Catching Up with Two Local Pros

By  Del Duduit

I think I am in elite company when I say that I have coached two young men who have gone on to a higher level in professional sports.

With that, I am taking zero credit for their accomplishments.

For one baseball season, I was on the coaching staff of the American Legion Post 23 team when Dylan Shockley was on the roster in Scioto County, Ohio. My son also played with him at Minford High School.

And I also coached Zach Veach in fourth-grade basketball at Minford Primary School.

Today, Shockley is getting ready for his second season with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, while Veach is preparing for his fourth year behind the wheel in Indy Racing.

Both are seeing their wildest expectations come to life in front of them, and they are thankful for the experiences they have gained over the years.

“I’m living my dream,” Shockley said. “Every kid who played Little League dreams of this day. I’ve accomplished one goal, but I have a long way to go, and I’m looking forward to the journey.”

Veach, who is from Stockdale Ohio, will begin his fourth Indy racing season behind the wheel of his No. 26 Honda on June 6 in Fort Worth, Texas at the Texas Motor Speedway. The race will be run without fans.

“It’s going to be odd for sure,” he said of racing without spectators. “But at this point, I’m just looking forward to racing again.”

Shockley, who was drafted in the 34th round in the MLB draft in 2019, said the biggest adjustment he had to make was learning to communicate with pitchers from the Dominican Republic.

“I had to learn Spanish in like a day,” he said. “But I caught on quick and adjusted.”

Veach on the other hand, has been patient during his three years of racing at the highest level, and he is ready to collect a checkered flag.

His main goal is to win the Indianapolis 500. Last year, he weaved his way up to 4th position. But he fell back to 12th when he was involved in a five-car-crash that knocked him out of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing with 25 laps to go.

“To win Indy is why we do this,” he said. “Each year we’ve done better and made progress, but I’m ready to win.”

Both have been home during the pandemic and trying to stay in shape to prepare themselves mentally for their upcoming seasons.

Shockley has been using local private buildings and garages equipped with gear to stay fit.

“I’m itching to get out on the field,” he said.

Veach said his team has shipped in equipment to his home in Indianapolis. He notes the racing simulators and stationary bikes are nice, but they are not the same as the real thing.

“I’m ready to race,” he said.

There comes a point when you know you have reached your dreams. Shockley is close. He has jumped the first hurdle in being drafted. He must continue to prove himself and climb the ranks of the minor league system.
Veach is a member on a team that holds perhaps one of the most hallowed names in racing — Andretti Autosport.

“I grew up wanting to be like [Michael Andretti] and now he is my boss,” he said. “I wake up every day living my dream.”

Shockley realized his dream was coming true when he was invited to early Spring Training because he is a catcher, and they are in high demand during organized practice.

In the clubhouse in Bradenton, Florida, he watched MLB players with the Pirates being interviewed by the media.

“That’s going to be me one day,” he said.

For me to know both these young men is an honor. I am proud of them and what they have been able to accomplish.

I am looking forward to interviewing Shockley someday after an MLB game where he throws out a runner to win the contest.

And I can’t wait to congratulate Veach after he drinks the milk and kisses the bricks.

Well done, boys.

You have made Scioto and Pike counties proud. Thanks for letting me be a small part of your journey.

Godspeed Zach, and Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Dylan.

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

Visiting Through Closed Windows; Families Ask DeWine to Ease Visitation Restrictions at Nursing Homes

Families say loved ones are declining rapidly due to extreme isolation and perceived abandonment.

It’s been nearly three months since Marjorie Williams has seen her family, except through a closed window, and it has taken a toll on the 89-year-old nursing home resident.

Marjorie’s family is one of many families left bewildered by Governor DeWine’s recent announcement to begin easing visitation restrictions at assisted living facilities – but failed to include nursing homes, which have been locked-down since early March.

Regardless of the visitation ban which was intended to keep COVID out, the virus found its way into some 200 of Ohio’s 960 nursing homes.

Many families have reported significant declines in the health of their loved ones during this time, due to isolation, perceived abandonment and because no one is there to advocate or assist with care.

“I’m so crushed at this news,” said Melissa Williams, Marjorie’s daughter-in-law. “These are typically people nearing the end of their lives. They are suffering, and we as family members are suffering. It would be terrible if they passed during this time and our last memories are of them being alone.”

Marjorie Williams gets out of her room for a brief visit with family through a closed window.

DeWine announced this week that assisted-living and intermediate care facilities for individuals with development disabilities can begin to allow outdoor visitation beginning June 8. DeWine stated that he came to this decision because of the impact a prolonged loss of connection can have on quality of life.

“He is not going to allow nursing home residents to have this same opportunity for visits,” said Williams. “It is incredibly cruel to leave them out. It is heart-wrenching for all of us who are left out in the cold with this news.”

Marjorie has been in a Mansfield nursing home since October after taking several falls and a bried hospitalization. The family visited with her regularly before DeWine’s order to lockdown such facilities.

Families ask Gov. DeWine to ease visitation restrictions before it’s too late.

“People in nursing homes typically have Alzheimer’s or dementia. They have a hard time grasping why we cannot come in to visit them. They feel abandoned and we have been forced to abandon them.

“We have to remember these folks are not only isolated from their families, they are isolated from other residents, basically banished to their rooms. Imagine how it is for them. They are being locked down like prisoners. It seems inhumane to me.”

Williams said that when they visit with 89-year-old Marjorie through a closed window, she asks why they can’t come inside or why she cannot go outside.

“These are difficult patients to work with and they respond best when there is family assistance.”

Williams said that locking out visitors was supposed to protect them from covid. “Yet nothing was done to protect them from staff who could carry it in to them. So it seems it was all for nothing.”

The family went to visit Marjorie over Memorial Day weekend.

“She didn’t remember any of our names,” said Williams. “She is losing her ability to remember, and our absence makes it more difficult. It broke our hearts.

“I don’t think DeWine understands how this is affecting the children who have to be away from the grandparents they adore. Our 16-year-old granddaughter Emma was among the window visitors. She had to turn away because she literally broke into tears and was sobbing.

“My mother-in-law is an amazing woman who has been there for everyone and now when she needs us the most we can’t be there for her,” said Williams. “She owned a couple businesses and lost her husband when he was 37 to heart disease. She raised her two sons by herself and never remarried.

