Special to 1812Blockhouse from the Ohio Department of Health
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on Wednesday announced a series of statewide drawings to provide incentives to Ohioans to get a COVID-19 vaccination. With wide access to the life-saving vaccine to help Ohioans safe, Governor DeWine also announced that most COVID-19 health orders would be removed on June 2. DeWine made the announcements during a statewide address to Ohioans Wednesday evening.
“For a year, Ohioans have made sacrifices to save lives and keep our state moving forward. What you have done has really worked! And now, we have a powerful weapon that is almost 100 percent effective in beating the virus,” Governor DeWine said in his remarks. “Simply put, the vaccine is stronger and better than medical experts ever imagined. And now, everyone 12 and over can use it to protect themselves — to put an invisible shield of protection around themselves. Everyone can now control their own health—their own destiny.” More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
On Friday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz dedicated a new memorial tree grove in honor of the victims and survivors of COVID-19 as well as all Ohioans who made personal sacrifices to protect others amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Memorial Grove at Great Seal State Park in Chillicothe includes a grove of 15 newly planted trees surrounding a paved trail. Benches will be added to allow visitors to comfortably reflect on the toll of the pandemic, honor lives lost, pay tribute to courageous frontline workers, and recognize the selfless actions of Ohioans to slow the spread of the coronavirus. More…
By 1812Blockhouse; State of Ohio
There’s a bit of reverse directioning going on.
As COVID-19 case numbers are again on the rise in Ohio, Governor DeWine announced on Monday that many restrictions to prevent more infections are going away while certain others, such as mask wearing, are continuing.
Welcome to the latest chapter in a year-long set of moves to address the pandemic.
Changes announced will impact mass gatherings, including sporting events, fairs, festivals, theatres, etc.. Most will now allow these to take place while maintaining limitations on social distancing and other safety measures. More…
By Jake Zuckerman, Ohio Capital Journal
Ohio will surge doses into college campuses and private workplaces as an effort to speed up the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Gov. Mike DeWine announced late last week.
Starting this week, the goal is to provide mostly Johnson & Johnson vaccines to any Ohio college student who wants one, DeWine said. Unlike the two other available vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, Johnson & Johnson’s only requires one dose and standard refrigeration. The other two vaccines require ultracold storage and a two-dose series, posing storage, transportation and scheduling difficulties.
Additionally, DeWine said vaccine providers can take up to 25% of their weekly dosage allocation to vaccinate their own employees or those of other businesses or labor unions starting April 12. Ohioans aged 16 and up are currently eligible for vaccination. More…
By FARNOUSH AMIRI and ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS Report for America/Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — GOP lawmakers on Wednesday made good on their promise to check the authority of fellow Republican Gov. Mike DeWine by issuing the first override of his term after a yearlong battle over how the state should respond during a health emergency.
The Republican-controlled House and Senate voted after short debates in each chamber to reject DeWine’s veto of legislation restricting the state including local health departments’ ability to respond to emergencies such as the coronavirus pandemic.
“Governor DeWine, through his letter Monday and his veto message yesterday, made his serious concerns regarding Senate Bill 22 known to the members of the General Assembly and to the public,” Dan Tierney, the governor’s spokesperson said following the override. More…
By FARNOUSH AMIRI and ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS Report for America/Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Gov. Mike DeWine predicted a chaotic future for Ohio in a letter Monday pleading with fellow Republican lawmakers to compromise on a health bill that would handicap the state’s ability to issue any orders during an emergency on the same day the state surpassed 1 million COVID-19 cases.
The Republican governor vowed on Tuesday to veto a bill that was passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature earlier this month. The promise came hours after he issued a five-page letter outlining how the proposal would impede the administrative branch’s ability to protect Ohioans, not only during the coronavirus pandemic but also amid weather emergencies, food contaminations, prison riots or terrorist attacks. More…
By Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday announced that he was again expanding eligibility for the coronavirus vaccine as more and more doses flow into the state.
Starting Thursday, Ohioans over 50, those with type 2 diabetes and those with end-stage renal problems will be able to get one of the three vaccines so far approved by federal authorities. That means more than 1 million additional Ohioans will be eligible.
