surfaces were not being disinfected, and temperatures of employees were not being taken when they arrived at work.
When contacted by the health department about the complaints, several businesses reported that they were having difficulty getting enough masks, disinfectant, gloves and thermometers.
“It’s been really hard to come by those right now,” Batey said of PPE supplies. “We’ve been struggling to get a handful of thermometers to give out to businesses.”
“We want to make sure if they are open that they are doing everything they possibly can to protect their customers and their employees,” Batey said.
“We need to do what we’re told, to protect all of us,” said Lana Glore, who heads up the environmental health division that handles the complaints.
Glore said local citizens are also reporting people congregating in outside areas – such as at restaurants with outdoor seating, golf courses, ballfields and fishing spots.
The health department also had to break the sad news to an engaged couple that they would have to put their wedding celebration plans on hold. The wedding reception – which is exempt from gathering limitations set by the state – had 400 to 450 guests invited.
“We thought that would be totally inappropriate at this time,” Batey said. “Even if it’s OK under the governor’s order, it’s not OK in Wood County.”
Following are some of the 155 complaints filed about how local businesses are handling precautions against the coronavirus:
- A Northwood hair stylist was working from home. He was told to stop.
- An employee at a Bowling Green manufacturing plant questioned the accuracy of a thermometer being used on all employees as they arrive at work. He reported his temperature registered at 85 degrees one day, and 92 on another.
- Multiple reports were received about dog grooming still going on at local pet supply stores. In one case, an employee said the corporate office considers dog grooming to be essential. Health department staff informed the store that Gov. Mike DeWine does not feel the same.
- After reports of people congregating at outside tables at local restaurants, the health department told the establishments to remove the tables.
- A drive-thru restaurant employee with asthma wanted to wear a mask and gloves while working. The owner acknowledged to health department staff that he told her she could not since it would send the wrong message to customers.
- A customer asked a Perrysburg pizza place to drop off the pizza on her porch. The employee reportedly said no because “TV is just trying to scare us.”
- Several calls have been received from citizens about local golf courses open for business, where parking lots are full and people are congregating. Some of the sites are asking that only people who live in the same household can share golf carts.
- A construction worker in Rossford said the employer told crew members that work is “not shutting down unless a state trooper is in front of them demanding that it be done.”
- Employees at a local hotel questioned the cleaning processes being used.
- A caller questioned the “essential” reason for a local sporting goods store to remain open. The health department called the corporate office, to find out while stores remain open, the head office is closed until mid-April.
- A report was logged about Hobby Lobby, an arts and crafts supply store, remaining open in Perrysburg. The Ohio Hobby Lobby stores closed only after getting an order to do so from the state’s attorney general.
- A citizen reported a village ball diamond in Weston was becoming a place for people to congregate. Town officials said they had noticed and were considering ways to discourage people from gathering there.
