Ohio lifts health orders; masks are off — now what?
Starting today, Ohioans are going to start seeing more of each other — specifically, the lower halves of each other's faces.
Ohio's COVID-19 pandemic health orders expired just after the stroke of midnight and with that, longstanding restrictions on mask-wearing, social distancing and crowd capacity were lifted.
We're back to the way things were in 2019, right? Well, not quite.
"Ohioans have done a great job during the pandemic. And, with more than five million Ohioans who have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, we are getting back to living the lives we want," Gov. Mike DeWine said in a Tuesday news release.
"However, it is important that we all still remember that there are a significant number of Ohioans who remain unvaccinated and are at-risk, including everyone under the age of 12. It's important that those not fully vaccinated continue to wear masks indoors and follow other preventative measures to keep themselves as healthy as possible."
Those who've been fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus can stop masking and social distancing in most settings, while unvaccinated people "should continue to wear a mask, socially distance, avoid large gatherings and whenever possible, be outside for activities and gatherings," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ohioans will still be required to wear masks in certain settings, like while in health care facilities — including hospitals, nursing homes, doctor's offices and clinics — on public transportation, including airplanes, and in businesses that choose to require masks. Ohio schools will also choose whether to set their own health precautions moving forward.
Health care
Mahoning County health care organizations on Tuesday reminded that mask-wearing is for patients' and health care workers' safety.
"Although we are all encouraged by the ongoing decrease in COVID-19 cases throughout our Valley and country, our responsibility in keeping patients and associates protected remains the top priority," said Dr. Jim Kravec, chief clinical officer for Mercy Health Youngstown. "Wearing a mask within any hospital facility or care site is vital in helping us maintain a high standard of care."
As of Tuesday, more than 5.3 million Ohioans, about 45 percent, had received the first of two doses of the coronavirus vaccine, while 4.7 million, nearly 40 percent, had completed their vaccination. That includes nearly 194,000 fully vaccinated Mahoning Valley residents, or about 37 percent of the tri-county population.
Ohio's COVID-19 spread is as low as it's been since June, but not in Mahoning County, which last week reported the third-highest number of new cases per 100,000 people in the state, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Trumbull and Columbiana counties are also in the top 20 of Ohio's 88 counties for COVID-19 spread.
"Northeast Ohio hospitals will continue to enforce mask-wearing per CDC guidance," Ed Muransky, CEO of Southwoods Health, said in a release Tuesday. "Extra precautions are necessary to protect vulnerable patient populations. Regardless of vaccination status, the CDC says mask wearing is the safest option for patients, as well as visitors and staff."
Shopping
Can someone who's gotten all their shots ditch the mask when shopping? That'll be on a case-by-case basis. Several large chain retailers have already dropped mask requirements for fully vaccinated shoppers and employees, unless required by state or local ordinance. They include:
Clothing departments at Target and Kohl's have also reopened fitting rooms, though they remain closed at T.J. Maxx and Marshall's.
Private businesses can still choose whether to enforce health precautions like mask-wearing and also choose to refuse entry to those who disregard them.
They're also legally allowed to ask visitors or workers to show proof they've been vaccinated, Mahoning Matters columnist Dave Betras wrote earlier this month.
Other legal experts, however, say they expect courts would have to tackle medical privacy issues like those.
Though those large chains have announced they're dropping mask requirements for vaccinated shoppers, they haven't announced any plans to check vaccination cards at the door.
Valley schools
DeWine last month said Ohio schools would also "make their own decisions" about how to protect students and faculty.
"Some districts are concerned about needing to quarantine exposed students and are choosing to continue with masking. Other districts are choosing not to mask," said Traci Hostetler, superintendent of the Mahoning County Educational Service Center. "We can all agree that we want this year to be behind us."
Districts like Youngstown City Schools — which has instructed students remotely since the state-mandated school closure in March 2020 — will require masks for anyone entering district buildings for summer enrichment programs, which begin Monday, spokesperson Denise Dick said. That'll last "until further notice," she said.
However, masks are now voluntary at Austintown Local Schools, the second largest school district in the county, spokesperson Brittany Bueno said.
Though the state late last year lifted quarantine requirements for those exposed to COVID-19 while wearing masks, Austintown administrators as of Tuesday were still wondering whether school districts will be required to assist in contact tracing work, Bueno said.
Traveling
You'll still need to mask up when on the bus. Though Western Reserve Transit Authority planned to do away with seating restrictions starting today, riders must continue to wear masks, according to a notice from earlier this month.
Riders are also asked to continue boarding fixed-route buses from the rear door, except for those using wheelchairs or baby strollers.
The Transportation Security Administration warns maskless fliers risk being kept off their plane or fines of $250 for not wearing a mask. As U.S. airports begin to swell once more, here's what you need to know if you're planning to get away.
This story was originally published June 2, 2021 at 4:11 AM with the headline "Ohio lifts health orders; masks are off — now what?."