Big Ten announcement was the big news in DeWine’s briefing

COLUMBUS — Ohioans got big news on fall sports during Gov. Mike DeWine's state briefing Tuesday — just not from DeWine.

In the middle of the briefing, the Big Ten Conference announced its decision to postpone the upcoming fall sports season. When told this during his update, DeWine visibly reeled from the news.

"As a football fan, and we have a lot of them, a lot of Buckeye fans, certainly it's not good news," he said. Ultimately, this is a decision that has to be made by the schools, and they weigh many things. I'm sure they start off with the safety of their players and weigh other factors as well."

Noting the "disappointment for Buckeye Nation," DeWine added, "Look, as a fan, I'm disappointed, but this is a decision that was made by the Big Ten, made by the schools, and we have to respect that decision."

Still, DeWine again punted the decision on high school sports in the state, although sports fans throughout the state are eagerly awaiting an update.

Based on the administration's extolling of the virtues of sports, many are betting the state will give high school sports the green light for some games the fall.

On Monday night, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted posted on Facebook: ‪"What's the greater risk to people under age 25, canceling in-person learning & extracurriculars (sports) to protect them from COVID or leaving it to chance how they'll fill this time? You can't take these things away from young people & expect good(health, academic, life) results‬."

During Tuesday's briefing, DeWine said, "Part of the argument for sports that is I think a strong one is first of all there's a discipline to sports. Part of that discipline this year will have to be different than the normal discipline. Part of the discipline this year will have to be being safe."

Local cases among students-athletes show that "discipline" might not be an effective defense against a pandemic.

Sports practices were halted and Poland, Chaney and East High Schools due to potential exposures to COVID-19 or student-athletes testing positive for the virus.

What DeWine did provide Tuesday was information on children's health as they return to school. Three doctors joined the briefing: Dr. John Barnard, chief of pediatrics at Nationwide Children's Hospital; Dr. Patty Manning, chief of staff at Cincinnati Children's Hospital; and Dr. Adam Mezoff, chief medical officer at Dayton Children's Hospital.

First, they fact-checked claims from President Donald Trump that children are "almost immune" to COVID-19.

"Let me be crystal clear," said Barnard. "Children get coronavirus infections. And they get it not infrequently."

Manning said that while much is unknown about the virus, "Children are not immune." Furthermore, she said it's likely children are able to spread the virus.

"It's safe to say if a child has COVID, they can be contagious," said Manning.

In preparing to return to school, Manning said four things are important: masks, distancing, hand hygiene and clean surfaces. With a combination of these strategies, even bus-riding can be done safely, said Manning.

"Riding the bus to school is the only way some children get to school," said Manning. "And I would have to limit access to in-person school because of some sort of transportation constraint."

Mezoff added adjustments can be made to optimize safety. For example, teachers should move classes outside when possible.

"There's not better ventilation than being outside," he said.

Other coronavirus news:

• According to the latest figures Tuesday from the Ohio Department of Health, the state is reporting 97,373 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. There have been 2,595 confirmed or suspected cases in Mahoning County; 1,549 in Trumbull County; and 1,671 in Columbiana County.

• Statewide, there have been 3,435 confirmed deaths, including 255 in Mahoning County; 108 in Trumbull; and 62 in Columbiana. Mahoning County's 255 reported COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday fell to fifth among Ohio's 88 counties; Franklin County had the most with 529.

• In nearby counties: Stark, 1,844 cases and 140 deaths; Portage, 771 cases and 63 deaths; and Ashtabula, 576 cases and 46 deaths.

• According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday, there are 120,281 COVID-19 cases in the state which have led to 7,352 deaths. The state said the recovery rate is 77 percent. There have been 446 confirmed or suspected cases in Mercer County and 11 deaths; 392 cases in Lawrence County and 16 deaths.

• Pennsylvania schools should keep an eye on a state dashboard that rates each county's COVID-19 transmission rate to determine the best instructional model. Counties at the highest standard may be able to fully reopen; those that fall into a middle grouping could offer a hybrid model, with some online instruction and some in-person; while those with the worst transmission rate should stay strictly online, state health officials said.

• Mill Creek MetroParks is extending the cancellation of all previously scheduled programs, tours, events, lectures and indoor facility rentals until the Jan. 11, 2021, board meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If a registration or rental fee was paid, a full refund will be processed.

• Opera Western Reserve has been awarded a $6,195 Ohio Arts Council Sustainability Grant. For its fall season, OWR will present a new series, "OWR Presents," which allows fans and those curious about opera to enjoy performances virtually. The first concert in the series is "OWR Presents: Summer Songs with Marian Vogel," which will be available for streaming for free at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

This story was originally published August 12, 2020 at 3:52 AM with the headline "Big Ten announcement was the big news in DeWine’s briefing."