COLUMBUS, Ohio — "The next three weeks will really be the most important three weeks for all of us in this pandemic."
That was one of the key messages that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine communicated during his Thursday afternoon press conference.
DeWine stressed that, with the holidays in full swing and COVID-19 spreading rapidly statewide, Ohioans will have to make tough choices when it comes to how to celebrate this year.
"We're heading into the biggest holiday season of the year, so much bigger than Thanksgiving," DeWine said on Thursday. "We're doing this while riding the biggest wave of COVID-19 that we've had so far."
DeWine also stressed the importance of individual actions over the coming weeks, and said that it is on all Ohioans to not contribute to the growing number of hospitalizations in the state.
"What each of us does in the next 21 days is really going to set the tone, set us on a path- good or bad- for the next year," Governor DeWine said. "We cannot afford, on the eve of a very safe and effective vaccination, to further overwhelm our hospitals and healthcare workers with a holiday tsunami."
During the briefing, DeWine also issued new "Stay Safe Ohio" protocols to provide guidance for Ohioans during the holilday season, and said that now is the time--more than ever-- to make sure you are taking extra precautions and keeping yourself and others safe.
You can watch the full Thursday afternoon press briefing from Governor DeWine in the player below: