In response to the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 in the state, Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration is considering an order that would require the state’s restaurants and bars to close, he said on cable news shows today.
DeWine also revealed that Ohio schools may not reopen this season due to the virus.
“The experts tell us that COVID19 may not peak until late April or May, so it is possible that Ohio‘s three-week K-12 school closure may go on longer,” DeWine tweeted today.
The comments came as Ohio confirmed at least two new cases of the virus in Franklin County, where the state capital is, bringing the total number of confirmed cases up to at least 28. One of the people in Franklin County with a case of the virus confirmed today is a Columbus firefighter; 31 of his coworkers are being tested for the virus as well. The station that firefighter served at is temporarily closed for cleaning.
Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton said last week that there could be as many as 100,000 undiagnosed cases of the virus across the state, and that it is possible between 40 and 70 percent of Ohio’s population could contract the disease over time.
NBC “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd asked DeWine about the possibility that restaurants and bars could close. DeWine didn’t provide any details, but said the state is considering that move.
“We’re certainly looking at that,” he said. “You know, we started off last week closing the schools, we reduced the number of people gathering together to under 100, we’ve restricted access to our nursing homes and prisons. We’re taking tough steps… all the people I’ve been consulting, they say look, every day counts so much. You cannot wait… everything we’re doing is to save lives.”
DeWine last week recommended that all schools in the state close for three weeks — a closure that will start Monday for many schools. He also announced a ban on most gatherings of more than 100 people and put in place tough regulations on visits to nursing homes.
Of course, not everyone likes the idea of shuttering small businesses like eateries and drinking establishments, if it came to that. The idea plays into fears about what the ongoing pandemic will do to the state and local economies, putting strain on employers, costing hourly workers vital income and pushing the economy toward a recession.
Local restaurant owners have said the move could severely impact their businesses.
The state hasn’t committed to aid for those businesses or workers, but that could be coming, perhaps from the state’s $3.7 billion rainy day fund. State and federal declarations of emergency could also clear the way for federal monetary help in the future.
In the meantime, some Ohio lawmakers suggested less restrictive steps.
“I would encourage Governor to consider reducing the Maximum Occupancy by a determined percentage instead of closing them down,” Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder tweeted after the governor’s comments. “Perhaps a 50% or 75% reduction across the board.”
DeWine will hold a news conference today at 3 p.m.
Coronaviruses are a broad category of virus that cause the common cold, among other illnesses. COVID-19 is what scientists call a new, or “novel” form of the virus — one that hasn’t been encountered before and one which epidemiologists do not yet know how to combat.
The virus sometimes causes mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all. But it can also cause very acute respiratory illness that can require hospitalization and even lead to death — mostly among people who are over the age of 60 or who have chronic illness or compromised immune systems.
UC Health’s Dr. Dustin J. Calhoun told attendees at a March 10 city summit that 80 percent of people infected will experience a mild cold. The majority who experience more severe symptoms will also recover. At this early stage, pregnant women and children seem to be less vulnerable, Calhoun said.
Those most at risk are the elderly — mortality rates for those above 70 shoot up to 8 percent, while those under 40 have an estimated mortality rate of about .2 percent.
This article appears in Mar 4-17, 2020.
