WOSU COVID-19 Update - April 1, 2020

Описание: The state of Ohio could be closer to extending its stay-at-home order and get tougher on people and business that wrongly ignore the order.

The original order which is set to expire on Monday and orders non-essential business to close, however many businesses are operating in apparent conflict with the order. Gov. Mike DeWine says tough enforcement is imminent. One business facing criticism is the craft store Hobby Lobby, which is still operating four of its five central Ohio store.

Ohio now has 2,547 confirmed cases and 65 deaths.

President Donald Trump has declared Ohio a disaster area, which allows for additional help to deal with the pandemic. The declaration came as Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton said Ohio has not received enough medical equipment from the federal government. The state is asking manufactures to start producing protective gear for doctors and nurses.

The state is also asking landlords to pause rent payments for small business for three months.

Ohio State is moving its summer semester classes to online only.

For more on WOSU’s coronavirus coverage go to https://wosu.org/coronavirus.