COLUMBUS, Ohio — A state lawmaker will introduce legislation seeking to end Ohio’s COVID-19 state of emergency.
Rep. Diane Grendell, of Cesterland, said Wednesday morning she will introduce the “Restore Ohio Now” bill next week. Grendell argued Ohioans have successfully flattened the curve. She said it is time for the state to lift its restrictive orders that are hurting businesses.
“The time has come to responsibly transition back to our lives before the pandemic,” Grendell said in a statement.
In Ohio, orders remain in effect for a statewide mask mandate, a prohibition of sales of alcohol after 10 p.m. at bars and restaurants, as well as restrictions on large gatherings.
Public health officials said the state’s restrictions have worked so far and ought to stay in place to keep the state on the right track.
Grendell represents most of Geauga County and northern Portage County. Geauga County Health Commissioner Thomas Quade said Grendell did not speak with him about her legislation. He said ending the state of emergency would be dangerous.
“I believe this is not the time to lift the public health state of emergency in Ohio,” he said. “It would be like realizing a parachute has slowed our descent and then taking it off entirely without knowing how far off the ground we are.”
Grendell is among a group of the state’s most conservative lawmakers, who last month declared they support impeaching Gov. Mike DeWine for his handling of the pandemic.
On Monday, Grendell marked a legislative accomplishment when DeWine signed a bill she sponsored which gives Ohioans, schools, and businesses immunity from some lawsuits related to COVID-19.
In her announcement of the “Restore Ohio Now” bill Wednesday, Grendell noted COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations are down since they peaked in late spring, which she said supports her call for ending the COVID-19 state of emergency.
“Government cannot protect us from every single one of life’s risks. We have to rely on the judgement and responsibility of individual Ohioans in the exercise of their personal liberties,” she said.
Democrat Rep. Dr. Beth Liston of Dublin responded to Grendell’s announcement Wednesday arguing Ohio’s recovery should be guided by science instead of politics.
“Every day, more than 1,000 Ohioans are still getting sick, and dozens are dying from COVID-19,” she said. “Until that changes, decisions like this should be made by experts in public health, not by career politicians.”
Dr. Nicholas Kreatsoulas, Chief Clinical Officer of the Mount Carmel Health System, said the science-backed guidelines from the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health are helping to keep Ohioans safe.
“The pandemic remains a threat to public health, and the State of Emergency declaration is an effective tool in fighting this virus,” Kreatsoulas said. “Mount Carmel Health System applauds the approach that Governor DeWine has taken to protect Ohioans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, Ohioans are helping to slow the spread.”
Quade predicted Grendell’s legislation would not go far in the state legislature.
“I don’t think the state legislature will risk reversing the gains earned by all the sacrifices their constituents have made,” he said. “I have faith that our state legislature will not want to do something that would so clearly threaten those gains and increase the risk to the public’s health.