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Some sad news out of Ohio this week: We lead the nation in per capita COVID deaths. We lag in full vaccination 57% compared to the national rate of 64%.

Its sad, because so many deaths in the past year could have been prevented, if only people had been willing to get vaccinated. More than 33,000 Ohioans have died since the start of the pandemic, nearly 15,000 since vaccines became widely available in April 2021.

Little wonder, with such a low vaccination rate, that hospitalizations started soaring in the fall of 2021.

Fortunately, the worst might be over statewide, hospitalizations have dropped one-thirdover two weeks,from 6,005 on Jan. 18 to 3,968 on Tuesday.

In the Akron area, daily hospitalization levels remain above what they were in the fall and summer, but have sunk from the all-time record of 399 on Jan. 6. Unvaccinated people continue to make up the majority of COVID patients, a Summa Health official says.

Opposition to the vaccine is still strong among many people, often because of misinformation.

But in an interesting development, Donald Trump is promoting the COVID vaccine and booster. He pointed out to a right-wing interviewer that The ones that get very sick and go to the hospital are the ones that don't take their vaccine.

Later, in mid-January, he went further, saying he believes the vaccines have saved tens of millions throughout the world. He called "gutless" those conservative Republican politicians who won't say whether they've been fully vaccinated.

No doubt this is a not-so-subtle way ofreminding everyone that the Trump administration rolled out Operation Warp Speed to help bring COVID-19 vaccines to the American public. Trump, after all, hasnt ruled out a run for the presidency in 2024.

Unfortunately, Trump spent too much time early in the pandemic talking about unproven and dangerous treatments. The easy solutions and wishful thinking that marked Trumps unwise pronouncementscontinue among those who hope to achieve his popularity numbers.

Nobody liked the lockdowns of 2020 that were seen in Ohio and elsewhere, but with lives on the line, some of us did find comfort in bold moves. There were no vaccines and little information about the emerging disease.

Unfortunately, what began as disagreement over COVID safety measures has turned into political opportunity that Trump and his followers have used to form a bond with extremists.

In Ohio, Republicans hoping to replace outgoing Sen. Rob Portman often sound like the 45th president as they hope to gain Trumps endorsement.

The candidate with statewide name recognition, Josh Mandel, tweeted after a Trump rally last month: Incredible speech and right on target END VACCINE MANDATES NOW! This all-cap tweet sure reminds us of Trump.

Our work force and student populations wouldnt need mandates, however, if more people made vaccine appointments instead of excuses. Those folks need some prodding.

But some people are actively rejecting vaccines and finding receptive lawmakers in Ohio, with one Republicanlawmaker offering a bill that virtually would prohibit all vaccine mandates. The Ohio House ultimately passed a different bill, one that would weaken COVID vaccine mandates by adding broad exemptions for most workers.

What exactly do our politicians stand for? Why cater to people on the fringes of society?

Wed like to see our politicians have real discussions about the best ways to approach a crisis like COVID. Once vaccinations became available and we knew more about COVIDs spread, it was certainly reasonable to discuss whether it was time to return children to in-person learning.

But shouting about how awful mandates are isn't preventing deaths and serious illnesses. This inability to hold a discussion might be why we are also plagued by super-rich candidates who fund their own races.

Five GOP candidates for Ohios Senate seat spent a total of nearly $30 million of their own money on campaigning last year. Investment banker Mike Gibbons led the pack, putting $11.4 million toward his run. Businessman Bernie Moreno loaned his campaign $3.75 million, but on Thursday announcedhes dropping out.

Those numbers give new meaning to the phrase "winning at all costs." The sums are shocking. As is this number:155. That's how many Ohioans are dying each day of COVID-19.

When it's time to vote, that latter number should be the one that matters. Ohioans need to elect candidates who care about lowering the death rate and raising the vaccination rate. Being sensible and finding middle ground on theseand other issues would be for the good of all.

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Vaccines, mandates, lockdowns and more: Politicians need to avoid fringe messages - Akron Beacon Journal