“I’ve heard from so many people who are in the same boat and it is heartbreaking. I wish someone would ask the Governor why he is excluding nursing homes. I’ve tried to reach out to DeWine and he ignores me.”

Ohio’s Nursing Home COVID Crisis

Are your loved ones safe?

A full 79% of Ohio’s COVID-19 related deaths are from nursing homes. This according to an investigation by WMFD out of Mansfield, Ohio titled, Governor DeWine Suppresses Data Disproving COVID-19 Policies.

The report states:

Just two weeks ago Amy Acton estimated death rates in nursing homes comprised approximately 20% of the Ohio death toll. As reporters and citizen journalists investigated that claim, it was discovered that confirmed deaths were double Acton’s estimate. Continued digging reveals that, as of May 21, confirmed deaths in nursing homes total 79% of the state total.

The errors seem to stem from mixing data sets, slow responses and an overall lack of focus on critical information. Failing to dive deep into data provided by nursing homes and other congregate care facilities may account for the utterly irresponsible handling of nursing home infections.

Mixing data sets from congregate settings (information specific to nursing homes and other congregate facilities) for reporting and consideration bypassed a crucial step in checks and balances. In fact, the mixing is a fatal error.

Melissa Williams of Wooster has a loved one in a long-term care facility.

“We are losing valuable time away from our loved ones,” said Williams, whose family member is showing signs of dementia and sometimes doesn’t recall loved ones.

“If she didn’t even know our names, does she know if she ate? Is she being fed and changed?” Williams questioned.

“DeWine stated they locked family members out to keep our elderly from getting CV but yet he allowed the staff to give it to the patients. He needs to allow us back in to advocate for them once again because, without us, they are suffering and it’s heart wrenching.”

Recently William’s family went to the nursing facility to visit through a window with their loved one. When they arrived, they were told by staff that they could only speak to her on the telephone, said Williams.

“We had to make a call to her which confuses her because she has dementia and thinks she has to look at the phone because of prior FaceTime calls.”
The family left in tears and fearing for their family member’s safety and well-being. “It’s so sad, heartbreaking and so unnecessary.”

The media has been asking for numbers exclusive to nursing homes for weeks. And once the numbers were made available, they raised more questions than provided answer. Why did Governor DeWine, Jon Husted and Dr. Acton ignore Ohio’s top hotspot of infection? Why has Governor DeWine, Jon Husted and Dr. Acton focused their efforts and financial resources on contact tracing when science has determined the hot spot for the infection is 1) in nursing homes, and 2) in prisons?

Daniel Morris’s grandfather was in a facility in Tallmadge, Ohio. He recently passed away after testing positive for COVID-19. Before his passing, he was placed in isolation for 14 days with no visitors and no access to a telephone, after which the facility discovered that the test was a false positive.

The family was then notified that he was dying, and they could come to say goodbye.

Morris said the facility continued classifying and treating his grandfather as COVID-positive even though the result was proven false.

“They had no IV’s on him, and he was pretty much dying I think of dehydration,” said Morris.

“They called Hospice in and Hospice said because he tested positive for COVID-19 that they are going to treat it as COVID-19.”

After his grandfather’s passing, Morris said they received a call from the funeral home stating that his grandfather’s death was reported to them as COVID-19.

“Something has to be done about this. There are probably many families who have experienced this,” said Morris.

On May 26th nearly two and a half months after the Governor closed Ohio for business, he has announced he will test all staff and some residents at nursing home facilities. As WMFD reported.

Nursing homes and prisons produce extremely disproportionate
infection rates—and disproportionate deaths in the case of nursing homes. What if the state would have previously segregated the data sets and treated themdifferently—how many lives could have been saved in long term care  facilities, jails and prisons?

Governor DeWine, Jon Husted and Dr. Acton knowingly hid critical health care information from Ohioans. Families made decisions on their loved one’s care based on the daily information provided by the trio. How many deaths could have been prevented if caregivers had been properly informed? Legislators are calling for the return of oversight over the Ohio Department of Health as it relates to pandemic crisis management. There have also been calls seeking the resignation of Dr. Acton.

Governor DeWine Suppresses Data Disproving COVID-19 Policies

By Jack Winsdor, repost

Ohio Governor DeWine, Director of Health Acton and Lt.
Governor Husted started handling the Coronavirus outbreak with faulty modeling, while ignoring critical real-time data. Now the trio suppresses critical data. Ohioans: aware, enraged and bracing to fight for the truth.

The backdrop: COVID-19 first made an indelible mark on Ohioans when
Governor Mike DeWine canceled the 2020 Arnold Sports Festival, which was
schedule to start March 5.

On March 16, Governor DeWine backed a lawsuit seeking to
postpone the primary election scheduled for the next day. The suit was filed by Ohioans who feared voting in person would expose voters and poll workers to COVID-19.

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Richard Fry declined to postpone
the election, but Fry’s decision did not stop DeWine. In the late hours of
election eve, Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton declared a
healthcare emergency to force polls closed. The emergency powers are granted by the Ohio Revised Code and have been in effect since March 16.

On March 23, DeWine announced a two-week shelter-in-place
plan, made legally binding by Acton’s emergency order. By that date, the world had seen horrifying videos and read data on the COVID-19 outbreak in northern Italy.

If the Governor’s announcement and citizens’ compliance
constitutes a social contract, as DeWine has said in press conferences, then that contract was inked on March 23, 2020. DeWine promised to make decisions based on the best science, medicine, and data, and to deploy all necessary resources to flatten the curve and ramp hospital capacity. DeWine and his team also pledged to be transparent with data. Ohioans committed to stay home to flatten the curve and buy hospitals time.

Early data flawed
Nearly a week before the stay-at-home order was issued, Imperial College epidemiologist Neil Ferguson modeled the COVID-19 outbreak. Ferguson’s model became the point of reference forleaders across the globe, influencing lockouts and sheltering policies.

Ferguson himself backtracked on his model’s accuracy just
weeks later after the projections tanked. The swing and miss on COVID-19 is not Ferguson’s first projection whiff. Ferguson predicted 200 million would die from the bird flu in 2005–deaths totaled 455. In 2009 Ferguson predicted 65,000 people would die in the U.K. from swine flu—the death toll was 392.

Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Amy Acton delivered
early projections and modeling based on Ferguson’s wildly inaccurate Imperial College model. Acton guessed 100,000 Ohioans were already infected when she introduced her modeling. She also projected the
COVID outbreak would peak in April and overwhelm hospitals, produce 62,000 new cases a day and infect 40% to 70% of Ohioans. Like Ferguson’s model, Acton’s projections were exponentially inaccurate.

The ODH model was revised twice, the first time revising new
cases per day to 10,000, the second revision ratcheting new cases down to 2,000 new per day. Outside of sampling a full prison with thousands of inmates, Ohio has never seen more than 100 cases in any given day throughout the health emergency.

Where Acton erred on projections, Ohioans extended grace
because COVID-19 was pitched as a novel virus without clear data on contagiousness, how it spreads, who is at risk and how many people would need hospital and intensive care.

Up-front information did exist—information directly related
to COVID-19, and studies related to the secondary impact of shut-it-all-down policies.

Early data ignored
Whether willfully or ignorantly, important information was ignored.
The information that could have been used to direct public policy and
mitigation strategies.

Information out of Italy and China revealed two critical factors DeWine and Acton could have used to laser-focus their response to Coronavirus: 1) people aged 79 and older with other diseases are most at risk for serious health outcomes, especially death; 2) People above 30 with high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease were at accelerated risk, though much lower than risks to the age ranges 60-80 years and older. No one below 30 died from Coronavirus.

This information was clear even before Ohio Department of
Health Director Amy Acton signed the first stay-at-home order.
The perils of economic fallout and sheltering-in-place were
also documented for consideration as the administration formed policies.

After the first SARS outbreak, Studies on the secondary impact to mental health showed serious distress among those quarantined, causing PTSD and depression when the sick were quarantined for just two weeks or less.
The 2008 financial crisis spiked suicides due to unemployment: rates were four-times higher; a 1% increase in unemployment resulted in a 1% increase in suicides among males.

Instead of using a scalpel to carve-out policies to target the most vulnerable, alleviate economic impact and spare the uninfected from
sheltering, DeWine, Acton and Husted did the opposite—they swung a wrecking ball.

What we know today about COVID-19, we knew in March. Regardless, Acton, DeWine and Husted implemented draconian measures and then defended their decisions by marketing the doom and gloom from the Spanish Flu pandemic, which happened over 100 years earlier.

Acton shared a tale of two cities: Philadelphia and St. Louis. Philadelphia was not as diligent about sheltering, resulting in higher
infections and deaths. St. Louis was compliant and produced fewer infections and deaths. Ohioans were encouraged to be like St. Louis.

According to the CDC, sheltering-in-place, social distancing, disinfecting, and practicing good hygiene made sense in 1917—it was, essentially, all the world had to combat the H1N1 outbreak. Influenza vaccines did not yet exist, nor did antibiotics for secondary infections (secondary infections drove the second surge of the Spanish Flu). Pharmaceutical interventions for therapy also did not exist.

The Spanish flu killed children under five (5), healthy
adults aged 20-40 and elderly over age 65. A much larger percentage of the
population was at risk of death during the 1917 pandemic than people in 2020exposed to COVID-19.

Technology, communication, vaccines, therapeutic drugs and
overall healthcare have made leaps and bounds forward since 1917 and have
enabled us to better navigate the dangers of a pandemic.

We did our part
If early models and comparisons to the 1917 pandemic did
anything to Ohioans, they manipulated emotions and produced compliance. And perhaps that was the intended consequence.

People stayed home. Owners of nonessential businesses
voluntarily walked away from livelihoods. Employees worked from home, while caring for their kids and becoming their ad hoc teachers. More than a million people accepted unemployment and waited, patiently, for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to catch up.

Hospital capacity, ICU capacity and positive cases never
came close to embarrassingly inaccurate projections. The health system we set out to save by flattening the curve has actually been negatively impacted—the broad cancellation of all “elective procedures” including things like cancer screenings has led to furloughs, layoffs and loss of healthcare capacity due to the economic consequence of not having enough patients—COVID or otherwise.

Plus, there is a broader health consequence to the mental, emotional and
physical health of Ohioans that is just now starting to be understood.
Much has changed since March 23. One thing has not: DeWine’s
commitment to draconian measures in the face of civil opposition and
contradictory data. DeWine decided to double down on the measures and vehemently rejects input that goes against his administration’s models, ideas and policies.

Legislators stepped up opposition to Governor DeWine during
an April caucus call. According to two legislators who wished to remain
anonymous, DeWine was not only closed to different views, he was defensive and volatile, yelling at the elected officials. At one point he shrugged off questions and opposing data as conspiracy theory.
In early May, amidst rapidly growing economic distress and
civil dissension, the Ohio General Assembly and Senate began drafting
legislation designed to limit the Health Director’s powers to 14 day before
involving the legislature. Legislation also sought to reduce fines and criminal penalties waged against people who defy Acton’s orders. Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 55 were subsequently drawn up, but even before they reached a vote, DeWine threatened to veto any legislation designed to limit Acton’s authority.

Suppressed data: Daily death totals
During each presser, Amy Acton will review the Ohio COVID-19
dashboard. You may note that Acton reports deaths as “deaths reported in the last 24 hours.”

Deaths reported in the last 24 hours are different than the actual number of deaths in the last 24 hours. The number reported is almost always inaccurate and inflated because it includes deaths over several days, perhaps as far back as January.

The practice of using “reported” data causes the public to perceive more cases and more deaths than are occurring in the present. The practice is confusing the press, the public and at times even the Governor and
Dr. Acton seem confused.

On May 23, the Ohio Department of Health indicated there
were 84 reported deaths over the past 24 hours. However, the real number
of deaths totaled seven (7), a difference of 77.

This 77 death inaccuracy was found only after reviewing the CSV file available for download on the state dashboard site The CSV file lists the accurate daily number of deaths—and can be found after much digging.
Suppressing the daily death totals is dangerous. Inflated and inaccurate data gets picked up and reported by unsuspecting news outlets. That, in fact, happened on May 23 when an Ohio media outlet reported the 84 deaths under the headline: Deaths more than double the previous 24-hour period.
Misrepresenting the death total is not a new practice.

