Coronavirus latest: 799,639 cases in Ohio; 308,729 in Kentucky; 574,119 in Indiana
>> WE’RE GOING TO INTERRUPT TAMRON HALL RIGHT NOW. GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE OF OHIO WITH A 3:00 ADDRESS OF THE STATE RIGHT NOW ABOUT COVID-19. LET’S LISTEN IN FROM THE CAPITOL. GOV. DEWINE: I WANT TO RECAP WHATEVER GOALS HAVE BEEN ON VACCINATION, AND THEY REMAIN. WE KNEW GOING INTO THIS, AT LEAST AT THE BEGINNING, WE WOULD HAVE NOT ENOUGH VACCINE. THIS TURNED OUT TO BE TRUE. OF COURSE, WE HAVE THE TWO COMPANIES, MODERNA AND PFIZER, THAT HAVE BEEN SHIPPED INTO OHIO, CONTINUE TO BE SHIPPED INTO OHIO. WE HOPE TO GET A THIRD IN THE NOT-TOO-DISTANT FUTURE. WE HOPE THAT PRODUCTION FROM THESE TWO WILL ALSO GO UP. FOR NOW, WE HAVE A SCARCITY. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT NONE OF US LIKE, BUT THAT IS THE ROLE BE LIVE IN. OUR GOALS HAVE BEEN THREEFOLD AND REMAIN THREEFOLD. NUMBER ONE, TO SAVE LIVES. NUMBER 2, 2 VACCINATE OUR HEALTH CARE PEOPLE WHO ARE AT THE FRONT LINES, WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR US EVERY DAY AND PROTECTING US. WE NEED TO PROTECT THEM. THIRD WILL BE GETTING OUR SCHOOLS BACK IN PERSON STILL WITH THE GOAL OF TRYING TO DO THIS BY MARCH 1. SO, THOSE ARE THE ESSENTIAL GOALS. LET ME TALK FOR A MOMENT ABOUT THE FIRST ONE, SAVING LIVES. WE ARE DOING THIS IN SEVERAL WAYS. WE MADE A DECISION VERY, VERY EARLY TO PUT A REAL FOCUS ON OUR NURSING HOMES. THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE SEEN OVER HALF OF THE DEATHS WE HAVE SEEN IN OHIO FROM COVID. SO IT CERTAINLY MADE SENSE TO DO THAT. WE HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS, AND THE NEWS CONTINUES TO BE GOOD. 85% OF THE NURSING HOMES HAVE NOW BEEN VISITED BY THE PHARMACY COMPANIES, PURSUANT TO OUR DIRECTION. IN 85% OF THESE HOMES NOW PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE VACCINE. BOTH STAFF AND THE RESIDENTS. THE PHARMACY COMPANIES WILL CONTINUE TO FINISH THAT ADDITIONAL 15%, AND WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN, STARTING LAST WEEK, THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND DOSE, SECOND VISITS. NOW, WE DON’T HAVE THE EXACT NUMBERS AS FAR AS COMPLIANCE OR HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE TAKING THOSE. WE SAID, THE FAR ME — PHARMACY COMPANIES TELLING US WERE ABOUT 85% OF RESIDENTS WERE TAKING IT, 40% OF STAFF. PHARMACY COMPANIES TELL US ANECDOTALLY, AS THEY GO BACK AND GET A SECOND OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A SECOND OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THE FIRST VACCINE, THOSE NUMBERS HAVE GONE UP. SO WE ARE HAPPY ABOUT THAT. BASED ON INFORMATION THAT WE WERE TOLD TODAY, IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OVER 9% OF THE VACCINATIONS OF PEOPLE IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES IN THE NATION, AS A WHOLE. WE HAVE A LOT OF NURSING HOMES, OVER 900. SO, WE HAVE A LARGE NUMBER, AND THESE ARE GOOD RESULTS, AND WE ARE HAPPY ABOUT THAT. I HAVE SPECIFIC NUMBERS IN REGARDS TO OUR TWO VETERANS HOMES RUN BY THE STATE OF OHIO FOR VETERANS, ONE IN GEORGETOWN, ONE IN SANDUSKY. IN SANDUSKY, SECOND VISITS HAVE BEEN MADE. NOW 92 PERCENT OF THE ELIGIBLE VETERANS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED. 60% OF STAFF HAS BEEN VACCINATED. IN GEORGETOWN, SAME NUMBER, 92% OF ELIGIBLE VETERANS. HOWEVER, THE STAFF WAS LOWER AT 42%. SO, WANTED TO SHARE THAT DATA. SAVING LIVES. NURSING HOMES AND THOSE OVER 65. WE KNOW THAT 87% OF OUR DEATHS HAVE COME FROM THOSE OVER THE AGE OF 65. GREAT PROGRESS WITH OUR NURSING HOMES. WE HAVE OTHER CONGREGATE CARE FACILITIES, AND I THINK WE HAVE REALLY DRILLED DOWN ON NOT ONLY DOING OUR NURSING HOMES, NOT ONLY DOING OUR ASSISTED LIVING, WE HAVE SOME SMALL COPPER GET CARE FACILITIES AROUND THE STATE OF OHIO, AND WE ARE FOCUSING ON THOSE AS WELL. WE ANNOUNCED THAT WE WOULD PRIORITIZE THOSE OVER THE AGE OF 65. WE WILL START, AS ANNOUNCED, NEXT WEEK THOSE 80 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. LET ME TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT AND GIVE YOU SOME OF THE DETAILS, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT LAST WEEK THAT I WANT TO GO THROUGH AGAIN. SOMETHING NEW. OUR HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN VACCINATING THEIR MEDICAL PERSONNEL. WE ARE TELLING THE HOSPITALS TODAY THAT THEY NEED TO FINISH THAT UP. THEY NEED TO FINISH BY MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY. MONDAY, THEY NEED TO MOVE THEN TO VACCINATE THOSE OLDER OHIOANS THAT ARE 80 AND OLDER. IF A HOSPITAL, FOR SOME REASON, DOES NOT WANT TO DO THAT, THEN WE WILL ASK FOR THE VACCINE BACK FROM THEM, BUT I THINK MOST HOSPITALS WILL BE IN THAT POSITION TO MAKE THE SWITCH AND MOVE FORWARD TO VACCINATE THOSE WHO ARE 80 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. IT IS TIME TO MAKE THAT MOVE. WE WANT THEM TO FINISH UP THIS WEEK, SUNDAY, BUT WE REALLY NEED TO MOVE TO THIS AGE GROUP. WE ALSO, IN ADDITION TO THE HOSPITALS, — COUNTY HOSPITALS — WE HAVE A TOTAL OF ABOUT 800 PROVIDERS, WHO BEGINNING NEXT WEEK, WILL BE MAKING THE VACCINE AVAILABLE ONCE THEY GET IT, MAKING IT AVAILABLE TO THOSE 80 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. LET ME TALK ABOUT HOW THIS ROLLOUT WILL OCCUR. IN THE 80 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER GROUP CONSTITUTES IN OHIO ABOUT 422,000 PEOPLE. AS OF NOW — WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN OUR NUMBERS TODAY — BUT WE BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF VACCINE TO BE ABLE HAVE NEXT WEEK FOR THAT AGE GROUP IS ABOUT 100,000. SO YOU CAN SEE, THIS WILL TAKE A WHILE. YESTERDAY, THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HELD A WEBINAR WITH REGISTERED VACCINE PROVIDERS. WE HAVE HAD FOR SOME TIME, PROVIDERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SIGN UP. WE HAVE OVER 1900 PROVIDERS WHO WE CAN PULL FROM IN THE FUTURE. 1900. THAT NUMBER WILL CERTAINLY GO UP AS WELL AS WE LOOK TO OTHER PHARMACIES AS WELL. FOR THE FIRST WEEK, WE PICKED 800 TO START THIS PROCESS. WE HAVE ASKED LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO PARTNER WITH LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES AND THE PROVIDERS IN THEIR COUNTIES, AND TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCES, OR OTHERWISE NOTIFY THE MEDIA. TO DO THIS EITHER TOMORROW OR THURSDAY. WHAT THEY WILL BE TELLING EVERYONE IN THEIR LOCAL AREAS ARE THE LOCATIONS WHERE THOSE 80 YEARS AND OLDER WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE VACCINE. SOME OF THESE MAY BE WALK-UP CLINICS, OTHERS MAY TAKE APPOINTMENTS. THAT WILL BE UP TO EACH ONE OF THE PROVIDERS. LET ME TALK ABOUT HOW THE ROLLOUT DOES OCCUR. A LOT OF THIS WE CANNOT CONTROL. WE CAN DESIGNATE WHERE THE VACCINE IS GOING, BUT SHIPMENT, WE DON’T CONTROL THAT. THE SHIPMENTS START ARRIVING ON MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY. THAT IS THE WAY IT WORKS EVERY WEEK. IT WILL NOT BE KNOWN UNTIL THIS WEEKEND, PROBABLY SUNDAY, EXACTLY WHICH OF THE PROVIDERS GET IT ON WHICH PARTICULAR DAY. BUT EACH PROVIDER IS GOING TO DETERMINE WHERE THEY SIGN PEOPLE UP, HOW