Protesters crash governor's coronavirus briefing.

COLUMBUS — Even as some 75 people protested outside the Statehouse shouting “O-H-I-O, Acton's got to go!” and “Free Ohio Now,” Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday urged Ohioans to maintain the course to dampen the spread of coronavirus.

The backlash to the governor's orders to close schools, shutter nonessential businesses, and have Ohioans stay at home is only likely to build as the restrictions continue, particularly given recent modeling suggesting the worst may not be as bad as originally expected. The restrictions are set to last at least through May 1.

“We're not going to keep these orders on any longer than we have to,” Mr. DeWine said. “What I'm asking Ohioans to do is hang in there. All the evidence that we have indicates if we don't continue to do what we're doing, it's going to cost a lot of lives, and it's going to delay our ability to economically recover.”

The chants of the protesters could be heard by the governor and his health director, Dr. Amy Acton, as they held their daily updates on the health crisis with the media. The protesters were not maintaining six feet of physical space, as required by social distancing, and the only masks they wore were designed to hide their identities.


In an image taken from a live feed, Ohio Department of Health director Dr. Amy Acton implores people on March 23 to stay home to flatten the COVID-19 curve during the coronavirus news conference at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.
Jim Provance and Nicki Gorny
Projected surge in new coronavirus cases lowered dramatically in Ohio
They held signs proclaiming “Quarantine Worse Than Virus,” and “Constitutional Freedoms Are Essential.” They chanted and waved flags. Most were masked and it was not clear which group or groups they were representing.

The protesters refused to identify themselves.
Post Comment

Comments (12)

Multiple demonstrators said they were not with an organized group, though some appeared to be associated with a religious organization, as they were carrying a cross.

Some protesters said they are worried about how many Ohioans are out of work because of the DeWine administration’s “stay-at-home” order, as well as similar directives closing “nonessential” businesses, and banning mass gatherings.

“There's frustration out there. I get it,” Mr. DeWine said. “I'm frustrated as well.”

He noted that protests were excluded from his order prohibiting public gatherings of more than 10 people at a time.

“They have every right to do that...,” he said. “I would just say to them: Please be safe. Please stay away from each other. I hear you shouting, but don't shout on someone else. ... It remains dangerous out there.”

Dr. Acton also acknowledged the protesters.
Bear, hungry people are angry people, this has to stop soon and people need to get back to work
They are here and there already rebelling and that is just the start.............
It's alarming, how dumb some people are. doh
jenny•28 mins ago•somewhere in B.C., British Columbia Canada
Bear, hungry people are angry people, this has to stop soon and people need to get back to work
They are here and there already rebelling and that is just the start

To jenny ,I really feel for the people out there and I can only imagine.Plus people are scared to death.
JimI sure hope this thing ends soon and that is if it ever does.
Maybe it's dumb to think that the greatest threat to everyone's survival is coronavirus.dunno
Maybe it's dumb to brush off 153,379 deaths in only 4 1/2 months.
Bear ~I live alone and can only go for a walk once a day and then if I need to shop, go to nearest food shop to stock up. This has taken a toll emotionally on me [like everyone else in my boat] as i live alone. I go out a lot for company, to meet people, to go shopping etc., and the days are long and there are only so many books and papers, and T.V. is full of Bad News.

So, why am I continuing to self isolate ? Because it is proving hard but successful in that we now reach a peak, and many are dying each day but the infection rate is down to one as in , the person who got the Coronavirus has only infected one other, when it used to have been a whole load. Which means it is working. If it is helping others to stay well, and even live. I will keep doing this for as long as necessary.

I do think the Scientists and specialist know what they are talking about. Stay safe wave
They are now opening up the country slowly.

That should ease the tensions.
Hubei is reopening. But no where near 100% of the people have had it. Do you remember your experts said there was no immunity? Your experts have caused a panic, one of the many things they were supposed to prevent. When this is over someone will do an antibody test on a sample population and find out nearly 100% have the specific antibody. If they then have any sense they'll look around to find the general antibody that stopped it for the rest.
The CDC isn't doctors, at least in the U.S. They are "health specialists." Academics out to prove their next paper and failing miserably while disrupting the world economy massively. Our political leaders are not at fault, the Media, who always support academics, cannot be opposed--yet.
JimNastics•Apr 17•Kingston, New Jersey USA
Maybe it's dumb to brush off 153,379 deaths in only 4 1/2 months.

No one knows how many of these reported death are from the corona virus
People could have also be included here when having died of the flue or of natural courses jenny
I don't feel I am being panicked, Our head of Govt. is a Doctor and I see that the self isolating is working, albeit slowly but surely. We need a vaccine and my guess is a year, but in the meantime if we can get it down to a manageable level . I can't see self distancing being downgraded for some time.
Take care Bearwoman.hug
Post Comment - Let others know what you think about this Blog.