COLUMBUS, Ohio - Gov. Mike DeWine -- arguing that coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths cannot continue at the current high levels - said he is reissuing the statewide mask order with new provisions.
DeWine, a Republican, also said during a Wednesday evening broadcast that if cases and other trends continue to increase, the state will be forced to close restaurants, bars and fitness centers. His team will look at the trends a week from Thursday and make a decision, he said.
“I am very well aware of the burden this will place on employees and the owners" of bars, restaurants and gyms, he said. “But, these are places where it is difficult or impossible to maintain mask-wearing, which we know now is the chief way of slowing this virus.”
DeWine’s address comes as Ohio is experiencing an exponential increase in the number of coronavirus cases: While it took over three months for the state to report 50,000 COVID-19 cases during the beginning of the pandemic, more recently the state added 50,000 cases over 13 days.
“We are in the midst of our third wave in Ohio,” the governor said, explaining that the first two waves occurred in the spring and summer.
He called the current wave the most critical.
“We had been warned that when it got colder and drier and people were indoors more, the virus would rise up again,” DeWine said, in a 25-minute speech that offered more policy changes than his last Wednesday evening speech, given July 15, before he had issued a statewide mask order.
New mask order
Of the three new provisions in the mask order, the most notable is DeWine redeploying state employees for compliance enforcement, and plans to sanction those that don’t follow the public health order.
The following are the provisions, DeWine said:
1. Each retail business will be required to post a face covering requirement sign at all public entrances to the store;
2. Each store will be responsible for ensuring that customers and employees are wearing masks; and
3. A new Retail Compliance Unit, composed of agents led by the Bureau of Workers' Compensation, will inspect businesses to ensure compliance. A first violation of this order will bring about a written warning and a second violation will bring about closure of the store for up to 24 hours.
“We know that masks work," DeWine said. “They are the easiest, most cost-effective way to limit the spread of COVID-19."
He argued that workers and shoppers have the right to be safe.
New social gathering order
Since April, Ohio has limited gatherings to up to 10 people for public events and private gatherings.
“Despite this order, we have seen rampant spread of the virus as a result of banquets, wedding receptions, and social gatherings following funerals,” he said. “We have seen great tragedy associated with such events. It’s not the ceremonies causing the problem. It’s the party afterward.”
A new public health order, which will be signed in the next few days, will require everyone to be seated and masked at such events, unless they’re actively consuming food and drinks.
The order will also prohibit dancing and games at social gatherings.
A warning to the public about schools
DeWine believes it’s better for children’s well-being to be in school, instead of learning remotely, he said.
“Our K through 12 schools are doing a fantastic job, and I thank them,” he said.
However, he’s concerned about the surge, saying it’s threatening in-classroom teaching. Some schools have already made the choice to transition to virtual learning, “so we must do everything in our power to slow this virus down so our kids can stay in school,” he said.
He said that “the vast majority” of Ohio colleges and universities have agreed to not return to in-person learning after the Thanksgiving break. He believes the reduction in the number of students on campuses can make a significant difference in case numbers.
“But, unless we dramatically slow the community spread of the virus, our higher education institutions may have to remain virtual when school opens in January,” he said.
Hopes on a vaccine
DeWine reminded viewers that Wednesday was Veterans Day -- to salute people who have made sacrifices that are greater than themselves. All Ohioans can emulate this selfless spirit, he said.
“My fellow Ohioans, few times in our lives will we ever be able to do something or refrain from doing something that will or can save a life,” he said. “This is one of those rare times.”
DeWine noted that Pfizer Inc. announced Monday that its vaccine is 90% effective -- claims that have yet to be independently verified.
A vaccine could be available soon -- DeWine said as soon as December, though that hasn’t yet been verified by federal regulators. But the end of the pandemic could be close.
“This should give us all great hope,” he said.
More coverage:
Gov. Mike DeWine to deliver a statewide coronavirus broadcast at 5:30 p.m.: Watch live
5,874 new coronavirus cases in Ohio, 76 more deaths: Wednesday update
Expect more calls to rethink Thanksgiving, holidays in coming weeks, Ohio medical experts say