THEY DO THAT. AGAIN, TO RECAP, ON WEDNESDAY, TOMORROW, OR THURSDAY — IT IS UP TO THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT — THEY WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE OR DO A NEWS RELEASE IN THE COUNTY THE DIFFERENT PLACES, AND HOW YOU CONTACT THOSE PLACES, WHERE THEY WILL HAVE THE VACCINE. I WANT TO ENSURE EVERYBODY 65 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER WILL REMAIN PRIORITY. WE KNOW IT WILL TAKE A WHILE. IN THE 1B GROUP, WE HAVE ABOUT 2.2 MILLION PEOPLE. WE KNOW THAT THAT WILL TAKE A WHILE. BUT WE WANT TO GET THE VACCINES AS QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY INTO PEOPLE’S ARMS AS WE CAN, AND THAT IS STARTING NEXT WEEK. ALSO ON THURSDAY OF THIS WEEK, THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL POST INFORMATION ON OUR OHIO.GOV WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN SEE WHERE VACCINATIONS ARE BEING ALLOCATED FOR NEXT WEEK. RESIDENTS CAN SEARCH FOR ZIP CODE, BY COUNTY TO FIND THE PLACES CLOSEST TO YOU. WEBSITE ALSO PROVIDES CONTACT INFORMATION FOR EACH LOCATION, PROVIDER, AND LINKS FOR THE RESIDENTS TO LEARN MORE FROM THAT PARTICULAR PROVIDER. EACH PROVIDER WILL HANDLE THEIR OWN SCHEDULE. IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OUR SITE, THE STATE SITE, WILL ONLY SHOW WHAT ALLOCATORS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED VACCINES. IT WILL NOT UPDATE IN REAL TIME. THEY MAY GO THROUGH ALL THE VACCINE THEY HAVE, AND THAT INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE, BUT THAT INFORMATION WILL COME FROM THAT INDIVIDUAL PROVIDER. SO IT IS CRITICAL TO REACH OUT TO EVERY PROVIDER FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION AND AVAILABILITY OF THEIR VACCINE ALLOTMENT, AND HOW THEY WANT YOU TO REGISTER OR SIGN UP FOR THAT. IN THE COMING WEEKS, AS MORE VACCINATIONS ARE MADE AVAILABLE, AND PHASE 1B OPENS UP TO MORE OHIOANS, WE WILL BE ADDING MORE PROVIDERS. THIS WILL BE ENTIRELY BASED ON THE VACCINE THAT WE GET. VACCINES FROM THE MANUFACTURER USUALLY DELIVER ON MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY FOR EACH WEEK. WE ANTICIPATE THOSE PROVIDERS DECEIVING THEIR VACCINE ON MONDAY, THE 18TH, WILL BEGIN DISTRIBUTIVE ON TUESDAY. THOSE THAT GET THEM ON TUESDAY, DISTRIBUTING ON WEDNESDAY. THOSE THAT GET THEM ON WEDNESDAY, DISTRIBUTING ON THURSDAY. WE HAVE ASKED EACH OF THE PROVIDERS — AND THEY HAVE TOLD US THAT THEY WILL — TO COMPLETE THEIR VACCINATIONS WITHIN SEVEN DAYS. THEY SHOULD BE TOTALLY DONE, SOME WILL BE DONE IN ONE OR TWO DAYS. AT BARE MINIMUM, THEY MUST BE DONE WITHIN THAT SEVEN-DAY PERIOD OF TIME. LET ME AGAIN RECAP WHERE WE BELIEVE WE ARE GOING FROM HERE. WE START NEXT WEEK. AGAIN, SOME PLACES AVAILABLE ON TUESDAY, SOME WEDNESDAY, SOME THURSDAY. IT WILL KICK OFF DIFFERENT DATES DEPENDING ON WHEN THEY GET THE VACCINE. NEXT WEEK, JANUARY 25, THE WEEK OF THAT, WE ANTICIPATE VACCINATIONS OPENING UP TO 75 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. THE FOLLOWING WEEK IN ALL LIKELIHOOD, 70 AND OLDER. FEBRUARY 8, WE HOPE THE VACCINATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THOSE 65 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. WHEN A NEW AGE RANGE OPENS, THAT DOESN’T MEAN THAT VACCINATIONS WILL BE COMPLETED FOR THE PREVIOUS AGE. IT JUST MEANS WE ARE ADDING THAT. IT WILL TAKE A NUMBER OF WEEKS TO DISTRIBUTE THE VACCINES GIVEN THE LIMITED NUMBER AVAILABLE. WE WILL ALSO MOVE ON JANUARY 25, AND WE WILL HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUTURE AVAILABLE DOSES FOR SEVERE CONGENITAL AND OTHER INSTANCES. WE WILL ANNOUNCE HOW THOSE INDIVIDUALS CAN RECEIVE THEIR VACCINATIONS. WE ANTICIPATE NEXT WEEK HAVING 100,000 DOSES. AGAIN, THAT IS FOR FOUR HUNTED 25 THOUSAND PEOPLE, SO OBVIOUSLY, — 425,000 PEOPLE, SO OBVIOUSLY, NOT EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE TO GET THEIRS IMMEDIATELY. WHILE THE AREA AGENCIES ON AGING ARE NOT THE ONES PUTTING SHOTS IN THE ARMS, THEY ARE THE ONES TO CALL. IF YOU ARE OVER 65 AND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VACCINES, YOU MAY HAVE A TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM, THEY ARE THERE, AS THEY ARE ALL THE TIME, TO BE OF HELP. AGING NETWORKS PRIORITY IS TO GET TO SENIORS, AND THEN TO THOSE WHO NEED TO FOLLOW-UP. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT AGING.OHIO.GOV. OR CALL 1-866-243-5678. 1-866-243-5678. WE DID GET NEWS THIS MORNING, AS I’M SURE THAT YOU SAW, THA T THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS INDICATED A CHANGE — FRANKLY, A WELCOME CHANGE. THEY WILL FREE UP THE VACCINES THAT HAVE BEEN HELD BACK. THIS GETS A LITTLE COMPLICATED, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN HOLDING BACK VACCINES. WHEN WE MADE THE DECISION — AND IT WAS THE RIGHT DECISION — TO FOCUS EARLY ON, DAY ONE, ACTUALLY A COUPLE DAYS EARLIER. THEY ALLOWED US TO START ON OUR NURSING HOMES. WE HAVE SOME 900 NURSING HOMES IN OUR STATE. A LOT OF NURSING HOMES. BUT, ONE OF THE QUALIFICATIONS WAS, THEY HAD TO HOLD BACK FOR US OUR VACCINATIONS FOR THAT FIRST DOSE. THAT WAS 353,925 THAT WE BASICALLY ON PAPER TRANSFERRED TO THEM, THE GOVERNMENT, AND THAT WAS A REQUIREMENT TO BEGIN THE NURSING HOME PROGRAM. SO, THAT HAS WORKED WELL, BUT THE INDICATION, IF I UNDERSTAND IT CORRECTLY, THAT WE RECEIVED TODAY — AND I WAS JUST OFF OF A CALL WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT AND OTHER GOVERNORS. THAT WILL, IN THE FUTURE, BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR US. WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SAYING, BASICALLY, WE NOW HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR PRODUCTION LINES COMING OUT OF THE TWO MANUFACTURING PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES THAT WE WILL ALLOW YOU TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS. THEY WILL GO AHEAD AND SEND THESE SECOND DOSES. WE DON’T KNOW THE DETAILS, EXACTLY WHEN THAT WILL START, BUT THAT IS GOOD. THAT WILL MEAN WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO NOT HAVE TO HAVE THESE HELD BACK, BUT PUT THEM INTO PEOPLE’S ARMS AND START THEIR PROTECTION. AGAIN, THAT COMES FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S BELIEF THAT THE SUPPLY CHAIN AND PRODUCTION IS GOOD ENOUGH THAT I DON’T HAVE TO HOLD THEM BACK. MORE DETAILS ARE COMING. IT IS, IN FACT, VERY GOOD NEWS. ONE MORE THING, AND THEN I WILL GO TO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. I AM SIGNING AN ORDER TODAY. I WILL JUST READ IT. AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OHIO AND COMMANDER OF CHIEF OF THE NATIONAL GUARD, I HEREBY AUTHORIZE AND ORDER 580 OHIO NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS, AIRMEN OF THE FOLLOWING DESIGNATED FORCES. TWO-STATE ACTIVE DUTY TO PERFORM TRAINING OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED UNDER TITLE 32 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE. THOSE UNITS AND PERSONNEL WILL ACT PURSUANT TO THE ORDERS ON MY BEHALF AND THE ADJUTANT GENERAL. THIS IS AN ACTIVATION OF MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD TO BRING THEM UP TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL THAT IS NEEDED AND TO BE AVAILABLE FOR USE IN WASHINGTON AND IN THE STATE OF OHIO. WASHINGTON, D.C. AND THE STATE OF OHIO. