Dewine to Biden: Ohio needs more vaccines
Governor also suggests feds set up mass distribution sites
COLUMBUS – Ohio's most pressing need in the fight against the novel coronavirus is more vaccine doses, Gov. Mike Dewine told now-president Joe Biden. Dewine outlined the state's most critical needs as the state responds to the COVID-19 crisis in a Monday letter, responding to a Biden administration request to detail what the federal government can do to help.
“The most important thing you can do is get us more vaccine,” Dewine wrote. “We can deal with most of the other challenges surrounding its distributions, but the need for more is an imperative.”
Biden has promised to provide 100 million COVID-19 vaccines during his first 100 days in office, a goal that health experts say will be challenging to reach.
“Our biggest problem is really simple: it's a lack of vaccine” Dewine said during a Thursday news conference. “I know every other state has the same problem, but I wanted the Biden administration to understand, the president to understand that this is the most important thing.”
Dewine also suggested federal health officials set up mass COVID-19 vaccine and distribution sites, create a national campaign on the merits of the vaccine and continued mask-wearing and assistance in vaccinating seasonal or migrant workers, who can be difficult to track down.
Dewine also wants federal money for public health and flexibility in how to spend $350 billion that Biden has proposed for state and local government.
The Republican governor asked for federal dollars to improve broadband access for Ohioans who must work or learn at home because of the pandemic.
In a handwritten note at the bottom of the letter, Dewine thanked Biden for his team's outreach, saying they have been “great to work with.” Dewine and Biden were colleagues in the U.S. Senate for 12 years.
“We look forward to working with you! My best to you,” Dewine wrote.
Dewine previously praised former Vice President Mike Pence's work on COVID-19 response. On Tuesday, however, Dewine said he wasn't the best judge of whether Trump's vaccine effort was successful: “I think history is going to have to write that story.”
Dewine said many people deserved credit for developing the two COVID-19 vaccines, even if he wished states were given more advanced notice of when they are shipped.
“It happened certainly under President Trump's watch so I think they get some credit for that. It happened very, very quickly,” Dewine said.