Many communities in Ohio have adopted local mask mandates in recent days since a statewide mask mandate is off the table right now.
The Ohio Restaurant Association鈥檚 John Barker says COVID itself presents a lot of unknowns. But he says local mask mandates hurt restaurants because they provide another level of uncertainty.
鈥淭his is adding another layer of confusion in the mix for the operators, for the staff who is, unfortunately, going to be required to enforce this, and for guests who, depending on the community you are going into, the rules are different.鈥�
Health officials say hospitals are overwhelmed with COVID patients and are urging Ohioans to wear masks indoors. Gov. Mike DeWine says he won鈥檛 implement a mask mandate because there鈥檚 no appetite for it and lawmakers would immediately reverse it anyway.