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR? >> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR. I HAVE TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS TODAY RELATIVE TO THE ECONOMY, PART OF THE 2021 YEAR OF RECOVERY. WE HAVE TALKED A LOT ABOUT BROADBAND AND THE CHALLENGES THAT MANY, PARTICULARLY IN RURAL OHIO, HAD A NOT HAVING HIGH-SPEED INTERNET. THERE IS A GOOD ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY THAT WILL AFFECT A GOOD PART OF APPALACHIA IN PIKE, ADAMS, AND CELLULAR COUNTIES — SCIOTA COUNTIES. THIS IS ONE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE. WE SAID SOLVING THIS PUZZLE WILL TAKE A LOT OF PIECES. IT IS LIKE A QUILT. ONE PATCH YEAR, ANOTHER PATCH YEAR AND EVENTUALLY WE CAN BUILD A MAP, GETTING EVERYONE ACCESS TO HIGH-SPEED INTERNET. TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT IS THAT SOUTHERN OHIO COMMITTEE CAGE AND SERVICES IN COLLABORATION WITH JOBS OHIO, SOUTHEAST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND PIKE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, THAT THERE IS A $3.8 MILLION EXPANSION TO PROVIDE INTERNET ACCESS ACROSS 64 MILES AND 1300 RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS COME — CUSTOMERS IN THAT PART OF THE STATE. WHEN YOU DO THE MATH ON THAT, THAT IS ABOUT 21 CUSTOMERS PER MILE. YOU CAN SEE WHY IT IS SO DIFFICULT TO HAVE THE NUMBER TO COVER THIS AREA, AND THAT IT TAKES A COLLABORATION BECAUSE THE ECONOMICS OF THIS ARE SO CHALLENGING. THIS IS ESSENTIAL FOR MANY PEOPLE IN THIS AREA TO HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES, OBVIOUSLY IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE. AS PART OF THIS INVESTMENT, THE SOUTHERN OHIO EDUCATION SERVICE RECEIVED A JOBS OHIO INCLUSION GRANT TO HELP BUILD THIS OUT, HELP THE BUILDING AND ENGINEERING COST OF THE PROJECT. IT WILL ADD FIVE NEW JOBS, EXPAND INTERNET, AND THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF STEPS BEING TAKEN TO TRY TO EXPAND THAT IN 2021. TO BE AGGRESSIVE ABOUT THAT. LET ME ALSO DISCUSS INTEREST-FREE — INDUSTRY SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS. THIS IS WHERE WE TAKE BUSINESSES WHO HAVE THIS NEED FOR EMPLOYEES, HAVE GOOD PAYING JOBS , AND PARTNERED THEM WITH THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY FOR TRAINING. A LOT OF TIMES YOU BUY TRAINING OFF-THE-SHELF, YOU GO TO YOUR LOCAL INSTITUTION, AND IT IS NOT QUITE WHAT THE BUSINESS NEEDS TO HIRE YOU. THIS IS CREATING THOSE ALIGNMENTS SO THAT BUSINESSES AND EDUCATORS CAN WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER TO TRAIN THE PEOPLE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES FOR THE JOBS BEING CREATED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THIS 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS IN GRANTS WILL HELP EXPAND EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS AND CREATE NEW ONES. WE ARE ANNOUNCING 12 OF THEM TODAY. THEY ARE IN THE SECTORS OF CONSTRUCTION AND HEALTH CARE, I.T., MANUFACTURING AND TRANSPORTATION. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. AS YOU GO AROUND THE STATE, YOU HEAR BUSINESSES SAY, THE SCHOOL IS NOT EXACTLY TRAINING PEOPLE IN THE WAY THAT WE NEED THEM. SCHOOLS ARE SAYING WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THIS IS BUILDING THAT PARTNERSHIP. IN THE END, HELPING THE INDIVIDUAL GET THE SKILLS THEY NEED. WE HAVE THE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PARTNERSHIP WAS AWARDED ONE, APPALACHIA MANUFACTURER’S COALITION, CLEVELAND BUILDS PARTNERSHIP, CENTRAL OHIO MANUFACTURING PARTNERSHIP, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATOR PARTNERSHIP, LORAIN COUNTY MANUFACTURING SECTOR PARTNERSHIP, MAHONEY AND VALLEY MANUFACTURER’S COALITION, OHIO I.T. APPRENTICE, RAISE THE BAR HANCOCK COUNTY, WORKFORCE CONNECT MANUFACTURING PARTNERSHIP, WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP AT SHELBY COUNTY. THOSE ARE ALL OVER THE STATE. WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO HELP BUILD THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE. THIS IS SOMETHING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS LONG ASKED FOR. WE WORKED EARLY ON WITH MANUFACTURER’S ASSOCIATIONS TO BUILD THIS. GOVERNOR, I KNOW IT’S BEEN SAID, YOU HAVE SAID IT TWO TIMES TODAY, AND I KNOW THAT YOU WILL MIND IF I SAY IT AGAIN. — WILL NOT MIND IF I SAY IT AGAIN. THIS 80-PLUS POPULATION THAT MAKES UP FOR HIM 25,000 PEOPLE, THAT THERE WILL BE 100,000 VACCINES AVAILABLE FOR THEM NEXT WEEK. TOMORROW AND THURSDAY, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO FIND OUT THE INFORMATION THEY NEED ON HOW TO CONTACT, WHERE TO GO FOR THOSE. WE APPRECIATE THE 800 PROVIDERS PREPARING TO DO THIS SPREAD OUT ALL ACROSS THE STATE. THE TEAM MAPPED THIS TO MAKE SURE IT WAS INCLUSIVE. WHERE EVERYBODY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, AS CLOSE AS WE COULD MAKE IT, GEOGRAPHICALLY DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE STATE. APPRECIATE ALL OF THOSE FOLKS BEING PREPARED TO DO THIS NEXT WEEK. C1 >> I THINK WE ARE READY FOR QUESTIONS. >> FIRST QUESTION IS FROM COLUMBUS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THE CDC RECOMMENDATION HAS NOW UPDATED TO INCLUDE THAT ANYONE 65 OR OLDER SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A VACCINE FOR COVID AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. FOR SOMEONE WHO IS 65 OR OLDER, IF THEY GO TO ASK FOR A VACCINATION GETTING ON THE 19TH, WILL THEY BE TURNED AWAY? OR WILL YOU CONSIDER EXPANDING IT TO INCLUDE THOSE SOONER? >> WE ARE STARTING AT 80. WE TRYING TO BALANCE GETTING IT OUT QUICKLY, BUT ALSO NOT CAUSING PEOPLE HUGE INCONVENIENCE. WHEN YOU DO THE MATH, IF YOU ONLY LOOK AT THOSE WHO ARE 80, THOSE 80 AND ABOVE ARE THE HIGHEST RISK. EVEN THE FIRST WEEK, WE KNOW THAT ONLY ONE FOURTH OF THE PEOPLE 80 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER WILL BE ABLE TO GET VACCINATED. TO DUMP EVERYBODY IN THE FIRST WEEK, I DON’T KNOW THAT IT ACCOMPLISHES ANYTHING. WE WANT TO GIVE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE 80 AND OVER HEAD START. GIVE THEM A WEEK. IT IS — YOU WANT TO GET IT OUT AS QUICKLY AS CAN AS YOU CAN, BUT YOU WANTED TARGETED. THE GOAL, WE THINK WE WILL SEE HOW THIS FIRST WEEK GOES. THE GOAL IS GOING TO BE TO CONTINUE FIVE YEARS AND FIVE YEARS AND FIVE YEARS UNTIL WE GET TO 65. I’M GLAD THE CDC SAID 65. WE SAID THIS IS THE GROUP WE NEED TO COVER. IT’S A MATTER OF MATH AND WHERE WE ARE SEEING THE FATALITIES. NURSING HOMES MADE GREAT PROGRESS. 