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Tuesday, July 29
Scioto County Daily News
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  • Public Safety
    OSP Investigates Crash

    Tragedy Strikes Twice: Two Fatal Creek Crashes in a Single Day 

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    💥Semi Rollover Dumps Hazardous River of Milk!💥 

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    🚨 Caught in the Act: Armed Man Snaps After Catching Girlfriend in Bed with His Buddy — Ends in Arrest 🚔 

    Good Kids CPS

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    BAD BEHAVIOR

    Violence at Kelli Apartments: Man Accused of Attacking Woman and Grabbing Child 

    Recovery Housing Scioto County

    “We Can Shut Down a Bad Diner—But Not a Bad Rehab?”: Powell Pushes for Recovery Housing Reform 

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    Portsmouth Mom Busted After Child Shows Up Alone at Hospice — Again! 

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    🚓 Busted After a Police Ride?! Car Theft Suspect Claims Unusual Chauffeur 

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    From ER to Aisle 3: Walker-Wielding Wanderer Bounced Between Stores 

    👊 Daughter Busted After Alleged Attack on Mom — History of Violence Comes Back to Haunt Her 

    Timothy McKinney

    60 Days for a Brutal Beating? Man Who Killed Dog With 2×4 Gets Slap on the Wrist 

    New Federal Homelessness Order Calls for Tougher Measures, But Will It Help Cities Like Portsmouth? 

    Justice Delayed: Court Stalls in Walmart Ambush Case That Left Teen Fighting for Life 

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  • Lawrence County
  • Politics
    Scottie Powell

    “Run on Vision, Not Attacks”: Powell Offers Advice to Candidates Vying for Cathy Coleman’s Seat 

    🌿 Bamboo Gets Fast-Tracked at City Hall — But the Homeless Crisis? Still Stuck in Neutral 

    Who Will Carry Cathy’s Torch? GOP to Choose Coleman’s Replacement July 29 

    Cathy Coleman

    Commissioners Back Senior Housing Project Championed by Late Commissioner Cathy Coleman 

    “Bad and Quirky” Lucasville House Targeted for Demolition as County Cracks Down on Blighted Properties 

    ‘A Great Addition to Heaven’: Commissioners Honor Cathy Coleman, Reflect on Her Legacy and Who Might Carry It Forward 

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    Scioto County Mourns Commissioner Cathy Coleman 

    🚨TRIAL TWIST! Horton Corruption Case on Ice—For Now 

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    Remembering Scioto County Commissioner Cathy Coleman

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    🏥 Scioto County Approves Hospital Tax to Keep Medicaid Dollars Local 

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    Cathy Coleman Still Fighting: Family Shuts Down Hospice Rumors, Says Recovery Still Underway

    County May Tap Opioid Settlement Funds to Finish MARCS Tower Project 

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    Cautious Hope and Harsh Realities: New Details Emerge on Commissioner Cathy Coleman’s Condition 

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    Robert Horton

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  • Feel Good
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  • Obituaries
    Dannette Ann Lowery

    Dannette Ann Lowery, 55 of Mentor, Ohio

    Kathryn Jane Zaayer

    Kathryn Jane Zaayer, 87 of Otway

    Kyle E. Redoutey

    Kyle E. Redoutey, 30

    Myrtle Maxine Carver Boggs

    Myrtle Maxine Carver Boggs, 85 of South Portsmouth

    Patricia Ann Robinson

    Patricia Ann Robinson 73 McDermott

    Barbara Williams

    Shirley Jean Hackworth, 89 of Franklin Furnace,

    Judith Marie Fox

    Judith Marie Fox 81 of Wetumpka

    Janet Sue (Brisker) Risner

    Janet Sue (Brisker) Risner, 83 of Minford

    Prudence Ruth West

    Prudence Ruth West, 82 of Portsmouth,

    Kaitlyn Nicole Murphy

    Kaitlyn Nicole Murphy, 22 of Newcomerstown

    Ricky Edwin Johnson

    Ricky Edwin Johnson 72 of Portsmouth

    Alana Dustianna Meshelle Greene

    Alana Dustianna Meshelle Greene, 32 of Portsmouth

    Estel C. Harr, 68 of Portsmouth

    James L. Slone, 86, of South Webster

    James L. Slone, 86 of South Webster

    Gary Lee Meade,70 of West Portsmouth

    Lilly Ann Elliott

    Lilly Ann Elliott, 53 of Portsmouth

    James D. Hannah

    James D. Hannah, 60 of Greenup

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    Bristol Rafalowski, 3, of Wheelersburg

    Walter Logan

    Walter Logan 56 of Portsmouth

    Paul H. Parker

    Paul H. Parker 85 of Portsmouth

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COVID Death Surge Looming for Scioto County?

