Fallen Firefighter, Force Vaccine Bill, COVID Testing Changes

MARIETTA, OH — Good morning Marietta. We have a handful of stories that you should know about on this Tuesday.

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Flags at half staff for a fallen Nelsonville firefighter: On Sunday, Senior Firefighter Jeff Armes collapsed while fighting a fire in Nelsonville. He was given CPR and taken to the hospital, but he didn't make it. Governor Mike DeWine has ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff at public buildings and grounds in Athens and at the Ohio Statehouse.

Ohio bill to ban employers from forcing employees to get vaccinated: Jo Ingles of the Statehouse News Bureau reports that lawmakers in the Ohio Statehouse are entertaining a bill that would not allow employers to force workers to be vaccinated. It's Senator Andrew Brenner's bill, he wants to know where the line is going to be drawn when it comes to employers dictating what an employee can or can't do. The bill also wants to ban businesses from requiring proof of vaccination for service.

Changes to COVID-19 testing for employees in Ohio assisted living facilities: WSAZ reports that Governor Mike DeWine says fully vaccinated staff in nursing homes and assisted living facilities won't have to be routinely tested anymore. Employees that are not fully vaccinated have to be tested twice a week. DeWine says health departments are working to make sure there are plenty of opportunities for all to get the vaccine.

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