85% DONE, 15% TO GO. AND, THEY HAVE TO DO THE SECOND SHOT. NOW, WE ARE MOVING TO 80 AND ABOVE. NEXT WEEK, BEGINNING TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY DEPENDING ON WHICH PROVIDER YOU ARE GOING TO, PEOPLE 80 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER WILL BE THE ONES THAT WE WILL BE TARGETING. THE WEEK AFTER THAT, WE WILL ADD FIVE YEARS THAN FIVE YEARS THAN FIVE YEARS UNTIL WE GET TO 65. >> QUESTION FROM KEVIN AND COLUMBUS. >> HELLO, GOVERNOR. LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE TELLING US ABOUT PROTESTERS PLANNED ON SUNDAY. WHAT GUARANTEES ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE TO ENSURE THOSE WHO COME DOWN ARE SAFE, THE STRUCTURES OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA WILL NOT BE DAMAGED? >> YOU HEARD MY STATEMENT WITH REGARD TO THE OHIO NATIONAL GUARD. WHAT I DIDN’T SAY IS THAT THAT IS FOR ACTIVATION FROM THE 14TH OF JANUARY TO THE 21ST. THAT CAN CERTAINLY BE EXPANDED OR SPEEDED UP. PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTEST. THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE DESTRUCTIVE, THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO HURT OTHER PEOPLE. THERE WILL BE ENOUGH PEOPLE THERE FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE NATIONAL GUARD. PEOPLE HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO PROTEST, THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO DO IT PEACEFULLY, WE WELCOME THEM IF THEY WANT TO DO THAT. WHATEVER THEY WANT TO PROTEST ABOUT. THAT IS 365 DAYS PER YEAR, PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO DO THAT. THE FIRST AMENDMENT DOES NOT GO ON VACATION. BUT, WE ALSO SAW WHAT HAPPENED AT THE U.S. CAPITOL. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED. >> MAKES QUESTION IS FROM DANNY. >> HELLO, GOVERNOR. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHY 580 NATIONAL GUARD? HOW MANY WILL GO TO WASHINGTON, OHIO, COLUMBUS? I KNOW YOU WON’T GO INTO DETAILS, BUT WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GOALS THAT YOU HAVE FOR THEM? >> THE GOAL IS PEACE. THE GOAL IS PROTECTION OF PROPERTY AND PROTECTION OF PEOPLE. PROTECTION OF PEOPLE IS ALWAYS NUMBER ONE. THAT IS THE GOAL. WE DON’T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBER THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS REQUESTED OR THAT WILL BE GOING IS PROBABLY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 200 OUT OF THAT GROUP. AGAIN, GENERAL HARRIS WILL CONFIRM THAT. I JUST TALKED TO HIM A FEW MINUTES AGO. HE THINKS ROUGHLY AROUND 200 WILL GO TO WASHINGTON, D.C. THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL, AS YOU KNOW. I AM TOLD THAT OHIO SENDS MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD TO INAUGURATIONS, THIS IS A NORMAL PROCEDURE. >> QUESTION. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, GOVERNOR. I TYPICALLY HATE LONG QUESTIONS, BUT I HAVE A LONG-WINDED ONE FOR YOU. LAST WEEK, YOU SAID THE PROBLEM BEHIND THE ATTEMPTED INSURRECTION AT THE CAPITAL IS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOST FAITH IN OUR INSTITUTIONS. THROUGHOUT HIS PRESIDENCY, DONALD TRUMP HAS RELENTLESSLY ATTACKED THE IMPARTIALITY OF THE COURTS, ELECTIONS, AND THE FREE PRESS WITH ONLY MILD REBUKES FROM YOU. AT THE SAME TIME, YOU SUPPORTED HIS REELECTION. TRUMP LAST WEEK — WITH A TORRENT OF LIES ABOUT STOLEN ELECTION AND I DON’T RECALL YOU TELLING HIM TO STOP LYING. IN SEPTEMBER, I ASKED IF YOU CONDEMNED TRUMP’S REFUSAL TO CONSENT TO A PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER AND YOU SAID YOU DON’T CONDEMN ANYTHING. GO AHEAD. >> I’M THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OHIO. I’M NOT TRYING TO BE A SMART ALEC. I HAVE A LOT TO DO HERE. WE ARE FOCUSED ON PANDEMIC. WE ARE FOCUSED ON MAKING THIS THE YEAR OF RECOVERY IN OHIO. I DON’T THINK THAT IT IS MY OBLIGATION TO STAND UP EVERY SINGLE TIME THE PRESIDENT SAYS SOMETHING AND REFUTE THAT. I HAVE MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT I TRUST OUR INSTITUTIONS, OUR CONSTITUTION. OUR FRAMERS SET A PROCEDURE IN PLACE. I ALSO TRUST OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM. NOT PERFECT. I’M A PRODUCT OF THAT. I WAS A PROSECUTOR. IT IS A SYSTEM THAT WORKS. WHAT I SAID THROUGHOUT THIS IS THE PRESIDENT HAS A RIGHT TO GO INTO COURT AND I TRUST THE COURT SYSTEM. I DON’T ALWAYS DEGREE WITH EVERY — AGREE WITH EVERY DECISION. BUT IT IS A SYSTEM INTO THE SYSTEM WORKS. OUR MECHANISM OF ELECTING A PRESIDENT AND OUR PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER, I HAVE HAD NO EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE OF THE PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER OF SEEING THAT SINCE I WAS A LITTLE KID WERE IT DIDN’T WORK. FORGIVE ME IF I HAVE ASSUMED THAT WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR OVER 200 YEARS WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO IN THE SELECTION. OBVIOUSLY, I SAID SOMETHING AT SOME POINT WHEN I SAID THAT FORMER VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN NOW PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN WAS PRESIDENT-ELECT. THE PRESIDENT DIDN’T LIKE THAT. I HAVE ALSO SAID THAT THE PRESIDENT’S WORDS THE OTHER DAY AT THE CAPITAL WERE NOT GOOD AT ALL. I WAS POURING BASICALLY GASOLINE ON THE FIRE. HE SHOULDN’T HAVE SAID. I CANNOT SPEND EVERY DAY REFUTING WHAT THE PRESIDENT DOES OR ANY PRESIDENT. WHEN JOE BIDEN’S PRESIDENT, WHEN I DISAGREE, YOU WILL HEAR ME SAY I DISAGREE. I AM NOT GOING TO FOCUS ON THAT EVERY SINGLE DAY. >> NEXT QUESTION IS FROM JOHN. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, GOVERNOR. IS THE STATE PROVIDING ANY GUIDANCE FOR THESE PROVIDERS WHO ARE GETTING THE VACCINE NEXT WEEK ON WHAT TO DO IF THEY HAVE DOSES THAT ARE GOING TO SPOIL AND THEY DON’T HAVE ENOUGH PATIENTS IN LINE OR ENOUGH APPOINTMENTS MADE IF THERE IS LIKE THAT TO PREVENT SOMETHING THAT MIGHT NOT LOOK GOOD? >> SHORT. THEY GOT A WEBINAR. WE ARE GOING BACK TO MAKE SURE THEY SOUGHT. THOSE WHO DID NOT SIGN UP, MAKE SURE THEY GET THAT. WE HAVE MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT ANY PROVIDER IN THE STATE OF OHIO WHO HAS ANY DOSES THAT THEY CAN’T GET IN SOMEONE’S ARM, THEY NEED TO HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN. THEY NEED TO FOCUS ON 1A OR1B I WOULD NOT ANTICIPATE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM. MOST OF THEM ARE NOT GETTING LARGE AMOUNTS. IT’S GOING TO RANGE FROM 100-200 DOSES. MAYBE 300 DOSES FOR SOME. MAYBE BIGGINS — PETER INSTITUTIONS WILL GET MORE. MOST WILL BE IN THE 100-200 RANGE. I BELIEVE THAT OUR 80-YEAR-OLDS AND OVER WHO WANT THIS VACCINE WILL BE MORE THAN ADEQUATE TO GET RID OF THOSE VACCINES. NO, WE DO NOT WANT ANYONE WASTED. THAT’S THE LAST THING WE WANT DONE. WE MADE IT VERY CLEAR. THIS IS ALWAYS A BALANCE. WITH 800 DIFFERENT PROVIDERS AROUND THE STATE, IT IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES. WE ALSO DIDN’T WANT PEOPLE, WE WANT EVERYONE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THESE OVERTIME. THEY ARE ALL GOING TO HAVE ACCESS NEXT WEEK, BUT WE WANTED THEM TO BE IN COMMUNITIES. SO THEY ARE IN EVERY COUNTY. WHAT THAT MEANS IS, NOBODY GETS A LOT. I THINK THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND IS GOING TO WORK. