Some Ohio Republican lawmakers are calling for Gov. Mike DeWine to reopen the state.
The governor said Friday he would create a plan to gradually reopen, The Plain-Dealer said.
House Speaker Larry Householder convened a task force that will study how to reopen the economy. State Rep. Paul Zeltwanger (R-OH-54) said Ohio needs to plan for controlling the disease for when segments of the economy reopen. He pointed out that some question whether 253 deaths as of Sunday justify the closures.
Householder questioned a new policy by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Dayton Daily News said. That policy not only requires death certificates to report COVID-19 as an assumed cause of death, but also calls for suspected cases of the virus to count. He, along with State Sen. Stephen Huffman (R-OH-12), say that could inflate the state’s death and case rates.
Huffman last week called for the reopening of business activity in West Central Ohio, telling DeWine in a letter that it makes sense from “population density,” The Ohio Star reported.
Huffman made his plea for small businesses.
Although I’m sure you are aware, I think it must be stated that many small business owners have no income while closed. Many employees who go on unemployment will be receiving more money from the state and federal unemployment benefits than they were while working. Additionally, those working in most positions in government, by and large, continue to receive their paychecks.
Please consider lifting the ban on a date specific and as soon as possible for businesses in west central Ohio.
State Rep. Nino Vitale (R-OH-85) of Urbana, also sent a letter to DeWine asking that elective surgeries be resumed so doctors and nurses can return to work, Local 12 reported.
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Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
