Ohio gubernatorial candidate Jim Renacci on Wednesday opposed additional mask mandates, after healthcare leaders called the measure for children.
The statement from Renacci follows a letter from the Ohio Hospital Association to education officials and school board members across the state, asking for mask requirements for students.
“Our healthcare system already is taxed, with one out of every four patients in the hospital with COVID-19. We’re fighting hard to save their lives, while treating other Ohioans who need our help, like children with broken bones, people suffering from strokes, or those needing emergency care after a car accident. We can’t do this alone. With Omicron spreading quickly through Ohio, we need everyone’s help to make it through the coming weeks. Please help us by requiring students to wear masks when they return to school,” the letter stated.
However, Renacci, who has staunchly opposed coronavirus mandates, called the potential move “child abuse.”
“Let’s be honest—masking our kids in schools for 8 hours a day is child abuse. Kids need to breathe properly, interact with others and to be heard. The long-term educational and psychological ramifications of these reckless policies are abhorrent. I immediately call on Mike DeWine to condemn the child abuse being pushed by state health leaders,” Renacci said in an emailed statement.
Renacci explained that most parents, like his running mate Joe Knopp, are against the measure.
“My running mate, Joe Knopp, along with countless other parents, have already seen first hand what these policies do to our kids. I stand with Ohio’s parents and say no more!”
The wave of positive coronavirus cases across the country have led some education officials to consider a return to remote learning, a move that severely hurt education levels among school-aged children.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Jim Renacci” by U.S. House of Representatives. Background Photo “Yet Another COVID Photo” by Surprising_Shots.
