Masks are going to be the next big fashion trend in Ohio. Both Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and ODH Director Dr. Amy Acton encouraged Ohioans to wear cloth face masks when they go out in public. The number of cases of COVID-19 rose to 3,749 and Ohio saw its first positive test from an inmate. We’ve also got information on how you can get free WiFi across the state. Here are the four major points covered in the April 4, 2020 Coronavirus update.
COVID-19 Numbers
- Cases: 3,749
- Hospitalizations: 1,006
- ICU Admissions: 326
- Deaths: 102 in 30 counties
- Adult Inmates: 1 positive at Marion Correctional Institution
- Age Range – Less than 1 to 101
- Ohio has its first confirmed case of COVID-19 among the inmate population at the Marion Correctional Institution.
- Tests Run : 41,871
Dr. Amy Acton said that while most people showing symptoms of COVID-19 won’t require hospitalization, act quickly is your condition changes. “Most of us can stay at home. You can be at home and be well and all of the sudden have trouble breathing. If you have trouble breathing, call your emergency room and let them know you’re coming.”
Masks Are Going to be Hip
Masks are going to be the next big thing in Ohio. Governor Mike DeWine held up some homemade cloth masks sewn by his wife Fran and said that from now on, he’s going to wear one in public. “For those days that I am in public, I intend to wear one of these masks.” He also encouraged employers to allow employees to wear masks at work.
Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton warned, “”A mask doesn’t make you bulletproof.” She held up a mask made by the wife of Ohio National Guard Adjutant General John Harris and said, “The cultural shift is going to be about masks like this one. This is for us to wear to protect other people.”
Dr. Acton said that many people show no symptoms of Coronavirus. “”When we’re out and about at the store, this can make a difference.” Acton said masks are about 80% effective in stopping the spread of droplets. She also reminded wearers to wash their faces before putting on masks. “It’s a culture change. But Ohio, we have changed culture on a dime. In Asian countries it’s actually seen as something cool and hip.”
Recalling her earlier call to “Don your cape” and protect others like a superhero, Dr. Acton said, ” I need your help, Ohio. I need you to wear both the cape and the mask.”
Both Doctor Acton and the Governor reminded Ohioans that surgical masks and other types of PPE should be saved for healthcare workers and first responders.
Medical Masks Are On The Way
While homemade masks are fine for everyday folks to wear on errands, medical professionals and first responders desperately need N95 masks. “We are also working on buying more surgical masks. I know those of you in the medical community, especially nursing homes, need these. You want these. We are getting them as quickly as we can.”
DeWine said that Battelle would be offering their mask sterilizing services free to Ohio hospitals for the next two weeks. The Ohio-based company recently won FDA approval for their mask-sterilization technology. They can sterilize up to 160,000 masks per day.
The Governor said that a large shipment of masks is expected next week. “”We understand how important this is. We’re getting messages from doctors and nurses who are wearing the same mask every day. This is not a normal thing.”
Free WiFi Hotspots
If you’re having trouble connecting to the Internet, there’s a website that can help you find free WiFi hotspots in your area. Governor Jon Husted said he knows it may sound strange to tell people without Internet to go online to find out where they can get it but he hopes they’ll be able to use the site.
Ohioans can head on over to hotspots.https://innovateohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/innovate/news/news-and-events/04042020 and search for communities and providers.
To search for Xfinity public WiFi go here: https://hotspots.wifi.xfinity.com/