“As fast as this vaccine is coming into Ohio, we’re ready to get it out,” DeWine said. More…
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Outdoor and indoor sports and entertainment facilities can reopen with limited attendance under rules announced Thursday by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. He also said guidance for proms, banquets, wedding receptions, fairs, festivals, and parades is coming soon.
The attendance limits could be further eased depending on the progress of the coronavirus pandemic this spring and summer, but could also be restricted if things worsen because of the coronavirus variant, the governor said.
DeWine said outdoor venues can reopen with a maximum 30% capacity and indoor venues with 25% capacity. Social distancing and continued mask wearing are key to making these limits work, the governor said. More…
By FARNOUSH AMIRI Report for America/Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Legislative testimony made Wednesday in support of a GOP-backed effort to limit public health orders made by Ohio’s governor was removed from YouTube after the service deemed it contained COVID-19 misinformation.
The Google-owned platform said it removed content that was uploaded this week to The Ohio Advocates for Medical Freedom channel for violating the company’s terms of services.
The video showed Thomas Renz, an attorney for Ohio Stands Up, a citizen group, make the opening testimony during a House committee hearing on a bill that would allow lawmakers to vote down public health orders during the pandemic. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
Governor DeWine has announced that the statewide curfew imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic has been relaxed, with future adjustments — up or down — possible pursuant to a new formula.
In effect since November 19, the current 10:00 PM curfew requires that citizens stay at their place of residence between that time and 5:00 AM, with specific exceptions.
Now that hospitalizations are decreasing across Ohio, the Governor shared a new formula for current and future adjustments of that curfew. On Thursday, the state reported 2,829 hospitalizations, which is the third consecutive day below 3,000. More…
By Susan Tebben, Ohio Capital Journal
Eight teachers’ unions throughout the state are pushing Gov. Mike DeWine to rethink his timeline for school reopening and vaccine distribution.
In a joint statement distributed by the Ohio Federation of Teachers and signed by the presidents of the unions in Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo and Youngstown, the leaders expressed disappointment with DeWine’s plan, saying his administration is using the vaccine “as a bargaining chip.”
“While we expect there will be no consequences for schools that fail to meet this commitment, that doesn’t mean the Governor isn’t harming communities with this action,” the statement reads. “Parents across the state now have unrealistic expectations for a March 1 reopening that simply will not be possible in many school districts.” More…
By Mahoning Matters Staff
The state is now readying to distribute coronavirus vaccines to adult workers in those schools starting the week of Feb. 1, the governor said during a Tuesday briefing.
Gov. Mike DeWine said 96 percent of all of Ohio’s K-12 school districts have committed to return to in-person learning by March 1.
The state is now readying to distribute coronavirus vaccines to adult workers in those schools starting the week of Feb. 1, the governor said during a Tuesday briefing.
School districts are expected to work with their local Educational Service Centers to identify vaccine providers like local health agencies are partnering pharmacies, DeWine said. More…
On Tuesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff provided the following updates on Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
VACCINATION PHASES
Governor DeWine today recapped Phases 1A and 1B of Ohio’s vaccine distribution plan. Because the availability of the vaccine remains limited in Ohio and across the country, Ohio is taking a phased approach that prioritizes the most vulnerable citizens, those in the healthcare field, and school staff members.
Phase 1A, which is currently underway, includes approximately 1 million Ohioans. More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
This week, Governor DeWine provided updates on Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in reference to vaccines,school quarantine guidance changes, curfew extension, the availability of grants to Ohio bars and restaurants, and current case data as of Wednesday, December 30.
OHIO VACCINES
Ohio is expected to receive more than 238,000 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines next week. Governor DeWine encouraged those administering the vaccine to do so with urgency. More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Governor Mike DeWine has signed Ohio Senate Bill No. 123 into law, officially designating the fossil fish species Dunkleosteus terrelli as the Fossil Fish of Ohio. It joins the ranks of other state symbols, such as the Ohio Buckeye (state tree) and cardinal (state bird).
Dunkleosteus is the second fossil animal and third geologic state symbol to be added to Ohio’s list. Previously, in 1965, flint was named Ohio’s State Gemstone. And in 1985, the large trilobite genus Isotelus, occurring in rocks exposed in southwestern Ohio, was named the State Invertebrate Fossil. More…
