Rep. Robinson Urges Adherence to ODH Best Practices Amid Confirmation of Multiple Cases of COVID-19 in Cuyahoga County

State Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon) today urged Cuyahoga County residents to adhere to best practices outlined by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) amid the continued spread of COVID-19 disease, commonly known as the coronavirus, with 69 confirmed cases in Cuyahoga County.

“Our district, our state, and our nation are facing a global public health crisis that has and will continue to cause significant disruptions to our daily lives on a scale many of us have never seen,” Rep. Robinson said.

“We need everyone, from state and local authorities to community and business leaders, to come together in bipartisanship to get us through the tough days ahead. However, we will get through these challenging times if we listen to our health experts and continue to follow best practices such as frequent hand washing, limiting interactions with large groups, staying home when we’re sick, and refraining from panic buying that limits supplies for those most in need.”

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness virus that causes mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and other potential symptoms reported by patients including a sore throat and pneumonia.

For accurate information and best health practices, go to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization COVID-19 website resources.

For more information, Ohioans can visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 833-4-ASK-ODH (833-427-5634).

District 6 residents can also go to www.cuyahogacounty.us/covid-19 and www.ccbh.net/coronavirus/ for county level information and updates.

There are currently 169 cases confirmed in Ohio in 28 counties with 39 Ohioans currently hospitalized and the first death reported today in Lucas County. As of last week, 333 people are under health supervision potentially related to COVID-19.

Rep. Robinson, the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, and the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus continue to work with the majority party and the Governor’s office to promote and advance policies to help Ohioans in these difficult times. Rep. Robinson is in particular concerned about the implications for schools and small businesses being closed.

“With the possibility that schools are closed for the rest of the academic year with limited access to remote options, we will need to address issues such as state test mandates, state report card grading, and other implications impacting children,” added Rep. Robinson. “And with parents staying home with their children and small businesses closing from either lack of customers or staff unable to work due to health concerns, we will need to take action to supports workers and employers to prevent economic turmoil.”

In a series of press conferences, Gov. Mike DeWine last week moved to shut down K-12 schools, limit access to nursing homes and prison facilities, and ban large, public gatherings of 50 or more people. Numerous businesses and organizations have implemented telecommuting policies, including cabinet-level agencies in Ohio.

This week, fitness centers, bowling alleys, recreation centers, movie theaters, indoor water, trampoline parks, casinos, barbershops and salons, spas, nail salons, and tattoo parlors are also now closed. Restaurants and bars are limited to carryout and delivery services. Yesterday, Gov. DeWine announced 181 Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) locations will be closed while five will remain open, as they are essential to issue and renew commercial driver licenses (CDLs). Law enforcement is asked not to issue tickets to those with expired licenses that cannot be renewed. Starting Monday, senior centers and senior daycare will close but food deliveries and other services of the centers will continue in different settings.

However, grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, and the courts will remain open. Gov. DeWine is opening up unemployment compensation for those temporarily laid off or ill, addressing some of the issues highlighted by House Democrats. Additional actions include foreclosure actions are stayed for 60 days; stopping Medicaid work requirements and expanding telehealth; moratorium on electric and gas disconnects though May 1; 300 National Guard activated to provide humanitarian and food aid; and 60-day grace period for employers to defer healthcare premium payments interest free.

Rep. R0binson and House Democrats continue to raise concerns about the impact the outbreak is having on lower-income workers, including food and retail workers, nurses and other hourly workers who have to take off work, oftentimes without pay, to care for themselves, a sick loved one, or children out of school following Gov. DeWine’s announced “extended spring break” for K-12 students.

House Democrats have already formed working groups and are crafting legislative proposals to resolve the specific struggles Ohioans are facing during this public health crisis related to education concerns, economic relief, healthcare access, taxation and finance issues, voting rights, and the function of government at all levels.

Rep. Robinson is part of the education workgroup, which is working to prohibit any K-12 school student from being penalized due to the governor’s emergency actions, including waiving state testing requirements, and provide certainty to schools and families by not allowing current expansion of EdChoice vouchers.

The House is scheduled to meet next week for session to pass legislation to address issues that have arisen around COVID-19 and how it is impacting Ohioan’s lives.