During a press conference on April 14 Governor  DeWine repeatedly claimed 50 people died  over the previous 24 hours. The actual number of reported deaths was five (5). When confronted with the disparity, DeWine deferred to Amy Acton who said, “I think it might be a reporting lag.”

R-naught of COVID-19 in general population
The r-naught factor is a number indicating viral infectiousness. The r-naught (often expressed as R0) tells you how many people will, on average, be infected by one infected person. For example: if COVID-19 had an R0 of four, one infected person would, on average, infect four other people.

The r-naught of COVID-19 has become a data point of interest
during Governor DeWine’s daily pressers. Acton projects COVID-19 had an original r-naught of between 2.5 to 5.0. Acton and DeWine reported a current r-naught of 1 during one press conference and .8 during another.
DeWine warns if the r-naught ascends above the 1.0-1.2 range, it will set off alarm bells. Translated: an r-naught above 1.2 could trigger
a rollback—shuttering businesses, locking Ohioans out of public spaces, further slowing a re-opening, while increasing pressure to comply with backdoor controls such as testing and contact tracing.

Given the importance of this measure, it makes sense to dig
into how it is reported. Not every part of the state has the same demography, population density, and the potential for a high secondary surge. The now famous ping pong ball commercial is a powerful visual, but it is based on faulty assumptions.

The video shows how one infection sets in motion a massive
chain reaction around you. The problem: not everyone is equidistant from each other; not everyone will contract the virus; many will not spread the virus; serious symptoms and death will not result in over 99% of cases, once symptomatic and asymptomatic infected are counted in the mix. The video is a bogus visual representation of the spread of Coronavirus.

One solid first step to making the r-naught more meaningful requires
carving-out congregate living data sets. Extracting, measuring and
independently dealing with people who live in these close quarters will produce not only a more accurate r-naught for the general population, it will also produce policies that save lives inside prisons, nursing homes and long term care facilities.

Mixing congregate living with statistics from the general
population skews how infectious the virus may be to the general population. A spike in congregate living settings could equal a clampdown on the general population—it would be like punishing the entire class if one child is acting out. Equally irresponsible: keeping images like the ping pong video and mixed data sets in play. These serve misinformation and, frankly, panic people.

Common sense can derive that if the current r-naught is 1:1
with mixed data sets, the general population is experiencing a contagiousness that is a fraction of what occurs in congregate settings. What may be discovered once the congregate living numbers are backed out is that the r-naught is likely a fraction of the current 1:1 estimate. And that fractional expression would be a better basis for mitigation and policy decisions.

On top of separating data sets for congregate living it also
makes sense to look at each of the 88 counties differently—80 of the 88
counties will likely have r-naught values that are miniscule. Consequently,
their differences should be honored with varied policies that apply to people
in those locations.

Nursing home deaths
Just two weeks ago Amy Acton estimated death rates in
nursing homes comprised approximately 20% of the Ohio death toll. As reporters and citizen journalists investigated that claim, it was discovered that confirmed deaths were double Acton’s estimate. Continued digging reveals that, as of May 21, confirmed deaths in nursing homes total 79% of the state total.

The errors seem to stem from mixing data sets, slow responses
and an overall lack of focus on critical information. Failing to dive deep into
data provided by nursing homes and other congregate care facilities may account for the utterly irresponsible handling of nursing home infections.
Mixing data sets from congregate settings (information
specific to nursing homes and other congregate facilities) for reporting and
consideration bypassed a crucial step in checks and balances. In fact, the
mixing is a fatal error.

Nursing homes and prisons produce extremely disproportionate
infection rates—and disproportionate deaths in the case of nursing homes. What if the state would have previously segregated the data sets and treated them differently—how many lives could have been saved in long term care facilities, jails and prisons?

The state would be wiser to extract congregate living numbers and to begin dealing with the disproportionately large number of infections, hospitalizations, ICU visits and deaths in these congregate
communities.

The slow response to directives can best be seen in the
seven-day delay in DeWine’s response to a directive from Vice President Mike Pence that called on all governors to perform testing in all their long term care facilities—all nursing home staff and patients. Pence announced the directive on May 12, but it wasn’t until May 19, a week later, that Governor Mike DeWine took the initiative to ramp testing in nursing homes—deploying the National Guard to aid in testing.

In the elderly, the time from COVID-19 onset to death is estimated
at 14 days; seven days is a matter of life or death.

Information on how to best treat nursing home residents who
contract COVID-19 is hotly contested. Kay Ball, PhD, RN, CNOR, FAAN, a 71-year-old female, contracted Coronavirus despite masking, wearing gloves and following suggested protocols. Ball’s husband, a 73-year-old male, also contracted COVID-19. They both recovered.

During an interview, Kay Ball said during her visit to the hospital, the drug hydroxychloroquine was administered. Ball began feeling better almost immediately. Bell also pointed out that she received a shot in
her stomach to decrease the incidence of blood clotting; she was also given
zinc and high levels of vitamin C.

Whether there was one treatment, or a combination of many, there seems to be a growing body of evidence on the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine, zinc and vitamin C.  There is no better time to untangle the facts surrounding the efficacy of therapeutic drugs and to cut the bureaucracy surrounding their delivery, where appropriate.

During the May 21 press conference, DeWine, et.al. seemed to
pivot away from primary COVID-19 issues, such as nursing homes, and toward larger social issues: housing, education and transportation.

The Governor is trying to spin-up an entire social movement
that takes tremendous time, energy, money and effort—and doing it while our deadliest problem goes largely unaddressed. What is gasping about the
transition to magnanimous social issues is the fact that the nursing home
crisis is condensed to less than one percent of our population; yet it remains a problem without a solution. Residents in nursing homes are the most immobile in our communities, they are easily reached, treated and can be saved with a laser-focus.

Instead, we now turn our attention and money to gigantic
initiatives DeWine’s team will try to apply to the 44,825 square-miles
comprising Ohio and its almost 12 million citizens. There may be no bigger sign of incompetence in our current mindset and decision making.

