CEDARVILLE — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine — riding in his car Thursday morning for an expected greeting of President Trump in Cleveland — spent a couple of hours on the phone enroute, pushing for more COVID-19 tests.
A few hours later, the 73-year-old governor was surprised to learn he had just tested positive for coronavirus, a fact he related during an impromptu late Thursday afternoon televised press conference from the front porch of his home near Cedarville.
As part of the protocol before interacting with the president, DeWine underwent a “rapid” test somewhere along the route to Burke Lakefront Airport.
The governor, whose only other COVID-19 test since the pandemic began was during a June press conference, said he had experienced none of the symptoms associated with the illness.
Instead of greeting Trump on the airport tarmac, DeWine immediately headed back to Columbus, where he, his wife, Fran, and others who work closely with him were all tested.
He and Fran then went home to his farm near Cedarville, where they have lived since the pandemic began in March. The results of that test were not known by the time the press conference began.
“I feel fine. I have a headache. But I get headaches throughout my life, so that is not unusual,” he said. “I had no symptoms, no indication that I have COVID-19. I am sure this will be a (learning) experience, (but) not one I was hoping for.”
In terms of underlying conditions that could make the respiratory infection more dangerous, DeWine said he has had asthma since he was a teenager, but that it’s under control by using an inhaler in the morning and again at night.
“Other than that … nothing really,” he said, adding he has no idea how and when he contracted the virus. “No idea,” he said.
DeWine said he has worked from his farmhouse since the pandemic began and anticipates no difficulties in continuing his duties as he has spent a great deal of time working remotely.
“I’ll quarantine here at home for at least 14 days and we will see how it goes. Anyone who knows me knows I am going to do what I do. So far, my work has not been impacted. We will see,” he said.
DeWine admitted he had gotten some “not so nice” texts since his positive test was announced, some saying it was proof wearing a mask doesn’t make a difference.
“That’s the wrong lesson (to take from his test),” DeWine said, adding that masks “improve your odds, but there are no guarantees in life.”
