Coronavirus Pandemic: State will not mandate masks in retail stores

Gov. Mike DeWine shared details about the plan to reopen Ohio beginning May 1, but remained adamant about making it clear the stay-at-home, social distancing and mass gathering (10 or less) orders will remain in effect beyond Friday.

“We are here because of what you’ve done,” he said. “We got the job done.”

DeWine announced Tuesday that masks will no longer be a requirement in retail establishments. The announcement steps back on Monday’s announcement, in which DeWine had said they would be required.

DeWine said he made the decision after hearing from some Ohioans who expressed their opposition.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there are 16,769 cases in the state, 799 deaths, and 3,340 hospitalizations, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Ohio has an estimated population of approximately 11.7 million, census records show.

The state’s long-term care facilities have seen 10 percent of the total cases in Ohio.

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Of the state’s positive cases, 23% are from Ohio’s prisons. At those prisons, there has been an increase in testing.

[ Local cases, deaths reported to Ohio Department of Health ]

There have been 122,706 people tested for coronavirus in Ohio. In the state, 2,720 cases are health care workers, which is 16 percent of the cases.

It is important to note the number of confirmed cases is not a true reflection of actual cases in the state because of the limited amount of testing available. The hope is that the number of cases will be more accurate because of the expansion of the testing standards.

The state remains under an extended stay-at-home order until May 1.

DeWine held his 2 p.m. press conference.

The following announcements were made:

FACE MASKS: They will not be a requirement in retail establishments. However, the governor strongly encouraged people to wear them. “Though it is not a mandate, it is clearly in the best interest for Ohioans to wear a mask in retail settings. This gives added protection to others,” he said. Business owners can require customers to wear masks. “They can make a decision that those coming in the door need to wear a protective covering,” DeWine said.
RESTAURANTS/HAIR SALONS: The governor is working to organize groups to look at the processes to reopen restaurants and hair salons. “The goal of this group then is to develop recommendations for their businesses that balance the need to protect the health of employees and customers as they reopen to the public,” he said.
DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENTS: Dr. Amy Acton said it’s time for people to beginning thinking about scheduling their children’s well visits as well as other appointments such as mammograms, vaccinations.
FLUSH WATER LINES: Acton urged businesses that have been closed to make sure they flush water that has been stagnant in cold and hot water distribution lines and fixtures. Low water usage can contribute to bacterial growth including Legionella, which can cause a serious type of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease, or unsafe levels of metals in the water like lead and copper.
DAYCARE RESTRICTIONS: DeWine said he understands the frustration with parents about childcare, but he is not ready to lift the restrictions in that area.
COMMENCEMENTS: DeWine supports the idea of allowing graduation ceremonies if schools can make them work under social distancing guidelines. This comes after the Ohio Department of Education told superintendents they should not hold the ceremonies.
STATE BUDGET UPDATE: DeWine is expecting to say more this week about the state budget.
JOBLESS BENEFITS UPDATE: More than 459,000 Ohioans have received unemployment benefits since the pandemic; the amount paid out is more than $1 billion, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said.

President Trump delivered a briefing on the federal response to the virus by focusing on the Paycheck Protection Program:

PPP INSPIRES PRAISE: Several small-business owners and employees thanked Trump and his administration for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Trump signed new legislation last week that provided $310 billion in additional funding for the loan program after it ran out of funds in just weeks. Amy Wright, the owner of Bitty & Beau’s Coffee and one of the guests at the event, said she received a PPP loan and was able to rehire 120 workers, all of whom have disabilities, after she had been forced to lay them off because of the pandemic.
WORST DAYS PASSED?: Trump suggested “the worst days” of the pandemic are over. He expressed optimism about the country’s path to economic recovery amid the pandemic, which has forced businesses to close and caused millions of layoffs across the country because of stay-at-home orders issued by states. “Now that our experts believe that the worst days of the pandemic are behind us, Americans are looking forward to the safe and rapid reopening of our country."

Things you need to know today, Tuesday:

The state is working to hire and train 1,750 workers to conduct contact tracing by June 1. This will include public health, volunteers and hired workers.
Protocols for all businesses reopening in phase 1 include: requiring face coverings, daily health assessments, hand washing, social distancing, cleaning and sanitizing workplaces throughout day and between shifts.
Businesses will be allowed a maximum of 50 % of capacity allowed by the fire code.
On May 1, all medical procedures not requiring an overnight stay in a hospital can resume. Dentist and veterinarians can resume normal operations.
On May 4, manufacturing, distribution, general offices and construction will be permitted to reopen. Employees must be six feet apart and if that can’t be accomplished, barriers will be required.
On May 12, consumer retail and services will be allowed to reopen. All employees and customers should wear facing coverings while in the businesses. This will include every retail outlet.
Restaurants and hair salons were not included in the first phase. “We’re going to get those online as quickly as we can,” the governor said.
Schools and daycares also were not included in phase 1. “It’s very hard to control the environment in daycare/schools. I understand what parents are going through, but we have to start with what is easiest to control,” DeWine said.