COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s daily news conference Wednesday had a lot of new information — specifically dealing with elective surgeries.
“Today I’m asking health care providers in hospitals and outpatient surgery centers to reassess those procedures and surgeries that were postponed,” said DeWine.
DeWine is rolling back the elective surgery postponement order, saying we have enough of a handle on COVID-19, so elective surgeries can now resume.
Those who have held off non-life-threatening surgeries can now begin consulting with their doctors and get an OR appointment on the books.
Elective surgeries are one of many health care avenues that have been cut off due to this pandemic. Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted says physical, emotional, and economic health are all intrinsically linked.
“Bad economic conditions lead to bad health consequences,” said Husted.
According to researchers at Oxford University, among the U.S., Canada, and Europe, suicides rose by 10,000 during the economic recession of 2008. It’s not just suicide rates that rise in a crisis.
“As unemployment goes up, so do the rates of suicide, drug addiction, domestic violence, depression, homelessness, as well as other health consequences like diabetes,” said Husted.
The state is rolling out a new resource for mental health. They say physical health, economic health and mental health are all equally important during this time of crisis, so the state is launching a new hotline for those who need to talk to a professional. That number is 1-800-720-9616. It is confidential and will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
