DeWine says return to normal life awaits a vaccine

SANDUSKY — Gov. Mike DeWine said he'll reopen business and normal activities as soon as he thinks it's safe to do so, but said precautions such as wearing masks will be part of a new normal for many months. "The truth is that it won't be like it was until we get a vaccine. We have to do the best we can," said the governor, citing estimates a COVID-19 vaccine might be 12 to 18 months away. As the governor spoke, new figures came in showing the number of new cases locally and around the world. Ohio had 7,280 total cases Tuesday and 324 deaths. Erie County had 15 total cases Tuesday after two new cases were confirmed. Deaths still stood at one, with Firelands Regional Medical Center treating four hospitalized coronavirus patients. There were 14 cases in Huron County as of Tuesday, with 13 in Sandusky County and 11 in Ottawa County. Cuyahoga County still led the state with 1,239 cases. Lorain County stood at 191 cases. The world had 1,978,769 cases Tuesday and there were 598,670 in the U.S., according to the Johns Hopkins tracking website. There were 125,196 deaths around the world. The U.S. had 25,191 deaths, according to a New York Times tally. DeWine spent much of his time at Tuesday's press conference in Columbus responding to concerns Ohio needs to move faster to open businesses back up and discussing what life might be like when social distancing rules are eased. The governor said that while hospital admissions in Ohio have been somewhat flat, 50 Ohioans died in the last 24 hours and the situation remained dangerous. He said when Ohio opens activities back up, it's important to do it correctly. "If we get it wrong, we'll have a medical mess and a mess in the economy," he said. Even when life in Ohio is more normal, people will need to make good decisions about what they should and should not do, DeWine said. If you are 80 years old and suffer from asthma, "you're probably not going to see the Reds play," said DeWine, a baseball fan. And regardless of what the state orders, many people will stay away from restaurants if they don't feel safe, he said. DeWine said he doesn't know when professional baseball will be played again or if big crowds of fans will be able to watch Ohio State football games in the fall. He said he doubts anyone knows yet, but said, "Large gatherings of people are going to be the last thing you check off the box." DeWine said businesses should be making plans for reopening, including getting masks, having disinfectant and putting someone in charge of making sure social distancing rules are followed. Although the governor said Monday the names of nursing homes with COVID-19 infections would be posted at coronavirus.ohio.gov, the information was not available Tuesday. It should be posted soon, said a spokeswoman for the state health department. DeWine said officials are still working on the wording of an order requiring public disclosure of cases in long- term care facilities. "Lawyers have to be involved," he said. Dr. Amy Acton, director of the state health department, said a new order has been issued requiring local health departments to give local dispatchers the names and addresses of people who have tested positive for COVID-19. That's to protect ambulance workers and other first responders, she said. Dispatchers will have to keep the information confidential. DeWine said the state is asking the federal government for waivers on Medicaid rules, including expanding the use of telemedicine and allowing services to be provided at alternative locations. Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said 41,000 jobs in essential industries remain unfilled in Ohio, including jobs at companies such as Amazon, Walmart and Kroger. These employers have created safe environments for their employees," said Husted said. "These employers need you if you can answer the call."