Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: COVID-19 pandemic

  • Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday is Right Around the Corner!

    Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday is Right Around the Corner!

    You might want to wait to do your back to school shopping!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Ohio’s favorite Back to School Holiday is only a couple of weeks away! Ohio will open up its Sales Tax Holiday on Friday, August 7 beginning at 12 AM and will end on Sunday, August 9 at 11:59 PM.

    Loveland Magazine compiled a list of items below that will be exempt from sales and use tax during the Sales Tax Holiday:

    1. An item of clothing priced at $75 or less
    2. An item of school supplies priced at $20 or less
    3. An item of school instructional material priced at $20 or less
    4. Items used in a trade or business are not exempt under the sales tax holiday

    Although COVID-19 is more present than ever businesses will be allowed to promote “Back to School” sales as there has been no restriction placed on advertising for Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday.

    Have questions about Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday? Below we included the most frequently asked questions so that you will be prepared on August 7th! Click on the question in blue to view the answer!

    If you have any additional questions regarding this information, contact the Ohio Department of Taxes at 1-800-304-3211, or you may contact them through e-mail.

  • OHSAA Releases Updated COVID-19 Return to Play Recommendations

    OHSAA Releases Updated COVID-19 Return to Play Recommendations

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Over the last several months’ life as we know it has been changing and evolving, including the lives of the Loveland High School Student-Athletes. Coaches, Parents, and Spectators have been waiting patiently to see if and when the Fall 2020-2021 sports seasons will begin and what the stipulations will be due to the rampant COVID-19 Pandemic.

    On Wednesday, July 22nd, Bob Goldring, the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s (OHSAA) Interim Executive Director, issued updated guidelines and “COVID-19 Return to Play Recommendations.”

    In the new guidelines, Goldring and the OHSAA team emphasized that participation in school activities is voluntary. Goldring and the OHSAA team stated that every individual will need to evaluate the risk versus the benefits of athletics participation.

    “Those immunocompromised students and staff, or those who live with family members with elevated health concerns, should evaluate associated risks of participation and may choose not to participate,” OHSAA said.

    The OHSAA Executive Director’s Office, the Office’s Official Board of Directors, the Ohio Joint Advisory Committee on Sports Medicine, and the National Federation of State High School Associations, joined forces to help write an updated “COVID-19 Return to Play” document. The document includes recommendations on how member schools can consider approaching the many components of “opening up” sports with the objective of commencing the fall sports seasons on August 1.

    “The recommendations within this document for the resumption of the varsity, non-varsity and 7th-8th grade interscholastic athletic seasons and participation opportunities have been made with the health, safety, and well-being of all student-athletes in mind,” the OHSAA document said.

    Below are some of the topics the OHSAA document covers:

    Game Day Face Masks/Coverings

    Sidelines and Benches

    Game Day Venue Restrictions and Spectators

    COVID-19 Pre-Participation Screening

    Failed Screening or Positive COVID-19 Test Action Plan

    Positive Test – Action Plan

    If You Had Close Contact With an Infected Person

    Contest-Day Screening Procedures

    Game Day Event Staff

    Concessions

    Athletic Training Room and Locker Rooms

    Travel Considerations The following items are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

    The following is the complete document from OHSAA stating the “COVID-19 Return to Play Recommendations” that was issued on Wednesday, July 22nd.

    For more of the latest updates on the OHSAA and Loveland High School Sports stay tuned to the Sports 411 With Me, Cassie Mattia!

  • On again off again parking garage is ON AGAIN

    On again off again parking garage is ON AGAIN

    City Manager Dave Kennedy File Photo

    Loveland, Ohio – In a June memo to City Council, City Manager Dave Kennedy said that the COVID-19 pandemic has not dampened the need for a municipal parking garage in Historic Downtown. Because of budget concerns and a possible unknown income shortfall Kennedy had previously put on hold the engineering expenditure for the project and the engineering and design of the downtown parking facility was temporarily suspended.