Antibody testing
In early April, Amy Acton announced the Ohio Department of
Health, with aid from Celexa, would conduct a 1,200-person random antibody test sample in Ohio. The purpose of the antibody testing was to determine how many Ohioans have COVID-19 antibodies. This study could potentially tell us much about how far the virus has spread—especially since we now know it was here in early January (if not sooner), at a time when there were not mitigation strategies in place. WMFD-TV has repeatedly requested copies of contracts with Celexa and information on the antibody testing and information has not yet been provided.

Antibody tests could undermine the perceived severity of COVID-19 in Ohio; tests could also prove how much more work there is to do to prepare to live with the virus. Either way, this is either a commitment unfulfilled or information suppressed.

Average age of death
During nearly every press conference from March through May, Acton would state “average age of cases was about 50” but she has yet to
publicly say that the average age of death is 81.

Why? A legislator, who wishes to remain anonymous says “they
[Ohio Department of Health] don’t want information that would cause people to not obey their orders.”

Surface spread and asymptomatic spread  Since the beginning of Ohio’s mitigation efforts, the CDC website has contained information explaining that viral spread on surfaces may be possible, yet not likely, and not the main way the virus spreads. Not a single case has been discovered through surface spread; yet Acton took time during a press conference to inaccurately explain how germs “move” across a counter top using a swiss cheese mind illustration.

On May 14, the Director’s Dine Safe Ohio Order was issued, extending mandates for restaurants and bars. In that order was language from the CDC. “The CDC reports that people are most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest) however some spread might be possible before people show symptoms although that is not the main way the virus spreads.”

New studies indicate asymptomatic spread is not occurring.
Instead of discussing the studies and possible implications to our daily
living, the administration continues to double down on masks and other
measures, while trumpeting the message that asymptomatic spread can kill
grandmas and those most vulnerable.

Lake County Judge Eugene Lucci’s decision Lucci’s decision was treated like anything else that challenges the Governor’s direction, DeWine downplayed a court decision during
the Thursday, May 21 press conference. DeWine said that all the decision did
was shorten mandates by six days. Common Pleas Judge Eugene Lucci actually said: “The director (Acton) has no statutory authority to close all businesses, including the plaintiffs’ gyms … She has acted in an impermissibly arbitrary, unreasonable, and oppressive manner without any procedural safeguards.”

The judge ruled unconstitutional DeWine and Acton’s rules that shut down
businesses and kept people locked in their homes.  The phrase “all businesses” means just that—all businesses. ntibody testing
In early April, Amy Acton announced the Ohio Department of
Health, with aid from Celexa, would conduct a 1,200-person random antibody test sample in Ohio. The purpose of the antibody testing was to determine how many Ohioans have COVID-19 antibodies. This study could potentially tell us much about how far the virus has spread—especially since we now know it was here in early January (if not sooner), at a time when there were not mitigation strategies in place.

WMFD-TV has repeatedly requested copies of contracts with
Celexa and information on the antibody testing and information has not yet been provided.
Antibody tests could undermine the perceived severity of
COVID-19 in Ohio; tests could also prove how much more work there is to do to prepare to live with the virus. Either way, this is either a commitment
unfulfilled or information suppressed.

Average age of death
During nearly every press conference from March through May,
Acton would state “average age of cases was about 50” but she has yet to
publicly say that the average age of death is 81.
Why? A legislator, who wishes to remain anonymous says “they
[Ohio Department of Health] don’t want information that would cause people to not obey their orders.”

Surface spread and asymptomatic spread
Since the beginning of Ohio’s mitigation efforts, the CDC
website has contained information explaining that viral spread on surfaces
may be possible, yet not likely, and not the main way the virus spreads. Not
a single case has been discovered through surface spread; yet Acton took
time during a press conference to inaccurately explain how germs “move” across a counter top using a swiss cheese mind illustration.

On May 14, The directors Dine Safe Ohio Order was issued, extending mandates for restaurants and bars. In that order was language from the CDC. “The CDC reports that people are most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest) however some spread might be possible before people show symptoms although that is not the main way the virus spreads.”
New studies indicate asymptomatic spread is not occurring.
Instead of discussing the studies and possible implications to our daily
living, the administration continues to double down on masks and other
measures, while trumpeting the message that asymptomatic spread can kill
grandmas and those most vulnerable.

Lake County Judge Eugene Lucci’s decision
Lucci’s decision was treated like anything else that
challenges the Governor’s direction, DeWine downplayed a court decision during the Thursday, May 21 press conference. DeWine said that all the decision did was shorten mandates by six days. Common
Pleas Judge Eugene Lucci actually said: “The director (Acton) has no statutory authority to close all businesses, including the plaintiffs’ gyms … She has acted in an impermissibly arbitrary, unreasonable, and oppressive manner without any procedural safeguards.”

The Judge ruled unconstitutional DeWine and Acton’s rules that shut down
businesses and kept people locked in their homes. The phrase “all businesses” means just that—all businesses.

Information is valuable only when it is used
In science an experiment starts with a hypothesis and it is
either proven or disproven through experimentation. True scientists do not mold the data to a predetermined outcome.

The fact is, after approximately five months of the
Coronavirus circulating in the population, approximately 300 Ohioans have died outside of prisons and nursing homes, the high majority over 70 years old.

The fact is, asymptomatic transmission is a theory and a
recent study questions whether that theory is true, yet we have never heard
about this study or the CDC announcement that the projected mortality rate for people under 50 is .0005, or half the mortality rate of the flu.

These things are not conspiracy theories, yet the administration has engaged in the practice of intentional selection of data to
present to Ohioans—citizens who were promised data transparency and policies based on the best science.

To be clear: why DeWine is doing what he is doing is
not as important right now as how he is doing what he is doing.

Governor DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Husted often use
sports analogies. In that vein: what makes a great football coach is the
ability to adjust strategy—particularly, the ability to make halftime
adjustments that prepare the team to perform at their highest potential in the second half.

Great coaches don’t neglect relevant input. Great coaches
don’t double-down on losing game plans. Great coaches don’t study film from a 1917 football game and use the outdated details in the present to call offensive plays and defensive formations. Great coaches listen to their coordinators and opposing views.

The first two weeks following the March 23rd shelter-in-place
revealed that 62,000 new cases a day, 40-70% infection rates and overflowing hospitals were aberrations.

DeWine didn’t adjust. In fact, he tightened the reigns of control and regulation—exacerbating the crisis.

