Rep. Robinson statement on state mask mandate for Cuyahoga County

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon) issued a statement today following Gov. DeWine’s executive order yesterday to require facemasks in several Ohio counties, including Butler, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Huron, Montgomery, and Trumbull. Each of the counties falls within Level 3 of the state’s new Public Health Advisory System, which was unveiled July 2. Level 3 indicates very high exposure and spread of coronavirus.

Several cities in Ohio have already moved to require facemasks, including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton.

“Medical experts and studies have shown multiple times that wearing masks is both effective and an essential component to fighting the pandemic. This will help keep most people healthy and allow businesses to be open with other social distancing measures so the economy can recover. We must let the science and data inform and lead our response. I only hope that we aren’t acting too late to fight the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Ohio, and should have had a statewide mandate for both workers and customers and the general public from the very beginning of the reopening of the state,” said Rep. Robinson.

The Cleveland Clinic and many other studies from experts have confirmed that mass use of wearing masks will drastically reduce transmission rates of COVID-19 when people are in public while maintaining other social distancing measures.

“When I am outside of my home, I always wear a mask, along with my wife and two small children. Wearing a mask greatly cuts down on you potentially spreading COVID-19 to others if you have it. You could have the virus and not show any symptoms for up to 14 days but can still be contagious in those two weeks. Wearing a mask is a sign of common courtesy and consideration of other’s health and safety during the pandemic. If we all wear masks, we all help and protect each other,” added Rep. Robinson.

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