State sued over virus measures

Gov. Mike Dewine and the Ohio Department of Health face yet another lawsuit over coronavirus restrictions, this time from a group of eight Ohioans.

Dewine responded to the lawsuit Tuesday by saying that it was no surprise and that he is more focused on what needs to be done to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Ohio.

“I’ve been sued many, many times over this ... I don’t know how many times,” Dewine said. “We’re doing what we know would make a difference . ... We know that this economy cannot move forward and that people would not have jobs if we can’t keep the virus down.”

The Ohioans who filed the federal suit oppose Dewine’s emergency orders dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak. They seek to end the regulations, including those that have shut down businesses and forced Ohioans to wear face masks.

In the 56-page lawsuit, Ohio Stands Up contends that state officials have intentionally misled the public and overstated the seriousness of the virus. The manipulation, they argue, has hurt thousands of businesses, many of which might never reopen; caused isolation of people that has led to an increase in drug overdoses, suicides, domestic violence and child abuse; and caused suffering for those in hospitals and nursing homes whose loved ones are barred from visiting.

“We believe that the response to COVID-19 has been the greatest fraud ever perpetrated on the American Public,” said Thomas Renz, a Fremont attorney representing the coalition.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Attorneys said it is funded solely by Ohioans’ contributions to the Ohio

Stands Up organization. Naming Dewine and interim state health director Lance Himes as defendants, the lawsuit seeks damages of $75,000 for each of the eight plaintiffs.