With Governor Mike DeWine’s recent announcement that most COVID-19 health orders will expire on June 2, 2021, the Lake County Board of Health would like to acknowledge both the sacrifice and effort made by Lake County communities, businesses, organizations, healthcare providers, schools and individual residents that have brought us to this point. Without the entire community following guidelines by wearing masks and social distancing, and getting the COVID-19 vaccination when available, Lake County would be in a very different place.
Lifting Ohio’s public health orders on June 2nd does not mean the virus is gone. It does not mean that all are safe from COVID-19. Each Ohio citizen will make their own decision about when it is appropriate for them to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Ohio businesses and schools will also be making their own determinations about how best to keep their employees, customers, and students safe.
According to Health Commissioner Ron H. Graham, “The recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance draws a clear line in the sand between vaccinated people who do not need to wear masks and social distance, and non-vaccinated people who still do. Ohio lifting the mandates for masking, social distancing, and crowd capacities does not mean that people shouldn’t still consider the risks of behaviors and benefits of preventive measures, especially in light of CDC’s guidance. COVID-19 is still with us. Unvaccinated individuals should continue to wear masks and social distance when appropriate to protect themselves and others.”
Graham provided further clarification, “The reason for the change in CDC guidance is because studies have now shown that vaccination is extremely effective in both preventing oneself from getting sick and in spreading the virus to others. But for everyone who is not vaccinated, they still have just as much risk of getting sick and spreading the virus.”
As restrictions lift, it is more important than ever that eligible Lake County residents be vaccinated against COVID-19. To date, 56.4% of eligible Lake County residents ages 12 years of age and older have now received at least one vaccination, which ranks Lake County as one of the top counties in Ohio. It is now easier than ever to be vaccinated as many providers now offer same-day and walk-in appointments, and all vaccine types are widely available. Lake County General Health District is able to provide vaccination clinics onsite at businesses and organizations, and is able vaccinate eligible individuals in their homes. With the new vaccine incentives Governor DeWine has put forward for both adolescents and adults, it is expected that vaccination rates will continue to grow in Lake County and all of Ohio.
Information on COVID-19 vaccine clinics offered by the Lake County General Health District is available at https://www.lcghd.org/2019-novel-coronavirus-ncov/covid-19-vaccination/ or by calling (440) 350-2188.