RICHLAND COUNTY, Ohio — One hundred Ohio pastors have written Governor Mike DeWine, asking him to lift the stay at home order on May 1, according to a report from Frontlines Ohio.
The joint statement from North Central Ohio Clergy was addressed to DeWine last week. In it, the clergy members praised DeWine's handling of the coronavirus outbreak in the state, but asserted that the economy needed to be open.
"While we know our state is not out of the woods yet during this outbreak, we understand there is a balancing act between protecting both our public health and our economic interests," the letter reads. "We agree social norms must be adjusted even after the orders expire to minimize COVID-19."
To help make the transition, the clergy said they also have outlined a rollout for individual congregations to open.
Pastors from five Ohio counties have signed the open letter to the governor: 77 from Richland County, eight from Ashland County and three each from Morrow and Knox Counties.
You can read the full letter here.