IMPORTANT THREAD: I want to clearly lay out the doubletalk and contradictions from @GovMikeDeWine + @LtGovHusted on the Ohio face mask mandate reversals -- using their own words.
March 22: I want to quickly reference the day Ohio's shutdown orders (biz closings, etc.) were first announced.
Two big takeaways: Ohioans *must* listen to new gov't guidelines, and those guidelines are based on *health.*
Two big takeaways: Ohioans *must* listen to new gov't guidelines, and those guidelines are based on *health.*
Monday, April 27: Gov. DeWine announces the new "Protocols For All Businesses," which includes a requirement for "face coverings" for all employees and clients/customers:
April 27, cont: Lt. Gov. Husted follows the announcement by explaining that the mask mandate came from "the best advice that we got from a variety of voices" -- support from both the medical and business communities:
April 27, cont: Husted emphasizes, very clearly, that the mask mandate plan is based solely on health considerations:
Skipping ahead momentarily to Wednesday, April 29: Husted describes the impetus behind this original plan. He mentions a "business group" put together by DeWine's administration was "unanimous" in its support for a mask mandate:
Tuesday, April 28: DeWine announces he is making an "adjustment" to the mask mandate because the requirement is "offensive to some of our fellow Ohioans."
April 28, cont: Husted says the administration still views mask wearing as a "best practice," but says the concern is about the mandate vs. recommendation issue.
April 28, cont: @DispatchAlerts reporter @RandyLudlow asks DeWine what "medical reason" he has for reversing the position.
In lengthy answer, DeWine doesn't give any medical reason. Again mentions sentiment from some that gov't shouldn't tell them what to do:
In lengthy answer, DeWine doesn't give any medical reason. Again mentions sentiment from some that gov't shouldn't tell them what to do:
April 28, cont: More of DeWine's answer to @RandyLudlow question: "This was offensive ... people looked at this and they said, 'that's one government mandate too far.'"
Wednesday, April 29: Husted now claims the administration heard on Monday "there are a lot of other circumstances" where mask mandate is impractical.
Remember: this 'impractical' argument was not mentioned on Tuesday. Only the 'government overreach' argument.'
Remember: this 'impractical' argument was not mentioned on Tuesday. Only the 'government overreach' argument.'
April 29, cont: DeWine, however, follows Husted by returning back to the overreach argument.
"That was my judgment, that this was a bridge too far."
"That was my judgment, that this was a bridge too far."
April 29, cont: No mention of impracticality. No mention of health reasons. DeWine solely is referencing the philosophy issues of a gov't mandate:
April 29, cont: Last one. @andy_chow asks about DeWine listening to public input. One more time, the governor doesn't mention health, doesn't mention impracticality. Only mentions people feeling this was government overreach:
.@GovMikeDeWine has received high praise during COVID-19 for basing his decisions on public health needs and relying on an "ends justify the means" view. He's become popular, somewhat ironically, for doing what isn't popular.
For whatever reason, that changed this week. /thread
For whatever reason, that changed this week. /thread