    Kennedy’s June report stated, “Meanwhile, parking needs in the city continued to expand and availability of potential funding sources for the project came to the city’s attention.” Kennedy further explained, “With the aforementioned, it was time to request the engineering and design team for the project, to prepare a final cost estimate, including civil engineering.”

    The total cost is estimated to be $5,663,700. (See estimate below)

    Kennedy told Loveland Magazine Wednesday that the public will pay to park in the garage.

    Below is an excerpt from the report concerning the design elements:

    Design
    The design of the parking facility is simplistic by nature and includes a total of 279 parking spaces.
    For reference this will equal more than two times the number of spaces currently at the Linda J. Cox Trailside Parking Area.
    The facility includes two levels, with 138 spaces on the ground floor and 141 spaces on the 2nd level.
    Access to the ground level will be both from Harrison Avenue/First Street and from State Route 48. Access to the 2nd level will be via an exterior ramp along the side of the Works’ railcar.
    The project design does not include an internal ramp to the 2nd level, which would both reduce ground level spaces and add to the cost of the project.
    Access from State Route 48 will include sidewalks to allow for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic to enter into the downtown district.

     

    Kennedy said that specific design and material selections for the exterior facing of the facility have not been decided and that input from the public on this matter is important.

    Kennedy said, “Specific design and material selections for the exterior facing of the facility have not been decided.”
    “Although preliminary designs of the parking facility have been completed, the following aerials give a good perspective on how the project fits within the downtown district and how access from State Route 48 will be configured. Note that figure number 1, does not include the razing of the structure at 124 Railroad Avenue, which will serve as the access point into the facility from within the downtown district. This area is currently serving as temporary parking, until the new parking facility project commences.” – Source: June memo to City Council

     

    Financing

    Kennedy told the Council, “No doubt that this project will include city bond financing, it is a priority among city staff to reduce the local financing by securing other funding sources.” One source mentioned by Kennedy is the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) program, which is administered by the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC). “The pre-application request is for $250,000, and is based heavily on jobs, in terms of retention and creation that the project could support,” said the City Manager.

    Kennedy also said that the City may be eligible for Adjustment Assistance Programs including CARES Act Funding. The program is federally funded and can fund up to 50% of a project’s total cost. City staff is preparing a grant application for the funding.

    Additionally, in 2019, the city submitted the parking facility project for funding consideration in the State of Ohio Biennial Capital Budget. Kennedy told Council, “This budget, which has not been adopted by the state, will undoubtedly be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic so funding has not yet been committed.”

    Public Hearings

    Kennedy said in his report that the next step is to prepare for public meetings. “A public meeting will likely be scheduled for an outdoor venue and announced later this summer,” he said.

    Additional points made by the City Manager

    • The project will add much needed parking to the downtown district
    • The project will increase public parking in the downtown district by 46%
    • The project is supported by the majority of the city’s downtown businesses
    • The project will include a new access point into the downtown district via State Route 48 thus better disbursing traffic flow
    • The two-level design will not dominate other buildings within the district
    • Public input on the facilities exterior features and other components will be sought and utilized in the project’s final design
    • The additional purchase and demolition of the structure at 124 Railroad Avenue will improve ingress and egress into the facility. Attachments: Parking Facility Cost Estimate

     

    City adds 2 new parking locations

    The land where the parking garage will be located is being turned into about 50 temporary parking spaces. Kennedy said Wednesday, “We’re not finished yet, but we think it will be close to another 50 spaces.”

    Another new parking area that is complete is where the McCoy house next to City Hall used to stand at 124 Railroad Avenue. The City recently demolished the house in preparation for the parking garage construction. This spot has 20 spaces.

    “We are working hard to add spaces,” Kennedy said.

    Kennedy says this temporary parking space at the old McCoy house next to City Hall added 20 spaces.
    The 2nd new temporary location for additional parking is where the new parking garage will eventually be constructed. These spaces will have access from First Street near Works Pizzeria.
    The 2nd new temporary location for additional parking is where the new garage will eventually be constructed. These spaces will have access from First Street near The Works restaurant and will hold about 50 vehicles.

