DeWine’s outlook on outdoor events: ‘Summer’s going to be a lot better’

Gov. Mike DeWine said Ohioans can see the light at the end of the tunnel when he talked about his outlook on the possibility of concerts, sporting events and other outdoor events this spring and summer.

“Summer’s going to be a lot better. Spring is going to be a lot better,” DeWine said when visiting a vaccination clinic in Piqua on Saturday.

One thing that will make the coming months better for the Miami Valley will be the return of Dayton Dragons baseball. After going a year without a season, and Major League Baseball going a season without fans, teams will take the field and spectators will be allowed back in ballparks across the county in a limited capacity.

>> DeWine visits COVID-19 vaccination site in Piqua

The Dragons and Cincinnati Reds will both begin their seasons with parks filled up to 30 percent capacity. DeWine teased that parks could be at full capacity by the end of the season.

“I told Bob Murphy who runs the Dragons, I told him, ‘Bob, in all likelihood you’re going to be at 100 percent capacity,’ so we look for a good summer,” DeWine said.

Still, DeWine was cautious with his outlook, noting that the Ohioans can not let up as trends continue to go down. He did note that masks will still need to be worn while the COVID-19 virus is still spreading. He told those at the vaccination clinic to think of the vaccine as the ticket to freedom.

“We’re down to the 4 yard line and we’re almost ready to score but we can’t stop, we don’t walk off the field and say oh well, we did real well. No, we got to go score the touchdown. The way we score the touchdown is keep masks on and continue to get shots,” DeWine said.

Cox Media Group