A statewide face mask wearing requirement, and orders mandating another business shut down that so many on social media expected would come from a state wide address from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine last evening, did not come and the reason I suspect has more  to do  with politics than science… The governor is a 40-year veteran of the Ohio political scene. He’s won election to a number of state wide offices, and it’s certain to me that he has had to weigh political considerations against those of health experts who warn our state is losing control of the spread of Covid19. Some of the sharpest criticism the governor has faced as the result of decisions made early in the pandemic in March has come from leaders and lawmakers in his own Republican party. The governor knows he will need their support as he deals with a big looming state budget short fall. I suspect  There’s also a realization that mandating business closings would have a negative impact on the state budget at a time when major cuts in spending and services are already likely. Whether Ohioans will take seriously the governor’s strong admonitions last evening to social  distance, avoid gatherings and wear face masks any time in public will be easy to gauge. You’ll just have to look at their faces.

That’s the way I see it.