Since the initial orders, DeWine has paid lip service to
relaxing guidelines and opening the economy but the slow re-opening continues, and forced compliance for testing and contact tracing now seem tethered to our ultimate desire to be back to normal.

In fact, the administration has worked overtime to condition
Ohioans to accept a new normal, hinting that there will be no freedom as we
know it until a vaccine is invented and taken. The merits of these issues are
for another article.

To go back to the sports analogy, in the ten weeks since lockout DeWine et.al. have been beaten by 30 points a game and now stand 0-16
on the season. Meanwhile, robust state programs are being planned for our kids’ fall education, healthcare, housing, and transportation. This is akin to a winless team preparing for an upcoming Superbowl.

Deciding what is more offensive is a toss-up. It might be ignoring
a real health crisis in nursing homes and prisons that continues to infect
prisoners and kill our elderly, while choosing initiatives that would be nice to have. Or, it may be sticking with decisions that will create endless negative outcomes for people, families, businesses and the economy for years to come.

Why is this happening?
An advisor to the state, who requested anonymity, talked twice with high level officials inside the Ohio Department of Health and the DeWine administration. On both occasions, the advisor asked why data is suppressed and presented with a bias toward worst-case scenarios. On both occasions the advisor was told the message is packaged and delivered to change how people feel and think about Coronavirus. The end goal is to build compliance with the new normal.

Perhaps DeWine and Acton are like helicopter parents who are
alarmingly controlling and overprotective of their children. Whatever the reasoning for their overreach and unconstitutional rules, the unintended consequences of their actions now threaten to make the cure worse than the virus.

But like stubbornly protective parents, DeWine and Acton may
be hard to redirect. Judge Fry’s court ruling in March was ignored. Judge
Lucci’s order from last week was ignored. The crew continues to ignore data and the unintended consequences of their policies.

It begs the question: will they ever be held accountable for
their misrepresentation of data? Remember, on March 23 we the people of Ohio accepted a social contract and we are still waiting for the faithful
delivery—but will DeWine uphold his end of the bargain?

We hear a lot about the new normal. We were doing just fine
with normal: roaring economy, no state budget deficit, kids in school and
protected, living life the way it is intended to be lived—in community.

Now we know that “normal” was happening while COVID-19 was
here from January (if not sooner) to March 23, without: unprecedented numbers of deaths, overrun hospitals and mitigation strategies to fight the virus.

How does the new normal look? DeWine and Acton are ushering
it in with their masks, social distancing, business mandates, school shutdowns, and lockouts.

The results: an estimated 2 million unemployed, more than
1,589 nursing home deaths, zero deaths under the age of 30 (but ample
regulations that strap the age group), a startling number of businesses that
will never re-open, and—if history repeats—a 20%-and-counting increase in suicide.

This is Jack Windsor with WMFD-TV in Mansfield. My question
is for the Governor: Sir, when will the administration target real issues
instead of applying a one-size-fits-all approach and crossing their fingers?

Memories Shared: A WWII Veteran Describes his Experience Serving in Europe

Roy Kenneth Mercer, WWII veteran from southeast Ohio.

Roy Mercer is a WWII vet and a walking, talking history book. At 96, he’s still as sharp as a tack and knows how to tell a great story.

With the passing of our heroic veterans, memories of WWII disappear every day. The sights, sounds, triumphs and losses – stories gone forever with the soldiers who hade it home from the world’s deadliest conflict.

Most WWII vets are 90-plus-years-old and their memory’s may not be what they once were.

As for Mercer, he still vividly recalls many events and details from his time overseas, where he fought with 693rd Field Artillery Battalion in Scotland, England, France, Germany and finally Austria.

Mercer left his Monroe County home for the frontlines in March of 1943, at the age of 19. When he returned in September of 1945, he couldn’t believe he had made it back alive. “I didn’t even catch a cold,” he joked.

At the end of the war, Mercer witnessed the Germans surrender in defeat as they marched out of Berchtesgaden, home of Adolf Hitler’s famous mountain retreat.

Hear Mercer describe the German’s historic surrender  from Berchtesgaden 

Mercer’s nephew, Wilfred Hodge, an infantryman who was about the same age as Mercer, wasn’t as fortunate. Hodge was killed in the line of duty in Belgium in November of 1944, when was hit with artillery fire.

Hodge was the son of Mercer’s older sister.

Wilfred Hodge

Both Mercer and Hodge were from the same small community of Jerusalem, in Southeast Ohio.

The American flag hangs from Mercer’s front porch year-round.

Like most WWII soldiers serving in Europe, Mercer slept outside on the ground every night.

Mercer shares a story of sleeping in a bed for the first time

When Mercer left for the war, his mother was ill with TB. When he returned, she was nearly bed-ridden and died a short time later.

Today, Mercer lives in the same quiet Jerusalem neighborhood he grew up in. He sits on his front porch when he’s not busy in his shop, where for many years he made intricate wooden grandfather clocks. He also worked in the oil fields for several decades.

If you pull up a chair, Mercer might share some stories of his WWII experiences, while leafing through a scrap book his family put together with pictures he sent home during the war.

Numerous False Positive COVID Results at Ohio Care Facility

Meanwhile, the CDC and some state health departments have been reporting positive COVID tests and positive antibody tests as one grand total, claims a major news outlet

An East Ohio nursing facility knew something was amiss when numerous COVID tests of staff and patients came back with a positive result – and no one had any symptoms.

Mason Bigler told WTRF TV it all began when they contracted with a private lab to do their testing. Bigler is the executive director of Rolling Hills Rehabilitation and Care Center in Bridgeport.

Bigler said that they swabbed the residents and employees last week, and the lab promised results within 48 hours. But days went by, and there were no results.

Labs typically use molecular tests, which involve inserting a 6-inch long swab into the back of the nasal passage through one nostril and rotating the swab several times for 15 seconds. This process is then repeated through the other nostril. The swab is then inserted into a container and sent to a lab for testing.

A positive result indicates an active COVID-19 infection but does not rule out bacterial infections or coinfections with other viruses. However, there’s a small chance that it could be a false positive, meaning that the test is positive, but you don’t have a COVID-19 infection.

Days passed with no results, and the facility was told that there was an equipment breakdown at the lab, and the lab sent their swabs to a third-party lab across the country.

