By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered restaurants and bars to close at 9 p.m. Sunday, March 15.
Carryout and delivery will still be allowed.
“How long this will be in effect, we don’t frankly know,” he said. “It’ll be in effect as long as it needs to.”
Saying he was aware of the suffering. “Our goal is for everyone to get through this,” he said. DeWine encouraged people to patronize restaurants using carryout and delivery.
He also will issue an executive order to help with workers and businesses impacted by the closures and the pandemic in general.
The move, he said, was made after having reports overnight of crowded bars, and in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day, “one of our happiest days of the year.”
He said the longer the decision is delayed the more people will die, not just those with COVID-19 but those who cannot get the health care they need because the health care system becomes overburdened. “It will not stand up.”
“Every action we’re taking is with that in mind,” DeWine said.
“This is not a drill. This is the once in a lifetime pandemic,” said Dr. Amy Acton, director of the State Department of Health.
She said it is hard to determine accurate figures because information is coming in so rapidly. As of 2 p.m. Sunday, 36 positive cases, at least 350 pending just in the state lab. The onset of those positive cases ranges from Feb. 7 through March 13. The age of patients range from 31 to 86.
“Cases can be very misleading because t’s a past historical event,’ Acton said. That’s especially true given the scarcity of testing. “Cases are just the tip of the iceberg.” There are some that are undetected. And some people may have COVID-19 but haven’t shown symptoms yet. Those symptoms may not manifest themselves for 14 days.
“Be assured it’s out amongst us,” she said.
“We will have multiple Wujans in this country,” Acton said referring to the Chinese city where the pandemic started.
People need to be responsible to do what they can not to spread the disease. The measures being out in place do work, she said. “All these ripple effects matter. … We need to do all of this. Every day, and every one of us matters.”
Hospitals may be forced to end all elective surgeries and send some patients who are deemed to have less acute conditions home.
Hospitals will still be needed for birth, to treat cancer patients as well as victims of auto crashes heart attacks and strokes.
Acton also expressed concern about patients who are on immuno-compromising drugs, including children. “Some of our kids will get sick and some of our kids will die,” she said.
Lt. Gov. John Husted said that DeWine will issue an executive order to give access to unemployment benefits to those who do not have access to them during the emergency.
The order will broaden state policy to clarify that a person in quarantine is considered unemployed and will not have to actively seek work.
This will apply, as well, to employees of companies who shut down in response to the pandemic.
Husted said that the week delay in receiving benefits will be waived.
Further information is available at: unemployment.ohio.gov.
Husted said that bars and restaurant that stocked up on alcoholic beverages in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day and March Madness will be able to return it.
Ohio Capital Journal reports that the Ohio Chamber of Commerce commended the governor’s latest order in a statement Sunday, characterizing it as a tough but necessary decision to frustrate the virus’ spread.
Prior to the formal announcement, House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, urged DeWine to restrict restaurant patronage instead of closing them outright. Republican Attorney General Dave Yost agreed.
Their statements demonstrate some of the first instances of public pushback against DeWine, who has earned bipartisan praise and laudatory national media coverage for his aggressive, proactive approach.
