{"id":133720,"date":"2020-08-04T23:03:54","date_gmt":"2020-08-05T04:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/?p=133720"},"modified":"2020-08-05T22:22:07","modified_gmt":"2020-08-06T03:22:07","slug":"state-widens-face-covering-mandate-for-ohio-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2020\/08\/04\/state-widens-face-covering-mandate-for-ohio-students\/","title":{"rendered":"State widens student face mask mandate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>VW independent\/submitted information<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>COLUMBUS &#8212; Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided the following updates Tuesday on the status of the state&#8217;s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/case-study_original.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-133721\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/case-study_original.png 500w, https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/case-study_original-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><figcaption>The above illustration shows how Covid-19 can be spread among Ohioans.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Masks in schools<\/strong><br>Governor DeWine announced Tuesday that the Ohio Department of Health will issue a health order requiring that K-12 children wear face coverings while at school. The new mandate comes after the Ohio Children&#8217;s Hospital Association and American Academy of Pediatrics Ohio Chapter&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/lnks.gd\/l\/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA4MDQuMjUyNzY2MDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NvbnRlbnQuZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkuY29tL2F0dGFjaG1lbnRzL09IT09ELzIwMjAvMDgvMDQvZmlsZV9hdHRhY2htZW50cy8xNTExMDgzLzguMy4yMCUyME9DSEElMjBhbmQlMjBBQVAlMjBGYWNlJTIwQ292ZXJpbmdzJTIwTWFza2luZyUyMEd1aWRlbGluZXNfLnBkZiJ9.E8JdemXuxORvL50_6kbd0GHP97s0ZfcFX4hw5YN1N8o\/s\/953903915\/br\/81887207937-l\" target=\"_blank\">issued a joint letter&nbsp;<\/a>on Tuesday recommending widespread use of masks in schools with the following exceptions:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Children under the age of 2 years old<\/li><li>Any child unable to remove the face covering without assistance<\/li><li>A child with a significant behavioral\/psychological issue undergoing treatment that is exacerbated specifically by the use of a facial covering (e.g. severe anxiety or a tactile aversion)<\/li><li>A child living with severe autism or with extreme developmental delay who may become agitated or anxious wearing a mask<\/li><li>A child with a facial deformity that causes airway obstruction<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Without a vaccine, we are limited in the ways that we can protect the people of Ohio,&#8221; said Governor DeWine. &#8220;For schools to have a fighting chance to stay open this fall, widespread face coverings for K-12 students will increase the odds that kids will go to school and stay in school.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rapid testing multi-state purchasing agreement<\/strong><br>Governor DeWine announced that Ohio is entering into a multi-state purchasing agreement with Maryland, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Virginia to expand the use of rapid point-of-care tests.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Over the past week, we have conducted an average of 22,334 COVID-19 tests a day with Ohio&#8217;s current testing procedure, but rapid point-of-care tests are faster, simpler, and less expensive,&#8221; said Governor DeWine. &#8220;Expanding the use of this testing will serve as an important screening tool and a critical addition to our plan to limit the spread of COVID-19.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More rapid point-of-care testing will help Ohio detect outbreaks sooner with faster turnaround time, expand testing in congregate settings, and make testing more accessible for the most high-risk and hard-hit communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Community spread<\/strong><br>Governor DeWine on Tuesday also continued to warn Ohioans about community spread connected to informal gatherings between family and friends.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The truth is that it is easier to be scared of a stranger than a friend. Maintaining social distance and choosing to not gather together is really a sign that you care about your loved ones,&#8221; Governor DeWine said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lnks.gd\/l\/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA4MDQuMjUyNzY2MDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NvbnRlbnQuZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkuY29tL2F0dGFjaG1lbnRzL09IT09ELzIwMjAvMDgvMDQvZmlsZV9hdHRhY2htZW50cy8xNTExMTIxL0NvdmlkLTE5JTIwc3ByZWFkX2Nhc2UlMjBzdHVkeV84LjQuMjAyMF8ucGRmIn0.7SYICjXzSavu5b32VxY_4RZeEfmy3f_kkkvHLyZ1dUA\/s\/953903915\/br\/81887207937-l\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New data<\/a>&nbsp;compiled by the Ohio Department of Health shows the amount of community spread per county over the past two weeks.&nbsp;Leading the list of per-capita Covid-19 cases is Mercer County, which has the highest per-capita rate of infection of all 88 Ohio counties at 230.4 cases per 100,000 of population. That\u2019s figured on 94 actual cases between July 21 and August 3 in a county with a population of 40,806. Van Wert County has done much better and ranks seventh from the bottom (81) with a per-100,000 infection rate of just 21.2 cases. Van Wert County, with a population of 28,281, had just six cases in the same time period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Letter to faith-based community<\/strong><br>Governor DeWine also announced that he will send a letter to Ohio&#8217;s faith-based community to share important&nbsp;health information with Ohio churches, synagogues, and mosques and to share ways to better protect their worshipers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lnks.gd\/l\/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA4MDQuMjUyNzY2MDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NvbnRlbnQuZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkuY29tL2F0dGFjaG1lbnRzL09IT09ELzIwMjAvMDgvMDQvZmlsZV9hdHRhY2htZW50cy8xNTExMTIxL0NvdmlkLTE5JTIwc3ByZWFkX2Nhc2UlMjBzdHVkeV84LjQuMjAyMF8ucGRmIn0.wSW0hya8pG8Jkq8jc7X7BtGGCsK3vwCGtgmjDQqPpCA\/s\/953903915\/br\/81887207937-l\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">case study<\/a>&nbsp;shows that a man with COVID-19 attended a church service in Ohio, and following that service, 91 additional people from five counties developed symptoms.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I know that our faith-based leaders want nothing more than to protect their worshipers, but we also know that the virus can easily spread in places where people gather,&#8221; said Governor DeWine. &#8220;It is vital that, any time people gather together, everyone wear masks, practice social distancing, wash hands, and while indoors, making sure there is good ventilation and airflow.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dr. Amy Acton<\/strong><br>Governor DeWine announced that Dr. Amy Acton, Ohio&#8217;s former director of the Ohio Department of Health, has decided to leave state employment and return to her role at the Columbus Foundation, where she worked previously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;While it saddens me that she will be leaving my office, she has assured me that she is just a phone call away and will be available to continue advising us as we move through this pandemic,&#8221; said Governor DeWine.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Current Covid-19 data<\/strong><br>There are 95,106 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio and 3,570 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A total of 11,119 people have been hospitalized, including 2,593 admissions to intensive care units.&nbsp;In-depth data can be accessed by visiting&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.Vx1mVeUFCuWGuT0HOxrpPpZfsltKyA5Sep0tE09dUvY%2Fbr%2F76746661264-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cjill.delgreco%40governor.ohio.gov%7C2719480e44d7446a79f408d82e7e46c3%7C50f8fcc494d84f0784eb36ed57c7c8a2%7C0%7C0%7C637310467175093942&amp;sdata=RV4VVZVx6Ek%2FKnZUhLz9duD8r0a2RAt5E3%2BTGD5az1s%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\">coronavirus.ohio.gov<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information on Ohio&#8217;s response to COVID-19, visit&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.R_ynRHXbSrOH37zaqM5Mauq6VvIT_rMyqLaEQgq9LsA%2Fbr%2F76436228066-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cjill.delgreco%40governor.ohio.gov%7C2719480e44d7446a79f408d82e7e46c3%7C50f8fcc494d84f0784eb36ed57c7c8a2%7C0%7C0%7C637310467175113941&amp;sdata=05pgBfVS2p%2F%2B%2B%2Bjh8eThIhiAdvVUoYtBTGPhPDsQtrc%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">coronavirus.ohio.gov<\/a>&nbsp;or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>VW independent\/submitted information COLUMBUS &#8212; Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided the following updates Tuesday on the status of the state&#8217;s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp; Masks in schoolsGovernor DeWine announced Tuesday that the Ohio Department of Health will issue a health order requiring that K-12 children wear face coverings while [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-133720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-08-02 23:41:42","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133720","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=133720"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133720\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=133720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=133720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=133720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}