Then, said Bigler, they started getting widespread positive test results back, both of the staff and residents.

A source at the facility said 18 positives were returned in all.

Bigler said he was convinced that the results were not accurate because no one had any symptoms. Bigler then contacted Wheeling Hospital in West Virginia and they agreed to do the re-testing.

At this point, 95% of the re-test results are back, and every one of them is negative, said the administrator.

“It just spotlights how poor the testing has been,” Bigler said.

In addition to COVID testing, there are antibody tests that scan a patient’s sample for evidence of past infections. Antibody tests cannot be used to diagnose an active COVID-19 infection.

Recently, it was learned by The Atlantic that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and several state health departments have been reporting COVID-19 diagnostic tests and antibody tests as one grand tally, rather than keeping their results separate,  The Atlantic reported.

Reporting these numbers as a lump sum, rather than two distinct data points, presents several major issues.

Namely, combining the numbers could make America’s diagnostic testing capabilities and testing rates appear higher than they actually are, according to The Atlantic.

The tests serve profoundly different purposes, “positive” results from either test cannot be interpreted in the same way. Reporting all the positive results together, as one number, could skew our understanding of how many new COVID-19 cases emerge over time — a crucial metric to help control outbreaks as states begin reopening.

When told how the CDC chose to lump the results of both tests together, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute Ashish Jha told The Atlantic, “You’ve got to be kidding me … How could the CDC make that mistake? This is a mess.”

Combining these two signals makes the data difficult to interpret and could be misleading to the public, because the combined number does not reflect the rate of new infection (and the number of infectious people circulating) in their region, William Hanage, an epidemiology professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, told The Atlantic. “Combining a test that is designed to detect current infection with a test that detects infection at some point in the past is just really confusing and muddies the water,” he said.

Small Businesses in the Crosshairs

An Ohio legislator has taken up the fight for small businesses that are attempting to reopen under an administration that has come to be more punitive than supportive.

Bars and restaurants were permitted to open for outdoor dining late last week. Some of these establishments came under fire from Gov. Mike DeWine after alleged complaints of crowds and chaos. Indoor dining was reopened Thursday.

Rep. Jon Cross has become an ambassador of sorts, helping small business owners who are seeking clarity regarding regulations set forth by the Governor, but who have instead been threatened and bullied.

On Monday, DeWine warned restaurant and bar owners that they could lose liquor licenses or face criminal charges if they don’t comply with social-distancing requirements and other measures.

Cross said that what business owners need is clarity, not threats.

“There’s a lot of confusion in the marketplace,” said Cross. “What we need are ambassadors going to these restaurants and bars, not to come in like a swat team, but to say, ‘How can we help you?’

“When the Governor comes out and uses the words ‘marshal’ and ‘surge’ and ‘criminal prosecution’ when referencing his restaurant and bar police going after these establishments as they try to carefully and safely reopen is really unjust and uncalled for.”

Cross said that while there is a necessity for safety regulations and consistency, there is a lot of confusion around them and Ohioans do not need to be marshaled and policed.

“I am putting the state of Ohio on notice,” said Rep. Jon Cross. “If you’re going to go bully our small businesses owners, I’m going to be there to defend them and protect them, as they try to reopen while adhering to rules set forth by the Governor.

“We’ve got to be helpful, thoughtful,” said Cross. “Clarity is needed, and a positive and energetic attitude. We don’t want people to be fearful. We want people to open up safely and with confidence.”

DeWine said more workers are being summoned to supplement the 70-member state Investigative Unit that polices liquor laws, to check virus-precaution compliance at bars and restaurants.

Local officials will work with the pandemic patio patrol as well, with the governor not immediately able to place an estimate on the increased numbers that will enforce the state’s regulations.

Violation of a public health order during a pandemic is punishable as a second-degree misdemeanor carrying up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.

Cross said most of the law enforcement personnel he’s spoken with say that they are just as frustrated as everyone else. “Our law enforcement wants to be protecting our public. They don’t have time to go around and deal with the Governor’s administrative codes.”

Cross said that small businesses make Ohio competitive, and to put them under would only harm the state.

What’s more, Cross said, “We don’t need to add to the pain and suffering of these small business owners that are already hurting after a shutdown of 60-plus days.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Cross. “I’m glad I’m in the position I am because now is the time you’ve got to step up and fight and defend.”

Cross has become a folk hero to Ohio’s small business owners and to those who believe in less government control. His commitment and common-sense approach have attracted a following to his Facebook page.

Facebook: State Representative John Cross, 83rd House District

Rep. Cross (R-Kenton) and a Rep. Shane Wilkin (R-Hillsboro) recently introduced the Business Fairness Act, HB 621. In short, the bill would allow small businesses to remain open in times of crisis, just like big box stores, such as Walmart and Costco.

Said Cross, “When bureaucrats and deep state government officials get out of line and try to go around the legislative body, that’s when we have to step up and be tough. We do this by passing thoughtful and carefully crafted legislation.”

Cross said that one of the main goals of the Ohio House is to keep Ohio’s small businesses alive and thriving.

“We are trying to be helpful and to provide positive leadership,” said Cross. “That’s how you get your state turned around.”

Cross plans to be at Indian Lake over Memorial Day weekend, after a tip that local establishments there will be the target of DeWine’s policing unit.

Cross said in a social media post: “I look forward to meeting with Indian Lake Restaurant & Bar owners on Friday. I’m hearing that Governor Mike DeWine’s “restaurant/bar police” will be targeting Indian Lake!

“Thank you for the invite Indian Lake Chamber! I’m proud to represent (parts) of Indian Lake, a real gem for Ohio. AND I’ll continue to fight like hell not to let DeWine’s police squad threaten or bully our small business owners!

“I’m watching your actions Logan County Health District!”

State Representative Jon Cross (center) with small business owners Matt Brown and Brett Wiford of Iron City Sports Bar on their one-year anniversary of opening in October, 2018.

BREAKING NEWS: Judge Says Gyms Can Reopen

BREAKING NEWS:
Judge orders Immediate Reopening of Gyms and Fitness Centers

Judge Eugene Lucci CALLS OUT Gov. DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton

Today a lawsuit filed by Finney Law Firm, LLP and the 1851 Center forced the reopening of gyms and fitness centers in Ohio.

