Changes In Columbus

Gov., DeWine appoints a new Health Department director. Stephanie McCloud, currently the administrator of Ohio’s health insurance fund for injured workers, gets the nod. She replaces Dr. Amy Acton, who led the agency’s initial response to the pandemic but then abruptly stepped down in June, amidst criticism. He also brings on a chief medical officer for the agency as coronavirus rages in the state. DeWine adds, without providing details, he plans to announce additional measures to slow the spread of the virus. Ohio already has a statewide mask order…a limit, with exceptions on gatherings over 10 people, and a ban on alcohol sales in bars and restaurants after 10 p.m. Most of the spread, he adds, is coming not from children attending school or from businesses, where mask wearing is customary…but from unauthorized mass gatherings and parties.