The number of daily coronavirus cases reached another milestone yesterday--breaking the 7,000 per day mark.
Sixty-eight of Ohio's 88 counties now classify as "red" or the second highest alert level on the statewide public health advisory map. Two counties are now on the "watch list" for being designated as a purple county--or highest alert level: Franklin County and Tuscarawas County--south of Canton.
Regardless of the color designation, every single one of Ohio counties have been flagged for having a high-rate of community spread of the virus.
The cases in this--what DeWine describes as the third wave of the virus--and hospital space and personnel are being severly tested by the surging caseloads.
When the pandemic began in March, the governor and then health-director Amy Acton, put into action a flurry of orders, including shutdowns, to flatten the curve.
Since Ohio reopened its economic sectors, there has not really been any new orders from the governor---until Wednesday night. During a statewide address, the governor reissued a statewide emergency and he issues a new mask mandate but this time with a bit more teeth to it. Retail locations could face fines or even closure for failure to enforce the mask mandate. But, in this mandate the governor puts retailers on the front-line of the enforcement.
The states bars, restaurants and gyms are also facing potential shutdown by the state.
The governor said if numbers don't turn around in the next week, the state would be forced to make the move despite the recognition that such a decision would be economically disastrous for owners and employees. Governor DeWine says these three types of businesses are places were its difficult to impossible maintain mask wearing.
The governor's actions are not playing well on either side of the aisle but for different reasons.
DeWine's days of enjoying bi-partisan support for his handling of the pandemic remain in the rear-view mirror. Republicans are not happy to hear about the potential for more business shutdowns while Democrats say the governor hasn't move quickly enough on the virus.
While cases of COVID-19 continue to rise and spread almost unchecked in the state efforts to help those impacted are expiring. Cleveland suspended water and electric shutoffs for non-payment in mid-March.
But the city says shut-offs will resume again beginning December 1.
All of this comes at a time when most families are planning to celebrate the holidays. Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. But health experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Ohio's new Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, want people to avoid large gatherings and stay in their individual "bubbles."
A survey from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center shows that many in Ohio are not heeding that advice. Nearly two in five say they will attend a large gathering while a third do not plan to require masks at their holiday celebrations.
Ten days past the election and President Donald Trump still disputes the outcome and refuses to concede to president-elect Joe Biden. The president's campaign continues to challenge result in several key states. Those challenges include calls for recounts and lawsuits alleging so far unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud. One of those cases is challenging an absentee ballot extension ordered by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Pennsylvania Republican leaders at the request of President Trump have asked the United States Supreme Court to intervene. Among those filing "friend of the court" briefs in support of that case is Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
We are also going to discuss a few stories you may have missed this week due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the election.
Infant mortality or the rate at which babies die before reaching their first birthday continues to be an issue of high concern for local and state health officials. According to new data, it appears numbers in Cuyahoga County are on a decline--but babies of color are still dying in greater numbers than white counterparts.
Time is starting to run out for lawmakers to repeal House Bill 6---or the nuclear bailout bill. Ohio electric customers will begin paying extra fees in January toward the subsidies earmarked in the bill--if it is not repealed by the end of the year.
The bill--which involves much more energy policy than just subsidies for two Ohio nuclear plants--became the center of the federal bribery investigation this summer that led to the downfall and arrest of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder.
Finally--- Ohio's baseball clubs own bragging rights for the best pitchers in both leagues.
Indians right-hander Shane Bieber won the Cy Young Award in the American League yesterday by a unanimous vote by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. He is Cleveland's first unanimous winner. Bieber's former teammate, Trevor Bauer, who now pitches for the Red won the Cy Young in the National League. He's the first pitcher from Cincinnati to earn the award. The award is named for legendary pitcher Cy Young—who hailed from Tuscarawas County.
Websites Mentioned on the Show:
The Sound of Ideas Community Tour for Nov. 17
Glenn Forbes, Producer/Host, Ideastream
Anna Huntsman, Health Reporter/Producer, Ideastream
Karen Kasler, Ohio Statehouse News Bureau Chief, Ohio Public Radio/TV