  • Here is a map of Hamilton County COVID 19 testing sites

    Here is a map of Hamilton County COVID 19 testing sites

    Hamilton County, Ohio – Hamilton County Public Health (HCPH) has added a list and map of locations testing for COVID-19 on its website.

    There are two locations close to Loveland.

    CareFirst – Loveland Urgent Care (FKA Tristate Urgent Care)
    Address: 10582 Loveland Madeira Rd, Loveland, Ohio 45140
    Phone Number: (513) 677-2400

    Website
    Hours: 8am – 8pm 7 days/week
    Testing Site Type: Urgent Care Clinic
    Appointment Required: No
    Doctor Referral Required: No

    Notes:
    Must meet specific symptom requirements. Flu and Strep tests will be done first, before COVID-19 test.

    TriHealth Bethesda North Hospital
    Address: 10500 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
    Phone Number: (513) 865-1112

    Website
    Hours: 24 HR
    Testing Site Type: Emergency Room
    Appointment Required: Yes
    Doctor Referral Required: Yes

    Notes:
    TriHealth: If you do not have a physician, you can visit the closest TriHealth Emergency Department for evaluation. If you meet clinical criteria, COVID-19 testing can occur onsite. For those who DO have a primary care physician, you should contact you.

     

    “Testing is one of the main components of our work toward ending the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to interim Hamilton County Health Commissioner Greg Kesterman. “Testing and then isolating positive cases while performing extensive contact tracing is the road map to ending this pandemic. As testing becomes more widely available, we want to make sure the public is aware of how to find testing locations,” Kesterman adds.

    The site lists testing locations throughout Hamilton County, along with the requirements and direction for accessing testing at each location. As more testing becomes available, more sites will be added to the list.

    If your organization is performing COVID-19 testing and would like to be added to this list, contact michelle.altman@hamilton-co.org.

  • Small Business making the Best out of a Bad Situation

    Small Business making the Best out of a Bad Situation

    Barberton, Ohio – “We have recently introduced a new product to assist many Market Segments with the re-opening of their businesses from the COVID-19 Pandemic, including Restaurants, Hospitality, Retail, etc. This is a clear vinyl shade to use in any guest/employee contact area,” said Don Burgstahler from Mason.

    MAG Resources – A small business in Barberton, OH has introduced a product to help small businesses open safely. MAG has come out with a protective shield solution, MAG Shield, to provide safety for your customers and employees. MAG being a national supplier to many major National Accounts across the United States, quickly realized a product would be needed to help many market segments including Hospitality, Restaurants, Health Care, Offices, Retail, and many others that experience Customer/ Employee contact.

    MAG has come up with a product that is certified to be in your commercial buildings. “Our product carriers a fire-retardant certificate (NFPA 701), which is required in the commercial atmosphere. We have implemented these in our own office building to help separate shared working environments to maintain employee/customer safety,” said Burgstahler. “The MAG shield is a clear vinyl shade that unlike many of the solutions now has many design options to help integrate with your facilities design.”

    “We are offering three different systems to assist with different installation requirements and budgets. Each product doing their part to help provide ultimate safety.”

  • Lt. Governor Jon Husted issues employee face-covering exceptions and recommends when customers should wear them

    Lt. Governor Jon Husted issues employee face-covering exceptions and recommends when customers should wear them

    This story was up-dated at 9 AM 4/30

    “No mask, no work, no service, no exception,” Gov. Mike DeWine said on Monday, describing his administration’s safety regulations for manufacturers and retailers that will re-open in May. But as of Tuesday, Ohio Department of Health officials have modified their publications for businesses — saying now that the face masks are recommended, but not mandatory.

    This also means the state government has updated the PDFs and images which explain what each economic sector is supposed to do when they reopen. These updated images can be viewed below.

    Columbus, Ohio – Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided the following update on Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic yesterday, specifically guidelines for employee face-covering and when customers should wear them.

