Ohio lawmakers say elective medical procedures could be postponed amid ‘exponential’ surge in COVID-19 cases



Ohio lawmakers say elective surgeries might be paused amid a COVID-19 outbreak taking place across the state.

According to a Tuesday CBS News report, confirmed coronavirus cases in the state are surging.

The outlet reports that the state's seven-day rolling average of daily new cases has risen in two weeks from 4,467 new cases per day to 7,618 cases per day.

What are the details?

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) during a Monday briefing said that the "high volume" of the new cases is "now overwhelming the system."

He and hospital officials are now warning that there is a distinct possibility that elective medical procedures could be postponed due to the surge.

"We are responding to the surge, but as the surge increases, we'll need to make more decisions about how we triage and how we take care of patients appropriately," DeWine added.

Dr. Richard Lofgren, president and CEO of the University of Cincinnati HC Health System said that there's no use in planning for an emergency — because it's already here.

"The growth in hospitalizations is exponential," he said in a grave statement. "We're not planning for the surge — the surge is here."

CBS reports that hospitals are nearing the point where COVID-19 patients will outnumber non-COVID patients.

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center's Dr. Andrew Thomas told WOIO-TV that the time has come to change the way things have been done across the state as of late.

"We can't sound the alarm bell loud enough for people in Ohio to change their behavior," he insisted. "With Thanksgiving coming up, keep within your bubble. If you have family coming over, hopefully they've been quarantining for 14 days."

DeWine also took to Twitter and shared the statement, writing, "We are responding to the surge, but as the surge increases, we'll need to make more decisions about how we triage and how we take care of patients appropriately."

We are responding to the surge, but as the surge increases, we'll need to make more decisions about how we triage a… https://t.co/sFDYBMxI5A
— Governor Mike DeWine (@Governor Mike DeWine)1606159380.0

Ohio Republicans draft articles of impeachment against GOP governor over COVID-19 orders



A handful of Republican Ohio state lawmakers have signed on to legislation calling for the impeachment of GOP Gov. Mike DeWine, saying he violated the law and stomped on citizens' civil liberties with his executive orders aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19.

What are the details?

Cleveland.com reported Monday that state Rep. John Becker (R) introduced a resolution containing 10 articles of impeachment against DeWine, claiming the governor — among other things — "violated the separation of powers by having the Ohio Department of Health issue orders outside the scope of its authority that are "tantamount to creating new laws."

The impeachment documents also accuse DeWine of violating citizens' civil liberties by issuing a stay-at-home order for Ohioans, and violating the First Amendment by mandating that masks be worn in houses of worship.

The outlet pointed to a website set up to promote the group and track which lawmakers are in the support of the measure. GOP Reps. Candice Keller, A. Nino Vitale, and Paul Zeltwanger had signed on as co-sponsors as of this writing.

According to The Hill, "The resolution also claims that "people are more likely to infect themselves with COVID-19" if they're wearing a mask, something that experts have disputed as "dangerous nonsense."

But the Republicans calling for DeWine to be impeached are facing an uphill battle. WYSO-FM noted that "A Quinnipiac poll in June showed DeWine's approval rating at an all-time high of 75%."

A DeWine spokesman said of the lawmakers' initiative, "Governor DeWine is focused on saving lives during the pandemic. He is focused on helping the economy and getting Ohioans back to work. That is what he is focused on. Not this."

What did the governor say?

The governor reacted to the legislators' actions on Tuesday, saying, "I have a great deal of respect for the four leaders," while reminding members of the General Assembly that "every legislator has my cell phone [number]" and can reach out directly when they have concerns.

"If there are others in the legislature who want to spend their time on drawing up resolutions and filing articles," DeWine added, "Ya know, look, it's a free country. If that's how they want to spend their time, I would just say to them: Have at it."

Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) responds to the Republican legislators calling for his impeachment over COVID public safety… https://t.co/xSZXtBWVEJ
— The Recount (@The Recount)1598385205.0