By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS Associated Press, and staff
COLUMBUS (AP) — Governor Mike DeWine has activated 300 members of the Ohio National Guard to package, transport and distribute food to needy communities.
Yesterday I activated the @OHNationalGuard to support food banks that are short-staffed due to #COVID19. They will be available to help food pantries that request assistance. Here is the proclamation with their specific orders. pic.twitter.com/6Hw70vkBGj
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 19, 2020
“They are not involved in carrying weapons. You may see them carrying groceries,” DeWine said in his daily newws briefing at the Statehouse and repeated in his Twitter feed. “Rumors about quarantining everyone in Ohio in their homes, martial law, none of this is true.”
Other developments in the fight against the coronavirus:
-The state says it has received 111,055 unemployment insurance benefit applications online in the past four days.
Apply for unemployment compensation 24/7
How much can I expect to receive in unemployment benefits? The best way to apply and learn more is through https://t.co/hm9nwYkCHk. #COVID19OhioReady pic.twitter.com/8MPM93jzfK
— OhioJFS (@OhioJFS) March 19, 2020
-Voting rights groups have demanded that Secretary of State Frank LaRose allow registration of new voters ahead of the June 2 date, saying prohibiting such registration violates federal law and the Ohio Constitution.
-The COTA Board of Trustees has suspended all fares during the Coronavirus outbreak. Additionally, all customers will be asked to board through the rear doors.
-The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center will no longer allow visitors inside any of its seven hospitals beginning Friday, March 20, except “end of life” situations, maternity and patients under age 18.
-OhioHealth is also implementing a “no visitor” policy effective Friday at uts 12 hospitals, plus its freestanding care sites. Exceptions are made for end-of-life patients, patients with disabilities who need assistance, patients under 18 and maternity patients.
-Working to steady a fearful nation in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump spoke optimistically of therapeutic drugs that are being explored and might be helpful against COVID-19. He had no announcements of new and imminent treatments at a briefing Thursday but he and FDA commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn described several drugs being tested.