COLUMBUS – It was a speech that pleased no one or everyone, depending on their expectations.
Anyone who was hoping for new mandate, a return to stay-at-home orders or a resurgence of business closings wads either disappointed or elated at Gov. Mike DeWine’s televised address Wednesday. He implored Ohioans to wear face coverings at all times when they’re in public but issued no mandate.
“We have now reached the most critical point in our battle against the coronavirus,” he said at the opening of an address broadcast at 5:30 p.m. instead of the customary “Wine with DeWine” time slot of 2:30.
The address also originated from the governor‘s office at the Statehouse and featured no questions from reporters.
DeWine commended Ohioans for doing their part at the beginning of the pandemic but, in the face of increasing numbers of positive cases, he reminded Ohioans that the choices they make today will impact the spread of the virus in the coming weeks.
“We are sliding down a very dangerous path, with our once flattened-curve starting to sharpen and spike. This is a worrisome, disturbing reversal of our progress, a jarring reminder of just how quickly our fate can change,” he said.
DeWine won nationwide praise and local criticism for his aggressive approach to the coronavirus pandemic, closing aspects of the states even when no cases had been reported, but met with criticism later from fellow Republicans who though he wasn’t reopening businesses quickly enough and from Democrats who thought his restart plan was too aggressive.
The Democrats kept up their criticism after the address.
The governor got one thing right tonight. This is a defining time for Ohio. But the message we heard tonight did not rise to the occasion,” House Minority Leader Emilia Strong-Sykes (D-Akron) said in a statement released minutes after DeWine stopped speaking.
“A public health and economic emergency such as the one Ohioans are suffering through demands clear and decisive action, not cowardice, political pandering and pleading with people who refuse to listen. Ohioans deserve better than this,” she said.
After appearing to have the outbreak under control, the state has seen a surge in cases and hospitalizations since DeWine reopened businesses in an effort to revive the state’s economy, which had been crippled after weeks of shutdowns.
He hinted that new mandates or directives would be a topic “for another day” but implored Ohioans to wear face coverings and take other precautions to halt the spread of the virus that has sickened tens of thousands and killed more than 3,000 since early March.
“Good decisions will protect the economy and save lives; reckless ones will hurt and kill,” he said.
The state Thursday reported 1,290 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 for a total of 70,601 with 3,103 deaths and 115 new hospitalizations.
The address came a day after Ohio joined a list of nearly two dozen states whose residents will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon entering New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
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For only the fourth time in its 117-year history, the Circleville Pumpkin Show has been cancelled due to continuing restrictions on large gatherings, festivals and fairs in the state.
Organizers said they could not ensure the safety of guests, entertainers, vendors and artists during the event, which annually attracts approximately 400,000 people to the Pickaway County city.
The 2021 show has been scheduled for Oct. 20-23.