    Lt. Governor Husted today reemphasized that face coverings are required for employers and employees while on the job. Exceptions for employers and employees include when:

      • An employee in a particular position is prohibited by a law or regulation from wearing a face covering while on the job
      • Wearing a face covering on the job is against documented industry best practices
    • Wearing a face covering is not advisable for health purposes
    • If wearing a face covering is a violation of a company’s safety policies
    • An employee is sitting alone in an enclosed workspace
    • There is a practical reason a face covering cannot be worn by an employee

    If any of these exceptions apply to a business or employee, written justification must be provided upon request.

    “Wearing a mask is something we do out of mutual respect for one another,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “At work, you wear a mask because you want to protect your fellow employees and because you want to protect your customers. And when you are a customer, though it isn’t required, you should still wear a mask because it will help protect those around you.”

  • Details of Ohio’s “Responsible RestartOhio” plan

    Details of Ohio’s “Responsible RestartOhio” plan

    Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Director of the Ohio Department of Health Dr. Amy Acton, made several announcements yesterday regarding Ohio’s plan to restart Ohio’s economy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

    HEALTHCARE

    Beginning May 1, 2020, all medically necessary procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a healthcare facility or do not require inpatient hospital admission and minimize the use of personal protective equipment may move forward. This includes regular doctor visits, well-care checks, well-baby visits, out-patient surgeries, imaging procedures, and diagnostic tests. Dental services and veterinary services may also proceed if a safe environment can be established.

    Healthcare providers and facilities that plan to resume providing these services must adhere to infection control practices, have sufficient PPE, and talk with patients about the risk of contracting COVID-19.

    Surgeries and procedures that, if not performed, would cause a threat to a patient’s life, a threat of the spread of cancer or the permanent dysfunction of a limb or organ, the presence of severe symptoms causing an inability to perform activities of daily living, and/or the risk of rapidly worsening symptoms have always been permitted even if an overnight stay is necessary.

    “RESPONSIBLE RESTART OHIO”

    The “guiding principles” of the Responsible RestartOhio plan are protecting the health of employees, customers, and their families, supporting community efforts to control the spread of COVID-19, and responsibly getting Ohio back to work.

    “We put this plan together based on all the information we have about how dangerous COVID-19 still is right now, balanced with the fact that it’s also dangerous to have people not working,” said Governor DeWine. “COVID-19 is still out there. It’s still killing people. We’re asking Ohioans to be reasonable and rational. Please don’t take huge chances, and please use common sense when you go out and where you go out.”

    Are you finding this information is important to your daily life?

    Manufacturing, Distribution, and Construction Businesses

    Beginning on May 4, 2020, manufacturing, distribution, and construction businesses may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements (see graphic below) for customers and employees. The full Responsible RestartOhio plan for manufacturing, distribution, and construction can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio.

    General Office Environments

    Beginning on May 4, 2020, general office environments may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements (see graphic below) for customers and employees. The full Responsible RestartOhio plan for general office environments can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio.

    CONSUMER, RETAIL, and SERVICES

    Beginning on May 12, 2020, consumer, retail and services, may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees. (see graphic below) The full Responsible RestartOhio plan for consumer, retail, and services can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio.

    ALL BUSINESSES

    The general safe business practices that all businesses must follow as they reopen are:

      • Requiring face coverings for all employees, and recommending them for clients and customers at all times
      • Conducting daily health assessments or self-evaluations of employees to determine if they should work
      • Maintaining good hygiene at all times such as hand washing and social distancing
      • Cleaning and sanitizing workplaces throughout the day and at the close of business or between shifts
      • Limiting capacity to meet social distancing guidelines

    “I have an obligation as the Governor of Ohio to get people back to work and keep them safe. Opening everything up at once would not be consistent with the obligation to keep people safe,” said Governor DeWine. “Our Responsible RestartOhio plan is the best guarantee that Ohioans will feel safe going to stores and employees will feel safe going to work. I’m optimistic about our future, but we can’t be reckless.”