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR? >> THANK YOU. IT’S A GREAT QUESTION. THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, I HAVE HAD IT SITTING HERE ON MY DESK SINCE LAST WEEK BECAUSE I GOT THIS QUESTION — HAS ISSUED FOR ALL ENROLLED COVID-19 VACCINE PROVIDER PARTNERS EXACTLY WHAT THEY SHOULD DO IN THE CASE THEY HAVE ADDITIONAL VACCINES, THEY HAVE A SERIES OF STEPS THAT EVERY PROVIDER IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE IN PLACE IN ADVANCE OF RECEIVING THE VACCINE TO MAKE SURE AND HAS BEEN COVERED THIS GUIDANCE HAS BEEN OUT THERE SO THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY’RE TRYING TO DO IDENTIFYING THIS, THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED THE 18 INDIVIDUALS TO ADMINISTER THEM. THEN, ONE BE IF THEY CANNOT FIND A ONE-DAY PARTNER AND OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE ADULTS. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN PLACE FOR EVERY PROVIDER SO NO SINGLE DOSE IS WASTED. THE GUIDANCE IS OUT THERE. >> NEXT QUESTION. >> HELLO, GOVERNOR. WE HAVE TALKED A LOT AND YOU HAVE ANSWERED A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF DISTURBING THE VACCINE ON THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL. I WONDER IF YOU COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HOW THAT SYSTEM WORKS STARTING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND ARE THERE WAYS IT COULD BE IMPROVED? I AM THINKING ESPECIALLY ABOUT HOW YOU SAID PROVIDERS WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE WHETHER THEY GET THE VACCINE. ARE THERE ANY IMPROVEMENTS THAT YOU THINK COULD BE MADE ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO HELP IMPROVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF IT ALL? >> WE ARE NOT COMPLAINING. THERE’S ALWAYS IMPROVEMENT. THERE’S IMPROVEMENT WITH WHAT WE DO AND WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES. IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE KNEW FOR EXAMPLE EARLIER THAN SUNDAY WHO IS GOING TO GET IT ON MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY. THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF THEY COULD FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT. I THINK MORE TO THE SUBSTANCE OF IT, THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WAS MADE TODAY IS VERY WELCOME. IT’S SOMETHING THAT THE TRUMP AND BIDEN ADMINISTRATIONS AGREE ON. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT AT LEAST. THAT IS THAT WE CAN TAKE THE ONES THEY HAVE BEEN HOLDING BACK TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS A SECOND DOSE, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT. NOW, WE ARE HEARING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THE UPCOMING BIDEN ADMINISTRATION OF HAVE ENOUGH CONFIDENCE IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN. THEY HAD DONE THE MATH AND FIGURED IT OUT. THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO RELEASE THESE. THIS SHOULD BE A VERY SIGNIFICANT — THIS SHOULD ALLOW US TO MOVE QUICKER. IT WAS UNCLEAR TO ME ON THE CALL WITH THE PRESIDENT, THEY TALKED ABOUT A CHANGE IN TWO WEEKS. I DON’T KNOW IF THAT WILL OCCUR BEFORE TWO WEEKS OR NOT. THE INDICATION I GOT WAS THAT IT WAS A TWO WEEK CHANGE. WE DON’T HAVE NUMBERS YET TODAY SHE IS NORMAL. WE NORMALLY GET THEM LATER IN THE AFTERNOON. WHERE THERE IS ANY CHANGE IN THAT, I DON’T KNOW. THAT IS BIG. IT’S IMPORTANT. THAT MEANS WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET A LOT MORE PEOPLE THERE SHOTS EARLIER. THAT’S A GOOD THING. >> NEXT QUESTION FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS >> >>. YOU MENTIONED YOU ARE ACTIVATING 580 NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS AND SOME OF THEM WILL GO TO WASHINGTON, D.C.. WHENEVER THERE WERE ARMED PROTESTS OVER THE SUMMER, YOU ACTIVATED NEARLY 1200 SOLDIERS TO GO TO CLEVELAND AND COLUMBUS. AFTER LAST WEEK’S DEADLY INSURRECTION, DO YOU BELIEVE YOUR ADMINISTRATION AND THE STATES LAW ENFORCEMENT GROUPS ARE PREPARED AND ARE TAKING SERIOUSLY WHAT COULD TAKE PLACE THIS WEEKEND OR DO YOU THINK YOU SHOULD BE DOING MORE LIKE OTHER STATES. CLOSING THE CAPITAL AND STATEHOUSES? >> I HAVEN’T GOT OTHER THINGS YET. WE ARE TALKING WITH THE PRESIDENT AND THE SPEAKER ABOUT OTHER STEPS. WE ARE NOT DONE WITH STEPS. I AM IN CONTACT WITH THE MAYORS OF OUR MAJOR CITIES DURING THE SUMMER, WE SENT MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD WHEN REQUESTED BY MAYORS. IF WE ARE REQUESTED ANYTIME, WE WILL EVALUATE THE SITUATION. WE’RE GOING TO DEFER TO THE MAYORS. WHEN THEY TELL ME THEY NEED NATIONAL GUARD, AND ALL LIKELIHOOD, I’M5 GOING TO SEND NATIONAL GUARD. THAT’S WHAT HAPPENED THIS SUMMER. IT DIDN’T ALL COME AT ONCE. IT CAME AT DIFFERENT TIMES. WE ARE FULLY PREPARED TO ACTIVATE MORE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD. I TALK EVERY DAY AND I WON’T GO INTO ALL THE DETAILS, BECAUSE IT’S A PRIVATE CONVERSATION, BUT WE TALK ABOUT — WE TALK ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS EVERY WEEK WITH THE MAYORS. I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THEM TODAY ABOUT THAT. WE HAVE HAD OTHER CONVERSATIONS. THEY KNOW THAT IF THEY NEED NATIONAL GUARD SOMEWHERE ELSE, THAT WE WILL SEND NATIONAL GUARD. FURTHER, WE ARE CONSTANTLY SINCE THE TRAGEDY IN WASHINGTON, WE HAVE BEEN REVIEWING AND CONTINUE TO REVIEW AND I AM ON CONFERENCE CALLS WITH OUR INTELLIGENCE PEOPLE AND WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD, GENERAL HARRIS, THE OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL. THIS IS STEP ONE. I AM FOLLOWING THE ADVICE OF GENERAL HARRIS AS FAR AS THE NUMBER OF NATIONAL GUARD AT THIS POINT. MAYBE MORE TO COME, WE WILL SEE. >> NEXT QUESTION. >> HELLO, GOVERNOR. MANY ROUNDS FANS ARE PLANNING TO TRAVEL TO KANSAS CITY FOR SATURDAY’S GAME. WITH THE TRAVEL ADVISORY LIST, WOULD YOU ADVISE PLANS PLANNING TO TRAVEL THERE? SHOULD THEY QUARANTINE? >> I BELIEVE LEAVE THIS UP TO BRUCE. HERE’S THE REALITY. WE ARE ON OUR OWN LIST. SO ARE THEY. WE ARE BOTH HOT. IT’S A LIST NEITHER ONE OF US WANTS TO BE ON. YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHETHER YOU ARE IN OHIO OR IF YOU ARE TRAVELING OUT THERE. I THINK THAT AS FAR AS TRAVELING , THERE IS A RISK TO TRAVEL. IT IS MORE IMPORTANT HOW YOU TRAVEL, WHAT YOU DO MAN THE MERE ACT OF TRAVELING. THAT WOULD BE MY LAYMAN’S OPINION ABOUT THAT. IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU DO, HOW YOU DO IT. >> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR. I THINK THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WELL. WHAT I WOULD ADD TO HIS COMMENTS IS THIS. WHEN WE TRAVEL, WE ARE STEPPING OUTSIDE OF OUR USUAL PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR. WE ARE STEPPING INTO ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE UNFAMILIAR TO US. WHEN FOLKS ARE TRAVELING OUT OF STATE TO GO TO THIS MAJOR EVENT, WONDERFUL IMPORTANT EVENT, THAT IS THE CONTEXT. EVEN THOUGH I AM CONFIDENT THAT THEY WILL BE VERY CAREFUL AND THEY WILL ADHERE TO THE SAFETY MEASURES THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT, WHEN THEY COME BACK INTO OHIO, IT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND TAKE A TWO WEEK TIME TO ADHERE TO QUARANTINE GUIDANCE. TO SAY THIS REALLY REPRESENTED AT TIMES WHERE I LEFT MY COMMUNITY AND I DON’T WANT TO EXPOSE MY COMMUNITY UNNECESSARILY TO ADDED RISK. >> NEXT QUESTION. >> HELLO, GOVERNOR. AS JESSE OF THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER REPORTED LAST WEEK, FIRST ENERGY COMPRISED MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE DARK MONEY FUNNELED INTO A GROUP SUPPORTING YOUR CAMPAIGN AND LIKELY HELP YOUR DAUGHTERS CAMPAIGN AS WELL. HOW MUCH OF THIS YOU KNOW AND HOW MUCH DID IT INFLUENCE YOUR IMMEDIATE SIGNING OF THE PLAGUE HOUSE BILL SIX? SIX? >> DURING THE CAMPAIGN, THEY WERE FOR THE CONCEPT OF NUCLEAR ENERGY. THAT IS MY RECOLLECTION, I CANNOT SPEAK FOR RICHARD. THAT WAS OUR POSITION. I HAVE ARTICULATED THIS CONSISTENTLY SINCE THE CAMPAIGN AND DURING THE CAMPAIGN. I THINK NUCLEAR ENERGY IS IMPORTANT. I DON’T KNOW WHY WE WOULD WANT TO GET RID OF THE NUCLEAR PLANTS WE HAVE. NUMBER ONE, THEY EMPLOY PEOPLE. NUMBER TWO, THEY COMPRISE 85-90% OF THE NONCARBON GENERATING ENERGY IN THE STATE OF OHIO. