ASHLAND — The Ashland County Commissioners have requested the authority to reopen Ashland County businesses at a faster pace than Gov. Mike DeWine has set for the state.
In a letter sent to Gov. DeWine on Monday, May 4, commissioners asked Ohio to allow the Ashland County health department and elected officials to make decisions on reopening in Ashland County, based on the local assessment of risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You have educated the public on preventative measures needed to offset the risk of COVID-19. Our county statistics reflect that we as a community have implemented your recommendations, and now, it is time to empower the individual business owner to have the opportunity to reopen,” the letter states.
“They have been educated to know how to proceed and we trust them to work with the Ashland County Health Department to make the right decision to keep their employees and the public safe.”
It was signed by all three commissioners, Mike Welch, Denny Bittle and Jim Justice.
As of Monday, May 4, the Ashland County Health Department (ACHD) recorded 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19, eight recoveries, no hospitalizations and zero deaths.
It’s a small number compared to most surrounding counties. Adjacent Richland and Wayne Counties have reported 90 and 161 cases respectively. To the south, Knox County has 19 cases, while Holmes County only reported six, according to the state’s COVID-19 dashboard Monday afternoon.
However, the number cases in Ashland County has grown notably since last Sunday, April 26. The most recent, the 10th case, was recorded Monday, May 4. The sixth through ninth cases were recorded from Sunday, April 26 through Friday, May 1.
Additionally, the ACHD is currently monitoring around 100 individuals who had a known exposure to COVID-19, according to a Monday morning press release from the health department’s public information officer Jill Hartson. This release was unrelated to the commissioners announcement.
In the release, Hartson said, the ACHD is anticipating the number of positive cases of COVID-19 to grow for the following reasons: the statewide testing capacity is anticipated to increase; hospitals and outpatient clinics are ordering COVID-19 testing for individuals prior to surgery; and businesses are beginning to reopen.
The commissioners want the right to “make decisions best for our community,” according to their letter. “We are confident that remaining closed is a greater harm to the mental and financial health of our community.
“We took an oath as county commissioners to uphold the constitutions of the United States and the state of Ohio. It is our responsibility as elected officials to protect our citizens’ rights.”
Mike Welch elaborated Monday afternoon.
“Our biggest concern is how we’re closing down mom and pop shops, while we have a big Walmart and Home Depot open,” he said. “We need to let local officials make the calls for places like these.
“To make your judgements on the top five counties and penalize the rural counties, it’s not right. And we feel pretty strong on that.”
Some of these places only see limited foot traffic anyways, Welch continued.
If allowed to move at its own pace, Welch said, the commissioners would want businesses to work with the Ashland County Health Department to determine when and how to reopen. With proper precautions, he’d like to see businesses allowed to reopen.
“We’re concerned about the mental health and financial health of our residents, and it’s time to stand up,” Welch said. “I’m very concerned about a few places. They put their life savings in those places to get them going.
“It just hurts to see these places close down week after week. We want to let them put safe guards in and open back up.”
