Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is eager to get the state’s economy moving again, in a measured manner. He has cautioned there may be setbacks in the effort to keep COVID-19 from spreading.

On Monday, he took a giant step to avoid that: DeWine announced public schools in Ohio will remain closed for the remainder of the current academic year.

COVID-19 seems to be far less harmful to children than older adults. But for that very reason — that they can carry and spread the virus without showing symptoms themselves — reopening schools would be risky. It could put tens of thousands of Buckeye State residents at enormous risk.

Some see reopening schools as a first step back to “normalcy.” But DeWine is right to understand it may be one of the last steps if Ohio is to avoid a new outbreak.

editorial@tribtoday.com