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN FAVOR OF THAT. AS FAR AS WHAT I KNEW ABOUT INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES, I KNEW IT EXISTED. AS FAR AS YOU DECIDED TO FIGURE IT CONSTITUTED SO MUCH OF I DON’T KNOW THAT. I DON’T DOUBT YOU, YOU HAVE DONE THE RESEARCH, BUT I DIDN’T KNOW THAT. >> NEXT QUESTION IS FROM RANDY AT THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH. >> LET ME ONCE AGAIN FINISHED, IT IS NOT IMPACT MY POSITION. MY POSITION IS MY POSITION. IT HAS BEEN WELL-KNOWN. IT’S NOT LIKE I HID MY POSITION. I AM VERY OPEN ABOUT MY POSITION . WHEN I RAN FOR GOVERNOR, ABOUT NUCLEAR ENERGY IN THE STATE OF OHIO. CLIQUES GOOD AFTERNOON, GOVERNOR. THIS IS RANDY. HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT YOU CAN ENSURE OHIOANS THAT THEY WILL NOT SEE A REPLAY OF U.S. CAPITOL AT THE OHIO STATE HOUSE? HOW MUCH IS THAT A REAL FEAR OF YOURS AND DO YOU BELIEVE THERE WILL BE SUFFICIENT FORCE TO REPEL ANY SUCH STORMING? >> THAT’S A VERY GOOD QUESTION AND I THINK ABOUT IT A LOT. THE IMAGES THAT WE SAW ON TV AND CONTINUE TO SEE EVEN MORE EVERY NIGHT AS WE SEE DIFFERENT ANGLES AND DIFFERENT SHOTS OF IT IS SEARED IN MY MEMORY FOREVER. IT’S ON MY MIND. IT’S SOMETHING I THINK ABOUT A LOT. YES, I AM CONCERNED. I HAVE INSTRUCTED HIGHWAY PATROL, NATIONAL GUARD, TO BE READY YES, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IT. WE ARE ACTIVATING MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD TO GO TO WASHINGTON AND FOR HERE IN OHIO. WE ARE CONCERNED. IF YOU LOOK AT THE MORE INFORMATION WE SEE, THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE SEEING. WHAT IS COMING OUT, WHO SOME OF THESE PEOPLE WERE AND HOW WELL-PREPARED THEY WERE. IT’S SOMETHING THAT EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT. >> NEXT QUESTION IS FROM JIM. >> HELLO, GOVERNOR. WE ARE HEARING FROM OUR READERS IN MICHIGAN AND SOME OF THEM GET THEIR HEALTH CARE FROM PROVIDERS IN OHIO. ARE THOSE WHO RECEIVE VACCINES HERE REQUIRED TO BE RESIDENTS OF OHIO OR IS IT BASED ON THE LOCAL DOCTOR WHO IS GIVING THE SHOTS? >> ONE OF THE THINGS WE SAW WHEN WE FIRST STARTED GIVING SHOTS, WE RECORD THIS. YOU CAN PULL UP ON HER WEBPAGE AND REPORTED. — YOU CAN SEE IT. PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT RESIDENTS OF OHIO. THEN WE THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND SAID OF COURSE, IF HOSPITALS IN TOLEDO, CINCINNATI, THEY WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE WORK OUTSIDE HOSPITAL IN BELMONT COUNTY, GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE WORK OUTSIDE IN WEST VIRGINIA. THOSE ARE NATURALLY OCCURRING THINGS. YOU ARE GOING TO SEE THOSE SHOW UP. THAT WILL HAPPEN. >> NEXT QUESTION IS FROM BEN AND CINCINNATI. >> I WILL ALSO SAY THAT WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF OHIOANS GETTING VACCINATED IN FLORIDA. I DON’T KNOW THAT, BUT THERE ARE SOME NEWS ACCOUNTS I HAVE SEEN. >> HELLO, GOVERNOR. THIS IS BEN SCHWARTZ. I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED A LOT ABOUT THIS TODAY, BUT I AM WONDERING IF YOU ARE ABLE TO TOUCH ON ANY INTELLIGENCE YOU HAVE RECEIVED REGARDING THE POTENTIAL STATEHOUSE PROTEST OVER THE WEEKEND AND IF YOU DO HAVE ANY REASON TO BELIEVE IT COULD END UP SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION AT THE CAPITAL LAST WEEK? >> BEN, THAT WOULD CERTAINLY BE OUR WORST FEAR. WE DON’T WANT TO SEE THAT. WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO WANT TO DO MORE THAN DEMONSTRATE. WHO WANT TO DO MORE THAN EXERCISE THEIR FIRST MINUTE RIGHTS. WE SAW IN WASHINGTON SOME FAIRLY HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD SIGNIFICANT TRAINING AND THE MORE EVERY DAY THAT GOES ON, THE WORST THAT LOOKS AS FAR AS WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT HOW THAT OCCURRED AND THE PLANNING THAT WENT INTO IT. I AM BASING WHAT I AM SAYING RIGHT NOW ON NOTHING MORE THAN WHAT IS OUT IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. I AM NOT DISCLOSING ANYTHING THAT ANYONE HAS TOLD ME. JUST WHAT I SEE IN READING YOUR PAPERS AND WATCHING TV. THIS IS A DISTURBING THING. WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO, FOR WHATEVER REASON, WANT TO COMMIT VIOLENCE. WE CANNOT ALLOW THAT AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO ALLOW THAT. >> NEXT QUESTION. IT’S A LAST QUESTION FOR TODAY. IT BELONGS TO SCOTT. CLIQUES HELLO, GOVERNOR. >> SORRY ABOUT THAT, CAN YOU HEAR ME? HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY? YOU VETOED SENATE BILL 375, WHICH WOULD VOID THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH ORDER LIMITING FAIRS AND ALLOW FOR A SOCIETY WORKING GROUP. I HAVE RECEIVED A COUPLE OF CALLS AN EMAIL’S FROM FOLKS HERE IN GREENE COUNTY BECAUSE WE HAVE THE LONGEST-RUNNING CONTINUOUS AIR WEST OF THE ALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS. THEY ARE ASKING DOES THIS MEAN THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A FAIR? WHY DID YOU VETOED THAT AND WHAT ARE THE FUTURE OF THE FAIRS? >> IT MEANS THAT WE HAVE NO IDEA WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE AS A STATE WHEN OUR FIRST FAIR KICKS OFF THIS YEAR. JUST TO RECAP FOR A MOMENT, WE WENT OUT OF OUR WAY TO TRY TO KEEP FARES GOING. WE GAVE THE MONEY AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE SAID THE PRIORITY SHOULD BE THE KIDS. THE PRIORITY SHOULD BE OUR CHILDREN WHO ARE IN 4-H, FFA, JUNIOR FAIR. WE PROVIDE MONEY FOR THEM TO DO THAT. WE TRY TO WORK THIS THROUGH. SOME FAIRS DID A PHENOMENAL JOB. SOME DID NOT DO A PHENOMENAL JOB, BUT MANY DID. THEY DID A GREAT JOB. IT IS MY FERVENT HOPE THAT AS A LOVER OF FAIRS AND SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD CHILDREN IN 4-H, A TOTAL OF 30 YEARS FROM ONE INTO THE OTHER, THAT OUR FAIRS WILL OPEN AND BE COMPLETELY OPEN AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DO THE FAIR AS WE NORMALLY SEE IT. DON’T KNOW WHERE WE WILL BE WITH THIS VIRUS. I DON’T KNOW HOW ANY PEOPLE WE WILL HAVE VACCINATED BY THAT POINT. I WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SEE THE FAIRS OPEN, BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE IN A SAFE WAY. LAST TIME, WE WORK VERY CLOSELY AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT. ON HOW IT WAS GOING TO WORK OUT. WE WILL LOOK AT THIS AS PEOPLE WHO LIKE FAIRS AND KNOW THE VALUE AFFAIRS. I AM VERY PRO-FAIR PERSON. BUT I CANNOT SIGN SOMETHING THAT AUTOMATICALLY KNOCKS THAT OUT WITH OTHER RAMIFICATIONS AND WE DON’T KNOW WHERE WE’RE ARE GOING TO BE YET. WE HOPE THAT WHEN THE GREEN COUNTY FAIR COMES AROUND IN LATER JULY AND OTHER FAIRS BEFORE THEN, SOME AFTER, THAT WE WILL BE OPEN AND MOVING FORWARD. THAT’S THE GOAL. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. I GUESS WE ARE TO THE END. WE LOOK FORWARD TO BEING BACK. >> BACK HERE IN THE STUDIO, YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE IS LEAVING THE LECTERN WHERE HE JUST ADDRESSED THE STATE OF OHIO. IT STARTED LATER THAN NORMAL, IT STARTED AT 3:00 TODAY. A COUPLE OF THINGS BEFORE WE GET YOU BACK TO REGULAR PROGRAMMING. FIRST OF ALL THE CASES. 7981 NEW CASES IN THE LAST 24 HOURS. THAT IS UP FROM THE 21 DAY AVERAGE. 486 PEOPLE ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND 49 IN THE ICU. THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT NURSING HOMES. HE SAID 85% OF THE NURSING HOMES HAVE BEEN VISITED BY COVID VACCINATION TEAMS. HE WANTS TO GET THE RESIDENCE AND THE STAFF OF NURSING HOMES LAST 15% DONE QUICKLY. ALSO SAYING HE WANTS HOSPITALS TO FINISH VACCINATING THEIR STAFF BY 11:59 P.M. THIS SUNDAY. BECAUSE MONDAY MORNING, HE WANTS TO START THE NEXT PHASE OF VACCINATING PEOPLE 80 AND OLDER. THERE ARE ABOUT 400,000 PLUS IN THE 80 AND OLDER AGE GROUP AND ONLY 100,000 VACCINES. HE SAYS IT’S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE, SO HE WANTS TO GET STARTED AS SOON AS HE CAN. WE ARE BACK AT 5:00. JOIN ME AND MY COANCHOR AT 5:00, ONE HOUR FROM N
Coronavirus latest: 799,639 cases in Ohio; 308,729 in Kentucky; 574,119 in Indiana
The COVID-19 outbreak is continuing to change everyday life for millions of Americans. Leaders across the county, including the Tri-State area, are providing daily updates on confirmed cases, deaths and measures taking to curb the spread of the virus. Here, you can get the latest information on the coronavirus in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana as well as resources to be prepared and keep your family safe.LATEST CASE NUMBERS: Ohio, 799,639, 9,881 deaths | Kentucky, 308,729, 2,944 deaths | Indiana, 574,119, 8,790 deathsEducational resources: CLICK HERE to access online learning resourcesCORONAVIRUS IN OHIOBarely a month into a mass vaccination campaign to stop the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trump administration has abruptly shifted gears to speed the delivery of shots to more people.The White House released new guidance Tuesday to speed up the nationwide effort.Federal officials are telling states to vaccinate anyone 65 years or older and younger groups with certain health issues. They also plan to release all doses of the vaccine being held back, a move President-elect Joe Biden was planning to initiate once he’s sworn in.”We clearly have enough vaccine to begin to expand and get more and more of the vulnerable in our country vaccinated,” said Dr. Robert Redfield with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Leadership for Operation Warp Speed says so far, the process has unfolded slowly. About 25.5 million doses have been sent out, but only 9 million people have received their first shot. Outside health experts say, regardless of who to blame, the clock is ticking.”In public health, time translates to human lives. It translates to deaths. So every minute that goes by, we’re losing the opportunity to advert these deaths,” said Jon Andrus with George Washington University.Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he welcomes the speed up of vaccine deliveries but says Ohio will stick to his time-table for now.DeWine said the decision comes down to not knowing how many doses will actually come to Ohio or when they will arrive. According to the governor, next week’s doses will be for people 80 years and older.Even though the CDC says anyone 65 years and older should get vaccines now, as it stands, Ohio doesn’t have enough supply to vaccinate 25% of people 80 and older.”We can take these ones that they’ve been holding back to make sure there was a second dose, which is very, very important, but now we’re hearing the Trump Administration and the upcoming Biden Administration both have enough confidence in the supply chain. They’ve obviously done the math, figured it out that they will be able to release these and this should be very significant,” DeWine said.DeWine says the state will be able to give shots to more people earlier than it would otherwise be. But for now, the plan remains as is. After the change in delivery policy next week, DeWine and Ohio will have a better idea of what to expect moving forward.So, for now, people 80 years and older can get shots next week, and 75 and older the week after.CORONAVIRUS IN KENTUCKYGov. Andy Beshear announced more than 3,000 new virus cases Tuesday, sharing more details on the state’s unemployment one-time relief payment program.“This is the fourth-highest Tuesday, it’s higher than the last couple weeks, so we’re trying to determine where these numbers are going,” said Gov. Beshear. “We are sure that this is a surge caused by gatherings through the holidays, but there is a chance from what we are seeing in the data that while people gathered during the holidays, maybe now they’ve changed their behavior back to be being very careful. If that’s the case, hopefully we’ll see a leveling off, but only the data over the next week is going to let us know.”Gov. Beshear also expressed concerns Tuesday about the Kentucky House of Representatives moving forward with an impeachment petition even though it was filed by four individuals who have made threatening comments and organized extremist rallies, including those where heavily armed men hung the Governor in effigy and another held at the State Capitol last weekend.CORONAVIRUS IN INDIANAThe Indiana Department of Health announced Wednesday that 3,686 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19. That brings the number of Indiana residents now known to have had the novel coronavirus to 574,119 following corrections to the previous day’s dashboard.A total of 8,790 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19, an increase of 59 from the previous day. Another 373 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by the state and occurred over multiple days. To date, 2,779,991 unique individuals have been tested in Indiana, up from 2,770,157 on Tuesday. A total of 6,220,087 tests, including repeat tests for unique individuals, have been reported to the state Department of Health since Feb. 26.Symptoms:According to the CDC, the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure: Fever, cough and shortness of breath.Emergency warning signs include:Difficulty breathing or shortness of breathPersistent pain or pressure in the chestNew confusion or inability to arouseBluish lips or face*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.This chart from Prospect Pediatrics compares COVID-19 symptoms to the cold and flu:Resources: – Ohio coronavirus hotline: 833-427-5634- Kentucky coronavirus hotline: (800) 722-5725- Indiana general questions can be directed to the ISDH Epidemiology Resource Center at 317-233-7125 (317-233-1325 after hours) or e-mail epiresource@isdh.in.gov.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websiteWhat to do if you think you have it:Officials have urged people to be conscious not to overwhelm the health care system. This graphic will help you decide when it is time to see a physician. Helpful tips and guides: → Here’s what you should do if you already have the coronavirus → Dealing with stress, anxiety during coronavirus outbreak→ These viral social media coronavirus posts are FALSE→ How long should you wash your hands to avoid the coronavirus?→ Guidance for self isolation and home quarantine→ How to clean your car for coronavirus→ A guide to keeping your child safe and reassured as coronavirus spreads→ This map tracks the coronavirus in real time→ How to work from home without losing your sanity
