DeWine: Rumors of 'FEMA camps' 'absolutely ridiculous'

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine dispelled internet postings that said plans were being made for "FEMA camps" that separated families in the name of quarantine. Social media posts suggest that the recent order for non-congregate sheltering is a prelude to concentration camps that will encourage family separation. "This is absolutely ridiculous," he said. "This is not true. There is no intention for separating children." One of the proponents of this theory is state Rep. Nino Vitale, who also signed on to the recent articles of impeachment against DeWine. Vitale is currently under investigation for campaign finance law violations. DeWine said the order signed Aug. 31, the second extension of an order from March, is the extension of a federal order allowing for reimbursement of expenses incurred when people are isolating themselves from their families. DeWine used the example of a health care worker that is staying in a hotel while treating COVID-19 patients. During his regular coronavirus briefing Tuesday, DeWine also spoke to Kristina Johnson, the new president of Ohio State University. She said that there are currently 12,000 students living on campus, and a total of 20,000 students coming to campus for some type of instruction. Johnson said that off-campus testing started last week with a positive rate around 11 percent, but that's now down to a little more than 4 percent. "Wearing the masks and staying socially distant really works," she said. DeWine said he'd talked to Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith earlier Tuesday, and said a Buckeyes football season remains possible. "There's a decent chance there will be a season," DeWine said. "The key is always going to be how it's done." Dr. Aaron Hamilton, the chief safety officer at the Cleveland Clinic, also spoke to DeWine, outlining a framework to simplify potentially complicated questions related to COVID-19. He said it comes down to time, space and other people. Will you be indoors or outdoors? Will you be spending a lot of time there? And will you be with a lot of people who may or may not have followed mask wearing and social distance guidelines? DeWine also used the news conference to reiterate the importance of pending legislation that would tighten gun restrictions, noting that there were 40 shootings -- including 21 fatal shootings -- last week. "I'm going to keep saying it: We have to get tougher on repeat violent offenders, we have to get tougher on convicted felons who have no right to have a gun," DeWine said. DeWine noted the killing of Cleveland Police Detective James Skernivitz, who was fatally shot along with an informant in a car on West 65th Street late Thursday, and offered his condolences. Lt. Gov. Jon Husted offered his condolences on the death of Patrick Sweeney. The longtime Ohio legislator from Cleveland died last week at the age of 81.