So I heard via local radio news this morning that in addition to the new compliance threats, the guvnor has decreed that everyone including children ten and older must wear a mask at all Metro Parks
It looks like there is a general Covid game plan rolling out globally - some places most oppressed (and downright terrorized) than others - but basically, the same established constraints are being employed everywhere. And now Governor DeWine has pulled curfew out of that dirty bag of Covid health orders.
Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday announced a three-week, overnight stay-at-home order for Ohioans from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting Thursday in a quest to help turn around COVID-19 infections as daily cases tripled in the last three weeks.
DeWine also said most retail businesses are expected to be closed by 10 p.m. under the curfew, with the exception of necessities such as grocery stores, pharmacies and restaurants for carry-out and deliveries.
A DeWine spokesman said the order applies to individuals — not businesses. Some businesses will choose to close because people cannot travel to a casino, for example, past 10 p.m., he said.
The governor said those violating the curfew could be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine, for violating a public health order, but he did not expect police officers to generally enforce the curfew. "We're not looking for a heavy hand here," he said. DeWine knew of no one who had been charged with the offense this year.
The broad spread of the virus is evidenced in the rate of COVID-19 tests returning with positive results.
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Manufacturers’ Association said the curfew was the best of unpleasant options.
“Shutting down our economy again, or even closing certain businesses altogether, is definitely not the solution,” Ohio Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Andrew E. Doehrel and Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Eric Burkland said in a statement.
“A temporary curfew may be the least disruptive option to our recovering economy that can be taken right now to give our health care providers necessary breathing room.”
This subject and these restrictions have been fully explicated in this thread and, yes, Twilight Zone reality. Clearly, these measures are being presented as a necessary evil - the lesser evil, if you will. The three-week curfew will extend over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend - how debilitating will this be to the younger people, those of high school/college age and under 30? We all know that for them, 10 pm is when they go out for the evening! I can only guess that people running out to get flu shots is why the "cases" and hospitalizations have gone up. Deaths, on the other hand, have not seen the same rise. However, it's already been shown that the younger people are succumbing to suicide at rates never seen before. Domestic abuse, child abuse, death by isolation and loss of contact imposed on our elderly population - how can these statistics not merit the same concern? Not to worry - all will be well soon enough:
The governor's office announced "pre-positioned vaccine," after a COVID-19 vaccine is given emergency-use authorization, will be sent to Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University and OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in the central Ohio region.
"Ohio will first vaccinate those who are most at risk, including those who work in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and other congregate-care facilities, high-risk health care workers, and first responders," DeWine's office said in a statement.
That certainly sounds like it won't be a voluntary choice for those workers. And if they already had the flu shot . . . how massive might the ADRs be? I wonder if there's a stockpile of those FEMA coffins somewhere.
I guess it will remain to be seen how much of the population will continue to go along with these 'health safety' measures, especially if after the three weeks, our liberties are still MIA. Surprisingly, a former Columbus City Council president, who worked for Vice President Joe Biden, and is now a Columbus City Attorney (after running for three political offices in three years), has tweeted:
Some more choice tweets can be found here:
Some were looking for a stay-at-home order that wasn't just overnight.
www.dispatch.com
So, this latest restriction is being met with some derision and questioning of its effectiveness. Wendy's hamburger chain used to have an ad campaign of "Where's the Beef?" Looks like more and more people want to know "Where's the science?"
With Dark Winter waiting in the wings along with continuing Prez election turmoil, the roller coaster ride has hardly even begun. "Just stay calm and patient" is going to be a bit of a challenge, but who knows what "twists and turns" are in store maybe sooner than later. Meanwhile, let's give thanks for all the blessings associated with this forum and enjoy that turkey next week!