    CONTINUED CLOSURES

    Continued Business Closures Graphic

    The following types of establishments are ordered to remain closed due to their increased risk of potential COVID-19 exposure:

        • Schools and daycares
        • Dine-in restaurants and bars (carry-out is still permitted)
        • Personal appearance and beauty businesses
        • Older adult daycare serveries and senior centers
        • Adult day support or vocational rehabilitation services in group settings
        • Entertainment, recreation, and gyms

    For greater detail on the types of businesses that must stay closed, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio.

    STAY AT HOME ORDER / LARGE GATHERINGS

    Because the danger of COVID-19 still exists, Ohio’s Stay at Home order will remain in effect to encourage Ohioans to continue making reasonable, rational decisions about leaving home.

    Although anyone is susceptible to getting sick with COVID-19, those who are 65 or older are encouraged to be especially careful, as are those with high-risk conditions such as chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, heart conditions, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or liver disease, as well as those who are immunocompromised or obese.

    Large gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited.

    MORE INFORMATION

    More detailed information on the Responsible RestartOhio plan can be found at www.coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio.

    Current Ohio and Local Data

    There are 16,325 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio and 753 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A total of 3,232 people have been hospitalized, including 978 admissions to intensive care units. In-depth data can be accessed by visiting coronavirus.ohio.gov.

    CLERMONT COUNTY

    72 confirmed cases. 4 probable cases. 76 total cases. 47 recovered. 21 hospitalizations. 2 deaths.

    HAMILTON COUNTY

    1048 Hamilton County confirmed cases. 241 hospitalizations. 56 deaths. (Includes Cincinnati, Norwood, and Springdale.)
    WARREN COUNTY
    124 confirmed cases. 22 hospitalizations. 11 deaths.

    Video of yesterday’s full update of the Statehouse briefing, including versions with foreign language closed captioning, can be viewed on the Ohio Channel’s YouTube page.


    Are you finding this information is important to your daily life?

  • Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Week in Review

    Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Week in Review

    The weekly press release from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine

    For the week ending April 24, 2020

    On Thursday, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted invited Mark Weir, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Environmental Health at The Ohio State University, to discuss how health risks change as changes are made to the environment.

    Dr. Weir explained that cough or sneeze droplets containing the virus spread through contact with others or contact with contaminated surfaces. He explained that minimizing the spread of the disease as Ohio begins the long process of reopening depends on personal and environmental controls. Personal precautions include interrupting the infection process by practicing good hand hygiene and wearing masks.

    Employers must take precautions by disinfecting surfaces often and maintaining distance between individuals. Finally, facility and building management can help interrupt the infection process by managing airflow and air filters.

    “Since COVID-19 can live up to 72 hours on plastics and stainless steel, it will take a combination of efforts from all of us to interrupt the disease process,” said Dr. Weir.

    On Friday, Governor DeWine announced that members of the newly formed Testing Strike Team, led by former Governors Celeste and Taft, have reached an agreement with Thermo Fisher, a company that makes reagent, that will substantially expand COVID-19 testing capacity in Ohio.

    As a result of collaborative efforts through the Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19, Governor DeWine announced that ROE Dental Laboratory in Cleveland will manufacture up to 1 million testing swabs to support Ohio’s testing efforts.

    This testing will dramatically increase Ohio’s ability to test in our priority areas, including nursing homes, hot spots, congregate living settings, food and grocery stores, and essential manufacturing facilities.

    As part of Ohio’s offense strategy, Governor DeWine announced that Ohio has started working with Massachusetts-based Partners in Health. Partners in Health will bring needed resources to Ohio to help increase the ability to trace contact exposure to the virus.

    Additionally, Governor DeWine announced that the state will cover the costs to keep more than 200 youth who are aging out of foster care in the foster care system until the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

    As of Friday afternoon, there were 15,169 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio and 690 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A total of 3,053 people have been hospitalized, including 920 admissions to intensive care units. In-depth data can be accessed by visiting coronavirus.ohio.gov.

    For more information on Ohio’s response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.

    • EDITOR’S NOTE: Loveland school buildings are closed to the public, however remote learning is being conducted at the Loveland City School District.