Mark Craycraft by Mark Craycraft
4 years ago
in Opinion, Public Safety
COVID Death Surge
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COVID Death Surge Looming for Scioto County?

There have been more COVID-related deaths this month than all the deaths combined since March 5th.

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According to the Collins English Dictionary, a surge is a sudden large increase in something that has previously been steady or has only increased or developed slowly. One could certainly make the argument that a “statistical surge” is already underway. If the numbers we see were associated with a company on the NASDAQ, every single analyst would say that it is trending up.

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This article will cover 2 very important questions. Why do we say that a surge may be looming? Why do the numbers on the Ohio Department of Health’s website differ from the numbers we receive each day locally?

Page 1 of 5

Death Certificates

It may be a misconception that the County Coroner issues death certificates and labels them as COVID-related. In nearly every case, there is no autopsy and, therefore, no need for the Medical Examiner’s office to be involved. The attending physician is where the process starts. It is up to them to determine the cause of death and if that death is COVID-related.

Anyone who has experienced a death in the family can affirm, a death certificate can take up to two weeks to get back and sometimes longer. When a COVID death certificate is involved it must be processed through the Health Department and then a report is made.

Page 2 of 5

State Senate Bill 22

State Senate Bill 22 (SB 22), sponsored by local State Senator Terry Johnson, forbids health departments in Ohio from ordering blanket health mandates among people without a diagnosis of any disease. There is no political bias and, frankly, the politicization of this public health scourge debases new information as quickly as it is released. This disease does not care who you voted for, the color of your skin, your socio-economic situation, or if you’re Big Bad Leroy Brown.

SB 22 is the law of the land. There will be no more curfews, mandates, or shutdowns. Some local governments and townships have tried to circumvent the law as it is worded that Health Departments can’t order these mandates. Lawsuits are already underway against those that have tried and time will tell. Until then, we find ourselves in yet another Public Health experiment.

Page 3 of 5

Vaccinations

Scioto County currently has a 37% vaccination rate. This is another highly polarizing subject. Yes, you can still get COVID after being vaccinated. In fact, there are people in the ICU right now gravely ill with COVID that were fully vaccinated. Employers and schools are beginning to implement vaccination mandates. There are very strong opinions on both sides. Again, Public Health has become a political football.

Think back to last summer. The public was told to voluntarily quarantine themselves after they came home from vacation. Did you hear that this year? So, over 60% of the county’s population is not vaccinated and many trekked all over the country for Sun, Fun, and Relaxation.

Remember the term asymptomatic carriers? Remember these things before you start to blame a County Fair, church potluck dinner, family reunions, or playgrounds at the park. Remember, those were closed too.

We can’t point a judgemental finger at one single event to explain this plague. So, be good citizens stop trying to.

Page 4 of 5

ODH Website Numbers

While we are reminiscing about the “flattening the curve” days, remember this. In early February, of this year, it was discovered that the Ohio Department of Health had underreported as many as 4,000 COVID-related deaths. An audit began but the numbers have become irrevocably distorted. Locally, our EMA Director, Larry Mullins, has developed a very accurate reporting system. His process involves reporting directly from the death certificates as they are reported through the local health departments. His records start from the very first death, long before the State debacle.

It is clear, the local reporting system is more accurate than the deluge of information being sifted at the state.

Page 5 of 5

Conclusion

As the infections increase, the hospitalizations will increase, and sadly the deaths will increase. We are operating with a mix of apathy, defiance, and a “hands-off” approach from the state.

Before, we were afraid and seeking answers. Now, we’ve got it all figured out. We’re entrenched in our beliefs and it’s everyone for themselves.

This is not a call for politicians to proclaim a new edict on our citizenry. It is a plea for family, friends, neighbors, and strangers to remain civil. “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved.” ― Roy T. Bennett

Tags: COVID-19FamilyFeaturedHealthNewsletter
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