Dewine defends reporters against lock-down protesters
By Colleen Carroll
Governor Mike Dewine defended journalists and reporters Monday, May 4th during the broadcasted COVID-19 update.
“It’s not fair game to disrespect the news media, to be obnoxious to the news media,” Dewine said. “That’s not fair game, you should come after me.”
The remark comes after a video surfaced of a NBC4 Reporter being confronted by a protestor outside of the State House in Columbus on Friday. The video shows the reporter requesting the protestor keep a 6-foot distance and the protester accusing the reporter of spreading fear to the public.
“Reporters and photographers are doing nothing more then informing the public,” Dewine said. “Don’t go after people who are exercising the first amendment right that we value in this country very, very much.”
Dewine also defended Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton. Demonstrators have openly carried firearms outside of her house in protest.
“I’m the one who makes the policy decisions and Dr. Acton works exceedingly, exceedingly hard,” Dewine said. “I am fair game. To bother the family of Dr. Acton, I don’t think that’s fair game, I don’t think it’s right and I don’t think it’s necessary to get your point across.”
Dewine quoted a sign on Harry Truman’s desk, “the buck stops here.”
Dewine continued the meeting to explain the new guidelines for re-opening the state, a much-pressed topic.
Monday, all construction, manufacturing, distribution, and office business return to work. Next week, May 12th , all retail will open. As for how businesses will reopen, Dewine said it will mostly be left up to the businesses to decide.
“As we start this new phase the emphasis is on how,” said Dewine. “Making sure as we go back, we do it in the safest way possible and for that we are relying on the people who know their businesses.”
Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted also addressed the eagerness of business owners to begin reopening businesses.
“We trust in you,” said Husted to business owners and citizens alike. “This policy counts on the fact the people of Ohio will do the right thing.”
Husted urged citizens to remain responsible and diligent on social distancing as the state reopens.
“The only way we can keep that hospitalization trend where it needs to be, on the decline, is for the people to continue to do what is right.”
Acton reported updated statistics on positive COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Acton also explained that as more data is collected and reported over time it becomes more telling and significant.
“It’s really important with the data to look at a three-week period,” said Acton. “The virus has about a two week incubation period, from the time you infected to the time you begin to show symptoms and then it takes another week before you might seek care for those symptoms.”
Acton also explained that rolling numbers can have a misleading nature about them based on how they are reported.
“Any one day might have a reporting glitch for any number of reasons,” Acton said. “Even something as simple as someone being absent and reporting their data two days later.”
Acton continued her segment to relay that opening businesses will remain a local process and local health departments will be the ones to guide communities.
Dewine also made acknowledgement to the May 4th Kent State shootings with a moment of silence at the beginning of the update.
“Today is the 50th anniversary of the May 4th shootings at Kent State,” Dewine said, “I would like to start our press conference today with a moment of silence for those who died.”
Acton, Dewine and Husted all continued to express thanks to the state for adhering to quarantine laws and further emphasized their support and guidance.
“We will be here every step of the way,” Acton said.
