DeWine shouldn’t have to sound like a broken record

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine should not have to constantly remind people to take extra precaution to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

But for some reason, people just aren’t listening to DeWine, nor the medical experts who’ve pleaded since earlier this year that the virus is a big deal.

DeWine went to the airways just before dinner time Nov. 11, Veterans Day, to again plead with Ohioans that because COVID-19 remains a killer and is not going away, to wear masks or other face coverings, to social distance themselves from others, to wash their hands and to not host or attend large gatherings.

If his message sounds like a broken record, that’s because it is.

For some reason, many people still possess views that this virus is just not that serious. But, oh, are they wrong. Also on Nov. 11, the U.S. tallied more than 148,000 COVID-19 cases, setting new single-day record.

Unfortunately, Ohio has set many record daily COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks, with several days over 6,000 cases and Nov. 13 surpassed 8,000 cases.

That prompted DeWine to again plead with Ohioans to do the right thing.

But because his requests have pretty much been ignored by some, DeWine announced a new mask order for businesses.

DeWine’s recent orders were not as far-reaching as in March, when Ohio became one of the first states to go into lockdown.

The governor warned that if the number of Ohioans in hospitals and ICUs keeps rising, he again will close all bars, restaurants and fitness centers in the state.

The state will review Nov. 19 whether to shut them down or let them remain open.

For now, each store is required to post a sign outlining face-covering requirements at all public entrances to the store.

Each store is responsible for ensuring that customers and employees are wearing masks.

A new Retail Compliance Unit, comprised of agents led by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, will inspect to ensure compliance.

A first violation will result in a written warning; a second violation will result in closure of the store for up to 24 hours.

The state shouldn’t have to do that, but DeWine is serious about this.

DeWine also expanded the mass gathering limit of gatherings of 10 or more.

The guidelines include that pen congregate areas no longer will be permitted to open, everyone will be required to be seated and masked unless they are actively consuming food or drinks.

So, if Ohioans don’t want to stop going to their favorite restaurants, watering holes and gyms, they really must follow these guidelines.

These businesses are a big part of the state’s economy and they really need to stay open.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease expert, told ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Nov. 12 that “the cavalry is coming” in the form of vaccines.

Fauci said help really is on the way and he doesn’t believe the United States will need to go into lockdown to fight COVID-19 if people would just double down on wearing masks and social distancing.

Sounds familiar? Another broken record?

But Fauci said vaccines under development “are going to have a major positive impact” once they start being deployed in December and early into next year.

By April, May and June, he said the ordinary citizen should be able to get a vaccine.

The U.S. leads the world with more than 241,000 deaths and 10 million coronavirus cases.

Lorain County Public Health reported Nov. 12 that the county had 3,844 confirmed cases and 88 deaths.

An additional 443 cases are considered probable.

Lorain County remains at a Level 3 red alert along with 67 other Ohio counties.

As Lorain County continues its fight against rising coronavirus cases, local officials are accentuating vigilance in controlling community spread.

Dr. Gil Palmer, chief clinical officer with Mercy HealthLorain Hospital, is concerned because Lorain County’s local health care providers are seeing the impact daily as the numbers are trending in the wrong direction.

Palmer is trying to drive home the importance of social distancing and masking and taking standard precautions to not spread the virus.

Sounds like another broken record?

Palmer doesn’t want it to get to the point where hospitals are full with COVID-19 patients.

People have the power to prevent that from happening.

When DeWine announced Nov. 12 that Ohio set another record high with 7,101 new cases, eclipsing the previous high of 6,500 set only days earlier, he said he didn’t want another state shutdown.

A shutdown is avoidable if people are very careful.

We support DeWine when he says this is within our control and we don’t have to let it get that bad.

It may sound like a broken record, but Ohioans must take personal responsibility to protect others.