COLUMBUS – From now on, when you see Gov. Mike DeWine in public, you will see him sporting a homemade protective mask fashioned by his wife Fran.
UPDATE 4/5/20 2:09 p.m. – The Ohio Department of Health reported Sunday that there were 4,043 cases of COVID-19 in the state with 119 fatalities.
Yesterday, you may have heard about the new recommendations from @CDCgov that people wear masks if out in public. Read it here: https://t.co/gUB2mB9A97 pic.twitter.com/rQHiM48mjX
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) April 4, 2020
He says the masks are not substitutes for social distancing in the effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but encourages their use.
New guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage people, especially in areas hit hard by the virus, to use rudimentary coverings like T-shirts, bandannas and non-medical masks to cover their faces while outdoors.
“A virus can get through any homemade mask,” Ohio health director Dr. Amy Acton said, cautioning that the masks should not lend a false sense of security.
Acton also encouraged the wearing of the masks, however, saying many of those who have coronavirus may have mild symptoms or none at all but may still be capable of spreading the disease.
The Ohio Department of Health call center is open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to answer questions regarding COVID-19 at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
Click here for the latest information:
Ohio Department of Health coronavirus website
Ohio COVID-19 Dashboard displays the most recent preliminary data
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Ohio State will hold a “virtual commencement” on May 3 with Apple CEO Tim Cook delivering the commencement address. Approximately 12,000 diplomas are expected to be awarded.
The livestreamed event will occur at the time when it was originally scheduled — noon on May 3 — before restrictions on large gatherings were put in place due to COVID-19. A live event will be held at a later time, university officials said.
The university also extended its state of emergency through April 10 and canceled all university events until July 6, university president Dr. Michael Drake said.
In other coronavirus developments, the first Ohio prison inmate has tested positive for COVID-19. The inmate is housed at the Marion Correctional Institution where an employee also has tested positive.
County health district officials have told employees at a federal prison in Ohio where two inmates have died from COVID-10 to self-quarantine when not at work.
And a 160-year-old tradition of slowly climbing 96 steps while praying at a Roman Catholic Church in Cincinnati has been canceled.
The mayor of Monroe, in southwest Ohio, has pleaded with a local church to “reconsider” holding in-person services amid concerns of the rapid spread of the coronavirus.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Monroe Mayor Jason Frentzel sent a letter Thursday to Solid Rock Church asking church officials to halt service.
The church has continued to leave its doors open and hold in-person services despite calls from Gov. Mike DeWine and advocacy groups to stop.
Church officials tell the Enquirer they are having members of their congregation practice social distancing inside the church and are disinfecting their facilities before and after services.