Doctor reacts as anti-mask protests sweep through Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is warning people about attending rallies against COVID restrictions as a convoy of people parade through the prairies.

Chris Saccoccia, who identifies himself as ‘Chris Sky’, has been travelling around Canada holding rallies against COVID measures as well as speaking out against vaccines.

“We aren’t going to stop,” Saccoccia said in a live-streamed video Saturday morning, on a stage bearing an upside down Saskatchewan flag. “We are going to get our freedom back.”

Saccoccia’s convoy is planning on visiting Maple Creek as well as Regina Saturday.

Dr. Kevin Wasko, physician executive of integrated rural health for the SHA, says protests going against COVID restrictions are more risky now than ever before.

“We now have the first cases of the Brazilian variant showing up in the province in southwest Saskatchewan,” Wasko said. “The variants result in higher admissions to the ICU and higher death rates so they are more serious, they are very concerning for us as they continue to spread throughout the province.

“Surrounding communities in the southwest are all seeing rising numbers, including Maple Creek.”

A “super-spreader” party with more than 100 attendees near Maple Creek over the Easter weekend resulted in nearly 40 cases involving the U.K. variant being traced back to the gathering.

“To hold a large gathering, when we just saw that large gatherings resulted in the growth of new cases within a region, shows how COVID spreads.” Wasko said. “Soon we will see admissions and deaths from that, if we can’t learn from our mistakes then we are destined to fail ourselves.

“The message this individual who is criss-crossing the country, going community community to spread false information is really damaging for communities. The message is frankly deadly, and it will be.”

Some businesses in the region are taking steps to try and fight further spread in the Maple Creek area following Saccoccia’s arrival.

Lansdall Pharmacy plans on closing on Saturday to prevent the risk of COVID spreading more in the community.

“The pharmacy will be closed Saturday … This is being done to protect the safety and security of our staff and community and is a direct result of the planned anti-mask and anti-science protest planned for the community,” wrote Jason Williams, pharmacist and operator of Lansdall Pharmacy, on Facebook. “We strongly recommend all residents stay home for the duration of this event.

“We have seen first hand in our pharmacy a sharp increase of individuals with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 (who) are now quarantining because they are ill or have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.”

The SHA issued a warning to the public of an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 following a rally in Prince Albert that was held last Saturday.

The warning comes after at least one person attended the rally while infectious — resulting in the SHA calling upon anyone who attended the event to self-isolate immediately.

Saskatoon Mayor, Charlie Clark, is asking families to stay away from Kiwanis Park Saturday, when an anti-mask rally geared towards children is scheduled to take place.

“I strongly request people stay away from the Children’s Freedom Rally event,” Clark said in a series of posts on Twitter on Thursday. “It is organized as part of the anti-mask activities and is irresponsible and dangerous.”

More to come. . .