Ohio Governor Mike DeWine didn't issue any new orders during his address to the state on Wednesday evening regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), although he did warn that those could soon come.
"As your governor, I will take whatever action is necessary to protect the people of this state," he said.
But while DeWine didn't offer any mandates as the state's coronavirus numbers continue to rise, he did share an impassioned plea for all Ohioans to wear masks.
"I'm asking each one of you, wherever you live in Ohio, whatever county, whatever the alert level of your county, to wear a mask every time you go out in public," DeWine said.
DeWine went on to defend the practice of wearing masks, citing scientific evidence that shows it helps prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
"There is a broad consensus today in the medical, health and business communities that masks are critical," DeWine said. "Yesterday, Dr. Robert Redfield of the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the following: 'If all of us would put on a face covering now for the next six weeks, we could drive this epidemic to the ground.'"
DeWine added: "Wearing masks is also the best way to protect Ohio jobs. A recent Goldman Sachs report shows that wearing masks could be viewed as an alternative to lockdowns and they should be looked at that way."
On Wednesday, Ohio reported 1,316 new coronavirus cases and 160 new hospitalizations. DeWine warned if the state doesn't soon reverse these trends, it could be headed for the same fate as Arizona and Florida, which have seen a drastic surge in coronavirus numbers in recent weeks.