Answers To Crisis Questions

Question #1 – How Many COVID-19 Cases

Ohio is reporting 867 confirmed cases of Coronavirus and 15 deaths. Healthcare workers accounted for 145 COVID-19 cases. As of today, 223 people are hospitalized, 91 admitted to ICUs. The age range of victims is between less than 1 and 94 in 60 counties. Over 17,000 Ohioans have been tested. Dr. Amy Acton again emphasized that 40 to 70% of Ohioans will likely get the virus.

Question # 2 – How Many Unemployment Claims?

We’ve been waiting for answers about unemployment numbers. Not surprisingly, numbers skyrocketed as many businesses have been forced to shut down. Nationally, 3.28 million Americans filed for unemployment last week. In Ohio,187,784 people filed a claim. Many people had issues logging onto the state unemployment website. Lt. Governor Jon Husted says the site is working much better now but it overwhelmed. “Everything we can do on our end to ease the burden on your life is a top priority to us.” He said the website was adding servers and building capacity. He said that if there’s a delay getting through, your unemployment benefits will be retroactive to when you first qualified.

Husted also said the federal bill moving through Congress would qualify 1099 and contract workers for unemployment benefits.

Governor DeWine said Ohioans should not worry about being able to get benefits. “The money will be there.”

Question #3 – Will Evictions Be Stopped?

Governor DeWine said new legislation give judges the power to hold off acting of criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings. People may file for evictions. Judges are not obligated to act. He said some evictions, such as domestic violence situations or where illegal activity is happening on a property may still go through.

Question #4 – What’s New With Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov?

In response to questions from users, Ohio’s Coronavirus site has been updated to include a new interactive dashboard. It includes symptom onset information and numbers from Ohio’s prisons and juvenile facilities. So far, so confirmed cases have been reported in correctional facilities.

Question #5 – Am I Making A Difference?

Ohio Health Department Director, Dr. Amy Acton said Ohio’s strict shutdown efforts appear to have had some success in flattening Ohio’s curve. “This would have been the peak of our surge,” she said. “We have. through our collective work, decreased the impact on our healthcare system by 50 to 75%. But we’ve got to clamp down more. At our peak surge, we may see 6,000 to 8,000 cases a day.” Dr. Acton said she’d like to see the surge moved to the end of April or the beginning of May.

Question #6 – Hospital Capacity

Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton said they are working closely with local hospitals to increase their capacities and would have more details on those efforts soon. She said that Coronavirus victims who require hospitalization will likely need long hospital stays.

Acton said she’s concentrating on increasing ICU capacity. “Everything’s about the ICU. In Southeast Ohio, in the Appalachian region, you’ll see one hospital become the COVID hospital.”

Question # 7 – Are Funerals and Weddings Allowed?

Governor DeWine said that funerals and weddings are permitted but that large gatherings need to be postponed. gatherings. “Many families are postponing the big ceremonies. People are going ahead and gettting married but postponing the big party until after this is over.”

Quesiton #8 – Do I Call 9-1-1 on Bad Businesses?

Lt. Governor Jon Husted pleaded with Ohioans to not call 9-1-1 or local politicians to complain about essential businesses breaking safe workplace rules. He said if you want to report a violation, call the health department.

Question #9 -When Do I Vote?

You will have until April 28 to vote by mail in the delayed March election. If you can’t print a ballot online, call your local board of elections and request one.

Question #10 – Can I Go Outdoors?

The Governor advised those enjoying the outdoors to remember to not get close. “Distance is the key.” He said mayors in several cities had told him they removed basketball hoops to prevent people from congregating and he suggested all Ohio cities do the same as well as close playgrounds.

DeWine encouraged people to enjoy parks and said he planned an evening walk himself but reminded them to keep a physical distance of six feet.

Those were your answers to crisis questions for March 26. We’ll be back tomorrow with a breakdown of everything you need to know.