Governor, elections chief recommend delaying Tuesday primary
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Frank LaRose on Monday recommended that Ohio’s Tuesday primary be suspended until June 2 to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. The recommendation came as a mandatory three-week closure of schools began Monday, bars and restaurants were closed indefinitely, and the governor ordered gyms, rec centers and movie theaters closed. A look at the latest developments in Ohio:
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CASES
As of Monday, there were 50 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Ohio, including 14 hospitalizations, with patients ranging from ages 14 to 86. There have been no reported deaths in the state.
For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death. The vast majority of people recover.
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SCHOOLS
Many children accompanied by parents, grandparents and guardians started the day Monday picking up federally funded breakfast to-go bags at designated schools. Many schools planned to provide breakfast and lunch to all children accompanied by an adult. DeWine said over the weekend that school closures could continue through the end of the school year.
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ELECTIONS
DeWine and LaRose, both Republicans, said a lawsuit will be filed in Columbus Monday to try to force the suspension of the Tuesday primary since neither official has the ability on his own. LaRose said the recommendation is to cancel in-person voting Tuesday, allow absentee balloting to continue, and move in-person voting to June 2. DeWine said it didn’t make sense to be telling Ohioans, especially those 65 and older, to stay home but also go to polling places Tuesday. “We should not force them to make this choice, the choice between their health and their constitutional rights and their duties as American citizens,” DeWine said.
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JOBS
With numerous businesses ordered temporarily closed, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said it had received 12,000 unemployment insurance benefit applications online as of Sunday night, compared to under 600 the same time a week ago.
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