Shoppers slow to return to Ohio malls and stores

COLUMBUS — Ohio is taking the first steps toward reviving its economy with the opening of malls and retail shops.

But if the first day of shopping on Tuesday is any indication, the restart will come at a slow pace. Shopkeepers and joggers outnumbered customers in the normally bustling Short North and, at a mall in Toledo, roughly two out of three stores at the mall were closed behind metal gates.

Gov. Mike DeWine expects 90% of the state’s economy will be restarted by week’s end when barbershops, hair salons and outdoor restaurant dining also comes back.

Tattoo and body piercing services, massage therapy, acupuncture and cosmetic therapy have been added to that list.

AP photo/FILE

DeWine did not dispute the blunt warning Dr. Anthony Fauci (right) had for cities and states if they lift stay-at-home orders too swiftly.

“If that occurs, there is a real risk that you will trigger an outbreak that you may not be able to control, that paradoxically will set you back — not only leading to some suffering and death that could be avoided but could even set you back on the road to try and get economic recovery,” Fauci told a Senate panel Tuesday.

“He is correct. It is a risk,” DeWine said during his televised coronavirus update at the Statehouse Tuesday.

But, he said the warning was also a reminder for Ohioans to practice safety and hygiene measures to prevent a spike in new cases and traffic in store, restaurants and salons picks up.

We have to do this right,” he said/ “When you go into a store and everyone’s got a mask who works there, please, please do the same thing.”

The state on Wednesday reported 25,721 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 with 1,483 deaths.

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Ohio Department of Aging Director Ursel McElroy announced a new service that will provide a daily check-in by phone for older Ohioans.

The “Staying Connected” program will call adults age 60 and older who sign up for the service and a scheduled window of time.

When they answer the phone, they will be asked to respond via touch-tone to confirm that they are OK or to access live support. If no one answers after three attempts, a call is then made to an alternate contact or to non-emergency services.

Eligible Ohioans can sign up online or by calling 1-800-266-4346

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A central Ohio lawmaker is one of the sponsors of a bill in the House to help students facing loan debt amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Representatives Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) and Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati) gave sponsor testimony Tuesday on their legislation, which would waive interest rates and suspend payments on state student loan programs for up to 60 days.