Last Friday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he would be announcing new protocols for professional and high school sports within the week for the state. On Thursday, Aug. 13, the governor did speak on briefly speak on sports, about the effects of COVID-19 and the heart, including in athletes. However, the governor gave a brief tease and the end of the press conference indicating that fall sports would take place, provided that it can be done safely and not spreading the virus. He said an announcement would explain the decision on Tuesday.

Earlier this week, the Big Ten announced it was postponing the fall sports season, and while DeWine has acknowledged his concerns in the ability to safely conduct fall sports, especially in high school and youth leagues, he said it would not influence his decision.

Dr. Curt Daniels from the Ohio State University and Nationwide Children's Hospital spoke with DeWine about inflammation of the heart from viruses and about the immediate health impacts from COVID-19 affecting athletes that is concerning. Last month, the American Journal of Cardiology published an expert analysis last month that addresses the impact of coronavirus on the heart. Dr. Daniels said 10 to 13 percent of people who tested positive for COVID had mild heart inflammation.

Dr. Daniels said the rest is very important, especially during the initial diagnoses of coronavirus to safeguard ones heart and health.

DeWine switched to discuss the issues facing minorities in the state.

The governor announced the creation of the Ohio Governor’s Equity Advisory Board, a permanent, ongoing group to help guide the stare as it addresses the underlying conditions and root causes contributing to disparities in life and health in Ohio.

The governor said the African-Americans in Ohio make up 14 percent of the population, yet make up 25 percent of the COVID cases. The governor spoke on the need to important healthcare needs for minorities in Ohio.

The state's Minority Health Strike Force’s final report was released Thursday, with 34 recommendations on dismantling racism, removing public health obstacles, improving the social/economic and physical environments, and strengthening data collection to better track disparities.

He said he is challenging his team to fix the challenges and obstacles to racial disparities in the state, for the health of all, for business people and for the foster system in the state, which reports minority children do not get adopted at the same rate as white children.

The governor said racism is one of the issues that leads to the disparities and must be "knocked down." He went on to say racism is a public health crisis - in health and education - and in many other areas as well.

As he does each Thursday, DeWine unveiled the state's coronavirus risk map, which tracks the outlook for each county in the state, with Mercer, Champaign, Lawrence rounding out the top county's of concern. None of Valley counties, all level 2 (orange) were in the top 10 of Ohio.

Brown, Clermont and Muskingum counties became level 3 (red) this week, while Allen and Medina counties decreased to level 2 (orange) this week. 

Nine counties dropped from level 2 to level 1 (yellow), including Adams, Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Knox, Lake, Paulding, Pike and Williams.

DeWine also discussed the return to school, and how all districts making their own decisions, pointed out that nine level 3 (red) counties had a challenge ahead for those reopening to in-person education while the pandemic is quickly spreading in their communities.

DeWine said that a mask mandate discussion for all students would be coming. 

When asked about fall sports, the governor said he would have an announcement on Tuesday, with guidelines to be announced to make it as safe as possible for the athletes.

He said the the number of fans with be restricted, but that parents will be able to see their children play in sports. 

DeWine said that more details on the plan would be announced.