Thanks for joining us for this special edition of The Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable. Normally we spend the first part of our roundtable conversations digging into the week's biggest news. This week, we've got perhaps the biggest newsmaker in Ohio over the last four months who is going to discuss the dominant story here and across the world this year -- the toll of the coronavirus pandemic and efforts to keep citizens healthy.

The numbers in Ohio are sobering: As of Thursday afternoon, the Department of Health reports an additional 1,290 cases, with upwards of 70,000 total cases, 9,300 total hospitalizations, and just over 3,100 total deaths.

This hour, we welcome now Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Joining me in conversation with the Governor are Glenn Forbes, reporter and host here at ideastream, and Karen Kasler, Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau Chief. We of course talk to the Governor about the coronavirus, and the state's response. Why has he not mandated masks statewide? Are schools still going to open for in-person instruction come fall? How many infections would cause another lockdown? Your questions are posed to the Governor as well.

Guests:
Glenn Forbes, Host/Producer, ideastream

Karen Kasler, Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau Chief

Mike DeWine, Governor of the State of Ohio