Lake County Common Pleas Judge Eugene Lucci provided the following powerhouse statement regarding his decision.


It appears this decision will make it difficult if not impossible for Dr. Acton to implement forced closures in the future.

The Ohio Legislature is working on a legislative remedy that would limit the powers currently afforded to the Director of the Department of Health. Should the legislation pass the Health Director would be able to shut down the state for 14 days and then seek legislative approval for any additional actions.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes … This One Is in a Hospital Gown

Senate President Larry Obhof stepped up to help the Wehr family, so both parents could be with Autumn in the hospital ICU.

The plight of a little girl with an aggressive form of brain cancer helped to bring about tremendous positive change for thousands of sick children throughout Ohio and neighboring states.

Seven-year-old Autumn Wehr has both parents with her today at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, after the hospital lifted a ban that permitted only one visitor per 24-hour period.

Autumn’s ordeal drew attention to the one-visitor regulation that many considered unnecessary and cruel, as it meant that only one parent could be with a hospitalized child.

Autumn was admitted to the hospital last Saturday with a prolonged seizure and placed on a ventilator. Only her her mother could be with her, while Autumn’s father was not permitted inside. Autumn was listed as critical.

She is the daughter of Carrie and Bradley Wehr of Jerusalem, Ohio.

Autumn’s family sent out a plea via social media, asking for help from the public and from Ohio representatives.

Senate President Larry Obhof heard about the family’s plight and intervened on their behalf, asking the hospital to allow both parents to be permitted in the room, considering Autumn’s grave condition. On Sunday both parents were allowed to be with their child. But when Monday came, the father was again unable to get in the hospital.

Autumn pictued with both her parents on Sunday after Senate President Larry Obhof reached out to the hospital on the family’s behalf.

“There are literally families camped out in chairs in the parking lot because that is the only way they can be here together,” said Carrie in a Facebook post on Monday.

Carrie said she did not simply want an exception made for her family, she wanted the rules changed for everyone.

The hospital’s new policy took affect today. It says that all inpatients will be limited to two visitors in their rooms. The visitors cannot change during the child’s stay, and they must be healthy and over the age of 18.

Visitors will undergo temperature screens and will be provided a hospital-grade mask to wear for the duration of the visit, according to Children’s website.

Autumn has been fighting cancer since she was a baby.

Calls to Children’s media line were not returned before this article was published.

Autumn Wehr

Parents of Terminal Child in ICU Kept Away; Family Pleads for Help

The oft-used slogan “All in This Together” rings hollow for the family of this terminally ill child.

The parents of child with a brain tumor are pleading for Gov. Mike DeWine to allow them to be together at their daughter’s bedside at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.

Seven-year-old Autumn Wehr was admitted to Children’s with a prolonged seizure and was placed on a ventilator for support. The hospital permits only one parent to be with a child each 24-hour period due to orders from DeWine, the family was told by hospital admitting staff.

Autumn is currently in the ICU. Her mother, Carrie Wehr, is with her.

“Meanwhile, her father Bradley is sitting in the parking garage barred from entering the hospital and being by his daughter’s side,” said a post by the family on social media.

Autumn’s parents were advised that the hospital guest restriction policy was implemented as a result of orders from the Governor. They were told that the hospital would need word directly from the Governor’s Administration in order to make an exception.

The family has gone to extraordinary lengths to contact DeWine to have the order lifted, at least temporarily. But their pleas have so far gone unheard. They posted on social media asking the public to send emails and make calls to the governor on their behalf.

“Your policies are stripping Autumn’s father of his rights as a parent and forcing her mother to go through the worst possible trauma all alone without support,” a family member stated in the post.

Please say a prayer for little Autumn Wehr and her family.

Below is the plea for help that Samantha “Sam” Jeffers, a relative of the family, posted Saturday evening on Facebook.

Autumn Wehr with relative Sam Jeffers, who posted on social media to get help for Autumn’s family. Autumn is in critical condition at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

“We are writing to you on behalf of the family of Autumn Wehr.
We are concerned in getting some answers regarding the pediatric hospital guest restrictions at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. 7 year old Autumn has brain cancer and has been in treatment for over 6 years accompanied by numerous other medical conditions. Autumn, with the support of her mother Carrie, is currently in the Nationwide Children’s ICU for a prolonged siezure lasting over 2 hours and has been placed on a ventilator for support.
Meanwhile, her father Bradley is sitting in the parking garage barred from entering the hospital and being by his daughter’s side. The hospital policy currently states that only one parent is allowed at their child’s bedside. We would like to do something to change that.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital advised us that those orders are set by your office. We have also been advised that if Autumn’s mother were to leave and allow her father to visit, she would not be allowed back for with her daughter for 24 hours. The family was informed that if Autumn were to be dying, they would need special permission from your office and/or the hospital CEO to allow both parents to be with her while she passed. Allowing both parents at bedside to support their 7 year old daughter is not an unreasonable request.
These regulations are not only unacceptable, but also preposterous. Autumn and her family have been life-long patients of this hospital and have indicated that they feel it is already at an all-time low patient capacity. In a time in which the country is supposed to be “In this together”, the regulations set forth by your office are separating Autumn and her family. Your policies are stripping Autumn’s father of his rights as a parent and forcing her mother to go through the worst possible trauma all alone without support. Carrie was offered a member from the chapel to be with her as a support, however that not only adds to the traffic in Autumn’s room, but also exposes Carrie and Autumn to a new person that they do not know. Autumn has tested negative for COVID-19 and before hospital admission, Carrie and Autumn were safely quarantined at home with her father.
Therefore we say again, the ruling to exclude one parent from their child in a time of need is unbearable. We plead to you as parents, families and Ohioans to put yourself in Carrie and Bradley’s shoes and imagine how you would feel. We also plead for you to put yourself in Autumn’s shoes, fighting for your life without your father by your side to comfort you through your last moments of life. The Wehr family is unfortunately looking ata long admission with their daughter and we are writing in hopes that you reconsider these policies, not only for Autumn and her family, but for all of the other families impacted by your decisions. So we ask, please abandon these policies and allow both parents to be there for their child to help her fight the greatest battle of her life.”