CINCINNATI —
The COVID-19 outbreak is continuing to change everyday life for millions of Americans. Leaders across the county, including the Tri-State area, are providing daily updates on confirmed cases, deaths and measures taking to curb the spread of the virus.
Here, you can get the latest information on the coronavirus in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana as well as resources to be prepared and keep your family safe.
LATEST CASE NUMBERS: Ohio, 799,639, 9,881 deaths | Kentucky, 308,729, 2,944
deaths | Indiana, 574,119, 8,790 deaths
Educational resources: CLICK HERE to access online learning resources
CORONAVIRUS IN OHIO
Barely a month into a mass vaccination campaign to stop the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trump administration has abruptly shifted gears to speed the delivery of shots to more people.
The White House released new guidance Tuesday to speed up the nationwide effort.
Federal officials are telling states to vaccinate anyone 65 years or older and younger groups with certain health issues. They also plan to release all doses of the vaccine being held back, a move President-elect Joe Biden was planning to initiate once he’s sworn in.
“We clearly have enough vaccine to begin to expand and get more and more of the vulnerable in our country vaccinated,” said Dr. Robert Redfield with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Leadership for Operation Warp Speed says so far, the process has unfolded slowly. About 25.5 million doses have been sent out, but only 9 million people have received their first shot. Outside health experts say, regardless of who to blame, the clock is ticking.
“In public health, time translates to human lives. It translates to deaths. So every minute that goes by, we’re losing the opportunity to advert these deaths,” said Jon Andrus with George Washington University.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he welcomes the speed up of vaccine deliveries but says Ohio will stick to his time-table for now.
DeWine said the decision comes down to not knowing how many doses will actually come to Ohio or when they will arrive. According to the governor, next week’s doses will be for people 80 years and older.
Even though the CDC says anyone 65 years and older should get vaccines now, as it stands, Ohio doesn’t have enough supply to vaccinate 25% of people 80 and older.
“We can take these ones that they’ve been holding back to make sure there was a second dose, which is very, very important, but now we’re hearing the Trump Administration and the upcoming Biden Administration both have enough confidence in the supply chain. They’ve obviously done the math, figured it out that they will be able to release these and this should be very significant,” DeWine said.
DeWine says the state will be able to give shots to more people earlier than it would otherwise be. But for now, the plan remains as is. After the change in delivery policy next week, DeWine and Ohio will have a better idea of what to expect moving forward.
So, for now, people 80 years and older can get shots next week, and 75 and older the week after.
CORONAVIRUS IN KENTUCKY
Gov. Andy Beshear announced more than 3,000 new virus cases Tuesday, sharing more details on the state’s unemployment one-time relief payment program.
“This is the fourth-highest Tuesday, it’s higher than the last couple weeks, so we’re trying to determine where these numbers are going,” said Gov. Beshear. “We are sure that this is a surge caused by gatherings through the holidays, but there is a chance from what we are seeing in the data that while people gathered during the holidays, maybe now they’ve changed their behavior back to be being very careful. If that’s the case, hopefully we’ll see a leveling off, but only the data over the next week is going to let us know.”
Gov. Beshear also expressed concerns Tuesday about the Kentucky House of Representatives moving forward with an impeachment petition even though it was filed by four individuals who have made threatening comments and organized extremist rallies, including those where heavily armed men hung the Governor in effigy and another held at the State Capitol last weekend.
CORONAVIRUS IN INDIANA
The Indiana Department of Health announced Wednesday that 3,686 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
That brings the number of Indiana residents now known to have had the novel coronavirus to 574,119 following corrections to the previous day’s dashboard.
A total of 8,790 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19, an increase of 59 from the previous day. Another 373 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by the state and occurred over multiple days.
To date, 2,779,991 unique individuals have been tested in Indiana, up from 2,770,157 on Tuesday. A total of 6,220,087 tests, including repeat tests for unique individuals, have been reported to the state Department of Health since Feb. 26.
Symptoms:
According to the CDC, the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure: Fever, cough and shortness of breath.
Emergency warning signs include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
This chart from Prospect Pediatrics compares COVID-19 symptoms to the cold and flu:
Resources:
– Ohio coronavirus hotline: 833-427-5634
– Kentucky coronavirus hotline: (800) 722-5725
– Indiana general questions can be directed to the ISDH Epidemiology Resource Center at 317-233-7125 (317-233-1325 after hours) or e-mail epiresource@isdh.in.gov.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website
What to do if you think you have it:
Officials have urged people to be conscious not to overwhelm the health care system. This graphic will help you decide when it is time to see a physician.
Helpful tips and guides:
→ Here’s what you should do if you already have the coronavirus
→ Dealing with stress, anxiety during coronavirus outbreak
→ These viral social media coronavirus posts are FALSE
→ How long should you wash your hands to avoid the coronavirus?
→ Guidance for self isolation and home quarantine
→ How to clean your car for coronavirus
→ A guide to keeping your child safe and reassured as coronavirus spreads