MANSFIELD, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Third Street Family Health Services will temporarily close its 11 community health centers on Monday, April 8. Ohio is in the path of an impending solar eclipse and a 124-mile swath of the state will experience total darkness.

Third Street serves Ashland, Crawford, Marion, and Richland counties and all are in the path of total darkness. The event is also expected to attract an increase in visitors to the area to view the eclipse.

“Predicted disruptions to traffic and communications could make travel abnormally hazardous,” said Third Street COO Javar Jackson, Sr. “In the interest of patient and staff safety, we are closing our clinics and pharmacy.”

Help is still available

During the closures, patients in need of assistance may call 419-522-6191 to reach an on-call provider. In the case of emergencies, patients are advised to call 9-1-1.

Community Counseling & Wellness Centers- Bucyrus patients experiencing a mental health crisis may call 800-544-1601 to reach Pathways of Central Ohio for Crawford County. Community Counseling & Wellness Centers- Marion patients in crisis should call 740-388-2273 for Pathways of Central Ohio for Marion County.

Third Street’s clinics and pharmacy will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, April 9.

Safe viewing and travel

The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806. The next total solar eclipse in Ohio will be in the year 2099, according to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.

“Naturally, there is great local and out-of-state interest in witnessing such a special event,” Jackson. “However, viewers should also make safety a priority.”

It is not safe to look directly at the sun without appropriate eye protection. Regular sunglasses and home solar filters are not adequate for preventing eye damage during an eclipse.

NASA advises using safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. Safe solar viewers and eclipse glasses should comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard, according to the agency.

NASA also advises not to look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer. The concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury.

For those who plan to travel and view the eclipse or attend a related event, Ohio EMA recommends pre-planning the destination route. Drivers should also ensure they have a full tank of fuel and have a paper map or written driving directions available in case GPS does not work. Also, do not pull off to the side of roadways to view the eclipse and impede traffic.

“The most important thing is to prepare well and make smart decisions for the health and safety of yourself and others,” Jackson said.

The following health centers will be closed:

Ashland

  • Ashland Health & Wellness Center
  • Ninth Street Dental

Bucyrus

  • Bucyrus Health & Wellness Center
  • Community Counseling & Wellness Centers- Bucyrus

Mansfield

  • Cornerstone OB/GYN
  • Five Points Primary Care
  • Malabar Care Connect
  • Mansfield Family Health
  • Third Street Family Health Services
  • Third Street Pharmacy

Marion

  • Community Counseling & Wellness Centers- Marion

Ontario

  • Hawkins Medical Center

Shelby

  • Shelby Health & Wellness Center (Closed for renovation until late 2024)