COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine warned of grave risks this fall in school districts where students are going back to class without masks.
What You Need To Know
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said unvaccinated students should wear masks this fall
- The state recommends masks, distancing and vaccination to keep schools safe
- COVID-19 cases are soaring in Ohio as the more contagious delta variant spreads
During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, DeWine and Ohio Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff called for unvaccinated students to mask up in Ohio this fall.
“I have an obligation to look into this camera and tell the parents of the state of Ohio, if your child is going to school and is not vaccinated and is not wearing a mask, no matter where you are in Ohio, your child is at risk,” DeWine said.
The governor said he fears a “perfect storm” is forming for the virus as the more contagious delta variant meets Ohio classrooms, where some students will not be wearing masks.
The state reported 3,235 cases on Tuesday as seven-day average infections increased to 2,698 per day. DeWine said there are no indications that the “dramatic” surge in COVID-19 is slowing down.
DeWine said schools could be high-risk environments because only 35% of children 12-17 have been vaccinated and children under 12 are not yet eligible for vaccination.
“With the delta variant producing so many cases today, it will be very difficult to keep it out of the classroom, and it will be impossible, once it's in the classroom, to keep it from spreading unless the students wear masks or are vaccinated,” DeWine said.
For districts with mask optional policies, DeWine asked families to consider still opting for masks this school year.
To reduce transmission in schools, the Ohio Department of Health recommends masks, social distancing and vaccination for all who are eligible, Vanderhoff said.
Ohio hospitals are busier with the COVID-19 surge, but they are not strained to the point of delaying elective surgeries, Vanderhoff said. On Tuesday, 1,591 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized in Ohio.
DeWine said that Ohio students were safe from COVID-19 in classrooms last year with the protection of masks.
“Here in Ohio, we've had a great deal of experience with kids in masks last school year. We have no experience with kids in school without wearing masks during a pandemic,” he said.
In states, including Florida and South Carolina, districts are experiencing outbreaks following returns to school with mask optional policies.
Without masks in schools, Ohio students could face similar learning disruptions, DeWine said. He said schools could be forced to go online if unvaccinated students forgo masks.
“To all those who are making decisions right now about our schools, if you're not requiring masks, please, please, please think about this again. At the very least, consider doing it for the next few weeks,” DeWine said. “With increasing numbers of new COVID cases and hospitalizations, this is the time to take precautions, not the time to take them away."