Saskatoon’s anti-vax protest moves further away from hospital entrances – Saskatoon | The Canadian News

A group of around 40 protesters and counter-protesters took a slightly different approach at the Saskatoon City Hospital protest Monday afternoon.

The attendees chose not to block key entrances and instead shared their concerns in what they called a “silent vigil” behind the hospital so that healthcare workers are mandated to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“We are putting them in a position to choose their career over a vaccine that they are not comfortable with,” said protester Mark Friesen.

Friesen is a well-known local voice in calls against mandatory vaccines. He is also a candidate for the People’s Party of Canada.

He said at Monday’s protest that he also does not support alternative testing and masking protocols like those in universities for people who feel uncomfortable getting vaccinated.

“I believe in people who make decisions for themselves,” Friesen said. “Whether or not they should wear a mask, whether or not they should be vaccinated, whether or not they should be tested.”

Several counter-protesters arrived ready to defend health mandates and health workers.

“It’s disgusting and it’s not acceptable,” said counter-protester Kent Allen. “And, as happened today, they should move away from the front of the hospital.

“[Health-care workers] I have a job to do. People trust them, some for their own lives. “

Some of the counter-protesters criticized the motives of these protest groups.

“A lot of people are using this as political lever; As you know, we are in a federal election, ”Allen said.

Virologist Jason Kindrachuk says the mandates are an answer to questions about vaccines at a critical time when cases are on the rise.

“If you want to fight vaccine mandates, get people vaccinated,” Kindrachuk said.

“We are in a situation at the moment where we cannot vaccinate children under 12 years of age. We know that the herd immunity threshold is extremely high for Delta and we have not yet achieved it. “

The protest at the Saskatoon hospital is one of several taking place across the country this week. Counter-protesters say they hope respectful distance from hospital entrances will be maintained for future protests.

See link »