Anti-COVID-19 health order protesters about to feel 'consequences of stupidity,' premier says
Premier denounces weekend protesters for failing to take personal responsibility in fight against COVID-19
Premier Brian Pallister denounced those who took part in a protest in Steinbach against current COVID-19 restrictions last weekend, saying they are about to feel the consequences of disregarding public health regulations in their wallets.
"I'll just say that the consequences of stupidity are going to be felt by the people who were there violating the rules and they should look forward to, and check their mailbox, waiting for a penalty coming in the mail to them, and then they can pay the bill," he said during a new conference about support for businesses.
Whether they believe in COVID-19 or not, it's real, and it kills, Pallister added.
"It's real 100 yards away for people waiting in a parking lot to get treated in the hospital less than a third of a mile away from where you were rallying," he said, referring to the evolving situation in the Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach.
"COVID is real. COVID kills people, so you don't have to believe in COVID, but COVID believes in you and COVID is going to find you if you're not careful."
More than 100 people gathered Saturday in the southeast city to protest current public health measures.
That is 20 times the current cap of five people in any gatherings in the province.
Though the event started peacefully, those attending began verbally abusing provincial enforcement officers who tried to ticket attendees as the rally was wrapping up.
After RCMP officers left to help control traffic, people at the protest began honking their horns and shouting profanity at provincial enforcement officers.
On Sunday, the province couldn't say how many fines had been issued to protesters, though La Broquerie Reeve Lewis Weiss received a ticket for just under $1,300.
But on Monday, Pallister promised that consequences are coming for those who took part.
"I would say in defence of the folks that were out there doing their job, trying to help regulate and enforce that, it was a pretty dangerous situation," he said.
He said all Manitobans have a personal responsibility to keep the transmission of COVID-19 down and stay home, where they could perhaps take a page from the Bible.
"We have rights. We also have responsibilities, and I would say to the folks who were there that there is a book I have a lot of time for, and one of the things I always hold high in that book is a phrase that says, 'Thou shalt not kill,'" he said.
"Maybe you could reflect on that a little bit when you consider the dangers that COVID is posing to real Manitobans right now as a consequence of behaviour like yours. Reflect on that, if you would like."
Pallister's comments come the same day health officials announced 10 more deaths and 392 cases, and warned that the province's entire health-care system is soon going to be in distress if this current trajectory doesn't change.
