Not watching the press conference (again) because when facing a crisis such as this, I prefer to work from facts and action. I’m going to give some highlights from Governor DeWine’s press conference earlier today.
He and his team are taking this seriously and each time I watch their briefing, my anxiety levels go down.
ohiochannel.org/video/governor…
ohiochannel.org/video/governor…
So, here is what is happening in Ohio, aka the way government and actual leadership should function:
-they are using the National Guard to build up hospital capacity. Today they were looking at various convention centers and they’re also considering spaces such as college dorms, empty hospitals, and un-utilized medical facilities.
Additionally, there was an order for the cancelling of all elective surgeries to open up capacity.
-they’ve divided the state into 3 large zones (hubs): Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton-Cincinnati. This is because of large concentrations of hospitals in these areas.
-someone asked about churches continuing to have services.
DeWine said, "Anyone who goes into a big group of people is making a very, very serious mistake. They're endangering themselves, their family, and total strangers. Any pastor who brings a group of people together - it's a huge mistake," It's not a Christian thing to do."
(new order on this coming tomorrow, apparently)
-it seems there will be a new order on parks and exercise (I’m assuming they will close) because people are gathering in groups in the parks + outside.
side note: We’ve been taking walks in a nearby urban forest - they’ve closed some of the roads to create new, large walkways for people - and we haven’t really seen gatherings, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s happening elsewhere.
-there was a signal that our schools will be closed for the remainder of the academic year, and that summer activities such as camps and pools may also be off the table. Dr. Acton said, “I wish I could give you hope about summer.”
She said there won’t be a specific “off switch” date to resume normalcy, and expects the flattening of the curve to be a long process.
-Gov. DeWine address the need for everyone to have access to food while continuing to flatten the curve. He and his team have set up a system for SNAP to be accepted curbside for areas/stores where online ordering/pickup is available.
This is so that people who are at risk, or don’t have childcare, can access food easily and more safely.
-a reporter asked why Hobby Lobby was still open. Gov. DeWine could be seen taking down notes during this questioning. Later, the Ohio AG issued a cease and desist, and they complied.
-to “stop the economic spread” of the virus, all mortgages - now including commercial - in Ohio will be paused for 90 days. Businesses can add these payments to the end of the life of the loans. It's my understanding that you have to call your bank and request this.
-we still have a shortage of testing here in Ohio. On top of that, people are having to wait a week or so for results. Gov. DeWine said, “That is unacceptable. It is unacceptable to the patient. It is unacceptable to the rest of us.”
There are currently hospitals in Ohio capable of quick turnaround, and are not operating at full capacity. Gov. DeWine has issued an order compelling hospitals to use these labs vs. third-party labs that are slow.
-also on testing: rapid testing (such as Abbott) is on its way here as well, and will be utilized as soon as it is available. DeWine said that as much testing as is possible is needed - that data is needed.
He also expressed a desire to lower the anxiety people have from being forced to wait so long for results.
-there is of course a shortage of PPE here in Ohio. To address this, a public-private alliance has been formed to ramp up production. At today’s press conference, a new website was unveiled where those who can participate can find out next steps: repurposingproject.com
(this is sort of like the DPA - working with manufacturing here in Ohio to switch from normal operations to making PPE)
-this is from yesterday, but ventilators are also on short supply here. To address this, a central cataloging system (a website) has been set up so that we know exactly how many we have, and where they are, and they can be deployed at will. CPAP machines are part of it as well.
So to recap, this is LEADERSHIP and ACTION. “Tone” wasn’t discussed following this press conference because DeWine is a serious and competent person, who has surrounded himself with other serious and competent people.
He understands that this is not easy for anyone. He said "We want to get kids back to school, we want to open restaurants, open bars -- but we just can't do it yet. Again, this is once in 102 years, we have to do this and we have to stay at it."
Link again if you want to watch:
ohiochannel.org/video/governor…
ohiochannel.org/video/governor…
Apparently others have noticed what actual leadership and competence looks like: bbc.com/news/world-us-…
